Smile Makeover Options – Everything You Need To Know

If you aren’t satisfied with the appearance of your smile, you aren’t alone. When asked, most people would change at least one thing about their smile, such as the shade of their teeth, crowded teeth, chips, stains etc. We’ve broken down the most popular options for you to achieve a smile makeover. More than one of these treatments is often used to achieve the perfect smile. Be sure to talk with your dentist about what’s right for you based on your unique needs. 

Teeth Whitening 

Teeth whitening is the quickest, easiest and least expensive way to boost your smile. Teeth whitening products are sold over the counter and may come in the form of whitening strips, whitening gel, toothpaste, mouthwash and even gum.

Generally, the less expensive a product is, the less noticeable (if at all) the results will be. The gold standard for teeth whitening is professional in-office whitening with the use of a UV light. This procedure is typically 2-3 rounds of 15 minutes with a concentrated whitening gel, like hydrogen peroxide. Results are fast and noticeable. Unfortunately, teeth whitening results don’t last forever and will be subject to lifestyle habits, such as tea, coffee, and wine drinking and other factors. So you may need to occasionally boost the brightness with another round of teeth whitening. 

Dental Braces or Aligner Technology

Straightening your teeth is the lengthiest but possibly the best and most satisfying investment. Not only can teeth straightening improve the appearance of your smile, but it can also help maintain the health of your teeth and gums by making you less prone to cavities, gum disease and even tooth wear. There are several options for teeth straightening, such as traditional braces and clear aligners like Invisalign. Braces and aligners work by slowly shifting each tooth into the correct position, eliminating crowding, tipping and rotations. The treatment time will range from 6-18 months, depending on the case. 

Dental Crowns & Veneers 

Both dental crowns and dental veneers work somewhat similar when it comes to improving the appearance of a smile. They are both coverings that fit over the top of natural tooth structure and can change a tooth’s shade, shape and size. The difference between crowns and veneers is that crowns offer more support to a vulnerable tooth when needed. Situations that may require a crown are for broken teeth, peg-shaped teeth or back molars. Crowns and veneers can be used for a single tooth up to an entire arch of teeth, depending on your desired outcomes. 

As stated above, for a complete smile makeover, it is common for several, if not all, of these treatments to be needed, and the first step is to book a consultation with us to discuss what will work best for you.