Your smile says a lot about you. A beautiful smile exudes happiness, confidence, enthusiasm, health, and energy.

A beautiful smile is an asset in today’s image-conscious society. Our physical appearance, much as we may hate to admit it, has a significant impact on virtually everything, from our careers to our social interactions with others.

If you’re embarrassed about a cracked tooth, misaligned teeth, or any other teeth issue, and you find yourself covering or suppressing your smile, it’s time for a smile makeover.

Read on to learn more about making over your smile.

What Is A Smile Makeover?

A smile makeover is the process of improving the appearance of the smile. It is done using a combination of one or more cosmetic dentistry treatments. These treatments can range from simple teeth whitening to more complex procedures such as veneers or dental implants.

The goal of a smile makeover is to create a smile that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. To achieve this, the person’s existing teeth are first cleaned and then repaired or replaced as needed.

Bonding, porcelain veneers, and tooth whitening are some of the most common procedures used in smile makeovers. However, the specific treatments used will vary depending on the individual’s needs and goals.

A smile makeover can dramatically impact a person’s appearance and self-confidence. It is important to consult with a qualified dentist to ensure that the best possible results are achieved.

Common Dental Cosmetic Issues That Warrant Smile Makeovers

The most common conditions dentists deal with when it comes to smile makeovers include:

• Chipped Teeth: Teeth that are chipped or cracked may be uncomfortable, particularly if they’re in the front of your mouth. They can also lead to more serious problems such as cavities. Chips expose your teeth to substances that may break them down or cause discomfort at the root. Veneers and Lumineers can hide chipped teeth
• Crooked Teeth: Teeth that are out of alignment or crooked can cause discomfort when chewing. It might also contribute to the development of cracked teeth, jaw strain, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), and chronic headaches. It may also lead to difficulty speaking. Orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign or braces can be used to straighten crooked teeth.
• Gaps In Teeth: Gapped teeth allow food particles to accumulate, generating germs and plaque. If left untreated, this might lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Gaps between teeth might also contribute to a misaligned bite. Veneers or dental bonding may be used to correct uneven gaps between the teeth.
• Missing Teeth: Missing teeth may have a negative impact on the look of your smile. It can also affect your bite and raise the danger of oral health problems such as tooth decay. A lost tooth might be replaced by dental implants or bridges.
• Discoloured Or Stained Teeth: One of the most common teeth problems is discolouration. Fortunately, this is also one of the simplest problems to remedy. Coffee, wine, and other acidic beverages harm the enamel and leave stains. In most situations, an in-office teeth whitening is sufficient; however, in severe tooth discolouration, veneers may be used.
• Uneven Or Undersized Teeth: Some people have one or two teeth that are smaller than the others, giving their mouths a lopsided appearance. Having abnormally longer or shorter teeth can also cause issues. To improve the look of a short tooth, it might be reshaped and extended with composite bonding or veneers.

Take the first steps toward your perfect smile today!

Book An Appointment

Or Call Us : (08) 9498 6000

The Steps in a Smile Makeover Treatment

Each patient has unique needs. When it comes to smile makeovers, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Dentists usually follow these four steps.

• Initial Consultation: The initial consultation is the first stage in the treatment process. Its goal is to discover more about the patient and know about any cosmetic or oral health problems they may have, their medical history, and their treatment goals. Dentists frequently provide the first visit for free, during which they will examine the patient’s mouth and discuss treatment choices for cosmetic tooth restoration in-depth, addressing any concerns the patient may have.
• Formulating A Treatment Plan: After the dentist and the patient agree on the best plan of action for the smile makeover, a second visit is scheduled to begin the procedure formally. Each patient is different, and treatment procedures are chosen based on what is appropriate for them. Common goals include:
  • Fill up an empty space
  • Lengthen teeth
  • Replace missing teeth
  • Straighten teeth
  • Whiten teeth

  On the second visit, the patient and dentist will schedule appointments for each procedure to ensure that they are completed in time.

• The Actual Smile Makeover Process: The dentist is available to answer any concerns the patient might have and to guide them through the process. These procedures are among the most popular ones:
  • Dental crowns
  • Dental implants
  • Dental veneers
  • Teeth straightening
  • Teeth whitening

  Each procedure is one-of-a-kind, and there are many treatment alternatives for patients to consider, from in-office teeth whitening to a more complex gum grafting.

