Makeovers are all the rage these days. We watch reality TV shows about home makeovers, body makeovers, etc… A makeover is a method of changing something’s appearance, with the hopes of also changing other aspects of life like attitudes, confidence, social success, resale value, among other things.
A smile makeover, in particular, can change the entire appearance of someone’s face, making him or her look more attractive, successful and friendly. If you find yourself not smiling openly because you dislike the appearance of your teeth, you should consider undergoing a smile makeover.
A smile makeover is a form of cosmetic dentistry in which your dentist performs dental treatments to completely recreate the appearance of your smile. A smile makeover is a custom treatment designed by your dentist for each patient’s unique needs and goals.
The current state of the existing teeth plays a role in determining the necessary treatments to meet those needs and goals. Your dentist formulates a full treatment plan only after you communicate clearly and agree on the desired final appearance of the smile.
A smile makeover will typically include changing the color of the teeth to a whiter shade. Corrections in tooth position, either actual or apparent, will also take place. We replace missing teeth and restore teeth to a natural shape and size.
While the specifics of color, shape and size vary based on individual preferences, in general, a smile makeover will restore a smile to a full complement of teeth that are even in alignment and color.
Because a smile makeover is a customized treatment for each individual, we do not follow a set formula in devising the treatment plan. In general, smile makeovers include one or more of the following dental treatments.
When people hear about a smile makeover, they typically think of porcelain veneers. This cosmetic dental treatment uses a thin layer of porcelain to cover the entire visible surface of the tooth. Porcelain veneers can change the color, size and shape of the teeth. They can also make minor changes in the apparent position by covering the teeth in a way that makes them appear straighter than they actually are.
Porcelain veneers do require relatively healthy teeth for support, so these are not a good option for those who have suffered severe breakdown from decay or gum disease.
Unlike veneers, which only cover the visible surface of the teeth, crowns are “full coverage”. They cover every part of the teeth that is outside of the gums (basically everything except the roots). Crowns are capable of restoring the full contour and function of teeth that have suffered breakdown. In this way, crowns are both cosmetic and functional.
A smile makeover with crowns can reestablish a bite relationship that has collapsed or repair severe decay. In appearance, a smile makeover with porcelain crowns will not look different from one with porcelain veneers. Porcelain crowns can make bigger changes in appearance than veneers can. Those with more severe cosmetic problems, like rampant decay or drastic shortening from heavy grinding, can achieve their smile goals with porcelain crowns.
We can use dental implants in a variety of ways as part of a smile makeover. We often replace single missing teeth with a dental implant and cover it with a porcelain crown to fill out the smile. We can also rebuild an entire mouth of teeth with dental implants and prosthetic teeth.
With dental implants, we can assure our patients that everyone can have a smile makeover. There is no case too bad for restoration because we can literally remove all of the teeth and replace them with an implant-supported prosthesis. This is great news for those suffering from advanced gum disease that lack the support for restoration of the existing teeth.
When someone undergoes a smile makeover, his confidence receives an immediate boost. Studies show that people with confident smiles are more likely to get job offers and second dates than those who do not smile or hide smiles behind their hands.
Unlike a new car or the latest technology into which you could invest thousands of dollars, the investment in a smile makeover never deteriorates! You will enjoy your beautiful confident smile for decades, as well as the benefits it brings.
As we explained earlier, due to the addition of dental implants, literally anyone who is unhappy with their smile is a candidate. We love helping our patients achieve beautiful, healthy smiles because we know how life changing they can be.
There are no dental problems too severe for a new smile. At Premier Dental of Ohio, our skilled dentists treat patients with every type of dental problem. We understand the limitations of various dental treatment options and will not attempt any smile makeover treatments that have a poor long-term prognosis. We are committed to creating smiles that will last for many decades.
The time required for a smile makeover depends on the treatment chosen. For patients with relatively healthy teeth, performing a smile makeover with porcelain veneers can take as little as two dental visits. For those undergoing surgical phases of teeth removal and dental implants, the process may be several months in length.
Most smile makeovers do include a phase during which your dentist works with a certified dental lab technician to create the veneers, crowns or implant prosthetics necessary to rebuild your smile. This means that most smile makeovers include a “provisional phase” during which the patient wears temporary coverings over the teeth.
The cost of a smile makeover also depends on the specific dental treatment chosen to meet your smile goals. Porcelain veneers and dental crowns have a per-tooth fee, so the cost increases with the number of teeth covered. Some people will choose to cover the front six teeth with veneers, but others show ten teeth in their full smiles and need more coverage.
With full arch prosthetics that have dental implant support, the cost is more along the lines of a flat fee rather than based on the number of teeth. You can expect the cost of this to be in the range of purchasing a new car (a Subaru, not a Mercedes).
Call your nearest Premier Dental of Ohio location today to schedule a cosmetic consultation with one of our skilled dentists. We can answer any question you have about smile makeovers, assess your specific situation, and make recommendations on the treatments capable of meeting your smile goals!
