A smile makeover is a big commitment, and it can seem even bigger if you don’t know what to expect. That’s why we at Smile On Dental Studio always take the time to explain every step in the process carefully. However, we also understand that you might have many questions about what to expect from a smile makeover before you’re even ready to talk to a dentist about one. This document answers some of the most common questions about smile makeovers. It should give you all the information you need to schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist in St. Louis.

What Is a Smile Makeover?

A smile makeover is a custom combination of cosmetic dentistry procedures designed specifically for you. In a personal consultation, you’ll talk about your goals for your smile, and your cosmetic dentist will give you options for achieving those results. Then, you will pick the combination of procedures that best suits your needs. 

We’ll talk more about the consultation and the rest of the smile makeover process later.

What a Smile Makeover Can Do for You

A smile makeover can completely transform your smile. We will select the ideal combination of procedures to achieve your desired smile. Whether you’re looking to restore the smile of your youth or get a smile you’ve only had in your dreams, your smile makeover can achieve it. With a smile makeover, we can address any complaint you might have about the appearance of your smile, including:

  • Discolored teeth
  • Chipped or cracked teeth
  • Worn or small teeth
  • Crooked, crowded, or rotated teeth
  • Gaps between teeth
  • Missing teeth

The change can be as dramatic or as subtle as you want. We can give you a new smile that everyone will notice or make your new smile subtly attractive. 

The changes in appearance are just the beginning. In truth, a smile makeover can do so much more than change your smile–it can change your life. Listen to Heather’s story, and you’ll see how a smile makeover can give you a brand new life. You’ll start every day with confidence. That confidence can be a powerful foundation for many things in life: a new job, relationship, or a newfound sense of worth that helps achieve your goals.

The Smile Makeover Process

As a custom procedure, it’s impossible to lay out the smile makeover process in too much detail. However, there are some common steps that everyone will go through to get their smile makeover. 

Choose Your Dentist

Nothing will make more of a difference in your smile makeover than choosing a cosmetic dentist. Take time to find the right dentist for you. 

Since you’re considering a smile makeover, looking at a dentist’s smile gallery is a great place to start. See what results a dentist has achieved for previous patients. 

Of course, past results don’t guarantee your smile makeover will look great. Evaluate potential dentists’ training to see if they have learned enough to deal with complicated and diverse cases. Schedule introductory consultations with a few dentists to help you find one that is an excellent match for your personality. Some smile makeovers can take months–pick someone you won’t mind seeing regularly over that period. Also, talk to each dentist about any concerns you might have. Our patient, Roseanne, for example, had high levels of dental anxiety, so she needed to work with a dental office that could calm her fears and give her confidence in her dental care. 

Smile Makeover Consultation

Once you’ve chosen your dentist, you will schedule an in-depth consultation to start planning your smile makeover. You’ll talk to your dentist about your goals for your smile. Often, people have difficulty expressing exactly what they’re looking for. Feel free to bring in pictures, such as from a time when you were happy with your smile, or celebrity smiles that you find attractive. 

It’s not uncommon for people to come in thinking they need one type of procedure but realize during a consultation that they need additional or different procedures. Sometimes, an obvious problem keeps you from noticing some subtler problems. Other times, the procedure you think you need won’t help your problem. In her smile makeover journey, Lejla, for example, thought she needed teeth whitening, but she was actually experiencing tooth chipping and wear, which wouldn’t be fixed with whitening. We helped her see that a smile makeover with dental veneers would give her the results she wanted–and she was so happy with her veneers in the end. 

Smile Makeover Procedures

So, what procedures might you get in your smile makeover? It depends on your needs, but some of the procedures we commonly use include:

  • Dental veneers
  • Teeth whitening
  • Dental bonding
  • Orthodontics like Invisalign and Six Month Smiles
  • Dental crowns
  • Dental implants and implant bridges

Sometimes, you might have multiple ways to achieve the results you want. Other times, there might be just one way to achieve your goals. Whenever possible, we’ll give you options.

How Much Does a Smile Makeover Cost?

People often want to know how much a smile makeover will cost. As a custom procedure, we can’t tell you how much your smile makeover will cost. However, at the end of the consultation where you design your smile makeover, you can count on getting a comprehensive cost estimate. You’ll know how much it will cost before you commit to the procedure. 

There are many ways to help manage the cost of a smile makeover. As cosmetic procedures, dental insurance doesn’t typically cover the procedure. However, some procedures–such as orthodontics and crowns–might be partially covered. In addition, if there are multiple ways to achieve the results you’re looking for, we can offer procedures that will cost less, though these may have trade-offs like less durable results. Sometimes, we can schedule your smile makeover steps over time to help fit your budget. 

Finally, dental financing can help you afford a procedure that patients repeatedly tell us is 100% worth the cost.

How Long Does a Smile Makeover Take?

The time it takes to complete a smile makeover depends on your chosen procedures. Some procedures, like dental veneers or crowns, might take less than a month. Other procedures, like orthodontics, can take six months or longer. 

If you need results by a specific date, let your dentist know, and they can choose procedures that can be completed by that time.

How Long Will Smile Makeover Results Last?

Smile makeover results are long-lasting–some can last a lifetime. The durability of your results will depend on the procedures you selected. Teeth whitening results might last only a few weeks, but you can renew them to keep your smile bright, although changes in your teeth can cause them to grow dim with age. Dental bonding might last just a few years, but restorations like dental veneers will likely last ten, fifteen, or even more. Orthodontic results can last a lifetime as long as you wear retainers as directed. Dental implants can also last a lifetime, though crowns and bridges might need replacing after 10-30 years.

Are You Ready to Start a Smile Makeover?

Now that you know what to expect, is it time to start the process of getting your smile makeover? If you’re ready to talk to a dentist, please call (314) 678-7876 or use our online form today to request an appointment.