Smile makeover dental treatments start with an oral exam and design consultation. A cosmetic dentist will assess your teeth and gums, discuss your goals, and recommend the best treatment plan for your situation.
“Every smile makeover is unique,” says Dr. Scott Young, a dentist in Woodlands, Texas. “It all depends on the amount of sound tooth structure you have on each tooth, your bite, and what you’re trying to accomplish.”Â
As a study published in Dentistry Today notes, your dentist “must take into account the entire aesthetic zone, along with the mechanics of restoring the teeth to proper form and function.”
Dr. Steven Davidowitz, a cosmetic dentist in New York City, likes to start with an honest, face-to-face conversation. “My goal is to first learn about the patient's chief complaints as well as financial status. It’s important to discuss this up front and set realistic expectations.”
To help inform your treatment plan, your dentist will take detailed photos of you smiling and with different facial expressions, to help them design a smile that’s completely customized.
“By using the photos and my observations of the patient while speaking with them, I learn about their personality, how they speak, expressions they make, how high their smile arches during a big smile versus a social smile,” says Dr. Davidowitz.