A smile makeover may be defined as a series of cosmetic dental procedures that corrects any tooth color discoloration; improves the alignment of one’s teeth by straightening them; reduces gaps between the teeth thus creating a beautiful smile, and lastly but not least, enhances one’s oral health.
These procedures are referred to as Smile Makeover precisely because they require an aesthetically pleasing outcome of both the cosmetic and dental components involved.
A smile makeover is the enhancement of a patient’s smile for aesthetic and/or health reasons. Smiles are rated as one of the most important physical assets people possess, and in many societies it is considered a sign of good health to have an attractive smile.
There are several components essential to any dentist’s concept of a great smile: the alignment of the teeth, proper tooth shape, and coloration if deemed necessary by your dentist.
Most importantly, a great smile should convey emotion by showing confidence through its positive features without causing any embarrassment or anxiety to its owner.
Some people may not know that their smiles could be better with these simple improvements until they are presented with examples. It is your dentist who will be looking at these examples as well, and he or she knows what is best for you.
The Aesthetic Components of a Smile Makeover
The main components in a smile makeover include orthodontics (to improve the alignment of teeth) as well as cosmetic dentistry treatments such as: tooth whitening, porcelain veneers, dental bonding, gum contouring and other procedures that help improve one’s smile.
When combined together, all of these aesthetic components can enhance a person’s self-image and boost their confidence level. Aesthetic treatments are aimed to address the following:
Tooth discoloration
A single tooth or many of them can be stained due to the consumption of tobacco products, red wine, excessive amounts of coffee and tea, use of certain medications such as tetracycline, smoking etc.
Smokers may suffer from yellowed teeth because nicotine contains a chemical that reacts with oxygen in the body. This chemical reaction creates dark pigments that cling to the surface of the teeth.
Bad breath (halitosis)
There are different causes for bad breath; it can emanate from one’s mouth or even by the skin itself. It is important to visit your dentist regularly so he/she could look at areas where your gums meet your teeth and check if there are any signs of inflammation or infection that can be treated easily.
If you are interested in achieving a makeover, it might be best to consult with your dentist first so he/she could evaluate the state of your teeth and mouth before proceeding.
He/she will not only give you recommendations as to what kind of improvement is possible but also discuss financial options given the condition of your dental health.
Aesthetic components also include: reshaping the cheeks with graft tissues (temporalis muscle flaps) or through fat transfer; slimming down undesired facial features such as double chins; reviving sagging skin under one’s chin (submental area).
It can also involve contouring of the jawline; sculpting the upper lip by removing excess gum tissue from above your top front teeth (lingual gingiva); repositioning the lower lip by moving it up in a smile position (mentum relocation procedure), a procedure which opens up your jawline; and lastly, but not least, whitening of the teeth to achieve a beautiful “Hollywood Smile.”
In addition, other components can include removal of tooth stains (tetracycline, metal ions in the mouth etc.); gum reshaping and contouring, straightening teeth by applying braces or Invisalign®, dental bonding to close gaps between the teeth thus creating an even front smile line.
It can also include using veneers to conceal chips or discoloration on the teeth; use of crowns to cover up misshapen front teeth that are very unsightly; addition of implants to replace missing teeth with fixed dentures or traditional bridgework. The list can go on depending on your individual needs.