• Aftercare And Follow-Up Visits: It is critical for patients to follow the dentist’s post-treatment recommendations once treatment has been completed. A retainer, for example, is required in a person who went through teeth straightening, and someone who had crowns, implants, or veneers will need to avoid hard foods.

What To Consider When Getting A Smile Makeover

Even though a dentist would never recommend any treatment that would endanger a patient’s oral health, patients should carefully consider certain factors before undergoing treatment to keep control of the situation.

Factors related to the appearance and health of an existing smile are often part of the equation.

Bite

The quality of a patient’s bite directly impacts their treatment plan. Any bite problems should be corrected before undergoing cosmetic procedures like gum contouring, bonding, veneers, or even teeth whitening. By failing to do so, any makeover effort may prove short-lived or ineffective.

Gum Health

Having healthy gums is just as important as having healthy teeth because gums provide the support and stability the teeth needs. Gum disease caused by unhealthy gums could cause tooth loss and other health problems.

Before undergoing any cosmetic dentistry procedure, patients must have their gums corrected by their dentist. A smile makeover can’t be successful if the gums are unhealthy.

Teeth Colour

A dazzling, magazine-worthy smile can often be achieved by simply whitening the teeth.

Severely discoloured teeth can negatively impact even the straightest smile. Whitening your teeth professionally is relatively inexpensive and can produce an immediate, noticeable result, and the results can last for more than one year. Discolouration may be the root of the problem, which is why patients should consider this.

Teeth Health

Before undergoing any cosmetic dental work, patients should have their teeth evaluated for bone loss, decay, and other issues which could jeopardize the success of their smile makeover. Patients can visualize the health of their smiles with dental X-rays, and dentists can use them as a guide when developing treatment plans.

Teeth Shape And Alignment

A smile makeover can be adversely affected by issues such as bite, alignment, and tooth shape. It is extremely difficult to create a beautiful smile with deep-bites, crooked, poorly shaped or decayed teeth.

The shape and alignment of teeth should be corrected before any cosmetic dentistry is performed. Simple procedures such as Invisalign or braces can sometimes be all that is needed to restore a smile.

How Does A Smile Makeover Work?

When you visit a dentist for the first time, the dentist will look at various factors relating to your teeth and smile. These include:

• Tooth Color: Cosmetic dentistry aims for a natural-looking smile by balancing pearly white teeth with your natural tooth colour.
• Harmony And Balance: A smile makeover can also improve the look of misshapen and cracked teeth. These are bonded with tooth-coloured resin to enhance their appearance. Gummy smiles due to too much gum tissue also affect your smile. The latest option for treating a gummy smile is laser gum re-contouring.
• Alignment And Spacing: Improperly spaced and misaligned teeth are typical problems contributing to a less-than-perfect smile. Orthodontic appliances such as braces can be used to move and realign teeth, with gaps in your teeth and misshapen teeth being filled. Metal braces have recently been replaced by Invisalign. Slightly crooked teeth and small teeth gaps are usually treated with veneers and dental bonding.
• Tooth Length: Long teeth have a more youthful look about them. Over time, wear and tear cause the teeth to look shorter. With composite bonding or porcelain veneers, the two front central teeth may be reshaped and lengthened. If required, you may be referred to a periodontist for crown lengthening with laser dentistry techniques.
• Smile Line: The smile line is a line that runs from side to side along the upper surface of your teeth, ideally matching the curve of your lower lip when you smile. This reference point might be used to determine how long your new teeth should be terms of length.
• Tooth Proportions: The dentist will measure your teeth to ensure that they are in correct proportion with one another. The two central front teeth should be prominent and have a width-to-length ratio of 4-to-5. This proportion influences the length and width of other teeth in the aesthetic zone, ensuring that the smile line is balanced.
• Tooth Texture And Characterization: A dentist may customize your crowns or veneers to make them appear more feminine or masculine and match the appearance and feel of natural teeth.

Who Performs A Smile Makeover?

Many of the procedures associated with a smile makeover can be performed by a cosmetic dentist. The dentist can carry out certain treatments, such as crowns or teeth whitening.

