Treatments for a Smile Makeover

When your teeth are not in the best condition, it is not just the functionality that is affected. Most patients with underlying oral issues have low self-esteem. The confidence levels are affected by someone’s outward appearance. It is why cosmetic dentistry is on the rise today, to bridge these gaps and improve the quality of life for patients.

What Entails A Smile Makeover?

What most people do not acknowledge is the fact that how teeth sit in the mouth can affect cosmetic appearance. This is not lonely when one opens the mouth or smiles. Teeth support the cheeks from the inside, therefore framing the face. When teeth are missing or have other issues, the outward appearance of the face can also be affected.

A smile makeover before and after has a lot of noticeable changes, given that it addresses several dental problems. A dentist in Huntington Beach, CA incorporates different dental treatments and many hours of dental work to introduce changes in the teeth of a patient. More often than not, a smile makeover will involve more than one dental treatment. The different treatments will work together to improve how the teeth look, whether in color, shape, size, or appearance. Other than that, teeth makeover can alter the positioning of the gum tissues in light of the teeth, for a better appearance.

Which Treatments Are Involved In Smile Makeover?

If you visit a smile makeover near you, you will be surprised at how many different dental treatments are used in one smile makeover. Usually, a dentist will decide which treatments would work best for a patient, based on the underlying needs as well as the expected outcome of the procedures. Some of the procedures involved in the process include the following:

• Teeth whitening – It may seem like a basic dental procedure, but it comes quite in handy for correcting discolored teeth. The treatment is short and only done once or twice a year.
• Teeth cleaning and plaque removal – As part of transforming a smile, the dentist has to remove all traces of plaque and tartar buildup in teeth. The plaque not only stains teeth, but it causes other oral health problems like bad breath and gum problems.
• Dental crowns – They are used to cover the external part of teeth for added strength. Usually, dental crowns are used on broken or chipped teeth, decayed teeth, among other procedures. In smile makeovers, dental crowns are a big part of achieving the desired results.
• Dental veneers – Veneers are dental appliances layered on the surfaces of teeth to improve their appearances. Veneers are used for cracked teeth, discolored teeth, or teeth that require alterations for shape and size.
• Dental implants – They are reliable dental fixtures used in the replacement of missing teeth. Implants are installed in jawbones of patients to create a stable replacement for the missing tooth. However, dental implants are used alongside dental crowns. The crowns are used to cap the implants after installation.
• Dental bridges – Bridges are also a treatment option for missing teeth. They can replace one or more missing teeth. The dental bridges also rely on dental crowns, but for anchorage. The artificial teeth used for replacement are supported by dental crowns placed on adjacent teeth.
• Tooth aligners – There are different types of aligners used in orthodontics. The most common type is the traditional braces. Otherwise, a dentist can use Invisalign®, retainers, mouthguards, among other dental appliances to achieve proper teeth alignment. Teeth aligners are used to correct crooked teeth, close gaps between teeth, and correct improper bites.
• Tooth extraction – Tooth extraction is not only meant for decayed teeth. It can be used for a smile makeover, in situations where patient s have crowded teeth. Other than that, the wisdom teeth of patients can be extracted to create room for other teeth.
• Gum grafting and gum reduction – When too much gum is showing, the smile is not aesthetically appealing. In the same way, when the gum has receded too far from teeth, the cosmetic appearance is also hindered. Surgical intervention for the gum tissue can reduce too much gum or add to it for a better appearance.