Smile design, often referred to as a smile makeover, involves the combination of any number of cosmetic or restorative dentistry procedures to dramatically improve or enhance the appearance of a person’s smile.

While performing a smile design or smile makeover, a dentist will first consult with the patient to establish his or her aesthetic goals and to determine whether these goals are reasonable.  The dentist will then consider a variety of factors that contribute to a “perfect” smile, such as tooth length, tooth texture, tooth proportions, alignment and spacing, tooth color, and even missing teeth.

There are a number of aspects of a person’s smile that can be improved with a full smile design treatment from a qualified cosmetic dentist.  For example, if the patient has teeth that appear stained or yellowed, tooth whitening, dental bonding, or porcelain veneers may be employed.  For teeth that are misaligned or improperly spaced, orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign® may be employed, while porcelain veneers may be just as effective in less extreme cases.  If a patient is missing one or more teeth, a cosmetic dentist may suggest a dental bridge, dentures, or even dental implants.  When the patient’s smile appears to be “gummy”, laser gum contouring may be employed to better highlight the shape of the teeth.  In some cases, a patient may opt to undergo oral or facial surgery to improve the shape of his or her jaw, face, or lips.

Many people are unhappy with the appearance of their smile, but are hesitant to investigate cosmetic or restorative dentistry treatment because they believe the cost may be prohibitive.  It is true that most smile design procedures are considered elective, and thus are not covered by dental insurance plans.  However, patients can now choose from a variety of convenient financing and credit options, making the perfect smile within every patient’s reach.

The application of porcelain veneers is perhaps the most popular smile makeover treatment performed in cosmetic dentistry.  Veneers are thin shells of tooth-colored porcelain that are custom-fitted over the front of patients’ teeth to mask or improve the appearance of an array of dental flaws, including discoloration and staining, chipped teeth, and teeth that are misshapen.  Often, porcelain veneers are referred to as “instant orthodontics”, as in many cases they can even be used to mend the appearance of a crooked smile.  While the porcelain veneers process requires at least two visits to your cosmetic dentist, the result is a transformed smile that can last a lifetime with proper care.

The first step in the porcelain veneers process is a smile makeover consultation with your cosmetic dentist, during which you will discuss the flaws you wish to cover and the results you expect to achieve.  Next, your dentist will gently remove a small portion of the enamel of the tooth or teeth to be treated to make room for your porcelain veneers.  He or she will then take a mold of your mouth, which will be sent to a dental laboratory where your veneers will be custom crafted from porcelain to match surrounding teeth in color, shape, and size.  When your porcelain veneers are ready, you will return to your cosmetic dentist’s office to have them permanently affixed to the front of your teeth.  Your dentist may also perform slight modifications to your veneers to ensure the most natural-looking results possible.

Unlike dental crowns, which cover the entire surface of a damaged tooth, often after a root canal, porcelain veneers are applied to only the front surface of teeth and are primarily cosmetic in function.  While some cosmetic dentistry patients may opt for cosmetic resin dental bonding as a more cost-effective method of smile repair, it is important to take into account the appearance and longevity of porcelain veneers when choosing a cosmetic dentistry solution.  Porcelain veneers are the method of choice for patients who wish to enjoy a brilliant, straight, and healthy-looking smile for many years to come.  If you would like to learn more about porcelain veneers and other smile makeover options available to you, contact a qualified cosmetic dentist in your area.

Many patients, especially adults, are unhappy with the crooked appearance of their teeth but do not want to wear traditional braces.  Not only do traditional, metal braces affect the appearance of a smile, but they also can cut the mouth, require inconvenient maintenance, and hinder regular brushing and flossing.  For patients who wish to straighten their smiles without the hassle of traditional braces, Invisalign® invisible braces are an excellent solution.

Invisalign® invisible braces are thin, clear plastic aligners that are worn over the teeth cause teeth to shift position gradually, discreetly, and comfortably.  The first step in the Invisalign® process is a consultation with a cosmetic dentist or orthodontist, during which the patient will discuss his or her treatment goals and learn whether he or she is a good candidate for Invisalign®.  If so, the dentist or orthodontist will then take an impression of the patient’s teeth, and send this mold to a specialized laboratory where a series of Invisalign® aligners will be crafted using precise computer imaging.

Patients wear each aligner for roughly two to four weeks, then move on to a slightly different aligner after that.  Each successive aligner will use gentle pressure to allow teeth to gradually shift position.  These aligners are created from thin, clear plastic and are all but invisible, unlike traditional braces.  Also unlike traditional braces, Invisalign® aligners can be removed for convenient eating, cleaning, brushing, and flossing, though they should be worn as much as possible, day and night.

Most patients complete their Invisalign® invisible braces treatment in less than one year; some patients achieve maximum results in as few as six months.  While orthodontic treatment with Invisalign® invisible braces may cost more than traditional braces do, most patients find that the convenience and cosmetics of Invisalign® make the investment worthwhile.

When a patient has more gum than teeth showing or his or her gums appear disproportionately large, he or she is said to have a “gummy” smile.  This can make teeth appear smaller than they really are and, along with uneven gums, can detract from the beauty of the smile. When gum tissue grows too far over the tooth’s surface, cosmetic dentist can use a specialized laser to sculpt the gum tissue in a very simple procedure known as gum recontouring or gum lifting.

Gum recontouring is a short, safe, and comfortable procedure, often performed only on the front teeth. In the first step of laser gum recontouring, the dentist will gently numb the gums to be sculpted with a mild anesthetic. Next, he or she will use a soft-tissue diode laser to gently remove excessive tissue while re-sculpting the gum line.

