3 Things to Consider if You’re Not Quite Happy With Your Smile

by | Dec 23, 2022 | Cosmetic Services

Is it time for a smile makeover

Make your dream smile a reality.

Your smile is a defining physical characteristic that should reflect your inner happiness and self-confidence. But sometimes, natural anatomy, dental injuries, or battles with tooth decay and gum disease can make you feel self-conscious or embarrassed about smiling. Luckily, a smile makeover can erase years of damage and unveil your smile’s full potential.

Here are 3 questions to ask yourself if you know you’re not happy with your smile.

1. What would you change about your smile if you could?

You know you aren’t happy with your smile, but do you know what specifically bothers you? One of the first questions your dentist will ask you during a smile makeover consultation is what changes you want in your smile, so it can be helpful to think about your answer ahead of time.

Some common cosmetic flaws people often want to be changed about their teeth include:

  • Yellowing, stains, or uneven color.
  • Chips, cracks, or broken pieces.
  • Crowding or big gaps.
  • Too short or too small in appearance.
  • Too much gum-to-tooth ratio.
  • Uneven bite (i.e., under- or overbite).

2. Which cosmetic dental services would be part of your ideal smile makeover?

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are a great way to permanently change the size, shape, and color of your teeth. They can completely transform your entire visible smile or cover only a few specific teeth with cosmetic flaws. Veneers can also straighten the appearance of crowded teeth and visually close gaps between teeth.

Dental crowns are a great alternative if you have a tooth that is too damaged to support veneers.

Teeth Whitening

In-office teeth whitening gives an instant boost to any smile, making it appear more youthful and bright. Many people consider a white smile a healthier one too. Teeth whitening is also used as a sort of pre-treatment before veneers or crowns are placed to ensure the restorations will accurately match the person’s desired level of whiteness.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are an excellent solution for permanently replacing missing teeth. Dental bridges can also be used, but we typically recommend implants for healthy adults. They are the only tooth replacement option that mimics natural teeth in look and function, and they stop jawbone loss from occurring in the future.

Invisalign Aligners

Invisalign is the most popular orthodontic solution for adults who want to straighten their smile without it being obvious to others. Invisalign can fix many mild to moderate malocclusion issues in as few as six to 12 months. You can follow up your Invisalign treatment with professional whitening sessions or even veneers if your teeth still need a boost.

3. What is stopping you from getting cosmetic dentistry, and how can you address those obstacles to make it happen?

Many people know they aren’t very happy with their smile and that cosmetic dentistry can give them more confidence, but something stops them from moving forward. You might even be in this situation yourself.

You might postpone a smile makeover for many reasons, but it often comes down to one of two factors.

Finances

A smile makeover is an investment, but deciding if it’s worth the out-of-pocket cost can be tough. While restorative procedures typically fall under the category of “necessary care,” cosmetic services don’t. This means that, depending on the services you want, your dental insurance won’t cover most or even any of your smile makeover.

While the decision to invest in a smile makeover is very personal, we do our best to make it a reality for every patient by:

  • Pricing services as reasonably as we can afford.
  • Accepting many forms of payments, including credit lines (i.e. CareCredit).
  • Suggesting appropriate alternative solutions that may be more affordable.
  • Providing detailed cost estimates before any treatment begins.

If finances are an obstacle, and you feel comfortable discussing it with us, we encourage you to speak with your dentist. Together we can develop a treatment plan that fits your needs and budget.

Want vs. Need

A surprisingly common reason people don’t follow through with a smile makeover is that they can’t justify cosmetic care as a necessity. It’s true that a smile makeover isn’t a necessity in achieving optimal oral health, but that doesn’t mean cosmetic dentistry doesn’t offer oral health benefits.

For example, porcelain veneers may seem strictly cosmetic, but they can also protect sensitive teeth and boost oral hygiene by making brushing and flossing more effective. Simply put, straight teeth are easier to clean; therefore, they can help you maintain optimal oral health by reducing the risks of decay and gum disease. This same reasoning also applies to Invisalign.

Don’t minimize the power of feeling confident in your smile and your oral health. If you shift your perspective, you might find that the benefits of a smile makeover make it a valuable choice.

Take the first step toward a confident smile by booking a consultation.

Ada Smile Place is a locally beloved destination for restorative dentistry, cosmetic solutions, and Invisalign in Ada, OK. We believe everyone deserves a healthy smile that makes them feel confident, and we encourage anyone who dreams of a better smile to come in for a no-pressure consultation.

Your consultation will give you a chance to learn more about your oral health needs, how cosmetic and restorative services can improve your smile, and what options are available for treatment. Your dentist will walk you through what you can expect from a smile makeover and answer any questions you might have.

Schedule your consultation today by calling Ada Smile Place or using our online booking portal.