Do you find yourself avoiding photos, covering your mouth when you laugh or smile, or feeling self-conscious about your teeth? Your smile plays a huge role in your confidence, both in professional and social settings. If you’re unhappy with your smile, a customized smile makeover can completely transform your teeth, restoring the appearance and even the health of your mouth, as well as your self-esteem. In this blog, we’ll explore the procedures that can be included in your smile makeover so you can go into your initial consultation with an idea of what you want your results to look like.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Smile Makeover?
- What Procedures Can Be Included in a Smile Makeover?
- Explore Your Smile Makeover Options in Beverly Hills
What Is a Smile Makeover?
A smile makeover is a comprehensive treatment plan customized to you and designed to improve the appearance and function of your teeth and gums. Rather than addressing a single issue, like whitening or repairing one chipped tooth, a smile makeover is a more holistic approach. It can correct multiple imperfections at once, including:
- Stained or discolored teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Crooked or overlapping teeth
- Chipped, cracked, or worn enamel
- Uneven gumlines
- Missing teeth
When you come in for your consultation to determine which procedures to include in your smile makeover, Dr. Sands will assess your facial symmetry, lip line, gum shape, and bite alignment to design a natural-looking smile that complements your unique features. The end result is a beautiful smile that looks and functions like your natural teeth—only better.
What Procedures Can Be Included in a Smile Makeover?
Whether you want a subtle enhancement or a total transformation, your smile makeover combines one or more cosmetic dental procedures tailored specifically to your goals, facial features, and dental health. Depending on your concerns and desired results, Dr. Sands may recommend any of the following cosmetic dental treatments:
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are one of the most popular options for a smile makeover. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells manufactured from high-quality porcelain that mimics the translucency and shine of your natural enamel. They’re bonded to the front of your teeth to conceal flaws such as chips, stains, gaps, and minor misalignment, instantly creating a brighter, more uniform smile. Veneers are durable and stain-resistant, and can dramatically enhance the size, shape, and color of your teeth.
Dental Bonding
For a more affordable alternative to veneers, dental bonding fits the bill. Using a tooth-colored composite resin, Dr. Sands reshapes and repairs teeth with small chips, cracks, or discoloration. Bonding is also an excellent way to close small gaps in your teeth and improve uneven edges in just one appointment. While it typically doesn’t last quite as long as porcelain veneers, bonding provides a quick and effective way to refresh your smile.
Dental Implants
If you have missing teeth, dental implants can be life-changing. Implants replace both the crown and root of your tooth, restoring your ability to chew and speak comfortably, preventing bone loss in your jaw, and allowing you to smile with confidence. Dental implants use a titanium post surgically inserted into your jawbone, and a custom crown that blends seamlessly with your surrounding teeth. Implants are considered to be the gold standard for tooth replacement because they look, feel, and function like real teeth—and with proper care, they can last a lifetime.
Gum Contouring
A balanced smile isn’t just about your teeth—it’s also about your gums. Gum contouring (also known as gum reshaping) is a procedure designed to improve the symmetry and proportion of your gumline to improve a gummy or uneven smile. Dr. Sands will either use a laser or surgical excision to gently and precisely remove excess gum tissue to reveal more of your teeth. Or, if gum recession is your concern, contouring can also involve tissue grafting to restore a more natural gumline.
Teeth Whitening With Zoom!® Whitening
No matter how healthy your teeth are, your smile can still look dull or discolored due to genetics, aging, or staining. Zoom!® Whitening is a professional in-office teeth whitening treatment that can brighten your smile by several shades in a single visit. Zoom!® Teeth Whitening uses a hydrogen peroxide-based gel and a special LED light to break down deep-set stains for a noticeably whiter, more radiant smile.
Invisalign®
Crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth can not only affect your confidence but also your oral health. However, traditional braces aren’t always a viable or attractive option for some patients. That’s why Invisalign® offers a discreet, comfortable, and modern alternative. The Invisalign® system uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually shift your teeth into their ideal position. The aligners are nearly invisible (hence, the name) and easy to remove for eating and cleaning. This allows Invisalign® to fit seamlessly into your lifestyle and provides the perfect foundation for other elements of your smile makeover.
Explore Your Smile Makeover Options in Beverly Hills
As a highly experienced cosmetic dentist to the stars, Dr. Kevin Sands knows the beauty of a genuine smile. He offers patients of all ages a wide variety of treatments and procedures to help them achieve a natural-looking smile that is unique to them. He can replace lost teeth, straighten crooked teeth, whiten teeth, and address any other aesthetic or oral health concerns. From whitening and veneers to dental implants and Invisalign®, each procedure plays a role in crafting a smile that reflects your confidence and personality.
To learn more and discover what cosmetic procedures should be included in your smile makeover, schedule an appointment with Dr. Sands today by calling (310) 273-0111 or filling out our online contact form.