5 Things You Should Know About Smile Makeovers

Is it time for a smile makeover?

How can I correct my smile?

Have you ever been spellbound by someone’s smile or comforted by the smile of a loved one or friend? Have you ever realized later on that you talked to someone with food in your teeth? Or maybe just looked in the mirror and felt dissatisfied with your grin? Wished for a smile makeover?

As humans, our smiles strongly influence everything, from social bonding to self-confidence. So if you’re less than pleased with your smile’s aesthetic and want to make changes, know that you’re in good company. Patients of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences seek out cosmetic dentistry treatment plans, such as smile makeovers, to revitalize their smile’s appearance and support their most authentic self-expression.

A smile makeover is a comprehensive approach to making dramatic changes to your smile’s brilliance, balance, and shape. As you seek out the combination of cosmetic dentistry treatments that are right for you, here are 5 things you should know about smile makeovers.

1. Every smile makeover is totally unique.

Being less than satisfied with your smile’s appearance may arise for a number of reasons. Perhaps you’ve always had gaps between your teeth, or maybe coffee-drinking has gradually made your teeth look prematurely aged. A smile makeover is tailored to address multiple structural or cosmetic imperfections, such as updating metal crowns or fillings, teeth whitening, replacing missing teeth, or correcting stains, discoloration, chips, gaps, or unevenness.

2. A smile makeover starts with good oral health.

A smile makeover without good oral health is akin to beautifying a house with a cracked foundation. Even if you use the highest-quality materials and techniques, hidden structural issues will eventually undermine your investment. And when it comes to your teeth, untreated dental issues can make some cosmetic treatments unnecessarily painful.

Your smile is the most attractive when it’s healthy. So before any cosmetic dentistry treatments, your cosmetic dentist will evaluate your gums and teeth and treat any underlying issues, such as tooth decay or periodontal disease.

3. A smile makeover is a strategic process.

As a smile makeover addresses multiple cosmetic concerns, the process generally consists of more than one cosmetic dentistry treatment. Your cosmetic dentist will design a treatment plan that aims to leave you with a smile that meets your expectations and needs. For instance, if you want to whiten your smile and update metal fillings, you will undergo teeth whitening first so your composite fillings will match your smile’s brighter shade.

Depending on your smile goals, your smile makeover will be a unique combination of two or more of the following treatments:

Many patients want to know how long a smile makeover will take. As every patient’s situation is unique and treatment times vary, the best way to get a timeline for a smile makeover is to meet with your cosmetic dentist. Your personal timeline will reflect your current oral health needs and how many procedures you want and need to achieve your smile vision.

4. The costs of a smile makeover vary, and are typically covered by the patient.

The cost of your smile makeover will ultimately depend on the types of treatments you receive and how many treatments you need. Your total treatment cost may be higher (and take longer) if you have any underlying oral health issues, though these restorative procedures may be partially or fully covered by your insurance.

While insurance won’t cover the cosmetic treatments involved with a smile makeover, you still have options for affording the cosmetic care you seek. For instance, Staley Dental offers a Health Savings Plan to help make dental care more affordable to our patients without insurance. Along with receiving a set amount of dental services for one year, our in-house Health Savings Plan offers a 15% discount on any other dental care provided in our office, including restorative and cosmetic dentistry treatments.

5. Long-lasting results come from good oral health habits.

Like your natural teeth, your cosmetic restorations will last the longest and look their best with twice-annual dental visits, daily brushing and flossing, and healthy lifestyle habits, such as limited sugar and avoiding nicotine. If you suffer from bruxism (grinding or clenching teeth), your cosmetic dentist may also recommend a custom mouth guard or night guard to protect your smile from undue stress or damage. With proper care and maintenance, the results of your smile makeover can last for many years.

Dr. Staley and the entire Staley Dental team are here to help you experience the many benefits that come from making your smile what you want it to be. To learn more about how a smile makeover can help you make the changes you want to achieve, contact our downtown Boise office to schedule an appointment.