Boost your confidence with a smile makeover

A combination of treatments which aim to improve the appearance of your smile and correct any existing dental issues can help to boost your smile confidence and overall self-esteem. In this informative guide for patients, revered aesthetic, biomimetic and restorative dentist Dr Shravan Chawla shares his expert insight on the types of treatments involved in smile makeovers and explains which factors make a good candidate for treatment of this type.

What is a smile makeover treatment?

A smile makeover is a treatment modality used to describe a combination of techniques used to help improve the overall appearance of the smile.

Depending on the requirements of each individual, a dentist can prescribe one or a combination of treatments to help achieve a more harmonious smile which suits the face and personality of the patient. These treatments include teeth whitening, Invisalign, composite bonding, white spot treatment, ceramic crowns, veneers and non-prep laminates. These treatments can be prescribed individually or as a combination to help deliver ideal results non-invasively depending on the patient’s needs and expectations keeping in mind long term oral health and ease of maintenance.

Who is a good candidate for a smile makeover treatment?

Anyone who is unhappy with the overall appearance of their smile. The dentist, after a thorough clinical evaluation and frank discussion with the patient, can take a few photographs and explain to the patient what is required based on the patient’s needs. The effect on overall appearance, confidence and self-esteem after such treatment cannot be understated.

Ideally the dentist will go over a range of options from the most affordable or least invasive to something that can give drastic changes in appearance. This treatment is ideal for anyone with existing ageing dentistry, dentistry that is failing, having old composite bonding, or someone who just wants to improve the overall appearance of their smile and hence get a confidence boost.

What are the most popular techniques used in a smile makeover treatment?

The simplest and most widely used techniques nowadays are solutions such as Invisalign followed by teeth whitening. This is the least invasive and sometimes most affordable yet practical solution. An ethical cosmetic dentist will always employ solutions that are least invasive and preserve as much of healthy tooth structure as possible.

Once the teeth are straightened, and whitened, we can refine and harmonise any appearances of asymmetry by adding composite bonding onto the existing teeth to give a beautiful smile. Patients with existing composite bonding wishing to upgrade, choose ceramic veneers that allow us to give a higher level of aesthetics with high quality ceramics.

How long does a smile makeover treatment take?

Depending on the choice of treatment that is ideal for you, the treatment time will differ. Simple teeth straightening with Invisalign followed by teeth whitening can take anything between four to eight months. Chairside composite bonding can be done in one to two hours. A full-fledged smile makeover with ceramic veneers requires detailed planning and execution with lab work that takes three to four sessions spread out over three to four weeks.

Are there any risks associated with a smile makeover treatment?

Like any medical treatment, there are always potential risks and side effects associated, which if informed in advance and managed early can be negligible. With Invisalign, the main risk is due to improper wear and seating of the aligners, which leads to the teeth not moving the way they are supposed to. To avoid this, your dentist will advise you to drop in for periodic reviews to check the seating of your aligners and progress of your treatment. Invisalign is based on patient compliance, so it will only work and give you the desired results if you wear the aligners for the prescribed time.

Teeth whitening is safe if done under proper professional guidance and supervision, some patients can have mild transient sensitivity which usually settles down. Composite bonding is prone to normal wear and tear and staining. Ceramic veneers require regular reviews and hygiene appointments to ensure the health of the gums around the veneers is good.

All treatments require regular care, recall, reviews and hygiene appointments, just like your natural teeth, to ensure long term success and health.

If you are interested in a smile makeover and would like to schedule a consultation with Dr Chawla, you can do so by visiting his Top Doctors profile.