In the past, gum sculpting would be done with a scalpel, which caused bleeding and required stitches and an uncomfortable recovery. With laser gum lifting, there is no cutting or bleeding. Recovery from laser gum recontouring is fast and easy, since the laser immediately seals the newly sculpted tissue, eliminating the need for sutures and killing any bacteria present. Most patients who undergo laser gum lifting return to their daily activities immediately, however the gums may be slightly swollen or tender for up to one week. Any discomfort that results from laser gum recontouring is easily treated with over-the-counter pain medication such as Ibuprofen.

Over time, gum disease, decay, and accidents can cause a person to lose his or her teeth. When a patient is missing one or more teeth, dentures are often the first option discussed. Unlike dental implants, which are permanently grafted to the patient’s jaw, dentures are removable replacement teeth.

The first step in the dentures process is a consultation with a qualified cosmetic or restorative dentist. During this visit, the patient and dentist will discuss whether the patient is a good candidate for dentures, as opposed to other tooth replacement options such as dental bridges or dental implants. If a patient is missing only a few teeth, partial dentures may be a good solution. Full dentures are used when patients have no remaining natural teeth. Once the proper type of dentures has been decided, the dentist will take an impression of the patient’s mouth, which will be sent to a dental laboratory which will custom-craft dentures to fit the patient’s mouth and match his or her natural teeth, if applicable. The patient then returns to the dentist’s office to have his or her dentures adjusted for the most comfortable and natural-looking fit.

Unlike dentures of the past, which were made from tooth-colored plastic, many patients are now opting for dentures made from natural-looking porcelain, which tend to look more natural. Often, patients prefer dentures over other tooth replacement options because they are removable for convenient cleaning and for sleeping. Another benefit to dentures is that they are significantly less costly than permanent dental implants.

When a tooth is damaged beyond what fillings, dental bonding, or porcelain veneers can repair, a dental crown, also known as a dental cap, is often the best remedy.  A dental crown, which often follows the removal of infected tooth pulp through a root canal, is a cap that fits over the entire surface of a damaged tooth, offering both cosmetic and restorative benefits.

Like veneers, dental crowns are often crafted from tooth-colored porcelain.  However, while a veneer is applied only to the front surface of a tooth, a crown fits over the entire tooth.  The dental crown process is typically completed in two visits to the cosmetic or restorative dentist’s office.  During the first visit, the dentist will ensure that all infected material is removed from the tooth.  He or she then prepares the surface of the tooth to make room for the crown.  Next, the dentist will take an impression of the damaged tooth, which will be sent to a dental laboratory where the dental crown will be crafted.  As a final step to this visit, the dentist will fit the affected tooth with a temporary crown.

Once the customized crown returns from the dental lab, the patient returns to the dentist’s office to have the crown permanently affixed to the damaged tooth.  At this time, the dentist will also make minor adjustments to ensure that the crown lends the most optimal support to the tooth and closely matches surrounding teeth.

In addition to lending support and restoring functionality to a severely damaged tooth, a dental crown may also be used to anchor a dental bridge or as a replacement tooth atop a dental implant post.

Dental bonding, completed with a tooth-colored resin composite material painted directly onto the tooth surface, is an excellent way to repair both cosmetic and structural flaws in the teeth. The material used in dental bonding is similar to that used for tooth-colored fillings, and can be custom-crafted by a skilled cosmetic dentist to closely match the color of surrounding teeth for a natural-looking result. Many patients can achieve their desired look through cosmetic dental bonding, without investing the time and money necessary to complete more complex treatments such as porcelain veneers.

The first step in the dental bonding process is the preparation of the tooth or teeth to be treated. To do this, the cosmetic dentist will gently roughen the surface of the tooth to allow the resin to adhere. He or she then applies the resin to the tooth and sculpts it to closely match surrounding teeth in shape and size. Once the desired appearance is achieved, a high-intensity laser is applied to dry and harden the resin. During the final step of the dental bonding process, the dentist will gently buff and polish the treated tooth to give it the most natural appearance possible.

With cosmetic dental bonding, less tooth preparation is required so patients are able to maintain more of their natural tooth structure. Furthermore, less tooth preparation means that cosmetic dental bonding can be completed in just one visit to the cosmetic dentist’s office, rather than the two to three visits required for porcelain veneers or dental crowns or bridges. While resin bonding may not be as durable as porcelain veneers or other cosmetic treatments, many patients find that the lower cost and instant results make cosmetic dental bonding the right choice for them.

While traditional (or general) dentistry is focused on maintaining the health of a patient’s teeth and gums, cosmetic dentistry refers to dental treatments designed to improve or enhance the appearance of a person’s smile.  Often, cosmetic dentistry treatments are employed to mend the appearance of teeth that are cracked, stained, chipped, crooked, or unevenly spaced.

Common cosmetic dentistry procedures include:

• Tooth whitening
• Porcelain veneers
• Tooth-colored fillings
• Dental bonding
• Dental crowns
• Dental bridges
• Invisalign® invisible braces
• Dentures
• Dental implants
• Gum recontouring
• Inlays and onlays

Perhaps the most sought-after cosmetic dentistry treatment today is tooth whitening.  While there are a number of at-home whitening or bleaching kits, patients who seek optimal results are better served by investing in professional tooth whitening at their cosmetic dentist’s office.  Porcelain veneers are also a very popular cosmetic dentistry procedure.  Veneers are thin shells of porcelain affixed to the fronts of teeth to mask the appearance of a number of dental flaws, including teeth that are stained, misshapen, misaligned, or even crooked.  Patients often opt to combine a number of cosmetic dentistry procedures to achieve what is commonly referred to as a new smile design or a smile makeover.

While cosmetic dentistry is often considered elective and thus not covered by most dental insurance plans, most cosmetic dentists offer convenient financing or credit options to help offset the cost of cosmetic dentistry.