Popular Smile Makeover Procedures

If you are unhappy with how your smile looks, there is something you can do about it. A smile makeover is a cosmetic dental plan of two or more treatments designed to transform your smile's appearance. Smile makeovers are unique to each patient and can include a range of procedures. If you are considering a smile makeover, here is a closer look at some treatments your dentist may recommend.

Leading smile makeover procedures

When designing a smile makeover plan, a dentist selects procedures most suited to the patient and likely to produce the desired results. A smile makeover can include a wide range of cosmetic, restorative, and orthodontic treatments, but the following are among the most popular.

Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening involves in-office or take-home treatments using chemicals (carbamide or hydrogen peroxide) to lighten tooth color. Typically, a dentist will fit the patient with custom-made trays they can use at home along with the teeth whitening solution. Some in-office treatments may involve lasers or special lights to speed up or enhance whitening.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a popular smile makeover procedure due to its ability to address various cosmetic issues. It involves adding tooth-colored composite resin to a tooth to correct imperfections. After the bonding material is shaped, a dentist uses a special light to harden the material. Dentists use bonding to fix minor chips and cracks and improve tooth shape and structures. In addition, dental bonding can cover stains that do not respond to teeth whitening procedures.

Dental veneers

These are thin shells of tooth-colored material — usually porcelain or composite resin — bonded to the fronts of teeth that are visible when a person smiles. These shells can conceal imperfections, dental damage, and discolorations. In addition, a dentist can apply veneers to craft a smile uniform in tooth shape, size, texture, and color.

Clear aligners

This treatment involves gradually moving teeth into a desired alignment using a series of clear, custom-made trays. Every few weeks, the patient gets a new set of aligners that move them closer to their goal. Clear aligners offer adults a way to straighten their smile discreetly without braces.

Dental crowns

This restorative treatment is frequently part of a smile makeover plan. Dental damage cannot always be remedied by cosmetic treatments such as veneers and dental bonding. Dental crowns repair the function and appearance of severely damaged teeth.

Gum contouring

The gums are an important part of a smile's appearance. When the gum line is excessive or uneven, the smile can appear out of balance and make one self-conscious. However, with gum contouring, the dentist can restore balance to the smile.

Enamel shaping

This simple procedure involves removing small amounts of enamel to soften minor tooth imperfections and correct rough or uneven edges. Enamel shaping is often used in conjunction with dental bonding to improve teeth's shape, proportion, and texture.