What Are the Steps to a Smile Makeover?

A confident, bright, and beautiful smile can make all the difference in your daily life, boosting your self-esteem and leaving a lasting impression. If you’ve ever wished to improve the way your teeth look, a smile makeover could be the perfect solution. Combining multiple cosmetic dentistry treatments and restorative dental procedures is the fastest way to create the smile of your dreams. We hope this guide will provide a closer look at what to expect on your journey to a stunning new smile.

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What Is a Smile Makeover?

A smile makeover involves a customized cosmetic dentistry treatment plan designed to enhance the appearance of your teeth. Whether you’re dealing with discoloration or misalignment or are missing a tooth, a smile makeover can transform your smile.

What Are the Benefits of a Smile Makeover

A smile makeover has many advantages beyond aesthetics. Some benefits of a smile makeover include the following:

More Attractive Smile: A smile makeover can change the shape, shade, and alignment of your teeth to give you a brighter and more confident smile.
Improved Oral Health: Replacing missing teeth, repairing damaged teeth, and reversing gum recession can improve overall oral health.
Healthier Teeth and Gums: Improved oral health reduces the risk of developing cavities, gum disease, and health issues in other parts of your body, such as your heart.
Improved Bite Function: Treatments like Invisalign® are for more than just looks. Straight, strong teeth promote proper chewing and improved digestion.
Long-Lasting Results: With vigilant care, the results of your smile makeover can last many years and give you a lasting boost to your appearance and self-esteem.
Reduced Risk of Future Dental Problems: Taking preventative action now will save you time, money, and plenty of dental grief in the future. A healthy smile and improved oral health can prevent the development of painful, costly issues like periodontitis, root canals, and tooth replacements.

What Dental Problems Can Be Treated?

A smile makeover can fix many cosmetic issues, so your smile looks its best. Here are some of the treatable concerns:

Discoloration: Professional teeth whitening brightens your smile by removing stains and discoloration to give you a more youthful appearance.
Missing Teeth: Dental implants, bridges, and dentures replace missing teeth to restore function and appeal.
Damaged Teeth: Dental crowns, bonding, and porcelain veneers repair damaged teeth, improving their appearance and strength.
Gum Recession: Gum contouring can restore receding gums to further enhance the look and health of your smile.
Misalignment: Orthodontic treatments like Invisalign® can discreetly straighten teeth to improve tooth and bite alignment.

5 Steps in a Smile Makeover

A smile makeover has several steps, from consultation to completion. Below are more details about each step.

Step 1: Call to Schedule a Consultation

Your custom smile makeover begins with a call to schedule your consultation. When you call La Jolla Cosmetic Dentistry and Orthodontics, you can count on our friendly and experienced front office staff to:

Listen to your needs, concerns, and goals to understand what you want to achieve with your smile.
Gather important details such as your dental insurance information and your preferred appointment times.
Schedule your first appointment based on your availability and our schedule to secure a convenient time for your first visit.

This streamlined process ensures your smile makeover journey begins smoothly and efficiently, setting the stage for your ideal smile transformation.

Step 2: Comprehensive Cosmetic Dentistry Consultation

During your in-office consultation, we will conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine your specific dental needs and aesthetic goals. Together, we will carefully design every detail of your desired smile and final outcome. This process should include:

Comprehensive Examination: We will perform a thorough evaluation using dental X-rays, intraoral scans, high-resolution photographs, and, optimally, 3D scans to capture the current state of your teeth. We will also perform a periodontal health assessment to ensure your gums are in optimal condition.
Smile Design Selection: You will have the opportunity to choose your preferred smile design from a curated selection tailored to your personal style and aesthetic goals.
Treatment Planning: Our dentist will address any necessary treatments, such as professional dental cleanings, fillings, or other restorative procedures essential to prepare for your smile transformation.

This step helps ensure your oral health is fully optimized, laying the foundation for a beautiful and lasting smile.

Step 3: Visualizing Your New Smile (Mock-Up)

After selecting your smile design, we will send pictures, digital scans, and the smile design selected to the lab where a wax-up design will be created and sent back to us. We will have you come back to the office to preview your new smile before we begin any work. During this visit, you can expect:

Smile Preview: We will place the wax-up over your current teeth using a temporary material, allowing you to see how your new smile will look.
Customization: You will have the opportunity to suggest changes—such as color, shape, or length—to create a smile that meets your expectations.
Final Adjustments: Together, we will ensure every detail reflects your vision and enhances your natural beauty.

