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Few physical traits are as endearing as a beautiful smile. Conversely, an unattractive smile can be a serious detraction from the rest of one’s appearance and demeanor. Discolored, chipped, or crooked teeth are common cosmetic problems that plague teeth, but they don’t have to be. With a smile makeover at our Phoenix office, you can correct any number of problems that are keeping your teeth from looking their best

Since a smile makeover can comprise a variety of dental treatments, an individual treatment plan is created for each patient, depending on the condition of his or her teeth. To better illustrate how this procedure may help you, here are some of the most common problems corrected by a smile makeover. 

Crooked, Crowded, or Gapped Teeth

Straight teeth are an integral part of achieving a radiant smile. If you suffer from any degree of crookedness or misalignment, the appropriate treatment can either realign your teeth or mask them behind porcelain restorations. First, Dr. Holton will assess the severity of your crookedness or gaps before determining whether it poses a risk to your dental health. If the teeth need to be straightened to avoid future complications, braces or Clear Aligner Therapy^® may be recommended. This is an important step, as any necessary orthodontic procedures should be completed prior to additional cosmetic dentistry treatments.  

If crookedness is not severe or is limited to a few teeth, an easier and quicker way to straighten your smile is through porcelain veneers. These “instant orthodontics” hide crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth behind thin, customized layers of tooth-colored porcelain that serve as the new surface of your smile.   

Discoloration

Discoloration can occur for a multitude of reasons. Most often, this is due to years of surface staining from food and drink. Poor hygiene and tobacco use can also lead to this type of staining, ultimately yellowing or darkening tooth enamel. With a teeth whitening procedure, many of these stains can be removed or reduced, brightening teeth substantially in just a single office visit.

Unfortunately, deeper stains that reside below enamel may not be affected by whitening gel. Discoloration from medicine, injury, or fluoride, for example, is easier to conceal than to remove. With a dental bonding procedure, layers of composite resin are applied over the tooth, covering any stains beneath. Porcelain veneers can similarly be used to cover teeth, instantly enhancing their color.    

Chips and Cracks

In addition to weakening a tooth, chips and cracks can be an embarrassing cosmetic flaw. Depending on the size of a chip, various treatments can restore a tooth to its natural shape and size. If the chip only needs to be concealed, a porcelain veneer can be placed over the tooth. This option is particularly useful if the tooth also suffers from additional flaws that would benefit from being covered by a veneer.

If the tooth itself is better off being restored, a dental bonding procedure can be used to replace the lost tissue with composite resin. This option is the simplest and least invasive, but may not be able to restore a large degree of damage. For large chips and cracks, a dental crown may be necessary to cover the whole tooth, protecting it while fully restoring its appearance.  

Misshapen or Missing Teeth

Misshapen teeth may occur due to genetic or environment factors, including trauma, illness, or bruxism (teeth grinding). For minor tissue loss, a dental bonding procedure or porcelain veneer may be able to satisfactorily hide its imperfection. However, if one or more teeth have been significantly reduced in size, dental crowns can be placed over them, essentially replacing them in form and function.

When teeth have been compromised to the point of tooth loss or necessary extraction, a replacement procedure is necessary to preserve the health and beauty of your smile. With dental implants, missing teeth can be replaced at the root and capped with a realistic dental crown. Implants are an excellent way to permanently restore the health and aesthetics of lost teeth. 

Start Your Smile Makeover

No matter the nature or complexity of your dental dilemma, we can help you devise a treatment plan that will leave you with a healthy, brand new smile. For more information about our cosmetic and restorative treatments, or to schedule an appointment with us, contact our office today.