Smile Makeover: The Ultimate in Cosmetic Dentistry (Part 3)

10 March, 2010 (05:59) | Smile Makeover | By: B. Slade

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The Life of Your Smile Makeover

Cosmetic dentistry procedures may require maintenance over time. Teeth whitening must be repeated on occasion in order to maintain brightness. Porcelain veneers may chip or break off and need replacement. Permanent bondings may stain and require enhancement or replacement. Dental crowns typically require replacement after 10 � 15 years. Gummy smile improvements may also require enhancement over time.

Your ceramist, lab technician, and the materials chosen by your dentist also impact the longevity of your Smile Makeover. To achieve the best results, take special care in selecting your cosmetic dentist.

Smile Makeover Preview

An integral part of a Smile Makeover process is the preview of potential results you receive before treatment begins. Cosmetic dentists incorporate a variety of dental technologies to show you the changes that you can expect to see in your smile.

  • Dental Imaging Software: Imaging technologies offer a preview of your Smile Makeover results. Your dentist may use imaging technology to communicate the specifications for your procedure to the dental lab technician or any other dental professionals involved in your treatment plan. However, a digital image only gives you an idea of what you might look like when the makeover is complete; it may not fully match your final results.
  • Before and After Photos: Before and after photos of other patients who have had Smile Makeovers offer samples of the results you may expect to see. The photos may also give you an idea of the quality of work performed by your cosmetic dentist.
  • Dental Study Models: Your dentist will take an impression of your teeth and fill it with plaster to form an exact model of your teeth. The plaster can then be reshaped by trimming away excess areas or enlarging areas that require more volume. Dentists use study models to show you every aspect of the changes you can expect to see with your makeover. Dental lab technicians also use study models as guides for fabricating makeover materials like crowns or veneers.
  • Dental Bonding Mockup: Dental bonding may serve as a mockup of your Smile Makeover. The dentist can temporarily bond composite resin material to your teeth so you can fully visualize the impact of the procedure before treatment begins. In the case of veneers, dental bonding allows you to identify how comfortable you are with their look, feel, and fit. Adjustments may be made until you are comfortable with the function and appearance of your new smile. Temporary bondings have no lasting impact on your teeth once they are removed.

Source:� yourdentistryguide.com