The Most Important Procedures for Your Cosmetic Smile Makeover

An ultimate smile makeover is a comprehensive dental treatment that can change patients’ lives. A bright, healthy smile plays a crucial role in anyone’s social life and first impressions (either in person or on video calling), so any improvement can make a huge difference in your daily routine. An ultimate smile makeover can undoubtedly enhance your self-confidence and improve your quality of life. 

This type of treatment should be performed by an experienced and skillful prosthodontist (dental restorative specialist), as it requires meticulous planning and masterful problem-solving skills. Smile makeovers involve one or more cosmetic or restorative procedures that are typically simultaneous. 

At Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, skilled prosthodontist Dr. Gerald Marlin can propose a tailor-made treatment plan that varies according to each patient’s needs. While some might need straightforward procedures to get the smile they have always dreamed about, others may require more complex treatments that require intricate planning and execution.

Most smile makeovers include at least one of the following dental procedures:

Veneers

Dental veneers are thin shells that cover the front surface of anterior teeth. They can mask almost any cosmetic defect that is not too dark or mispositioned, and, as they are usually made of porcelain, veneers achieve excellent cosmetic results. This type of treatment requires minimal enamel reduction, so they are considered a conservative treatment. However, anterior teeth that have many old fillings in them, extensive decay, or, as mentioned above, are too dark or mispositioned are not good candidates for veneers. A detailed analysis is necessary to determine whether veneers or crowns are the proper base restoration for your cosmetic dentistry procedure.

Dental Crowns

For more severe dental problems, Dr. Marlin may suggest custom fabricated dental crowns as the alternative to veneers to create your smile makeover. Crowns are caps that cover the entire teeth, and they can correct any cosmetic issue, and they add strength to the tooth. They are also widely used in cosmetic dentistry to treat teeth with deep cavities or root canal fillings. Crowns require more enamel reduction than veneers, but they strengthen the teeth’s structure, so they are the perfect choice for those teeth with extensive damage or severe cosmetic defects. The dental crowns at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry are crafted on-site in our in-house lab, enabling Dr. Marlin optimal control over their creation. Our top-quality dental crowns at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry last for over 35 years, while the industry average is 7-10 years.

Dental Implants

Some patients need to replace missing teeth before even considering a cosmetic treatment. For those missing one or more teeth, Dr. Marlin recommends dental implants, which are the gold standard of tooth replacement options, as they look and function like natural teeth. When properly cared for, they can last a lifetime. Dr. Marlin is a genuine dental implant expert, having surgically inserted and restored over 3,400 dental implants.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening treatments can brighten up most smiles and can either be the actual smile makeover if the case is mild or can be an adjunct to a more involved cosmetic smile makeover by creating lighter natural teeth around crowns or veneers. The peroxide bleaching gel typically used can get rid of internal and external stains and obtain a whiter enamel shade. There are two types of whitening treatments: an in-office procedure that usually requires one or two sessions to obtain dramatic and instant results, or an at-home whitening kit with a more gradual and progressive bleaching effect. These at-home kits can be a significantly cheaper solution but are usually not as effective and can even be damaging if not applied correctly.

Tooth Bonding

As a more minimal cosmetic treatment that can be an adjunct in a smile makeover is tooth bonding of replacement tooth colored fillings that reduces discoloration in a tooth. Just like porcelain veneers, tooth bonding also masks minor imperfections and can also close gaps between teeth. Although, they don’t require enamel file down, they provide a more limited aesthetic result wth a limited life span before they darken or have to be replaced. Also, resins are used in some offices as “composite veneers” are made of composite resins, with the dentist placing the material on the tooth surface and then hardening it with a LED light followed by extensive recarving of the restoration to customize it. Because the resins don’t have the same aesthetic properties as the porcelain used for veneers and crowns and are, therefore, not very natural looking, we do not provide this type of veneer.

The Smile of Your Dreams is Only One Click Away

The most important procedures in a smile makeover are the ones that will benefit you the most. If you are interested in a smile makeover, get in contact with our office and schedule a consult with Dr. Marlin. He will examine your smile, propose a treatment plan, and deliver results that exceed your expectations.

Elite Prosthetic Dentistry serves patients locally in Bethesda, Arlington, and all of the neighboring communities in Maryland and Virginia, as well as patients throughout the country, and even from abroad. Call us today at (202) 335-4929 or contact us online to discuss your smile makeover at your initial consultation.