Modern Cosmetic Dentistry: What a Full Smile Makeover Really Involves
Introduction:
For many reasons, including years of drinking coffee, a childhood accident that resulted in a chipped front tooth, and hereditary traits of unevenly shaped teeth, Iris was no longer confident or happy about the way her teeth looked in pictures anymore, so she had not smiled in a picture for at least as long as she could remember. At 43 years of age, Iris finally entered her first cosmetic dental office expecting to receive a simple procedure for teeth whitening. To her amazement, what she learned was, there was so much more available to her than what she had originally thought.
The advancements made in cosmetic dentistry over the last twenty years have been extraordinary! While the only options available for people were limited to just whitening or metal orthodontic devices that were not comfortable to wear, now patients benefit from an experience that artfully combines scientific and digital technology with medical knowledge, allowing cosmetic dentists to create beautiful, natural-looking smiles that not only look great but also feel fantastic and last for years.
Understanding the Full Smile Makeover
Smile makeover is not one type of procedure; instead it’s a combination of procedures based on the patient’s various needs and desires, including both aesthetics and function. Thus, “makeover” implies renovation; not fixing what was broken (which would fall under cosmetic dentistry). In addition to addressing the patient’s overall health and function, the goal of a smile makeover, and its associated procedures, is to create a new and improved version of your smile that looks extraordinary and gives you confidence.
We will discuss what type of consultation you would like to have before we begin any of the smile makeover procedures. In fact, several practices now provide ‘mock-up’ kits, allowing patients to view and ‘test-drive’ a new smile before committing to permanent changes.
1.The Building Blocks of Transformation
Over the years, the standard practice of whitening teeth remains at the forefront when it comes to making over a smile; however, technology has improved significantly since the days of one-size-fits-all whitening trays. There are many options available today including using laser-activated technology to literally whiten teeth up to several shades in a single visit, using a custom fitted whitening tray with pharmaceutical grade bleaching gel at home and using internal whitening on teeth that have darkened due to trauma or root canal therapy.
Historically, porcelain veneers have been the most popular and commonly used method for very dramatic smile makeovers. Yet, the improvement in technology has resulted in modern porcelain veneers now being wafer-thin and made from medical grade ceramics, allowing dental professionals to bond the veneer directly to the facial surface of a tooth to correct many types of aesthetic defects (chips, gaps, stains, etc.) as well as addressing mild to moderate misalignment of teeth in one procedure. Porcelain veneers look incredibly lifelike and closely resemble the color, translucency, and light-reflective qualities of natural tooth enamel.
In addition, preparation methods have changed significantly, and because of conservative preparation techniques for porcelain veneers, many patients only require a small amount of their tooth structure to be removed before their new porcelain veneers. In some instances, you can even have a no-prep veneer fitted to your tooth without removing any of the natural tooth structure.
For even more extensive corrections, dental crowns are manufactured from advanced materials such as zirconia or a layered porcelain combination, giving dentists the ability to manufacture very strong and most importantly, aesthetically pleasing restorations. Unlike the earlier all-metal crowns that most of our grandparents were familiar with, today’s modern all-ceramic dental crowns look almost identical to natural teeth, even when viewed closely.
2. Addressing Gaps and Missing Teeth
Patients who have lost their teeth suffer not only from an inability, but also from a loss of normal access to chewing, eating, and speaking normally. There are a variety of other complications associated with lost teeth that cause a great deal of embarrassment and feelings of insecurity. Thanks to technology, such as implants, all of these conditions are now being treated more effectively than ever before. An implant is permanently placed into the patient’s jawbone through surgical procedure that utilizes a titanium screw. After healing has occurred, which is referred to as osseointegration, the dentist can attach a fully-customized crown to this implant.
Patients who would like to avoid having surgery can consider alternatives such as using bridges or an implant-supported bridge. These types of restorations are designed to cover the gaps left by missing teeth. While both options depend on dental implants, implant-supported bridges can be dependent on teeth immediately next to them, or on strategically placed implants in the jawbone supporting the bridge(s). Your choice will depend on your individual situation (including the amount of bone present), finances, and preferences.
3. The Orthodontic Component
With the advent of clear aligner systems, the traditional view of orthodontic treatment as a painful, embarrassing experience reserved for awkward teenagers is rapidly changing. The right clear-aligner system can fit comfortably into an adults’ daily professional and social activities by allowing gradual relocation (approximately over six months) of teeth into proper position via removable, virtually undetectable trays. Many adults now use these systems for easier access to aesthetic improvements along with shorter treatment times. In addition to clear aligners, there is also a more discreet option for individuals whose orthodontic needs involve more than just minor repositioning; ceramic braces use lightweight, specialized brackets that blend with the natural appearance of an individual’s smile, making them a viable solution for many.
For some cases, accelerated orthodontic techniques can also be integrated into smile makeover cases. This combination of both orthodontic movement and periodontal techniques/devices to stimulate bone remodeling has been shown to reduce the timeframe of treatment for many orthodontically corrected patients from years to months. However, not every individual will be eligible for this type of accelerated orthodontic treatment.
4. Gum Recontouring and Beyond
While there are cases where teeth cause cosmetic problems for patients, there are many times that it is due to the actual gums surrounding these teeth causing the cosmetic problem. This would be referred to as either a “gummy smile,” or an asymmetrical gumline. These issues can be treated through the use of either laser technology or conventional surgery, providing patients with a more balanced and symmetrical look to their smile. Since these procedures are done with local anesthesia, healing from these procedures is usually very quick, and they can drastically change your view of how you see your smile.
Cosmetic bonding is yet another very versatile and effective cosmetic treatment tool for dentists to use to make cosmetic changes to their patients’ smiles. Cosmetic bonding uses tooth-colored composite resins to restore chipped teeth and to close small spaces between teeth, which allows dentists to reshape teeth, all in one visit. Cosmetic bonding is not nearly as durable as veneers; however, it is a cost-effective, reversible alternative for minor cosmetic changes.
5. The Timeline and Investment
When undergoing a smile makeover, it is important to have realistic expectations in regard to lengthy turnaround times. While many patients may expect an immediate fix, the process of adapting to major changes usually takes months, and in some cases, multiple surgeries, with each being dependent upon healing time before beginning the next step. For example, it may take anywhere from 6-12 months from implantation to crown placement using dental implants. Using newer techniques for immediate loading may allow patients to shorten the time frame.
The cost will vary greatly depending on where you live and the extent of the work. For most people, the investment required for a complete smile makeover can range anywhere from several thousand dollars for the most minimal treatments to $50,000 or more for a complete mouth reconstruction using implants along with extensive aesthetic procedures. Many dental offices will provide patients with financing options to help offset these costs, knowing that for many individuals, self-esteem and quality of life are worth the investment.
Conclusion:
A fulfilled smile journey is a lot more than simply getting new teeth. It represents an essential, life-altering experience that is generated by blending a desire for the best possible aesthetic with a medical need. Today’s many advancements in cosmetic dentistry can allow for an extensive range of treatment options and depends on an experienced dental professional who listens carefully to your expectations, clearly communicates treatment options, and designs a treatment program that combines your expectations with your current level of dental health.
9 months after starting on her smile makeover journey, Iris cried when she first saw her new smile. It wasn’t just about having a perfect straight white smile; it also represented the first time in over 40 years that she was able to smile freely. A full dental makeover is not just about having straight teeth, it is a turning point in life and can have many positive outcomes.