What makes a great smile? You just know one when you see it, right? Because, technically, cosmetic dentistry addresses things like the occlusal plane, incisal edges and demineralization marks. But all you really want is that straight, white, beautiful smile! So, maybe “smile makeover” is an easier way to say all that? Which makes perfect sense because you might be surprised how much difference some routine procedures can make for your smile.
Seriously, a smile makeover is easier than you’d think! The most common procedures are comfortable and usually completed within two or three visits. So, while the results are extreme, the treatment isn’t. If you’re curious about everything that goes into a smile makeover, we’ll break it down for you.
1. The Secrets to Straight Smiles
Everybody’s teeth are different, so first, Dr. McLaughlin will diagnose what exactly needs done to create that perfect smile. You might have crooked or overlapping teeth that need straightened, or gaps that need closed. Luckily, straightening teeth isn’t as difficult as it used to be. Invisalign is a super convenient way to correct teeth alignment problems. The clear aligners don’t have brackets or wires, so they’re far less noticeable and won’t interfere with a professional lifestyle.
Since you don’t want anything covering your newly straightened smile, you might also need gum contouring afterwards. This corrects gums that rest too low or too high on your teeth.
2. Undo Years of Wear and Tear
It’s natural for teeth to wear down over time, so even if you’re visiting Dental Touch twice a year and practicing good oral hygiene, your teeth might need repaired. There are three different types of tooth wear:
- Attrition is caused by tooth-to-tooth contact.
- Bruxism is when you grind and clench your teeth on a regular basis.
- Abrasion is wear to the tooth surface caused by friction.
Veneers and Lumineers, which are just a specific type of veneer, can be bonded to teeth to fix tooth discoloration, gaps and chips or cracks. If you’re missing teeth, then of course you’ll also want those replaced during your smile makeover, too.
3. Brighten that Smile!
Last but not least, you’ll finally get that bright, white smile. Tooth whitening lightens teeth and removes discoloration and stains. Things like coffee and tea or tobacco or, simply, aging can all stain the surface of teeth. There are multiple tooth whitening techniques that effectively get rid of those annoying stains, including in-office options and at-home options.
If you’re interested in a smile makeover or looking for a dentist, come talk to Dr. McLaughlin and the team at Dental Touch Associates in Cedar Rapids. Nothing compares to seeing a patient look at their new smile for the first time!