What is a smile makeover?
A smile makeover is anything that enhances your natural smile. It can be little adjustments to one or two teeth, or it can be something more dramatic if you want a big change, like a bigger, wider, brighter smile. Honestly, a smile makeover is anything you want it to be.
Are smile makeovers considered cosmetic or restorative dentistry?
It depends on the case. Some of the cases we have involve beautiful natural teeth that we just want to enhance a little bit, maybe make wider or bring the smile into balance with the rest of the face.
Sometimes we have cases where the teeth have serious previous damage from an accident, wear, acidic exposure, or other problems that have worked against the teeth over the years. We can bring back function through the smile makeover process and not just enhance your aesthetics, but also improve your function. At that point, a smile makeover becomes more of a restorative procedure.
What are the goals of a smile makeover?
The goals of a smile makeover are very personal to every individual. As I mentioned before, some people are just looking to improve their aesthetics, and some people are looking to improve their function. Technically, you can have aesthetics without function, but that's not what I'm trying to achieve. I look at function first and aesthetics second.
Who is a good candidate for a smile makeover?
I believe there's almost always something we can do if you want to enhance your smile. There are also people who want it for the wrong reasons. If you want me to shave down your teeth for something that's not going to improve your function, I'm not going to do it. But there are so many conservative ways that we can enhance even the most beautiful smiles. Honestly, a smile makeover can be for anyone who wants to enhance their smile in an appropriate way.
What procedures are involved in a smile makeover?
Sometimes it's just a little bit of bonding, so not a lot of procedures. Sometimes it's veneers. A lot of the time, it's a combination of veneers and crowns.
There's a pretty big difference between veneers and crowns. With crowns, we have to shape down your tooth a little bit more. Veneers can be a very conservative approach. A lot of the time, with veneers, we may not have to remove much, if any, natural tooth structure. We're trying to add and enhance. We don't want to take anything away unnecessarily.
What are the benefits of a smile makeover?
If you love your smile, you show that smile to the rest of the world. It can give you confidence. There are so many people who get smile makeovers, and the next time I see them, they have this new level of confidence. They go out into the world and present what they were hiding for so many years.
Sometimes when we're self-conscious about little things about ourselves, we hide behind things. We hide behind a serious face. But if you love smiling and you love your smile, you're going to be more comfortable showing it to everyone.
Will you need anesthesia during a smile makeover?
It depends. I do a lot of cases where you don't need any anesthesia. Those cases work amazingly because you come in and just relax, and there's typically little to no discomfort. If I have to shape your teeth even a little bit, I may need to anesthetize you. If crowns are involved, anesthesia is typically needed. Honestly, it depends on the case.
How long does it take to recover from a smile makeover?
The majority of the time, there's very little recovery because we try to stay as conservative as possible. Sometimes some drilling is involved, and there might be post-procedural sensitivity. Usually, that sensitivity resolves within one to three days.
Can you brush and floss after a smile makeover?
Yes. And you also have to improve your routine. You put a lot of money into a smile makeover. You put a lot of time into it, and I put a lot of time into it. We want to make sure that we keep that smile healthy and beautiful for the long term. So yes, you brush and floss, and probably a little bit more than you did before.
How can you schedule a smile makeover consultation?
You can always give us a call and schedule your complimentary consultation for a smile makeover. At that appointment, we go over your goals, your desires, and your budget. We take a look at your teeth and your situation, and then we decide on the best plan of action.
At GloWell Dental, you come first. Whether you need dental care or simply have questions, call us at (586) 203-3057 or email [email protected] to schedule your visit. Our team is here to help you every step of the way.