If you have teeth that are healthy but do not look their best, a complete smile makeover can dramatically increase your self-esteem. It is a huge, dynamic change, though, so it is important to sit down with a skilled and trustworthy cosmetic dentist to carefully design your new smile. Here are 3 considerations for a complete smile makeover.
Perfect vs. Natural
Though you may be dreaming of the “perfect smile,” teeth that are too white, too straight, and too perfect often look fake. If you are committed to this smile, you may need to have facial plastic surgery for your features to support it.
What most people actually want is a “natural smile” that is perfect for them. Whiter, straighter, and more perfect than your existing smile, it is tailored to your features and even to your personality. It is stunning, but it “fits” you in a way that an abstract perfect smile cannot.
Taking into consideration the shape of your face, your skin tone, your features, the current alignment and spacing of your teeth, and the issues you want to correct, we will work closely with you to design the shape, size, and color of each tooth. Please be aware that if you have any oral health problems, such as gum disease or tooth decay, we must fix those before beginning your smile makeover.
Photographic Inspiration
Design is always easiest when it starts with some inspiration. We encourage you to bring in photos of various smiles that you like, as well as your childhood smile. Be prepared to discuss what you like and don’t like about each smile, as well as various smile quirks such as a small gap between the front teeth or slightly pointed canine teeth.
Digital Smile Design
The next step is to use digital photos and impressions of your current smile to create a 3-D digital smile model. We will then morph the model into your projected future smile and digitally adjust it until you are happy.
We will then create a wax mockup of your new smile. This allows us to check the functionality, and gives you another opportunity to make cosmetic changes. We will tweak the mockup until we are all fully satisfied.
Please note that a complete smile makeover is a major investment of time as well as money. We may need to perform multiple procedures with healing time in between, so it could take a year or more to achieve your final smile. If you are committed to a radical change, though, we are certain you will find the results to be worth the investment.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are in New York City and are ready to start your journey to better oral health with an experienced, compassionate dental team, contact West 10th Dental today at 212-982-5883 to schedule your first appointment.