Smile makeovers are generally a combination of dental treatments. No matter which one you get, though, there is one thing that they all have in common: they will improve your natural smile and the way it looks. The specifics will depend on what you want to do and how much you want to spend.
If you’re considering having a smile makeover, the first step is to book an appointment with your dentist. During this initial consultation, your dentist will assess your teeth and discuss your treatment options. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what to expect during your initial consultation with the dentist. Let’s get started!
Contents Navigation
- What Happens During the Initial Appointment for a Smile Makeover
- Common Reasons Why You Would Want a Smile Makeover
- What are the Possible Treatments for a Smile Makeover?
- What are the Factors that Determine Which Treatments You Need
- What Problems Can a Smile Makeover Fix?
- How Much Can a Smile Makeover Possibly Cost?
- Can the Cost Be Covered by Insurance?
- Final Thoughts
What Happens During the Initial Appointment for a Smile Makeover
During the initial consultation, the dentist and patient discuss the patient’s treatment goals and options, usually followed by a discussion of the different dental procedures. The cosmetic dentist will explain how modifying the size, shape, and position of the teeth might accomplish the desired result.
Examining your dental health
Patients who decide to proceed with a smile makeover must first undergo a thorough dental examination. It is not required that the dental exam take place at that time, but it can be planned later.
The dentist will examine the patient’s teeth and gums, previous dental work, and dental issues requiring treatment. The dentist may also take necessary dental x-rays and impressions of the teeth and mouth.
It’s possible that the dentist can offer treatment recommendations at this time. However, the dentist may need to analyse the information gathered for complicated cases before making decisions. Following the dentist’s evaluation, the patient and dentist can review all of the treatment options. Common cosmetic dentistry treatments include dental veneers, teeth whitening, composite bonding, tooth implants, dental crowns, braces, and clear aligners.
Developing the treatment plan
Following a discussion of the various treatment options, the expenses associated with each procedure will be discussed. Patients will receive assistance in setting up a schedule for the different operations performed as part of the smile makeover plan. Before arranging the first cosmetic procedure, they will be given a treatment plan to review at home.
While insurance does not cover most cosmetic procedures, dental payment plans and flexible payment options are available at Magical Smiles.
By the end of the smile makeover consultation, the patient should know how many appointments will be necessary to complete the smile makeover process and how far apart the dental appointments should be. With this information in hand, the appointment time for the first cosmetic dentistry procedure can be set if the patient wishes to proceed.
Common Reasons Why You Would Want a Smile Makeover
A smile makeover can be done for various reasons, but there are a few that are most common.
- To make their smiles more appealing: Having teeth that are discoloured, gapped, misaligned, or chipped is the most common reason for a smile makeover. People dislike the way their smiles look when there are a variety of flaws in them.
- To increase their self-esteem: Smile makeovers enhance the appearance of an individual's natural smile and can considerably boost their confidence in social situations and even in different fields of work. This increase in self-esteem enables them to make essential changes to improve their quality of life.
- To improve their dental health: Some people have dental problems caused by tooth placement and gum disease, which can lead to tooth decay and tooth loss. It can also make it difficult to chew your food, hurting your digestive system.
What are the Possible Treatments for a Smile Makeover?
Personalized treatment plans are developed for each patient based on their wants and needs. The following common treatments are available to patients:
- In-office Teeth Whitening: Brighter teeth can help boost your confidence and improve your social life. Cosmetic dentists can use specifically formulated peroxide gels to whiten your teeth. However, you may need multiple in-chair whitening treatments depending on the degree of the discolouration.
- Porcelain Veneers / Composite Veneers: YSGG: Dental veneers are made of porcelain or composite material that matches the colour of the teeth. They are designed to adhere to the natural tooth enamel and flawlessly blend in with the other teeth. It can be used in combination with other cosmetic makeover procedures or on its own.
- Dental Implants: Dental implants are as durable and efficient as natural teeth. They can be used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even the entire arch of teeth in your mouth. Since these artificial roots are surgically attached and connected to the jaw bone, it is a long-term solution, which means they have a long lifespan.
- Orthodontic Treatment: Orthodontic braces have become smaller and lighter in recent years. Ceramic braces and Invisalign are more discrete options for those who need braces.