Types Of Dental Treatments Involved In Smile Makeover

There are many different types of dental treatments involved in a smile makeover. These include:

• Bridges: An artificial tooth is used in place of a missing tooth as a dental bridge. The bridge is attached to the real teeth on either side of the gap left by the missing teeth.
• Dental Crowns: Crowns are caps that cover damaged teeth. In cases where fillings don’t work, crowns are used to cover, protect, and restore the shape of your teeth.
• Teeth Whitening: A teeth whitening procedure involves lightening the colour of a patient’s teeth. It is also known as tooth bleaching. Teeth can become yellowed over time for a variety of reasons, which can be corrected either by changing the intrinsic or extrinsic colour of the tooth enamel.
• Composite Fillings: Composite fillings are also called tooth-coloured fillings because they give the filling a natural appearance and enable it to blend in with the tooth.
• Tooth Implants: Dental implants are a form of dental replacement that involves replacing the roots of teeth that have been lost. Dental implantation is a surgical procedure in which defective tooth roots are replaced with artificial ones in your jawbone.
• Veneers: These are thin covers applied to the front of teeth to give them a more classical shape.
• Tooth Texture And Characterization: A dentist may customize your crowns or veneers to make them appear more feminine or masculine and match the appearance and feel of natural teeth.

How Long Does A Smile Makeover Treatment Take?

The length of time it takes to complete a smile makeover is dependent on the treatments you want to have. The following are timelines for some of the most popular cosmetic and restorative dentistry procedures.

• Teeth Whitening: Dentists generally spend one hour providing a patient with healthier-looking, whiter teeth.
• Porcelain Veneers: Porcelain veneers are a form of cosmetic dentistry that involves many visits to the dentist. The treatment usually takes two to three appointments with the dentist. A lab creates permanent veneers between visits, extending the wait.
• Invisalign Braces: Invisalign patients generally wear invisible aligners for around ten to twelve months. Each person’s teeth will move at different speeds; thus, each patient will require a unique treatment plan. Compliance with the prescribed orthodontic treatment will have an impact on the success and speed of Invisalign treatment.
• Tooth Bonding: Cosmetic tooth bonding involves sculpting, polishing and applying resin. These are done in one visit.
• Lumineers: Cerinate Lumineers, like porcelain veneers, entail two to three visits to the dentist.
• Dental Implants: Because dental implants require surgery, there is a surgical scar that must heal between dentist visits. The prosthetic tooth may take a few weeks to attach to the implant before it can be worn. Dental implants generally require two to three visits to the dentist.
• Tooth-Coloured fillings: The procedure of composite dental fillings takes only one visit to the dentist.
• Porcelain Tooth Crowns: Two visits to the dentist are required to complete porcelain tooth crowns.

What Are The Benefits Of Smile Makeovers?

Smile makeovers may offer several advantages for one’s appearance and oral health. Someone who is thinking about getting a smile makeover should be made aware of these advantages:

• Better oral health
• Better chewing
• Confidence
• More happiness
• Speech improvement

Take the first steps toward your perfect smile today!

Book An Appointment

Or Call Us : (08) 9498 6000

How To Maintain Smile Makeover Results

These tips will ensure your smile looks and feel great for a long time:

• Visit the dentist regularly for routine dental cleanings and dental exams.
• Make sure you brush twice daily, floss daily at home, and follow a regular oral hygiene routine.
• A new toothbrush will clean your teeth and gums better than an old one, so change your toothbrush every few months.
• The best way to maintain dental restorations is to use a non-abrasive toothpaste.
• There is a risk that mouthwash, which contains harsh ingredients, can damage the bond used during a filling, a crown, or even a veneer. Try to avoid them if you can.
• Consume healthy foods that are not hard, sugary, or sticky since these foods can damage your teeth and cause tooth decay.
• If you have been whitened with teeth whitening or veneers, stop smoking to prevent your teeth from becoming stained and yellowed.
• Make sure you remain mindful of your oral health and don’t overlook any changes to your smile, as they could ultimately lead to the need for more extensive procedures.

Your smile should always be something you are proud of, and maintaining yours is an important final step of a smile makeover.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Smile Makeovers?

Pros

People who improve the appearance of their teeth can enjoy these benefits:

• Their teeth are cleaned of stains.
• Patients can use it to conceal gaps between their teeth.
• Teeth alignment issues are addressed.
• Patients can use it to hide dental problems.
• It improves the patient’s self-esteem and confidence.
• Patients look younger after the treatment.
• It encourages patients to take better care of their teeth.
• The treatment can prevent wrinkles from forming and other aging signs.

