Looking for a smile makeover?
Our cosmetic dentistry guides are here to help you find the best treatments.
When it comes to dental care and cosmetic dentistry, there is a wide variety of products and treatments available, both online and through dental clinics. From composite bonding, dental veneers, to dental crowns and clear aligners; knowing this, it’s important that you familiarise yourself with these treatments and what they can do for you. This way, you can identify and choose what you think is best for you. As always, we encourage you to consult with a professional before picking any particular dental treatment so that they can advise by taking into account your individual case. Don’t forget to also visit your dentist once in a while to ensure your oral health is as it should be and spot any potential issues early.
Regular dentists & Cosmetic dentists
Getting a dental check up once in a while is important, as it allows you and your dentist to detect oral health issues early. For some, a check up every year or so will suffice while for others, every 6 months or more may be needed. Depending on your case, your dentist will make recommendations tailored to you. When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, however, it’s a slightly different area. These dentists also focus on your oral health and will also advise you on what to do and what not to do – to keep your mouth and teeth as healthy as possible. But they will also be able to perform cosmetic treatments regular dentists can’t offer. Porcelain veneers, Invisilign aligners and composite bonding are some examples of treatments that a cosmetic dentist can offer.
What is a smile makeover?
Focusing on the cosmetic side of dentistry – a smile makeover can be a life-changing treatment which can enhance one’s appearance and self-confidence. If you’re thinking about transforming your smile, here’s what you should know. This treatment is a comprehensive dental plan, which often varies from one patient to the next. It usually involves a combination of cosmetic and restorative treatments that are tailored to address a patient’s dental concerns and aesthetic goals. For example, patient ‘A’ may require some crowns and teeth whitening. Whereas patient ‘B’ might need Invisalign to correct misaligned teeth and porcelain veneers to get their desired look. It is essentially a combination of procedures to deal with a patient’s oral health and improve their aesthetic look. As well as help boost a patient’s self confidence about their appearance.
How long does this treatment take?
As we mentioned previously, treatments vary from one patient to the next. With this in mind, the simplest way to answer this question, is by emphasising that patients with no underlying oral health issues tend to require less cosmetic treatments than those who do.
Questions to ask or find out from your dentist
What qualifications and training does your dentist have?
Are they well versed in offering the services that you’re looking for and do they hold the right accreditation and qualifications?
What can a smile makeover do for me?
As you will have read above, a smile makeover is a comprehensive treatment. As such, you should double check with your dentist how this plan can best serve you.
In the unlikely event you’re unhappy with the service you’re provided, what after care does your dentist offer?
Every dental clinic should have a clear complaints procedure in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions we receive about dental treatments. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Is a smile makeover worth paying?
As all things cosmetic related, the price of this type of dental treatment boils down to how disatisfied you are with your smile. This treatment aims to address multiple factors about your smile such as:
- Mis-aligned or missing teeth
- Treating gums
- Using veneers to improve dental aesthetics
- Teeth whitening
How is a smile makeover priced?
As mentioned in the example of patient ‘A and patient ‘B’ from the post above, a smile makeover cost can vary depending on which treatment a patient gets. If you have healthy straight teeth then it could cost as little as £1,000 for what some clinics call ‘mini makeover’. However for patients who suffer from an infection, and want to drastically improve their smile – the cost can be several thousands of Pounds.
Are dental X-rays safe?
Dental X-rays are used to help your dentist to spot potential issues, like cavities or gum disease. It’s no secret that excessive X-ray exposure can cause cancer but that being said, context is important to answer this question. The amount of X-ray radiation a patient is typically exposed to during a dental X-ray scan is comparable to that of everyday items such as mobile phones and laptops. Therefore, it is quite safe and the probability of cancer is less than 1 in a million.
How do I prevent tooth decay and gum disease?
You most likely will have heard this answer before but it is very important. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste or ideally after each meal will go a long way in protecting your oral health from decaying. As well as limiting sugary and oily foods such as sweets, crisps, fried chips etc. A piece of advice you may not have heard from however, is considering dental sealants. Ask your dentist about this to see if they offer this treatment.
What can I do about sensitive teeth?
Assuming you’re not doing these things already, one of the first steps to managing sensitive teeth is to switch to a desensitising toothpaste along with using a soft toothbrush.
Acidic foods and drinks are something you should avoid as they can erode your teeth’s enamel layer, making your condition potentially worse. If your condition does get worse, you should visit a dentist who may provide you with fluoride varnishes, dental bonding to cover exposed roots, or even gum grafts in more severe cases.