A lot of people feel hesitant about showing their smile to others. If your teeth are damaged, decayed, discolored, or crooked, it is natural to feel a little self-conscious about them. You might even wonder whether a dentist can address every issue affecting your smile at once.
A full smile makeover is a multi-step process that can significantly change how your smile looks and functions. By combining treatments such as teeth whitening, veneers, crowns, bridges, dental implants, and Invisalign, our dentists can help restore both the appearance and the function of your teeth.
What a Full Smile Makeover Process Typically Involves
The steps below are common examples of what a smile makeover may include, but every treatment plan is built around the individual needs of each patient.
Step One: Your Initial Consultation
During this visit, you and your dentist will talk through what you hope to get out of a smile makeover and identify the concerns you would like addressed. These concerns can range from something as minor as surface stains to something as involved as missing teeth.
Step Two: Establishing Your Budget and Treatment Plan
Being upfront with your dentist about how much you are able to spend can help shape a realistic plan from the start. From there, your dentist can tailor a treatment sequence that fits within your price range.
Step Three: Early-Stage Treatments
Your dentist will typically sequence treatment so that the more involved procedures happen earlier, allowing your mouth adequate time to heal before later steps begin.
- Tooth extractions: Teeth that are too compromised to save may need to be removed to prepare the area for a bridge or implant.
- Root canals: A healthy foundation is needed before starting a smile makeover, and a root canal can clear an infection while helping preserve the tooth for the future.
- Crowns and bridges: These restorations can help bring back both chewing function and a natural-looking appearance.
- Bone grafts before dental implants: This step typically requires several months of healing before implants can be placed.
- Dental implant surgery: This multi-step process generally takes a few months to complete.
- Invisalign: This clear aligner option typically takes about 12 to 18 months and can leave you with beautiful results.
Step Four: Finishing Touches
- Veneers: A single set of attractive porcelain shells placed over the teeth can often accomplish what might otherwise take several separate procedures.
- Bonding: This cost-effective alternative to other cosmetic procedures can often address multiple concerns in a single step.
- Teeth whitening: Both at-home and in-office whitening options are available.
Common Questions About Full Smile Makeovers
Can dentists really fix severely damaged teeth?
Given enough time and the right resources, a dentist can typically correct nearly any cosmetic problem. Ongoing issues with your teeth can affect your self-esteem, public image, and quality of life, and dentists want to help you feel good about the smile you show the world.
How long does a full smile makeover typically take?
Timelines can vary, but a full smile makeover typically takes one to two years, depending on which procedures are chosen. If you opt for only the finishing touches, you may be able to complete treatment in a matter of months.
Get in Touch With The Smile Architects
If a full smile makeover sounds like the right fit for you, reach out to our Huntersville, NC, office at 704-875-1621. We are happy to schedule a consultation where our dentists can evaluate your needs and discuss what may be possible to help renew your smile.