What is a Smile Makeover?
There are probably many different procedures that could be considered Smile Makeovers. I would simplify it and say that anything that changes a person’s smile dramatically and for the better. A Smile Makeover could be anything from six crowns on the front top teeth, to every tooth in the patient’s mouth being crowned or covered with some aesthetic method that makes things look better. Sometimes it would also include some functionality increase, but most of the time when people are asking about Smile Makeovers, they are referring to making their teeth look better.
Are Smile Makeovers considered “Cosmetic” or “Restorative” Dentistry?
Most of the time, Smile Makeovers are going to be more on the cosmetic or aesthetic side. Not to say that there aren’t any cases where there is a functional component to the treatment. There are many times when we will makeover a smile or do a whole mouth makeover that includes the smile but also includes fixing the patient’s occlusion, or bite, to make sure everything is working well. It can help to equilibrate their jaw and mouth. Many people need this kind of work when they are having jaw joint pain and things like that.
What are the goals of a Smile Makeover?
The goal is to make it so that a patient feels comfortable and confident with their smile. Feels excited to smile and not hesitant at all to give somebody else a smile. There have been many times that patients don’t even realize it, but after we do a Smile Makeover they say, “I just did not realize how often I wouldn’t smile for pictures, I’ve been looking through old photos from holidays and other things and have seen that I just would not smile or not smile very big.” A lot of times this is just because of some level of self-consciousness about some aspects of their teeth. It could be as simple as staining or twisting and turning or things like that.
Who is a good candidate for a Smile Makeover?
It depends on what you are looking for in a Smile Makeover. If you are just looking for some cosmetic whitening, the best candidates would be patients with good healthy teeth that simply want a whiter smile. It wouldn’t make a whole lot of sense to whiten your teeth if you have cavities and other underlying issues that need to be dealt with first! But otherwise, most people would be good candidates for a Smile Makeover! Whether it be some straightening of your teeth with clear aligner therapy or with several veneers in the front which can also give a lot of control of the desired color, most people would benefit from a makeover. As we age, we break our teeth down quite a bit, and this can create sharp edges or an appearance that we don’t desire, and a Smile Makeover can address these things. It is not a one-size-fits-all, so the Smile Makeover can take on different forms depending on what each person needs.
What are the procedures involved in a Smile Makeover?
The procedures involved in a Smile Makeover can be just about any procedure in the dental world! You could need implants to fill in missing spaces and make it appear that you have a full set of teeth, or bridges and crowns, root canals to build the tooth back up, a simple whitening, or it could even be extracting teeth and replacing them with a full set of dentures. There are many times when patients come to us for a makeover in rough shape and their dental health has gotten a little out of control and it no longer makes good financial sense or functional sense to keep teeth around. So, it could involve removing those teeth and replacing them with a full set of dentures which nowadays look absolutely amazing. With the help of implants and clip systems they stay in place and work extremely well.
What are the benefits of a Smile Makeover?
The biggest benefit is self-confidence. People that feel good about their smile tend to smile a lot more, and when you smile at other people they often smile back! So, it is a huge quality of life turnaround and change if people improve their smile and want to smile more (Both to them and the people around them!).
Will I need anesthesia for a Smile Makeover?
While it depends on what procedures you need, I will say that often times the answer is yes. For simple crowns, implants, veneers, root canals, or dentures, you are definitely going to want anesthesia. However, if it is as simple as doing clear aligners or whitening, you will most likely not need any anesthesia. There can be so many different procedures involved that each person’s unique Smile Makeover will have its own needs, and I can’t accurately tell you if you would need anesthesia until I get to take a look!
How long does it take to heal from a Smile Makeover?
I’ll refer to the last answer! It really depends on what each individual person needs to makeover their smile. It will take more healing if we remove teeth and make a denture than it would if we did crowns and veneers. Crowns and veneers are very quick, and you can use them the same day without noticing too much of a difference, whereas with a denture patient, it can take several weeks before you feel like yourself again.
Can I resume my normal brushing and flossing after a Smile Makeover?
Again, that would depend on what work we are doing. The bulk of smile makeovers are accomplished with crowns and veneers, so I will answer this question assuming that is the case. So, yes you can. You can immediately brush the same day that you leave whether that is an electric or manual toothbrush. We clear patients to resume their home hygiene habits as soon as they leave. Most of the time we even allow patients to eat normally on the same day that they have a smile makeover, the only thing we caution people with is very sticky foods like gummy bears or caramel and things of that nature that will pull on teeth. You will want to give your teeth about 24 hours before you resume that kind of food.
How can I make an appointment to discuss my Smile Makeover?
Well, let me just say that we would love to discuss with you what your specific needs would be! We can do a free consultation; you can call us at Integrity Dental. Our number is (719) 545-2468. We also have a way that you can request appointments online at our website. We would be more than happy to help you understand the process that would be involved with your individual Smile Makeover. It really makes a huge difference in people’s lives and can truly improve quality of life and how you interact with other people as well as how you feel about yourself. It’s deeply rewarding work to do, and I would say that it’s some of my favorite work to do!