Smile Makeover: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

There can be several problems with the teeth that may make you look ugly leaving you embarrassed to smile openly in public. Such teeth problems may be discoloration of teeth, misaligned teeth, missing teeth, chipped teeth and shape of teeth. Modern dentistry has brought treatment options to give a stunning makeover to your teeth making you more confident to smile and laugh in public without hiding your teeth. Cosmetic dentistry involves bonding, teeth whitening, veneers, fillings, bridges, implants and in some cases even surgery may be required. With the help of these treatment options your smile can be made really beautiful. The main aim of smile makeover is to design one’s own smile. Smile makeover is done not just on the basis of the smile design that you desire to have but also is based on your complexion, facial appearance, gum tissue and its colour, shape of lips and their colour, and even color of your hair. The right mile makeover will depend upon the experience of your dentist who considers all the aspects to design the smile that you want. Smile makeover would first treat the existing issues of the teeth like gum disease that lead to bleeding gums, bad breath and inflammation of the gums, bruxism or teeth grinding that may lead to jaw pain and structurally damage your teeth or untreated tooth decay. The technology that is often used for you smile makeover are intraoral cameras, digital x-rays, computer imaging, cone beam imaging, air abrasion devices etc.

A smile makeover may be required to fix several dental issues like gaps between the teeth, misaligned teeth, chipped off teeth, discoloured teeth, missing teeth, to maintain a harmony and balance among the teeth and even correcting the smile with orthodontics or oral maxillofacial surgery. The common treatment options applied for smile makeover are porcelain veneers which are custom made either at the dentist’s site itself or off-site with the help of digital images. Lifelike veneers are made that are very thin but equally durable and then attaches it with the help of dental cement on the surface of the teeth. Before attaching the veneer, the teeth are cleaned with an acid solution. Smile makeover using porcelain veneers can reshape the worn out and disproportionate teeth, fill small gaps between the teeth and make your teeth look sparkling white. Tooth whitening is another treatment option used for smile makeovers. This procedure is quite quick and convenient and cause very little discomfort to the person. Tooth whitening involves removal of the stains caused by smoking, caffeine, tea and alcohol on the teeth with the help of bleach. After the procedure the teeth really becomes several shades brighter and sparkling. Dental bonding is similar to veneers which involves application of dental resin on the teeth. The bonding comes in different shades of teeth and the perfect shade is chosen by the dental practitioner to match with your teeth color. After applying the bond, it is hardened with the help of curing light and is given a natural shine with a polish. Smile makeover is also desired by people who have a disproportionately smaller smile. Such an issue is more to do with the gums than the teeth. So, the issue can be resolved with gum recontouring that involves removing the required amount of soft gum tissue to give the desired smile. Similarly dental contouring involves shaping of disproportionate teeth. The teeth are trimmed down, buffed and with the help of air abrasion given for a beautiful proportionate smile. Orthodontic treatment is useful for correcting crooked teeth. Tooth fillings, crowns, bridges and dental implants are other methods to impart a beautiful desired smiling.

People with good oral care and dental hygiene but only few aspects of their teeth, gums or lips that hinder a beautiful smile will be eligible for the treatment.

People who do not have a good oral and dental hygiene are usually not good candidaytes for smile makeover.

Smile makeovers usually do not have severe side effects. Side effects can be mild like increased sensitivity of teeth, irritation in the gums etc.

Post treatment guidelines include reducing gum inflammation and tenderness with over-the-counter painkillers. The patient will be recommended to have soft foods and avoid strenuous exercise for few days after undergoing the treatment.

The time for recovery after a smile makeover procedure will depend upon various factors like the type of procedure used and the aesthetic goals desired. So recovery time can range from a few days to more than a year.

Price of smile makeover in India can range from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 15,000.

No, the results cannot be considered permanent and will require regular monitoring and maintaining proper and good oral and dental care. A next smile makeover may also be required after several years.

Alternatives that can be used as smile makeover procedure are teeth whitening that can be done at home by avoiding some food habits like taking too much tea, coffee, alcohol and smoking, doing some facial exercises in early young age to avoid wrinkles on the skin, using natural products to avoid early development of wrinkles.