Smile Makeover
You might have heard of a smile makeover and wondered if it’s the same thing as full mouth reconstruction (FMR). The answer is: it’s not. While full mouth reconstruction tends to have a positive effect on the appearance of the smile, the end goal of FMR is that of improving or correcting the function of the teeth and the occlusal alignment, or bite. The end goal of a smile makeover, on the other hand, is just what it sounds like: a more attractive, appealing smile. While a smile makeover might include restorative dental procedures, the collective goal is cosmetic and could include procedures like dental whitening, porcelain veneers, gum shaping, crowns, and other treatments that transform the appearance of the teeth and gums, improving and brightening the smile.
What Are the Benefits of a Smile Makeover?
While smile makeovers are considered cosmetic dental procedures, meaning they’re not often covered by insurance, many patients find that their benefits go far beyond mere appearance. Sometimes, people feel self-conscious about smiling or speaking confidently when they have damaged or “abnormal” teeth or gums. Correcting these cosmetic concerns can have a dramatic impact on a person’s sense of self-confidence and make them more likely to smile, improving their mental and emotional health along the way.
Smile makeovers can help with:
- Confidence
- Self-esteeem
- Refreshing a youthful appearance
- Clear speech
- Comfort with chewing
Thanks to advanced research and development of new technologies and materials, current cosmetic dental treatments, like those used for smile makeovers, provide consistently lifelike, durable outcomes. Through continued practice and professional development, expert cosmetic dentists design each person’s treatment to their specific needs, accounting for the color of the skin, the shape of the lips, the proportions of the face, and the aesthetic preferences of the patient.
Common smile makeover procedures include:
- Porcelain veneers
- Whitening
- Bonding
- Gum contouring
- Clear aligners
- Crowns
- Bridges
Because each person’s smile makeover goals are different, your dentist will work closely with you to plan exactly what you want. You may have your own aesthetic concerns about your smile; perhaps you’re self-conscious about the color of your teeth, or about the ratio of gum to tooth that’s visible when you smile. Your cosmetic dentist will measure and consider each attribute that affects the appearance of the smile, using a variety of methods to help your smile better align with your ideals. Composite bonding or veneers are often used to make the front teeth longer, contributing to a youthful appearance. These methods can also help rebalance a gummy smile, increasing the proportion of visible tooth surface when smiling, and some people report that having slightly longer front teeth made their entire face appear slimmer. In fact, crowns and veneers can be stylized with different textures, either to match natural teeth or to achieve a specific characterization.
There’s a certain symmetry innate in biological forms, and the smile is no different. A person’s smile line is the line that forms between the bottoms of their upper teeth and their bottom lip when they smile. In an “ideal” smile, there’s a balance and symmetry to this line; this imaginary measurement is often used as a guideline to gauge the proper size of redesigned teeth. Cosmetic dentists also measure the proportion of the teeth in relation to each other, designing with a specific width-to-length ratio for each tooth that’s in the visible, “aesthetic” zone. Each design element is reviewed and approved by the patient, with digital images providing a glimpse into your post-makeover smile.
Related Article: Full Mouth Reconstruction Cost