- Dental Bridges: Dentists use a dental bridge as a replacement for missing teeth. Using porcelain crowns is the most common method of securing them; however, implants can also be used.
- Gum Contouring: A process known as gum contouring is used to reshape the gum line. A dentist can use this technique to remove excess soft tissue causing a "gummy" smile or repair gum tissue that has receded and is showing too much of your teeth.
What are the Factors that Determine Which Treatments You Need
- Dental health: A dental exam is advised before having a smile makeover to ensure no dental decay. To determine the health of the teeth and the optimum cosmetic restoration for each one, X-rays and physical exams are needed. This is because it may be painful to whiten teeth with cavities or extremely sensitive during the process.
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Shape and alignment of teeth: The alignment of your teeth greatly influences the result of a smile makeover . For example, it is far more challenging to repair misaligned teeth, deep bites, and edge-to-edge bites. If the teeth are in bad shape, the new makeover will end up the same way unless the problem is addressed first.
To ensure that dental restorations last as long as possible, it is sometimes preferable to first straighten the teeth using braces or Invisalign. The dentist may also suggest a nightguard in some cases to keep the new repair safe from wear and tear. -
Tooth colour: To get a natural-looking smile, dental restorations such as veneers, crowns, and fillings must be made from materials that match the patient's original teeth. If you're not happy with the colour of your natural teeth or are thinking about having them whitened, it's best to whiten them until you are satisfied with the shade. In some cases, in-chair teeth whitening before a smile makeover might reduce the amount of treatment that needs to be done on the teeth.
Crowns, veneers, and fillings cannot be whitened, so teeth whitening before a smile makeover is a good idea. Changing the colour of your new restoration is impossible once fitted unless you remove and replace all of your restorations. We recommend that you always match the colour of your restorations to the colour of your teeth. - Gum health: The jawbone, the gums, and the manner they attach to the teeth all play a significant role in the teeth's longevity. Periodontal disease loosens teeth, causes tooth sensitivity and dental decay in areas that are difficult to access and prevents the teeth from being restored. A successful smile makeover requires healthy gums and a strong jawbone.
What Problems Can a Smile Makeover Fix?
- Discoloured teeth
- Misaligned teeth or crowded teeth
- Damaged teeth or broken teeth
- Misshapen teeth or uneven teeth
- Missing teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Gummy smile and receding gums
How Much Can a Smile Makeover Possibly Cost?
Taking into account the amount of time and money needed before undergoing a full smile makeover is vital. You should also think about the result you hope to achieve with this dental procedure. An experienced, well-trained cosmetic dentist is essential to achieving your dental goals.
In-office teeth whitening and take-home whitening kits
Two crown cantilever bridges can cost between $2,700 and $3,300, whereas implant-supported bridges may cost $6,000 to $9,400.
- Dental Veneers
Veneers are priced based on the type of material used to make them. Porcelain or ceramic veneers cost an average of $2,036 per tooth, while composite veneers cost $836 for each tooth. - Orthodontics
In Australia, an 18-month ceramic brace treatment costs between $5,000 and $8,500, while conventional metal braces cost around $8,000. When it comes to the cost of clear aligners, a whole set can cost between $6,000 and $9,000. - Dental Implants
Simple dental implants cost between $3,500 and $5,500. - Porcelain Crowns and Bridges
Two crown cantilever bridges can cost between $2,700 and $3,300, whereas implant-supported bridges may cost $6,000 to $9,400.
Can the Cost Be Covered by Insurance?
In most cases, neither health insurance nor government assistance programmes will pay for cosmetic procedures. However, if treatment is also thought to be beneficial to your health, you may be able to get some compensation. Fillings, crowns, and tooth bonding are all possible claimable treatments. Orthodontic treatment may also be included in general dental coverage, depending on the health insurance company.
- When it is medically necessary due to a decayed or broken tooth.
- An accident or injury to the jaw or a knocked-out tooth requires immediate medical attention.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for help deciding what type of dental care services will work best for you, give us a call at Magical Smiles today at 03 8386 7004. Our dentists will create the right comprehensive treatment plan just for you!