Many people live with visible dental defects due to congenital health conditions, oral injuries, or infections. While being embarrassed about your teeth can certainly be discouraging, a smile makeover may be just the thing to transform your grin into something that you’ll be eager to show off to friends and strangers. Since the first step to getting a smile makeover is having a consultation with your cosmetic dentist, here are a few excellent questions to ask during this important meeting.
What Issues Can My Smile Makeover Address?
A smile makeover includes a variety of restorative and cosmetic dental treatments depending on the patient’s specific needs. Almost any cosmetic dental treatment requires the patient to have healthy gums, so you may need to receive gum disease treatment early in the process.
If your teeth are damaged by trauma or decay, your dentist may eliminate any infected material before restoring them with tooth-colored fillings or lifelike dental crowns. Treatments like veneers or cosmetic bonding can conceal defects like chips, stains, cracks, or gaps, and teeth whitening can lift stains and leave your smile up to eight shades whiter. Your choices are limited only by what your cosmetic dentist offers.
How Much Time Will My Smile Makeover Take?
A smile makeover includes a number of dental treatments, so they are usually spaced out across a suitable period of time. The exact length of your makeover mostly depends on the treatments it includes. For example, you may have to wait a few months until you have recovered from tooth extractions before proceeding with your bridge or dental implant treatment. In some cases, waiting until the new year to perform a restorative treatment can allow the patient to receive some coverage for it from their insurance provider.
Can I See a Before and After Gallery?
It’s perfectly reasonable to ask your cosmetic dentist if you can see the results of previous smile makeovers they have performed. This usually takes the form of a series of photos of patients’ teeth before and after their makeovers, and it can give you a better idea of the results you can expect. Seeing your dentist’s past successes can help you feel much more comfortable about your treatment.
A smile makeover can be the best way to achieve your ideal smile. Coming to your consultation prepared with questions can set you up for a smoother makeover process.
About the Author
Dr. Jeffrey Skupny earned his dental degree from the prestigious University of Florida College of Dentistry and continues his studies through Spear Education, the Dawson Academy, and the Misch International Implant Institute. His Naples office provides general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry including smile makeovers. To schedule your smile makeover consultation, contact his office online or dial (239) 261-5566.