Smile Design

Many dental patients are looking for ways to improve the appearance of their teeth and smile. In response, many dentists have started to offer smile makeover services. These treatment plans are individualized based on every patient’s personal needs. Smile makeovers can include a variety of treatment options including.

• Dental veneers

• Composite bonding

• Tooth implants

• Teeth whitening

Many patients that are considering any of these options may want to talk to their dentist about a complete smile makeover. Many dentists can offer overall cost savings when these procedures are grouped into a single treatment plan.

Smile Design Patients

Patients consider smile makeovers for a variety of reasons. It is important to consider what your desired outcome is. It’s also wise to recognize the things that you appreciate about your smile and make sure that you communicate these things with your dentist.

Your dentist will consider a variety of topics when developing your treatment plan. Some of the things that they consider are your natural skin color, face shape, hair color, tooth factors (shape, length, width, and color), and your lip shape and color.

There are several potential issues that your dentist will be able to help with, and it is important to understand what they can do and what their limitations are.

• Color – many patients aren’t happy with the whiteness of their teeth. Over time teeth can become stained or discolored. This can be due to dental hygiene, dietary factors, tobacco use, or enamel thickness. Your dentist has a variety of options at their disposal in order to brighten your teeth to a brighter shade of white.

• Alignment or Spacing – teeth that are unevenly spaced or crooked are a common issue that many people face. You can work with your dentist to identify options to straighten teeth and correct their spacing. Invisalign or orthodontics are two possibilities that are frequently used.

• Missing Teeth – Many patients feel self-conscious due to a lack of teeth. Patients have missing teeth for a variety of reasons, and your dentist is well-versed on the possibilities to replace missing teeth with dental implants, bridges, or partial dentures.

• Balance and Overall Aesthetics – When patients have cracked or uneven teeth, dental work is an option to help restore and improve the overall appearance of your smile. Dentists even have the option to help recontour an overly gummy smile.

• Fuller Cheeks or Lips – There are some cosmetic surgery options that can help restore your smile to a more youthful appearance. Some of these possibilities include orthodontics or maxillofacial surgeries. You can discuss your options with your dentist.
  
  

In addition to the previous procedures, there are a number of aesthetic components that will weigh into your smile makeover treatment plan.

• Tooth length – Many patients are concerned with the overall length of their teeth. Over time, teeth can wear down from use or damage. Restoring tooth length with cosmetic veneers can restore your teeth length and give a more youthful appearance.

• Smile Line – The smile line is the line that the ends of your teeth take from one edge of your smile to the other. Ideally, this line follows your lip line to create symmetry. Your dentist can help to create a complimentary smile line, and you should talk to them about your options.

• Tooth Proportions – Scientists have studied the appearance of tooth size and the proportions that are ideal for improving your appearance. You can work with your dentist to identify what proper proportions for you are and what type of work they can do to create the appearance that you want.
  
  

OVERVIEW

Many patients have things that they would like to improve about their smiles. You can work with your dentist to discuss smile makeover plans. Dentists are very familiar with these procedures and continue to advance with techniques specifically geared toward improving the appearance of your smile. If you are considering one of these procedures, schedule an appointment with your dentist today.