Smile Makeover
Cosmetic Dentistry is a combination of the art and science of creating an attractive smile. This is accomplished by using state-of-the-art aesthetic materials and techniques in order to achieve the best smile possible for a single individual.
Whatever the reasons for your dissatisfaction with your smile or whatever your dental problem is, there are many different ways in which you can improve your smile through cosmetic dentistry to correct:
- Stained teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Chipped, broken teeth
- Missing teeth, gaps
- Gummy smile
The result of a smile makeover should be a smile to be proud of, straight, white and perfectly aligned.
With a smile makeover, a cosmetic dentist can restore the teeth to a more natural, pleasing appearance with a variety of different techniques and procedures to improve the colour, shape and size of the teeth. These include replacement fillings and bonding, crowns and bridges.
Bonding is a skilled way of lightening and changing the shape of teeth, or closing small spaces or gaps, in just one visit to a dental surgery. A crown, also commonly known as a cap, sits over your existing tooth, covering the entire outer surface to strengthen your damaged tooth, allowing it to work properly, and also makes it look consistent with your other teeth. For spaces where teeth are missing, a bridge can be used to replace the teeth. This means that you will not have to wear a denture or false tooth to fill in a gap.
Am I a Candidate for a Smile Makeover?
The ideal candidate for a smile makeover is someone with an uneven or unattractive smile who is keen to undertake a significant number of procedures to restore their smile.
Before Surgery Before surgery it is important to have a detailed consultation with a cosmetic dentist and to clearly outline your expectations of the procedure. It may be the case that a less invasive option can deliver the results you desire, or that you will require a combination of treatments to create the desired effect.
During Surgery A smile makeover can be a lengthy process, involving a number of treatments to create the desired effect. If you require a filling, this is a relatively speedy procedure where a dentist will fill small gaps in the tooth using natural-looking materials. Bonding is similarly a skilled way of lightening and changing the shape of teeth, or closing small spaces or gaps, involving just one visit to the dental surgery.
When the damage to a tooth is too great to be restored with a filling or bonding, a crown is often the chosen treatment for the cosmetic dentist. These are complete shells that cover and protect a tooth.
Some preparatory work will be required on the tooth to be crowned, and a mould taken of the teeth as crowns are custom-made. The final crown may take a week or so to be made and fitted.
Finally, in circumstances where teeth are missing, a bridge can be used to replace the teeth. This means that you will not have to wear a denture or false tooth to fill in a gap. Again, these involve preparatory work on the teeth and a mould. Custom-made bridges may take a week or so to prepare.
In addition to these treatments, you may also decide upon a whitening treatment for your new smile.
Recovery You should be able to return to normal habits straight after a smile makeover, although it is advisable to avoid chewy foods and also staining foods such as red wine and coffee immediately after treatment. Smile makeover procedures tend to last from 10-15 years, although the teeth will become worn and stained over time.
Benefits Natural wear and tear, grinding your teeth or an accident can cause a smile to look uneven and unappealing. With a smile makeover, a cosmetic dentist can use a variety of treatments to restore teeth to a more natural, pleasing appearance.
Types of Smile Makeover
A smile makeover usually involves a combination of treatments, including fillings, bonding, crowns and bridges. You may also like to consider a teeth whitening treatment to brighten up your new, even smile.
Risks and Complications There are few risks and complications involved with cosmetic dentistry. The most common complications arise from not looking after the teeth properly post-treatment.
Cost of Smile Makeover
Replacement fillings and bonding can cost from around £100 per tooth; prices for crowns and bridges vary depending on the type of material used – expect to pay from £150-£500 per tooth. Teeth whitening can range from around £40 for a single tooth to over £600 for the whole mouth.
Choosing a Smile Makeover Dentist
It is important to select a reputable, experienced cosmetic dentist in order to maximise the results and minimise the possible risks and complications of a smile makeover. Not all dentists have a particular focus on cosmetic dentistry, so it is important to find a dental practice that does a lot of cosmetic dental work.
