Bright and New: What a Smile Makeover Means for You

Why don't you ever smile?

Do people you know ask you this question? Do they wonder why you hide behind your hands when you do smile?

We're always sad when we meet someone who suffers from discolored teeth or even broken and missing teeth because so often they don't smile. You may not realize what smiling can do for you and the people around you.

Smiling changes the world and even extends expected lifespan. If you've lost your smile due to dental issues, we have some great news!

A smile makeover may be just what the dentist ordered for you. Continue reading and discover some exciting options for restoring those pearly whites.

Your days of hiding your smile may soon be over!

A smile makeover, like any other cosmetic makeover, enhances your appearance. You go to the makeup counter and ask for a makeover and end up with more vibrant skin or eyes.

With a smile makeover, you get a more vibrant smile.

Combining cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dentists can brighten teeth, hide small imperfections, and even replace broken or missing teeth. First, the dentist evaluates your oral health and your appearance.

Your appearance is a combination of facial appearance, lips and teeth, your hair color and skin tone. The dentist determines what can be improved and then customizes your makeover.

Before beginning the makeover, the dentist will take care of tooth decay and any existing gum disease. Most cosmetic procedures can't be done until the dentist addresses oral health issues.

If you already have fillings, your dentist may suggest replacing those as the first step of your makeover.

If you have silver or amalgam fillings in any of your front teeth, consider replacing them with composite fillings. Composite fillings closely match your natural tooth color. The procedure for getting a composite filling is identical to an amalgam filling.

If you're wondering how fillings could qualify as part of a smile makeover, view the before and after of an amalgam vs. a composite filling .

Replacing silver fillings with the more natural looking composite fillings is not new. Composite fillings have been used since the 1980s. They've come a long way since the early days, however, and new technology has improved their quality.

Composite fillings make your dental work nearly invisible to others.

One reason people schedule a dental makeover is that they're tired of stained teeth.

You may not realize it but stained teeth make a person look older. Discolored teeth ruin your appearance. Stained teeth may also prevent you from smiling, which makes people think you're unhappy or unfriendly.

Teeth whitening is a major component of a smile makeover.

Maybe you've tried an at-home whitening product and found that it didn't work as well as you'd hoped. At home kits contain the same chemicals your dentist uses. But the concentrations are much lower, which is why the results are often disappointing.

Including whitening in your makeover means in about an hour, your teeth can be up to eight shades whiter. At-home kits bought at the drug store usually take 5-6 weeks before you notice a difference in tooth color.

You can also whiten at home with a special kit from your dentist. The kit includes a customized tray and whitening solution. You wear the trays for a few hours each day for several days or weeks.

The advantage of in-office teeth whitening is that it takes less time. Also, your dentist can choose a shade of whitening solution that matches your complexion.

Whichever whitening method you choose, you'll have a brighter, cleaner looking smile.

Do you have chipped or cracked teeth?

Chips, crack, and gaps can steal your confidence and your smile. Composite bonding can fix all three of these minor teeth issues. And without damaging the natural teeth.

Composite bonding uses plastic or resin and bonds it to your existing teeth, or to a single tooth.

First, the dentist primes the tooth by applying a solution over the enamel's surface. The primer creates a rough surface on the outermost layer of the tooth. This helps ensure the resin sticks to the tooth.

The tooth gets several coats of the composite resin. After each application, the dentist uses a special light, which helps the resin harden. When the tooth has enough resin built up, the dentist sculpts the resin over the cracks and gaps in the tooth.

Composite bonding is popular because it's a quick process. You likely won't spend more than an hour in the dentist's chair. It's also one of the less expensive dental makeover costs and is sometimes covered by dental insurance.

If you're looking for a straighter and more balanced smile, bonding is an excellent option. For more extensive changes, your dentist might suggest veneers.

While bonding works well for fixing minor imperfections and stains, if your issues include severe stains, large gaps in between teeth, overlapping or crooked teeth, you may benefit more from porcelain veneers.

Veneers can be made of resin composite but most dentists prefer porcelain. Porcelain is more durable and looks most like a natural tooth.

Porcelain veneers conceal minor imperfections such as chips, cracks, and discoloration. Whitening works well for most stains but some stains, especially those caused by the use of certain medications, don't respond as well to standard whitening procedures.

Veneers require at least two appointments. And the dentist will remove a tiny area of each treated tooth.

If you and your dentist choose veneers as part of your smile makeover, you'll be thrilled with a whiter, straighter smile, and more even teeth. No more ugly stains from using antibiotics when you were a child!

What veneers can't cover are missing teeth. If your smile suffers from more than simply discoloration and minor imperfections, consider the latest cosmetic technology.

The most dramatic smile makeover procedure is dental implants.

Dental implants replace missing teeth.

Even if missing teeth aren't in the front part of the mouth affecting your smile, you can still benefit from implants. Missing teeth don't only distract from how beautiful your smile looks. They also affect the alignment of your other teeth and interfere with proper chewing.

Because dental implants are permanent structures in your mouth they're considered a surgical procedure. Implants are not one-day procedures.

Dental implants are a 3-step process:

• Implant insertion
• Healing of the jawbone
• New tooth attachment

Patients love implants because in many cases they eliminate the need for dentures and other semi-permanent dental procedures like bridges and crowns.

Whitening, filling cavities, bonding, and veneers all help create a more beautiful and healthy smile but they're not as permanent as dental implants. Implants offer more bone support and last longer than any other cosmetic dental treatment.

No matter which cosmetic dentistry procedures you choose for your smile makeover, your beautiful new smile will require your ongoing attention.

No skipping your daily brushing and flossing routine. And no avoiding regular dental visits.

Each procedure has its own expected lifespan.

Professional whitening normally lasts about 1 year. Bonding can last up to 10 years and you may get 10-15 years from your porcelain veneers. With proper care, you may enjoy your dental implants for 15 years or longer.

Partner with Putnam Bright Smile and say hello to a brighter smile. Contact us today and schedule a consultation.