Most people want to change something about their smile. Whether your teeth could be whiter, you’ve got a gap you’ve always hated, or there’s that one tooth that sticks out in every photo—the good news is that there are far more options available these days with the advances in the field of cosmetic dentistry.
The bad news is that it can be tough to know what will work, what won’t and where to best invest your time and money. Fortunately, some treatments fix more than one issue at a time while others only work when combined with other procedures. By arming yourself with the right knowledge before you commit to any course of treatment, you can save a lot of time and money.
Let’s examine the basics first—professional teeth whitening is where most people should start.
Professional Teeth Whitening
It’s the step almost everyone takes first, and for good reason. It’s very noticeable and whitening generally has such a good effect. Not all types of whitening will offer the same results, however.
Over-the-counter whitening strips will certainly get your teeth a little whiter but professional whitening is up to a whole new level. Bleaching solutions only available through a cosmetic dentist can actually whiten teeth by up to six shades. That’s more than a little white!
A qualified teeth whitening dentist can provide prescription-strength solutions that simply aren’t available in your local drug store. You’ll also receive custom trays rather than generic store-bought ones which can lead to uneven results.
You’ll also get a lot of instruction than you might expect. A responsible practitioner will help assess your current tooth shade and provide you with guidance on whether or not whitening is actually an option for you. They’ll also help minimize any sensitivity during the process.
The Invisible Solution: Clear Aligners
Invisalign was a game changer a couple of decades ago—now the only way to fix crooked teeth was by getting braces—and many adults simply weren’t interested in getting a mouth full of metal.
Clear aligners are the adult alternative to braces—custom-molded, nearly invisible plastic trays that shift your teeth into place. They’re not really noticeable when you’re wearing them so they’re an easy aesthetic choice. The process involves visiting a dentist who will take impressions and provide you with a series of aligners to swap out every couple of weeks. Each new aligner helps move your teeth a little closer to where they should be.
You’ll start noticing a difference after a few months but how long it actually takes depends on the complexity of the work to be done. So just how long will it take? It all depends on how much work your teeth require. Crooked smiles or spaces can take over a year but minor issues can be fixed in 6 months or less.
The Ultimate Smile Makeover: Veneers
When people talk about an ultimate smile makeover, they’re likely referring to veneers. These ultra-thin porcelain shells are placed on the fronts of your teeth and cover your entire smile.
Veneers can hide all sorts of issues your smile might have. Stained teeth that whitening treatments can’t improve. Minor gaps in teeth. Crooked smiles. Even chipped teeth. Some people even just choose to get them if their teeth look older than they really are!
You’ll only need to visit the dentist two or three times at most. First, they’ll remove a thin layer from the front of your teeth so that there’s room for the veneers to fit. Next, your dentist will take impressions that are sent to a technician who designs and makes your custom-set veneers. The last step? Your dentist will bond them to your teeth for good!
They can even last anywhere from 15 to 20 years depending on the care you give them! They also stain much less than natural teeth do.
A Budget-Friendly Smile Treatment Option
Composite bonding is another great option that’s relatively similar to veneers. This is the budget version that most people can afford.
Rather than having to bond an elaborate porcelain shell to the front of your teeth, your dentist places the bonding material directly on your teeth. The dentist will apply a tooth colored resin material and mold it while you wait rather than have to send it away to a technician. Composite bonding is also quicker—this usually takes one appointment or less!
The process takes less than one visit. Your doctor will apply the bonding material directly onto the front of your tooth then shape it. They’ll polish it, and finally harden it with a special light. The results look fantastic and will generally last between five and ten years depending on how well you care for them! Compared to veneer durability, this is much less though, which is something you might prefer if you’re looking for a smile makeover that’s reversible.
Don’t Forget About Your Gums!
Often, crooked or uneven teeth aren’t the issue at all. Sometimes your gummy smile could be the problem instead!
If you have excess gum tissue hanging over your teeth, it can make your teeth look uneven. Your smile might also just look like you have small teeth when in reality they’re perfectly sized. Gum contouring is yet another option for smile makeovers. This allows your dentist to trim that excess tissue and treat any imperfection with your smile.
The latest laser technology has made this process extremely fast and painless so don’t hesitate to explore it as an option if you’ve got an uneven gum line.
Consider Combining All Of These Treatments
The best results often come when all of these treatments are used in conjunction with one another. First, start with the whitening to serve as your base. Then get your smile properly aligned and finally come in to finish it up with either bonding or veneers.
Just make sure you do it in the right order! You should always do teeth whitening before bonding or veneers are placed since those materials can’t be whitened after application if needed.
A qualified cosmetic dentist knows the best timeline for what order to do procedures in so don’t hesitate to ask them for options.
Move Ahead With Your Best Smile Yet
Now that you know what treatments are available, don’t do anything at home or attempt any at-home fixes which might have been suggested on social media. Take the time to speak with an experienced professional before committing to any treatment.
A trained cosmetic dentist can assess your current smile properly, really listen to what you’d like to achieve from your treatment and find the one course of action that will really achieve the results you want—without wasting time or money in the process.
Today, it’s easier than ever to get the smile makeover you’ve always dreamed about—no matter what held you back before!
