5 Treatments for a Smile Makeover

A smile makeover can be achieved with the help of one procedure or several. What a dentist recommends depends on the attributes of your smile you would like to change. To give you a better picture of some treatments that can transform a smile, take a look at these five popular treatments.

1. Clear aligners

Slight to moderate misalignments can interfere with the function and look of a smile. However, many adults prefer a discreet alternative to braces for teeth straightening. A clear aligner system involves using a series of clear, medical-grade thermoplastic trays to move teeth into alignment. The aligners work by hugging the teeth and partially the gums while applying controlled pressure to shift the teeth into a new position. Every time the teeth shift, patients receive a new set of liners, usually capping at ten sets. Most patients complete their treatment between six and 18 months.

2. Dental bonding

Patients are sometimes surprised to learn that correcting one or two teeth can give them a smile makeover. Chips, stains, misshaped or midsized teeth, and other imperfections can throw off the look of a smile. Therefore, the dentist may recommend dental bonding to conceal the imperfection while providing a stable foundation for the target tooth to function properly. The bonding material consists of composite resin (tooth-colored). The dentist will compile the material over the target tooth until it takes on a desirable shape and thickness. To simulate the look and feel of a natural tooth, the dentist will finish the procedure by hardening and polishing the material.

Dentures reign as one of the most popular tooth replacement options, whether the patient is missing one or all teeth. The dentist can recommend partial dentures for a single or few missing teeth and complete or full dentures for all missing teeth. Partial dentures have multiple types, but the most common and durable design is a false tooth with metal clasps attached to its back. The clasps will attach to the natural teeth adjacent to the gap, and the false tooth will fill in the gap. Complete dentures are acrylic false teeth and partial gums that replace an entire arch of missing natural teeth. They snugly fit in the mouth and stay in place with the help of an adhesive.

4. Gum contouring

Sometimes, there is nothing wrong with the teeth other than the fact that they appear small when the patient smiles. This can result from excess gum tissue, a condition known as excessive gingival display, or a gummy smile. A dentist can perform gum contouring to address this condition. This procedure involves trimming and reshaping the gums to create a more balanced-looking smile. Gum contouring can be completed with a scalpel or laser. Patients often pair this treatment with professional teeth whitening to complete their smile makeover treatment due to the color differences they notice on their teeth after the excess tissue is removed.

5. Teeth whitening

Perhaps the most popular smile makeover treatment is teeth whitening. Dentists use highly concentrated bleaching solutions to lighten discoloration, remove stains, and brighten tooth color. Professional whitening treatments from a dentist can last longer than store-bought whitening kits, only requiring an annual touch-up with proper care. The dentist can equip patients with a potent at-home kit with care instructions or perform the procedure in the office.