A smile makeover is a radical enhancement of teeth that are healthy but do not look as good as they could. It typically involves multiple cosmetic procedures that work together to give you the smile of your dreams. Here is what to expect from your smile makeover.
Smile Analysis
The first step is a detailed analysis of your current smile. We will examine every facet of your smile, from tooth length and spacing to individual tooth texture and color. We will also take a close look at your facial shape and features, your skin tone, and even your hair. In addition, we will look for dental health issues, such as gum disease or tooth decay, that must be addressed before your smile makeover begins.
Discussion and Goal Setting
Although you may be longing for a “perfect smile,” teeth that are too white, too straight, and too perfect typically look unnatural. If you are sure that is the smile for you, we may recommend cheek restructuring, lip plumping, and other facial cosmetic treatments to better support an abstractly “perfect” smile.
For most people, the perfect “natural smile” is actually the better option. This is a smile that is whiter, straighter, and more perfect than the one you currently have, but it is uniquely yours. It fits your face and retains your personality.
We encourage you to bring in photos of your childhood smile as well as different smiles that you admire. Discussing the things you like and dislike about different smiles will help us design a smile that incorporates those features while retaining your unique look.
Digital Design
Next, we will take digital photographs and impressions of your current smile, and then use digital design software to create a 3-D model. We will morph the model to produce your proposed new smile and then make adjustments as needed and desired. This is a collaborative process between you and us, so please speak up about anything you want to change.
Better Overall Health
A varied and nutritious diet of properly chewed foods is vital to overall health. Yet crooked, misshapen, or missing teeth can make it difficult to eat some foods. This can lead to gastrointestinal issues and even cause you to restrict your diet.
In addition, gum disease and tooth decay have been linked to serious health concerns. Your dental problems may be cosmetic for now, but fixing them can boost your overall health and wellness.
Treatment Planning
When we are all happy with the digital model, we will sit down to talk about how to achieve that smile. We will explain the various procedures that are involved, along with their benefits, risks, and costs. Our friendly billing staff can help you understand your insurance coverage and out of pocket costs, and can help you find third party financing if desired.
Wax Modeling
When you are comfortable with the digital design and treatment plan, we will take impressions of your teeth and use them to create a wax mockup of your new smile. This allows you to see your new smile up close, and it lets us ensure that the bite and overall functionality are correct. This is the time to make any final tweaks you desire.
The Treatment Process
Smile makeovers range from simple to complex, depending on the current condition of your teeth and the changes you desire. In general, though, you will go through several stages of treatment. First, we will fix any existing dental disease you have. Then we will begin the series of procedures we discussed.
If the procedures are simple, such as whitening followed by veneers, you may only need a couple of appointments in a short time frame. If you need Invisalign, followed by dental implants, and then veneers, your total treatment time may be a year or more. Regardless of how long the full process takes, though, each procedure is another step closer to the smile of your dreams.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are ready to start your journey to better oral health with a Cupertino dentist you can trust, contact Ryan Senft, DDS today at 408-996-8595 to schedule your first appointment.