Once all aspects are finalized, we will proceed with the next steps, ensuring your teeth preparation aligns with your personalized smile design.

Step 4: Preparation Day—The Start of Your Smile Makeover Process

At this stage, we begin your smile makeover journey.

Tooth Preparation: The teeth involved in your smile makeover are carefully prepared, guided by the detailed plan to allow for minimal enamel reduction. This approach preserves as much natural tooth structure as possible.
Precision Crafting: Each tooth is measured and designed with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring a balanced, harmonious smile.
Same-Day Options: Depending on the complexity of your case and preferences, some restorations—such as porcelain veneers or crowns—can be crafted in our office and delivered the same day. Dr. Kohani offers one-day smile makeovers in San Diego, California.

By the end of this stage, patients leave our office with a stunning, transformed smile, tailored to their vision and comfort.

Provisional Restorations (If Needed)

In some cases, patients may need provisional restorations created from their wax-up for approximately two weeks to test out their new smile.

Trial Phase: During this time, you can adapt to your new smile, evaluating the shape, color, and size of the restorations. This period allows for any necessary adjustments to ensure you are completely satisfied with the design.
Final Delivery: Once the permanent restorations are ready, they are carefully fitted and delivered. By the end of this stage, you will leave the office with a beautiful temporary smile that lets you preview your final results.

This step ensures every detail is perfected for your comfort and happiness.

Step 5: Fine-Tuning Your Perfect Smile with Professional Teeth Whitening

Once your permanent restorations are in place and you have had time to get used to your new smile, it’s time for a final visit to perfect every detail.

Fine Tuning: During this appointment, we will take professional photos, give your restorations a final polish, and carefully check and adjust your bite to ensure everything feels comfortable and functions flawlessly.
Final Adjustments: If you want any minor changes to your permanent restorations, this is your opportunity to make sure your smile perfectly reflects your vision.
Final Delivery: Once the permanent restorations are ready, they are carefully fitted, and your final transformation is delivered.

This final step ensures your smile is not only beautiful but also comfortable and tailored to meet the highest standards of precision.

Smile Makeover Treatments

Our San Diego dental office offers various smile makeover treatments to fit your needs. These include:

Professional Teeth Whitening: Our in-office whitening treatment can brighten teeth as much as eight shades lighter in one hour for instant results.
Porcelain Veneers: Conceal permanent stains, chips, cracks, and worn-down teeth with these strong, translucent, ceramic shells that replicate the look of natural, healthy teeth.
Composite Veneers: Restore your smile in one visit with this more cost-effective veneer option. Shade-matched composite resin is applied directly to the teeth, cured, and polished to look as natural as the rest of your smile.
Cosmetic Bonding: This treatment is a fast and easy way to repair damaged teeth and improve their appearance.
Dental Crowns: Custom-made and color-matched to blend with your natural teeth, our crowns restore both beauty and function.
Dental Implants: Qualified dentists can place dental implants to replace missing teeth, a permanent solution that looks and feels natural.
Gingivectomy: The surgical removal of gum tissue addresses gum recession from issues like gingivitis, improving the appearance of your smile.
Orthodontic Treatment: Our Invisalign treatment can straighten teeth and align them, a discreet alternative to traditional braces.

Is a Smile Makeover Right for You?

A smile makeover is an ideal option for anyone looking to improve the appearance, function, and health of their teeth. It’s a great solution if you:

Have stained, chipped, or misaligned teeth
Feel self-conscious about your smile
Want a long-lasting solution for a more youthful, radiant appearance

Getting Your Best San Diego Smile Makeover Results

A smile makeover can be life-changing, and with our experienced San Diego cosmetic dentist, you can expect the following:

A Brighter and More Confident Smile: A more attractive smile enhances your overall appearance.
Improved Oral Health and Function: Fixing missing or damaged teeth can significantly improve your oral health and functionality.
Long-Lasting Results: With vigilant care, the results of your smile makeover can last for years.
Personalized Treatment Plan: Our dentist will devise an individualized treatment plan that meets your unique needs and goals, allowing you to get the best possible outcome.
Natural and Beautiful Smile: The final result will be a smile that looks and feels natural so you feel more confident and alive.

Working with a skilled cosmetic dentist like Dr. Kohani helps ensure you achieve a personalized, natural-looking smile that boosts your confidence and well-being. Our San Diego cosmetic dentist will carefully design your smile makeover to provide a seamless and comfortable experience. Call us at 858-295-0603 today or fill out our online contact form to book your San Diego, California, smile makeover consultation.