Are you unhappy with the appearance of your teeth? Just because your teeth are healthy does not mean that they look as straight or as white as you might hope. To improve the aesthetic qualities of your mouth, Dr. Ashwini Bhave offers smile makeover. This is a customized plan that combines multiple cosmetic dental procedures. The goal is to achieve the kind of teeth you are excited to reveal each time you smile.
Who Is a Candidate for Smile Makeover?
Smile makeover can address several different cosmetic issues, including:
- Stained, discolored or yellow teeth
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Sizable or uneven gaps between teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Missing teeth
Smile makeover is primarily concerned with making cosmetic improvements to the smile. However, some of these issues may also pose long-term health problems to your mouth. As a highly trained professional who specializes in both cosmetic and reconstructive dental care, Dr. Bhave ensures that your smile both looks as beautiful and functions as well as possible.
Procedures Included in Smile Makeover
To create the smile of your dreams, Dr. Bhave may recommend a combination of some of the following treatments:
Teeth Whitening
In under one hour, Dr. Bhave can transform the appearance of stained teeth. In-office whitening is a safe and efficient way to make teeth several shades whiter. She also offers at at-home kits that achieve better whitening results than you can achieve with those sold in retail stores.
Invisalign®
Invisalign aligners are a modern solution for orthodontic issues. Because the aligners are clear and faster-acting, this customized treatment allows you to attain straighter teeth without the embarrassment associated with traditional braces.
Dental Crowns
Crowns fit over a tooth that is misshapen, cracked or crooked to improve its appearance. Because dental crowns are chosen to correspond with the color and shape of your other teeth, it looks just as natural and attractive as your adjacent teeth. Crowns can also strengthen the tooth for improved functionality.
Porcelain Veneers
For the most dramatic transformation possible, Dr. Bhave suggests veneers. These are small shields that attach to the front of your teeth. With veneers, you can choose to have teeth of a specific size, shape and whiteness. You can use a single porcelain veneers to cover up one problem tooth or choose to have an entire row of veneers for uniform cosmetic enhancement.
Dental Bonding
Although dental bonding is less durable than most cosmetic treatments, the ease and affordability of this treatment makes it a popular choice among many patients. Dr. Bhave molds resin on the teeth to cover up flaws like discoloration, cracks or an irregular shape.
Smile Makeover Recovery and Results
Ultimately, the recovery and results depend largely on which procedures you and Dr. Bhave decide to incorporate into your smile makeover. With proper care, dental bonding and crowns last between five and 10 years, porcelain veneers last about 20 years and dental implants can last for decades. Invisalign’s results are indefinite, especially if you follow up by wearing a retainer as instructed. While teeth whitening fades within a couple years, you can repeat this treatment once per year for ongoing whiteness.
Smile Makeover FAQs
How long can smile makeover results last?
How long your smile makeover will last depends on what cosmetic dentistry services are included in your customized treatment plan. Teeth whitening results typically last at least six months, but good oral hygiene can help you enjoy a brighter smile for a year or longer. Porcelain crowns often stay in good condition for five to 15 years. Generally, smile makeover patients maintain their results for many years and may choose to touch up their smile with teeth whitening treatments. Teeth whitening does not affect veneers, crowns, or bonding material, and Dr. Bhave may recommend take-home whitening trays to ensure your brighter smile is here to stay.
Will my dental insurance cover smile makeover?
No, cosmetic dentistry services are elective treatments, i.e., not medically necessary for oral health. Dental insurance plans do not cover elective dental procedures. Although your dental plan may cover one of your treatments if it’s essential, such as a dental crown for a broken tooth or severe tooth decay, typically, smile makeovers are paid for out of pocket. Bay Area Dental Specialists offers financing options through CareCredit so patients can have their smile makeover with affordable monthly payments.
What are the benefits of smile makeover?
Smile makeovers increase confidence and self-esteem for patients embarrassed by their smile due to tooth discoloration, chips, or other imperfections. More confidence can improve your social life, romantic prospects, and professional opportunities. You may seem more outgoing and friendly because you’re no longer afraid of smiling, laughing, or revealing your teeth. Some patients look and feel younger with their new smile.
Cosmetic dentistry often leads to better oral health because patients are more likely to take good care of their teeth and gums after a smile makeover. Straighter teeth after Invisalign and fewer tooth gaps can lower the risk of gum disease and other oral health problems.
How long do smile makeover treatments take?
The process of your smile makeover depends on your cosmetic concerns with your smile and the details of your treatment plan. Some patients may finish their smile makeover in a few weeks, while others may take several months to a year. For example, in-office teeth whitening takes just an hour to brighten your teeth by several shades, but at-home kits take several weeks to see full results. Orthodontic work with Invisalign® clear braces often takes at least six months or over a year to straighten teeth, and porcelain veneers are a two-step process involving tooth preparation and a temporary shell while we wait for a dental lab to fabricate the permanent veneer.
Can I see before and after photos of other smile makeover patients?
Yes, we encourage all patients to view Dr. Bhave’s smile gallery to see before and after images of patients who had cosmetic dentistry, such as porcelain veneers. Looking at previous patients’ results can help you feel more confident in your choice to have Dr. Bhave perform your smile makeover in San Jose.
Will my smile makeover results look natural?
A natural-looking smile is the goal for all cosmetic dentistry services, from teeth whitening to dental bonding. You choose your desired shade for teeth whitening treatment, and porcelain veneers, crowns, and dental bonding are made to match the color of your adjacent teeth. The porcelain material mimics the sheen of your tooth enamel, and dental bonding blends in with the remaining tooth structure.
Is there an age limit for smile makeover?
There is no age limit for smile makeovers for adults. You can improve tooth imperfections with smile makeover if you are at least 18 years old with good oral health.
Schedule a Consultation
Life is too short to stifle your smile. If you want conventionally attractive teeth, this is easily achieved with the cosmetic procedures included in smile makeover. For a consultation with one of San Jose’s most accomplished dentists, please fille out our online form call (408) 809-7760.