Cons

Despite the numerous benefits that cosmetic dentistry offers, some people might not be as thrilled about certain aspects. Some of the less-than-amazing aspects of restoring your teeth’s appearance include:

• Insurance companies do not cover all treatments.
• Depending on the prosthetic, they can be pretty costly.
• A recovery period may accompany some treatments; for example, implant placement may require oral surgery, which may mean a few days off from work or school.
• Following certain treatments, patients may experience tooth sensitivity, pain, or some discomfort; tooth whitening, for instance, can result in temporary tooth sensitivity.
• If you aren’t ready to practice good oral hygiene, smile makeovers aren’t the best choice for you.
• In some cases, multiple visits to the dentist can mean lost wages or time away from school.
• Certain treatments can take some time to be completed; for instance, some patients might have to wear braces for two or more years to correct teeth alignment issues.

Are There Possible Risks With Smile Makeover Treatment?

It is impossible to perform a dental procedure without risk. Dental treatments can come with various risks, which your dentist will discuss with you according to the type of treatment you’re getting.

Cosmetic treatment may damage a patient’s perfectly healthy teeth rather than improve their appearance. In the end, the patient may not achieve what they had originally envisioned. The patient may have to undergo more treatment, spend more money, and end with an unsatisfactory outcome.

Is A Smile Makeover Right For You?

A smile makeover may be suitable if you:

• Are unhappy with your existing dentistry
• Refrain from speaking, smiling, and laughing when you’re around other people
• Are dissatisfied with the overall look of your smile
• Wish you had a better smile when you look in the mirror or see yourself in photos

Additionally, a smile makeover is recommended if you have issues such as:

• Chipped, crooked, unevenly spaced, broken or worn-down teeth
• Discoloured, stained, or dull teeth
• Excessive gum tissue
• Gaps between the teeth
• Missing teeth

Our dentists can help you determine if a smile makeover is right for you.

How Much Do Smile Makeovers Cost?

The cost of a smile makeover will depend on the type of dental procedure you’re getting. In Perth, for example, a smile makeover will cost you around $1000 to $25,000 or even more.

The average costs of some dental procedures are as follows:

• Teeth Whitening: At-home teeth whitening products usually cost about $610. Professional teeth whitening can be as expensive as $260 per tooth.
• Veneers: Veneers are priced differently based on the material used. On average, porcelain veneers cost $2,036 per tooth, while composite veneers cost $836.
• Orthodontics: An 18-month treatment for ceramic braces costs between $5,000 and $8,500 in Australia. Conventional metal braces can cost as much as $8,000. For a complete treatment, clear aligners range between $6,500 and $9,000, while $4,500 is the average cost for minor treatment.
• Dental Implant: A simple dental implant costs about $3,000 to $5,500 on average in Australia.
• Dental Crowns & Bridges: An implant-supported bridge typically costs between $6,500 and $9,400, as opposed to a two-tooth cantilever bridge that costs around $2,700-3,300.

Does Health Insurance Cover The Cost Of Smile Makeover?

A smile makeover can do wonders for your self-confidence, but it’s important to know that these procedures are generally not covered by health insurance or government benefits. However, some smile makeovers may be covered if the procedure is also considered necessary for your health.

For example, if you have suffered an injury to your teeth that affects your ability to eat or speak, your insurance may cover part of the cost of reconstructive surgery.

Similarly, if you have a medical condition that affects the appearance of your smile, such as severe tooth decay or gum disease, your insurance may cover the cost of treatment.

In other cases, cosmetic procedures may be covered by special benefits programs, such as those offered by employers or professional organizations.
If you’re considering a smile makeover, be sure to check with your insurance provider to see what coverage is available.

Final Thoughts

We can all see why smile makeovers are attractive to many people. The right smile can enhance your sense of self-esteem and improve your self-confidence.

Whether you need a smile makeover or want to enhance your current smile with some minor changes, cosmetic dentistry services are available for you.

Hopefully, this post has provided some useful insight into what to expect from a smile makeover. For more information about how our range of dental services can help you to achieve the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted, give our team a call today.