Smile Makeover FAQs

Smile Makeover

What is a smile makeover?

Known also as an extreme makeover and a great way to look and feel good in a short time, a smile makeover is a customized cosmetic dentistry procedure that may combine many or one of the cosmetic dentistry procedures which would include dental implants, bonding and porcelain veneers that would improve the smile. Patients or clients can also have the option of a mini makeover with only contouring, placing of veneers and whitening.

What are the types of people who need a smile makeover?

People who want to make their smile more attractive and brilliant with various cosmetic dentistry procedures are the types of people who need a smile makeover.

What are the procedures involved in a smile makeover?

Some of the procedures that are used in a smile makeover are porcelain veneers, bridges, white fillings, tooth whitening, dental implants, metal free fillings, dental bonding, crowns, contouring and tooth whitening.

Does the dentist decide on the cosmetic dentistry procedures that are needed?

The person who needs a smile makeover can consult with the cosmetic dentist about the procedures that are needed which would depend on the structure of the face and which feature such as the jaw, gums and teeth need to be changed according to the patient or the client’s preferences.

What is meant by cosmetic contouring?

Making the person look attractive, cosmetic contouring helps the teeth look more presentable and is more obviously seen or noticed when the person has teeth that are uneven or crowded. Though some enamel would be lost while contouring, the shape of the teeth is improved and appears more pleasing. The gums can also be contoured to look better.

What are veneers and why are veneers needed?

Customized according to the person’s teeth or tooth, veneers are porcelain laminates which are thin, strong and aesthetic in appearance which are bonded to the front surface of the teeth. People who have gaps, chipped, discoloured or cracked teeth need veneers and the shape of the teeth can be changed with custom veneers making them look and appear brighter, well shaped and better.

What is the procedure for application of veneers?

The cosmetic dentist would first examine the teeth. The teeth would be prepared with the same dimension or thickness of the veneer. The cosmetic dentist would take an impression of the tooth or teeth and send it to a dental laboratory to be custom created. In the meantime, the cosmetic dentist would place temporary veneers on the teeth till the permanent one is ready. Once the permanent veneer or veneers is ready, the cosmetic dentist would bond the veneers with the tooth or the teeth which would appear natural and as strong as the original tooth. With the two types of veneers being porcelain and composite, the porcelain veneers involve two visits while the composite veneers take only one visit to be bonded to the front of the tooth with tooth-coloured filling material. With porcelain veneers being a popular choice, veneers have a short life span and can be replaced according to the need of the patient or client.

What does the first dental smile makeover appointment entail and what is the procedure on the day of treatment?

The cosmetic dentist offers the patient a simulated view of how their future smile would look through computer imaging. The cosmetic doctor and the patient would decide on the best and most natural looking smile according to the pros and cons that would be discussed. Once the final decision is made, the re-construction begins with makeovers of choice with reshaping of teeth, porcelain veneers, reshaping of gum line or tissue, lengthening of the tooth if needed and Diode laser to reshape the gum.

How long does teeth whitening last?

Teeth whitening would last according to the way the teeth are looked after. The teeth whitening would depend on the handling of the intricacies of cleaning the teeth especially flossing and brushing with periodical checkups and cleanings done by the dentist. It is a must that one should be careful about liquids that are ingested such as tea, red wine and coffee that cause stains. Though with age, teeth get discoloured very soon, it is necessary to look after the teeth well and adhere to oral hygiene.

Will bleaching injure the enamel of teeth?

No, bleaching will not affect the enamel of the teeth as teeth whitening is done with peroxides with the fact that treatments with bleaching are safe and will not affect the smile makeover.