If you are considering a smile makeover in Lee’s Summit to improve the appearance of your smile, the Center for TMJ & Sleep Apnea can help. We commonly help people with cosmetic and restorative dentistry treatments in Lee’s Summit, often in conjunction with TMJ treatment. Here’s a comprehensive guide to what you can expect from a smile makeover at our dental office.
It Starts with a Smile Makeover Consultation
A smile makeover is a custom cosmetic dentistry procedure. We’ll start with a consultation to decide what your smile makeover should include. If you are new to our office, please complete a new patient form. You can complete it online using the Orthodontics Forms link under New Patient Registration. Cosmetic dentistry patients can use this form even without considering orthodontics. If you fill out the forms online, arrive at your appointment time. If you want to fill them out in our office, possibly because you want help with them, just arrive 15-30 minutes early, and we’ll be happy to help you.
If you’re a current patient, your consultation will jump into a discussion of your smile makeover. For new patients, we like to start with a quick dental exam. Your beautiful smile depends on a healthy mouth, so we’ll look for signs of problems like gum disease, cavities, and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ/TMD). If we find issues we must address before starting your smile makeover, we’ll recommend a treatment plan first.
Your cosmetic dentist will listen to you in the first step of your smile makeover consultation. We want to hear how you feel about your smile and how it used to be. We want to know if you used to be happy with your smile or if you’ve never had a smile that made you happy. That way, we’ll understand whether you’re trying to restore the smile of your youth or achieve the smile of your dreams. Also, mention any limitations, such as budget, timing, or dislike of specific procedures.
Once your cosmetic dentist understands your goals, he will recommend treatments to achieve those goals while respecting your limitations. There are often multiple options for getting the smile you want, and your cosmetic dentist may propose several. If he does, he’ll explain the benefits and limitations of each one.
Once you agree on the approach for your smile makeover, you’ll make appointments to achieve each step in the process.
Customized Treatment Options
Your cosmetic dentist will design your smile makeover specifically for you. You’ll tell your cosmetic dentist what results you want, and he will recommend treatments. There are many types of potential treatments to get the results you’re looking for, and some of the standard recommendations for a smile makeover include:
- Teeth whitening
- Invisalign
- Traditional Braces
- Holistic orthodontics
- Dental crowns
Teeth whitening is a treatment that removes stains from your teeth. This can help your teeth look brighter, healthier, and more youthful.
Invisalign is an orthodontic approach that uses clear plastic aligners instead of metal brackets and wires. Invisalign is an excellent approach for many cosmetic cases of crooked teeth. In addition, Invisalign trays can function as whitening trays, so you can whiten your teeth simultaneously while straightening them.
Traditional braces are the best solution for certain types of tooth movements. This option helps us ensure all patients achieve the straight, beautiful smile they desire.
Holistic orthodontics utilizes the tools of orthodontics to do more than just improve your smile. It lets us alter the function of your bite to address issues such as TMJ and sleep apnea. It can also help improve your facial appearance by adjusting your profile.
Dental crowns can achieve all the cosmetic benefits of porcelain veneers, but they also give your teeth more protection, and they can build up small, worn, or damaged teeth to restore your bite.
How Long Does a Smile Makeover Take?
Since a smile makeover is a custom procedure, there’s no set time to get your results. How long it takes depends on the cosmetic dentistry procedures you choose. Let your cosmetic dentist know if you need results by a specific date, and he will recommend treatments to get results in time.
Teeth whitening: In-office whitening can give results in under 1 hour, but take-home whitening gives the best results, which may take up to 6 weeks.
Dental crowns: 2 weeks to 1 month
Orthodontics: 6 to 18 months.
How Long Will Your Results Last?
As with the time to achieve results, how long results last will depend on the types of procedures used in your smile makeover.
Teeth whitening: If you consume staining foods and drinks regularly, results might fade quickly. However, renewing your teeth whitening to maintain results forever is easy.
Dental crowns: These are long-lasting restorations. Most last 10-15 years, and they can last even longer with proper care.
Orthodontics: Orthodontic results can last as long as you wear your retainers according to your cosmetic dentist’s instructions.
Are You Ready for a Smile Makeover in Lee’s Summit?
If you’re unhappy with your smile and want to improve it, the cosmetic dentists at the Center for TMJ & Sleep Apnea help. Please call (816) 795-1000 or use our online form today to request an appointment.
