5 Cosmetic Dental Treatments used during a Smile Makeover

There are many different treatments that can help you to transform the appearance of your smile and give you greater confidence in the appearance of your teeth. Your cosmetic dentist will be able to advise you which will be best for helping you to achieve the improvements that you are looking for, but in the meantime, here are five of the most popular dental treatments used during a smile makeover.
 

Fillings

Fillings are by far one of the most common types of restorative dentistry treatment, but they are also a very popular element of a smile makeover. This is because, during a smile makeover, many patients chose to have any original fillings that they have replaced with a new, more attractive version.

Basic cavity fillings are made from silver amalgam. While this makes them very strong, the dark metal is very obvious when you open your mouth, particularly if the teeth at the front of your mouth are affected. The appearance of dark patches in their teeth can cause many patients to feel self-conscious about their smile. Fortunately, it is now possible to have fillings made from a tooth-colored resin. This enables the restorations to be just as effective while having no detrimental effect on the appearance of your smile. Unlike amalgam fillings which can turn teeth a greyish color over time, tooth-colored resin fillings do not have any impact on the color of your teeth, helping you to maintain a great smile for longer.
 

Tooth Bonding

Tooth bonding is one of the simplest types of cosmetic dental treatment used during a smile makeover. It involves the application of a tooth-colored resin to the outer enamel of the tooth in order to repair small cosmetic defects, such as chips, cracks or stains. It can also be used to cover small gaps between teeth or to add thickness or height to undersized teeth.

Unlike veneers, which are manufactured specifically for each tooth of each patient, tooth bonding is an art form, with the resin applied, molded esthetically and hardened in the same appointment. There is minimal preparation required and no need for any anesthetic. The surface of the affected teeth is etched a little to make it more abrasive, as this helps the bonding material adhere to the tooth. Once the resin has been applied and artistically-shaped, it is hardened and then polished so that it is shiny and matches the rest of your teeth.
 

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is the most popular elective cosmetic treatment in the world. Lots of products claim to be able to improve the color of your teeth, but in-office whitening performed by a cosmetic dentist is the most effective and produces the best and most long-lasting results. The procedure involves placing a shield over your gums to protect them, while a bleaching agent is carefully applied to your teeth. A special light is used to create a chemical reaction that breaks down the stains and discoloration, and at the end of the session, the bleach is cleaned away. Exactly how many sessions you will need will depend on the starting color of your teeth and the color that you hope to achieve.
 

Porcelain Veneers and Lumineers

Porcelain veneers are a popular alternative to both whitening and bonding. Nevertheless, the process is more extensive and takes place over at least two appointments. Veneers are thin coverings that are made specifically in the shape and size needed to cover a specific tooth. You can have a single veneer or an entire set depending on what you need to makeover your smile. Porcelain can also be glazed in a shade to match your existing teeth, helping to make the veneers very discreet or able to transform the color of your teeth. In addition to hiding imperfections such as chips, cracks, and stains, veneers can also be used to close small gaps between teeth or add height or thickness to those which are undersized. Unfortunately, a little preparation work is needed which involves removing some of the natural enamel of the teeth so that the veneer sits right. This is done under local anesthetic and is permanent as enamel cannot regenerate.

Lumineers are a version of porcelain veneers that are thinner and made from a more translucent material which many people feel makes them more natural in appearance. They also do not require any preparation to the natural teeth. 
 

Teeth Straightening

If your teeth are crooked, twisted, gapped or overlapping, or if your teeth don’t come together properly when you close your mouth, you may want to consider orthodontic treatment for your smile makeover. You can select from conventional braces, which use increasingly tightened brackets and wires in order to move teeth into their new position, or a clear aligner solution such as Invisalign. Invisalign uses transparent, plastic aligners that are worn over the teeth to push them into their new positions. The aligners are custom and created in a complete series, which must be worn in order since each aligner represents a new stage in the treatment plan. Their discreetness and removability make them a much more popular option amongst many patients.

If you are considering a smile makeover and would like more information about any of the cosmetic dental treatments listed here, please don’t hesitate to contact our office to speak to our discreet and knowledgeable cosmetic dentistry team.