When teeth become damaged, stained, or unsightly, a smile makeover can help you enjoy a beautifully restored smile. Many treatments improve not only the appearance of teeth but their function as well. It is important to have damaged teeth repaired promptly to avoid unwanted side effects, such as decay, infection, or tooth loss.
There are many options to choose from when it comes to getting a smile makeover. If staining and discoloration are an issue, professional whitening treatments can help. Veneers can also be used to hide stains that do not respond to tooth bleaching.
If you have chipped or cracked a tooth and the damage is minimal, dental veneers may be a possibility. However, if the damage is more severe, a crown may be the right choice. Both create a beautifully restored smile by covering your existing tooth with a porcelain or resin covering. Dental crowns simply require the removal of more of the natural tooth structure first and are often preferred for teeth towards the back of the mouth.
For missing teeth or those that are damaged beyond repair, a replacement will be recommended. Those who only want minimal dental work or have lost multiple teeth may want to try partial or complete dentures. Dental bridges are anchored to adjacent healthy teeth and can be used to replace up to four missing teeth in a row. For permanent, natural-looking results that help prevent bone loss, implants are a popular smile makeover option.
There are many more treatments a dentist can offer you to repair and enhance your smile. While most people can return to normal activities within a day or two of certain procedures, it is important to pay extra attention to your newly improved teeth, especially the first few days after a procedure. Many long-term changes may also be necessary to protect the look and longevity of a smile makeover.
In general, patients feel back to normal within a day or two after many procedures. While you are recovering from your recent dental work, follow these important steps for a faster and healthier recovery.
Depending on the type of dental work your smile makeover involves, your dentist may give you very specific instructions for the first few days after the procedure. This may include:
Treatments that require the formation of a clot for healing may prohibit you from spitting or drinking through a straw for a few days as well. Failure to follow a dentist's orders could lead to unnecessary discomfort and prolonged healing time. It could also send you back to the office for additional work.
Some minor pain is often associated with any type of dental work. Cold compresses, salt-water rinses, and medication can all help with this. Be sure to follow the recommendations for medicating carefully.
While it may feel counterintuitive to clean an area that has just been treated, it is important to keep your mouth healthy, especially after a procedure. Continue to brush and floss as instructed by your dentist to help prevent bacterial buildup and infection. Using a soft toothbrush and a sensitivity-relieving toothpaste can help ease some discomfort.
Certain foods and beverages can stain a smile makeover and should be avoided, especially for the first few days after treatment. These can include:
Try to stay away from extremely hot or cold foods, as these can make sensitivity and pain worse. In addition, hard, sticky, or tough foods can cause discomfort from chewing and can damage some types of dental work.
Smoking, drinking alcohol in excess, teeth grinding, and chewing on foreign objects can all damage a smile makeover. Many of these are also harmful to your health and can injure your teeth and gums. Take steps to break these habits to better protect your mouth.
Taking a few simple steps to care for your teeth after a smile makeover can make the recovery process faster and easier. This can also help ensure that the dental work looks great and lasts longer. Above all, be sure to follow your dentist's instructions for home care and follow-up appointments to maintain a beautiful and healthy mouth.
Request an appointment here: https://www.gentletouchdentalcare.com or call Gentle Touch Dental Care at (718) 924-2387 for an appointment in our Forest Hills office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Smile Makeover in Forest Hills, NY.
Dental bonding is one of the many options for a smile makeover. This treatment is used to address cracked, chipped, or broken teeth. It can also be used for concerns with gaps between teeth, discoloration, or uneven lengths among the teeth. Bonding requires a dental professional, but it is one of the more efficient cosmetic…
Many individuals of all ages find themselves in need of a smile makeover. This may be due to a number of reasons such as discolored, misaligned, misshapen or broken teeth. There are numerous treatment options today for dental patients to correct their smiles and feel happier and more confident.Dentists assess each patient's oral health and…
When dealing with dental imperfections, there are many ways to improve your smile. Patients with issues such as misaligned, discolored, chipped or misshapen teeth, as well as gum disease, may feel embarrassed about their smiles. Fortunately, there are multiple tactics and treatments available that can enhance the color, shape and alignment of teeth.These are six…
In recent years, dental cosmetics have come a long way. Patients are able to use crowns to restore teeth that are broken, decayed or stained. This type of restoration looks natural and can completely transform a person's smile. When a tooth is prepared for a crown, a temporary one is often cemented in place so…