Smile Makeover

A smile makeover is very much a personal plan rather than a one-size-fits-all treatment, so most adults who want to improve their smile can have one in some form. It suits a wide range of concerns, whether that’s staining that won’t shift, chipped or worn teeth, gaps, crowding, an uneven gum line, missing teeth, or old fillings and crowns that no longer match.

The one thing we always sort first is the health of your teeth and gums. A makeover is built on a healthy foundation, so if there’s any decay or gum disease we’ll treat that before any cosmetic work begins. At your consultation we’ll look at your oral health, listen to what you’d like to change, and design a plan around what will genuinely work for you.

It depends on which treatments your makeover involves, so the honest answer is anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Some elements are quick. Whitening or composite bonding can often be done in one or two visits. Others take longer by their nature, such as clear aligners to straighten teeth, or implants to replace a missing one, both of which need healing and adjustment time built in.

Before any treatment starts, we plan your new smile in detail and, where it’s suitable, we can show you how the result will look so you can approve it before anything permanent is done.

Most of the treatments that make up a smile makeover are comfortable, and several, like whitening, bonding and clear aligners, aren’t invasive at all. For anything more involved, such as preparing teeth for veneers or placing an implant, we numb the area first with local anaesthetic, and our Enjoyable Dentistry Technique™ is there to keep you calm and relaxed throughout. Many of the patients we treat came to us feeling nervous, so putting you at ease is second nature to us.

Common dental procedures included in a smile makeover are teeth whitening, dental veneers, orthodontic treatment, and gum contouring. Teeth whitening helps to remove stains and discolouration, giving the teeth a brighter and more youthful appearance. Dental veneers are thin shells that are bonded to the front surface of the teeth to correct imperfections such as chips, cracks, or gaps. Dental bonding is a procedure where tooth-colored resin material is applied to the teeth to improve their shape, size, or color. Orthodontic treatment is used to straighten misaligned teeth and correct bite issues. Gum contouring involves reshaping the gum line to create a more balanced and symmetrical smile.

With proper care, a smile makeover can last for many years. However, certain factors such as natural wear and tear, aging, and lifestyle choices like smoking or consuming staining foods and drinks can impact the longevity of the results. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings can help to ensure that the results of a smile makeover last as long as possible.

Yes. Each of the treatments used in a smile makeover is well-established and safe in trained, experienced hands, and here your plan is carried out by our dentists, who’ll talk you through the specific risks and side effects of whatever you’re having before you agree to it.

One thing worth being clear about is that some parts of a makeover are reversible and some aren’t. Whitening and clear aligners don’t permanently alter your teeth, whereas veneers and crowns involve removing a little enamel, which doesn’t grow back, so those are a longer-term commitment. This is exactly why we plan carefully and, where we can, let you preview and approve your new smile before any permanent work is done.