Smile Makeovers: What’s Included and How Long Does It Take?

A confident smile can be life-changing. It can make you approachable, open doors of opportunity, and leave a lasting impression. Unfortunately, most people are not born with a perfect smile. And years of stains, chips, and loss can further dull your pearly whites.  

Enter the smile makeover. This is a customized treatment plan that addresses all the problem areas and transforms them into a smile you feel good and confident about. What’s included and how long will it take? Let’s find out. 

What is a Smile Makeover? 

A smile makeover is a combination of cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry that improves the appearance of your teeth and gums. This is a highly customized treatment that may include an array of procedures, depending on your personal needs.   

Once the treatments are complete, you will be left with a smile you feel confident flashing at every turn. 

What Does a Smile Makeover Include? 

Because every smile makeover will be different since it is customized, here are the most common treatments found on patients’ timelines. 

Professional Teeth Whitening

When done professionally, teeth whitening often takes one visit and can leave your teeth several shades lighter. It can remove all sorts of stains you have collected over the years, leaving the teeth looking brand new. 

Dental Veneers

For stubborn stains that cannot be removed through whitening, or for gaps, chips, awkward shaping, or other imperfections, veneers can bring renewal. They are thin, customized shells that are bonded to the front of your teeth only, instantly improving appearance. 

Dental Bonding

Using a tooth-colored resin, bonding is used to repair chips and cracks or to reshape teeth. It is another quick procedure that can often be done in one visit without much prep work. The tooth will look flawless, matching in color and shape with the rest of your teeth. 

Orthodontics

Sometimes patients require more in-depth treatment, like those with crowded teeth or misaligned bites. Orthodontic treatment with clear aligners or traditional braces may be used as part of a smile makeover to straighten teeth. Keep in mind that having straight teeth not only looks better, but it also improves your dental health, too. 

Dental Crowns

Crowns restore the strength and function of a tooth that has been damaged or weakened in some way. These crowns are durable and long-lasting, often made with a material that is customized to blend in beautifully with your other teeth. 

Dental Implants or Bridges

Missing one or more teeth can lead to bone loss, and it can really put a damper on one’s willingness to smile. Dental implants and bridges are tools that can be used as part of a smile makeover. They can improve your bite, improve jaw stability, increase functionality, and boost your appearance. 

How Long Does a Smile Makeover Take? 

There is a lot of variability when it comes to smile makeovers. Because there are so many different procedures with patients requiring any number of combinations of them, it is impossible to know how long it will take. 

Most quick fixes can be handled in a visit or two, whereas others may take months. Or, in the case of orthodontics, it may be a couple of years before the smile makeover is complete. 

Rest assured that when you consult with your dentist, a treatment plan and timeline will be created so you know how long your smile makeover will take. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Will insurance cover the cost of a smile makeover?

It depends. Dental insurance policies and their coverage vary greatly. Most will cover at least a percentage of treatments that involve functionality. Cosmetic procedures, on the other hand, are not typically covered. 

Is a smile makeover painful?

Most smile makeovers utilize minimally invasive procedures that cause little to no discomfort, especially when a local anesthetic is used. Recovery from these treatments is often quick, requiring nothing more than an over-the-counter pain reliever if necessary. 
At Springfield Healthy Smiles, our team is here to help you with your smile makeover, whether a simple teeth whitening treatment or a full transformation including orthodontics, crowns, and veneers. We will work with you to design a customized plan. If you are ready to get started or discuss your options, schedule a consultation today!