When you want to improve the way you look and feel, makeovers are often a great place to start. There are many ways to accomplish this, such as changing your hairstyle or wardrobe or obtaining plastic surgery. Consulting a cosmetic dentist for a smile makeover is another great way to change your look.
What is a smile makeover?
A cosmetic dentist works with you to create a plan for your smile that helps you achieve your goals. The dentist will examine the position and condition of your teeth and gums, and consider how your smile fits with the rest of your features.
What kinds of procedures are performed?
There are many types of treatments that can be done to improve smiles. A very popular one is teeth whitening, which can dramatically improve your look in just an hour when professionally done in a dental office. Severe teeth stains or other flaws like chips, gaps, or misalignment can be hidden with dental veneers. These porcelain shells fit right over the fronts of your teeth to give you a perfect, natural-looking new smile. When your gums don’t line up ideally, such as showing too much or too little of your teeth, gum contouring or a gum lift are options to create a more appealing look. For teeth that are misshapen or the wrong size, bonding with a composite resin material can help. These are not the only options in smile makeovers; your cosmetic dentist can present more solutions that might be right for you.
What is the process for getting a smile makeover?
The first step is having a consultation with a qualified and experienced cosmetic dentist. You can explain your smile goals, identify what you like or dislike about your smile, and undergo a thorough examination. Together, you can come up with a treatment plan and you’ll be able to ask all of your questions before making a decision on any procedures. Finally, you will set appointments for the treatments you choose and then have the dental work done so that you can enjoy your new smile.
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If your smile makes you unhappy because of problems like crooked teeth or a misaligned bite or large gaps, you may be anxious to correct your smile with braces. There are numerous options available for braces today such as traditional metal braces, ceramics, Invisalign and more. Once you and your orthodontist decide which treatment is best for you, it’s important to reserve time to repair any dental issues that might affect the success of your orthodontics before you get started.
Schedule an appointment with your dentist for a thorough checkup and professional cleaning prior to getting braces. If any of your teeth have decay that requires dental fillings, now is the time to have them done. You don’t want any extra teeth sensitivity due to decay, and having fillings completed may improve the fit and comfort of your braces. Also, it’s easier on both you and the dentist to perform the work without braces in your mouth.
Chips or cracks on your teeth should also be repaired at this time. You might need a dental crown or cap to best correct your problem. Have your dentist make the right corrections before you begin orthodontic treatment.
Wisdom teeth are a common culprit for problems with the spacing in your mouth. If you have wisdom teeth that have already erupted, it’s easy for your dental professional to tell if they should be extracted to achieve your ideal smile. If your wisdom teeth are impacted, it’s likely they should be removed prior to orthodontic treatment so that the process isn’t later ruined by your wisdom teeth coming in.
A professional teeth cleaning is an important step before getting braces. Brushing and flossing alone usually isn’t enough to eliminate all of the plaque buildup, tartar and bacteria that has accumulated on your teeth. Scaling and polishing is often necessary to make your teeth the best they can be prior to beginning orthodontic treatment. Even if you opt to go with Invisalign, your smile will look and feel better after a professional cleaning.
Once you have visited your dentist and had any necessary procedures completed, you can return to your orthodontist to begin your journey to a beautiful smile.
Schedule your appointment at our Sherman Oaks dental office
Many parents wonder when the right time is to start taking their children to see an orthodontist. As orthodontics has advanced through the years, oral health professionals have learned that it’s beneficial to address problems early when possible. Most specialists recommend taking children to the orthodontist around age seven, since the mouth has usually developed enough and permanent teeth are starting to come in.
Orthodontists are trained to identify issues at an early age and recognize which problems can be corrected before causing worse trouble later. Some conditions are simply easier to repair if they’re addressed early. This gives the orthodontist more control over where the permanent teeth erupt, especially when jaw structure is affected.
Some of the benefits of early intervention for orthodontics include:
- Correcting bite problems
- Guiding jaw growth to accommodate future teeth
- Predicting permanent teeth development
- Reducing the risks of damage to protruding teeth
- Correcting harmful habits like thumb sucking or tongue pushing
- Improving appearance
- Boosting self-esteem
- Lowering the risk for future invasive orthodontic treatment
A common trend in modern orthodontics is a two-phased approach. The first phase begins when the child still has mostly baby teeth, and treats issues like widening the palate or altering the bite. This is in preparation for the second phase when your child is older and more permanent teeth have erupted. The exact timing is determined by the child’s dental needs and growth patterns.
A consultation around age seven gives you and your child the opportunity to establish a relationship with an orthodontist, and obtain the peace of mind that you’re headed the right direction with your child’s treatment plan. This is just one way to ensure your child’s healthy, beautiful smile for life.
If you need a orthodontist in Burbank, contact us today
