Smile Makeover: Types & Costs For a Beautiful Smile

There are a number of factors that can impact the way your smile looks: discoloration, chips, cracks, and decay are some of the most common issues. Living with one or more of these issues can cause you to feel bad about the way your smile looks. A smile makeover can address multiple oral problems and help you get a smile that you are proud to show off.

A smile makeover is a process that can transform your smile by improving the look of your teeth, gums, and bite. The procedures included in the smile makeover process can address issues such as stains, damage, misalignment, gaps, and missing teeth. If you currently wish you could change something about your smile, a smile makeover could be the solution.

A smile makeover can include any procedures that help you move toward the goal of getting the smile you want. You and your dentist will work together to determine the right steps for your smile makeover. 

The majority of the procedures involved in a smile makeover are cosmetic, but you may need to have some prep work done to your teeth and gums before starting the cosmetic procedures. For example, if you want to get a tooth implant to replace a tooth you lost, your gums need to be in good condition before the procedure. Your dentist will help you get your teeth and gums ready for the cosmetic procedures you want as part of the smile makeover process.  

There are several cosmetic dental procedures that you should consider as you prepare for a smile makeover. Some of the procedures are quick and simple, while others require multiple steps and several appointments with the dentist. Learning about the most common smile makeover procedures will help you understand what to expect when it is time to get started on your transformation.

Dental veneers can be used to cover deep discoloration on your teeth, hide cracks, repair chips, fill gaps, and reshape your teeth. Veneers are made using thin pieces of porcelain. The porcelain veneers are then bonded to the surface of your existing teeth to provide you with a new smile. 

Your dentist can customize the veneers, so they integrate seamlessly into your smile. The veneers' size, shape, and shade will be customized so they look like a natural part of your smile. With proper care, dental veneers can last and continue to look great for several years. 

Dental crowns are made with the same material as veneers – porcelain. Crowns can provide some of the same benefits that you can expect from veneers. Dental crowns can be used to cover deep discoloration and repair damaged teeth. 

Crowns are designed to completely encapsulate the tooth. Because of this, crowns are often used in situations where veneers cannot provide enough coverage. Your dentist will need to do some prep work on your teeth before placing the crowns, and the process typically takes more than one appointment to complete. 

Composite bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that can repair damage on chipped teeth or tooth decay. The color of the composite material used in bonding can be customized to match your teeth, so there is no sign that you had any work done. 

If you have old fillings made with dark amalgam, they can be replaced with a composite bonding material, so you do not have to live with dark fillings in your teeth. The composite fillings will blend with the natural color of your teeth and will not be noticeable when you smile, laugh, or talk. Composite bonding is a simple procedure that can be completed in as little as one appointment.

Getting tooth implants is a cosmetic dental procedure that can restore the look and function of your smile. Having a missing tooth as an adult can cause you to feel self-conscious when talking to others, prevent you from smiling, and make it difficult to eat the foods you want. A dental implant is a permanent solution to tooth loss. The implant includes a post that is implanted into your jawbone. Over time, the bone and implant fuse together to create a new, strong root. Part of the implant remains above the surface of your jawbone and includes a replacement tooth.

Once the tooth implant is in, you can treat the replacement tooth just like your natural teeth. Tooth implants are one of the most complex procedures involved in the smile makeover process. If you need one or more dental implants, there will be multiple appointments and steps involved in the process.

Surface teeth whitening is the quickest and least invasive cosmetic procedure included in the smile makeover process. You can get your teeth whitened multiple shades in as little as one appointment. If you are looking for quick but noticeable results, be sure and include professional teeth whitening as part of your smile makeover. Surface stains build up on your teeth as you eat and drink day in and day out. 

Brushing regularly helps minimize surface stains but will not prevent them completely. In-office teeth whitening can remove those stubborn surface stains and leave you with a brighter smile. Dental discoloration is not always caused by surface stains. Medication, injury, and other factors can lead to tooth discoloration that is below the surface. 

For deep discoloration, surface-level teeth whitening will not make a difference. Instead, you will need to consider options such as veneers, crowns, or composite bonding to cover up the discoloration.

Whitening is only temporary. What we eat and drink will affect the color of our teeth and how long the bleaching lasts. Did you know drinks like soda, coffee, tea, fruit juice, and wine all stain our teeth? Although fruits and vegetables are healthy, berries and beets are known to excessively stain teeth. It is essential to avoid these foods and drinks for at least two weeks after whitening your teeth. Why is this the case? Because bleaching causes the enamel to become porous, allowing the pigments to penetrate and stain teeth more quickly.

To keep teeth white and healthy, it's recommended patients eat crunchy fruits such as pears and apples. Crunchy fruits help cleanse the teeth while being masticated (chewed). Also, it is vital to have constant salivary stimulation because saliva washes and helps to re-mineralize teeth. One can achieve salivary stimulation by chewing sugar-free gum.

Smile makeover cost is an important factor to consider as you research options for transforming your smile. The exact price of each cosmetic procedure will vary depending on factors such as the type of procedure, your dental insurance, the current condition of your oral health, and where you live. 

In-office teeth whitening is a quick and simple procedure that will cost less than a complex cosmetic procedure like getting a dental implant. Your dental insurance may partially cover some cosmetic procedures, but you will most likely have to pay out of pocket for some of your smile makeover. The good news is that many dentists offer payment plans to help patients who need to pay for cosmetic dental procedures over time.

The phrase ‘smile makeover’ implies that the work being done is focused on aesthetics. Cosmetic dentistry is largely focused on improving the way your smile looks. Full mouth reconstruction is a long, multi-step process with the primary goal of restoring function. 

Full mouth reconstruction often includes cosmetic dental procedures as part of the overall process. Some procedures can be considered part of reconstructive and cosmetic dentistry. Dental implants can help both restore the function of your teeth and improve the overall aesthetic of your smile. 

If you are trying to decide if you need a full mouth reconstruction or a smile makeover, start by considering your primary concern. Are your teeth severely damaged, missing, and/or in pain? If so, you likely need to seek out restorative dental procedures. Is your primary concern the way that your teeth look? If so, a smile makeover can help you improve the overall look of your smile.

A smile makeover can include a number of cosmetic dental procedures. It is important to understand that not all dentists offer the complete list of cosmetic procedures outlined above. If you have certain cosmetic procedures you are interested in, confirm that any dentist you consider offers them. 

If you're wondering how to find a dentist near me. The Smile Generation offers an online tool that simplifies the process of searching for a smile makeover dentist near you. You can use the Find a Dentist tool to search for a dentist in your area. You can narrow the search based on the services you want to receive. This tool streamlines the process of finding a dentist who offers the smile makeover services you want.