Smile MakeoverOnalaska, WI

Why consider a smile makeover?

If you have concerns about your smile that make you hesitant to show it off, you are a candidate for a smile makeover. There are numerous benefits to this type of treatment plan.

Prime candidates

Anyone whose cosmetic oral health concerns require multiple procedures is a prime candidate for a smile makeover. While a full mouth reconstruction is generally performed to improve the functionality of the teeth, a smile makeover focuses primarily on aesthetics but may also include restorative procedures. Cosmetic flaws such as cracks or chips, excess gum tissue, gaps between teeth, or teeth that are disproportionate, misaligned, small, or uneven are conditions that are commonly addressed in a smile makeover.

Healthier teeth and gums

After a smile makeover, your teeth will look so good you may be inspired to take better care of them, resulting in improvements to oral health. Corrections to any overcrowding and misalignment in your mouth will make it easier to effectively clean your teeth. 

Customized results

A smile makeover designed for your individual needs will be as unique as you are. Your dentist will customize your treatment plan specifically for your oral health goals, cosmetic concerns, and budget constraints to craft your ideal smile. 

Improved overall health

If your teeth are misaligned, damaged, or missing, it may be difficult to bite and chew properly, leading to nutritional deficiencies. Compensating for the weaker areas of your mouth places uneven pressure on your jaws and teeth, which can create additional problems. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction can be caused or exacerbated by problems with the teeth and can be alleviated with a smile makeover. This can help to reduce headaches and persistent ringing in the ears. 

Increased self-confidence

The improved aesthetics of your teeth resulting from a smile makeover will help your self-confidence as you learn to love your smile again. Additionally, if you experience speech issues related to cracked, misaligned, or missing teeth, a smile makeover can correct that problem and give you the confidence to speak clearly.

What is included in a smile makeover?

A complete makeover for your smile provides a variety of treatment options bundled into a single comprehensive plan, saving time and money. If you have multiple dental concerns that include cosmetic and restorative procedures, those can all be addressed in a smile makeover treatment plan.

Alignment

If crooked or misaligned teeth are contributing to your unhappiness with your smile but you do not want metal braces to disrupt your life, clear aligners can be part of your smile makeover. These invisible braces work like traditional metal braces and shift your teeth over time. The clear plastic material is barely noticeable as it fits around your teeth. The aligners are also removable, enabling you to eat whatever you want and then replace them when you are finished.

Bonding

Bonding procedures are beneficial for correcting teeth that are broken, chipped, cracked, or stained. This non-invasive, cost-effective procedure applies a tooth-colored composite resin to the tooth. The resin is sculpted to fit, hardened, and polished to present a natural appearance that blends with surrounding teeth. The procedure is painless and can be completed quickly in a single office visit.

Dental veneers

Dental veneers are a popular choice for smile makeovers, as they can address a variety of aesthetic concerns affecting one or multiple teeth. If your smile is diminished by cracks, chips, gaps, misalignment, discoloration, or inconsistent tooth size, porcelain veneers can provide an immediate solution. For traditional veneers, you must have a sufficient layer of healthy enamel to support the porcelain. Minimal prep options are often available if your enamel is insufficient.

Gum contouring

You may not consider the gums when you think about a beautiful smile, but the ratio between tooth and gum can create or detract from an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Gum contouring utilizes a laser for reshaping the soft gum tissue. This is especially useful for improving the appearance of small teeth. The use of lasers allows for a quick procedure that is precise and results in minimal bleeding or inflammation.

Tooth whitening

Everyone experiences some degree of discoloration of the teeth over time. This can occur due to age, lifestyle, insufficient oral hygiene, or dietary habits. Drinks such as juice, tea, wine, coffee, cola, and carbonated beverages can stain your teeth. Foods including berries and other fruits, sauces, candy, and other sweets can also contribute to discoloration. If the color of your teeth is robbing you of your "pearly whites," a tooth whitening procedure can be included as part of your smile makeover. Professional tooth whitening is safe and incredibly effective, requiring just a few weeks to achieve a noticeably whiter smile. In addition, many of the whitening products contain ingredients that kill bacteria, a leading cause of gum disease and tooth decay, so your teeth will be healthier as well as whiter.

Other restorative procedures

Correcting imperfections that detract from the appearance of your smile can involve some procedures that also work to restore the functionality of your teeth. Some multipurpose treatment options that may be a part of a smile makeover include:

• Dental crowns: Usually crafted of porcelain, ceramic, or metal, dental crowns restore functionality to damaged or decayed teeth by capping the entire tooth.
• Dental bridges: Bridges use crowns to support a bridge of artificial teeth to replace missing teeth.
• Dental fillings: Tooth-colored fillings are used to repair decay and restore the appearance and functionality of damaged teeth.
• Dental implants: Implants are a popular option for restoring the aesthetics and function of missing teeth.