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The result? A smile that is straight, white and even.
Smile makeovers are typically created with the use of porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns and/or porcelain onlays. Veneers are thin shells of fired porcelain that are placed on the front surfaces of the teeth. Offering a natural look and feel, veneers allow the cosmetic dentist to dramatically change the length, width, color and shape of a tooth. Restoring teeth to their natural beauty, veneers also resist staining, creating an enduring white, bright straight smile. Porcelain crowns and onlays offer the same advantages.
How It's Done:
Once the dentist and patient determine the "style" of the desired smile, the dentist takes an impression of the patient's existing teeth. That impression is sent to a lab with precise instructions of what the smile should look like. The lab creates a "wax up" a wax model of how the enhanced smile or repaired teeth will look. The patient and dentist review the wax up and either make changes or give the lab approval to proceed. From the wax up, the lab creates the patient's new "teeth", typically a combination of veneers, crowns, inlays and onlays made of porcelain.
Once the wax up is approved, the dentist prepares the patient's teeth, takes a new impression, and fits him or her with temporaries (a temporary version of the "new smile".) Three to four weeks later when the porcelain restorations are ready, the temporaries are removed and the porcelain is bonded to the teeth.
What are the Recovery/Post Op Expectations?
Patients can expect recovery to be about the same as any dental procedure. The gums may be tender for a couple days after the veneers are bonded to the teeth. Over the counter anti-inflamatories, such as ibuprofen, can ease any discomfort.
After a week or two, the veneers may need to be adjusted to provide a more comfortable bite or fit.
Any complications ?
There are no known complications associated with a smile makeover.
Am I a Candidate?
If you answer yes to any of the following statements, you are a candidate for a smile makeover:
- I dislike the appearance of my smile.
- My teeth are crooked.
- My teeth are uneven.
- My teeth are chipped or broken.
- I have missing teeth.
- I have unsightly gaps between my teeth.
- I'm embarrassed to smile.
- My smile is keeping me from fulfilling my personal and professional life.
- My teeth are stained and discolored.
- I have grown a mustache or beard to cover my smile.
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