Rather than undergoing one dental treatment to focus on a singular functional or aesthetic dental concern, a smile makeover uses a combination of cosmetic procedures to resolve multiple issues, no matter how minor or complex.
What Issues Can a Smile Makeover Resolve?
Just as no two smiles are exactly the same, every smile makeover is unique. At Palmetto Dental Arts, our trusted dental team creates personalized treatment plans that are customized to address the individual needs of one's mouth.
Some of the most common cosmetic concerns we address through smile makeovers include:
- Missing teeth
- Damaged teeth
- Discolored or stained teeth
- Cracked, chipped, or fractured teeth
- Misaligned or crooked teeth
- Gapped teeth
What Does a Smile Makeover Include?
Before you undergo a smile makeover, the dentist will closely examine your mouth for any oral health, function, or cosmetic concerns, paying close attention to your bite, gums, and the proportion of your teeth. Based on the particular needs of your mouth, they may recommend a combination of the following treatments:
Periodontal Treatment
Before addressing the cosmetic concerns of your teeth, it's important to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy and strong. For many people, this means that periodontal treatment will be necessary.
Untreated gum disease will only get worse over time and can cause serious oral health complications, including damage to restorations, such as veneers, and even potential tooth loss.
If you are diagnosed with gum disease, the dentist may recommend that you have a professional deep dental cleaning. During a deep dental cleaning, plaque and tartar are gently scraped from the surface of your teeth and under your gum line.
Porcelain Veneers and Crowns
Porcelain veneers and crowns are very effective at helping individuals with damaged teeth achieve the symmetrical, radiant results they have in mind. For this reason, they are among the most popular treatments used in smile makeovers.
The health and condition of your teeth will determine if veneers or crowns would be more beneficial. Here are the differences between the two::
- Porcelain veneers: These wafer-thin shells are adhered to the front of one's natural teeth, improving the natural appearance of damaged, discolored, or misaligned teeth. While porcelain veneers are known for their durability and natural aesthetic, they are used for strictly cosmetic purposes and work best on teeth that are healthy and strong.
- Porcelain crowns: These consist of caps that encompass damaged teeth. Crowns can restore the natural beauty of teeth but are also important to protect weak teeth from further damage and restore their normal function.
Dental Implants
For teeth that are missing or severely damaged, dental implants may be necessary to restore the beauty, comfort, and function of one's smile. This requires placing a screw-shaped titanium post into their jaw bone, ultimately replacing a natural tooth's root.
After the implant and bone have fused together, an abutment will be attached to the post, followed by a dental crown. The result is a permanent, comfortable, natural-looking dental restoration that can last a lifetime with proper oral hygiene.
Clear Aligners
For people who have misaligned or crooked teeth, clear aligner treatment can help. These orthodontic appliances are made from BPA-free plastic trays that are customized to fit one's mouth perfectly and are virtually invisible, making them much more discreet than traditional metal braces.
Because they can be removed to eat and clean, clean aligners are convenient and easy to care for. Best of all, they can enhance the beauty of one's smile in as little as 12-18 months.
Teeth Whitening
Even with the best oral health habits, it's common for teeth to become stained or discolored over time. While at-home teeth whitening treatments have become more popular than ever, professional teeth whitening is the most effective way to achieve radiant, white teeth quickly and safely.
Professional teeth whitening is painless, non-invasive, and can be performed in under one hour, depending on the condition of your smile.
Caring for Your Smile Makeover
After each of your cosmetic dental treatments, the dentist will give you specific instructions on how to care for and maintain your new smile. It's important to follow these instructions closely to keep your smile looking its best for as long as possible. In addition to following your dentist's guidelines, be sure to:
- Brush your teeth two times a day
- Floss and use mouthwash every day
- Limit your consumption of sweet foods that are hard to remove from your teeth
- Avoid biting down on hard items that could damage your smile, such as ice and fingernails
- Avoid tobacco use
- Visit your dentist twice a year for routine exams and professional cleanings
How Much Does a Smile Makeover Cost?
The cost of your smile makeover will depend on several factors:
- The condition of your teeth and gums
- The number of teeth you're having treated
- Which procedures you're having performed
For information on the cost of a particular cosmetic dental treatment or to learn more about what your dental insurance plan covers, please contact our office.
Achieve Your Dream Smile at Palmetto Dental Arts
Regardless of what condition your mouth may currently be in, you deserve to have the healthy, beautiful smile you have always wanted. If you're tired of hiding your teeth from the world, the experienced dental team at Palmetto Dental Arts can help you improve your smile's appearance and boost your self-esteem with a smile makeover.
Whether your teeth are misaligned, damaged, missing, or discolored, one of our trusted dentists can create a personalized treatment plan to meet the unique needs of your teeth and gums quickly, safely, and comfortably. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about how a smile makeover can help you regain your quality of life with a stunning new smile.
