What is a Smile Makeover?
A “smile makeover” is the process of enhancing the overall appearance of your smile with the use of various cosmetic dentistry procedures. These procedures can include; porcelain veneers, dental implants, composite bonding and teeth whitening. A complete smile makeover takes into consideration the patient’s facial appearance, structure, skin tone, hair color, teeth, gum tissue and lips to develop the ideal smile for you. Smile makeovers are performed for many reasons and can be customized based on your unique requirements.
Designing Your Smile Makeover
At your initial consultative appointment, Dr. Block will discuss your desires and goals for your smile makeover. Your current oral health must be evaluated prior to Dr. Block developing a plan for your new smile. As she listens with care and compassion, she will gather your dental and medical history. She will then perform a thorough exam of your mouth and structure of your jaw to properly assess your oral health condition. Dr. Block may also suggest a complete set of digital x-rays so she can see any underlying issues. Once your exam is complete, she will then discuss viable treatment options with you.
Combined Cosmetic Dental Procedures
Depending upon your particular circumstances and the current condition of your teeth and gums, Dr. Block may recommend one more cosmetic procedures to be used in combination to create your smile makeover.
Some of the cosmetic dental procedure that Dr. Block may perform to create your new smile include:
Porcelain Veneers
A veneer is a very thin sheet of porcelain that is shaped to fit directly over your natural tooth, which provides an instant shape and/or color change to your teeth.
Learn More About Porcelain Veneers
Tooth Bonding
This procedure is most frequently used in the case of a minor aesthetic blemish. Dr. Block carefully applies a composite bond to your natural tooth. This procedure is used to fix cracked or chipped teeth, or to hide the discoloration on a portion of a tooth.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is designed to span a gap between existing teeth. The bridge uses abutting teeth as anchors that support the span of artificial teeth. There are various kinds of bridges and material options include metals or porcelain, or a combination of the two.
Learn More About Dental Bridges
Dental Crowns
Formerly referred to as ‘caps’, dental crowns are designed to fit over the existing tooth. Impressions are taken and then the caps are handcrafted and custom fit to slip on and be cemented in place over an existing tooth. The crowns are used to create a more aesthetically pleasing smile, often over discolored or broken teeth.
Learn More About Dental Crowns
Dental Implants
Implants are sometimes used to replace a missing tooth, and at other times, they are used to create an anchor for a dental bridge. A dental implant involves a new, artificial tooth to be attached to a screw (artificial root), which is then permanently screwed into the bone.
Learn More About Dental Implants
A complete smile makeover is a psychological, emotional and financial investment that you choose to make in order to enhance the health, functionality and appearance of your smile. And since you will want that investment to bring happy and satisfying returns for many years to come, always remember to follow Dr. Block’s recommendations to ensure the long-term beauty of your new smile, and be sure to follow-up with regular dental exams and cleaning appointments.
