Smile Makeovers: What You Need to Know

Some people refer to crowns or veneers as a Smile Makeover but in reality, it more complex than that. A Smile Makeover can dramatically improve your smile but it can also enhance your overall appearance, boost your confidence, and project a picture of health. This blog post will showcase clinical situations for patients who want a Smile Makeover and how we are using digital dentistry to ensure each step has been verified, for easier, more predictable results.

When Should You Consider a Smile Makeover?

Elements of a Smile Makeover can apply to many situations. In some cases, extractions and implants will yield transformational results. For large spaces between teeth, a Smile Makeover can be achieved with porcelain crowns or veneers. Patients with very discolored teeth are prime candidates for Smile Makeover, which can be achieved with a conservative porcelain veneer procedure.

A Smile Makeover can also be accomplished with simple teeth whitening. This procedure involves making an impression for custom fit whitening trays, followed by quick at home application of the whitening gel, usually for an hour. The results can be impressive and patients love their brighter, whiter smiles.

Is a Smile Makeover Only for Adult Patients?

Children with missing teeth or malformed teeth can also be a candidate for a Smile Makeover. These can be done with combinations of orthodontics and other dental procedures like implants or other non-invasive dental techniques.

Digital Dentistry and Smile Makeovers

Recent innovations in digital dentistry have made Smile Makeovers even easier. At Obeid Dental, we have an in-house digital designer working beside our master technician, which enables us to create beautiful restorations – precisely and with less turnaround time. The digital scanner gives us ultra accurate impressions without the use of gooey molding material. The CT scanner presents valuable imaging data which can guide diagnosis and surgical decisions. Our 3D printer can create custom temporary restorations easily and efficiently.

What Are the Steps of a Smile Makeover?

Let’s run through the typical steps of the process and show you how we’re using the advantage of digital dentistry to provide patients with the Smile Makeover of their dreams.

Consultation and Assessment

The first step is our consultation exam and clinical assessment which help us develop an appropriate Treatment Plan.

Digital Impression

The next step would be to take a digital impression. These impressions are far easier than the traditional method, which uses quick setting molding material.

Digital Mock Up

The impression is usually followed by a full digital mock up, which give us a good idea of how we want the restorations to look.

3D Model and Temporary

Traditionally the process of getting form the mock up to the final stage can be a lengthy process with many delays in lab time and multiple appointments. This is where digital advances can really shine. At this stage, we will 3D print a projected model of how we would like the temporary to look and make adjustments as needed. Prior to these advances, we would fabricate the temporary in a single block, which would not truly represent the way the final restoration would look. The new technology allows us to design and print the temporary as single crowns. By doing this, the patient can still floss between their teeth and maintain the health of their gums. Then when we do the final cementation of the restoration, there is no bleeding.

Evaluate Temporary

The next step then is to check the temporary for proper fit, then prep the teeth and insert. From this point, we want to evaluate to ensure the patient likes the size, shape and overall function of the temporary. We will do a full aesthetic exam and make adjustments until the patient is happy.

Digital Impression of Temporary

When the patient is pleased with the shape, size and feel of the temporary we take another digital scan with the temporary in place. Our master dental technician will begin to duplicate the approved temporary. We have the previous digital library of what we projected the final design to be and can merge these studies together, for further refinement as needed.

Final Restoration Delivery

Using digital dentistry assures the patient has tested, refined and approved the temporary. Once approved, we can duplicate this for their final restoration. The final restoration is cemented in to place and patients are able to enjoy their gorgeous, confident new smile. We like to provide a night guard to Smile Makeover patients, which protects their teeth, their investments and their smile.

Please call Obeid Dental at (301) 652-9505 if you have any questions or to schedule an appointment. We serve the Chevy Chase, Rockville, Bethesda, Silver Spring, MD, and Washington D.C. area.

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