8 Ways to Fix Your Smile [Before & After Makeover Photos]
If you could change anything about your smile, what would it be?
Most of us can list at least one thing, if not multiple.
Why is that? Why do we all want a beautiful smile?
It’s pretty simple when you think about it:
You wear your smile 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It never comes off.
Studies show your smile not only affects your self-confidence but also how others perceive and even treat you.
In other words:
Improving your smile is one of the best investments you can make with yourself.
Bonus:
With today’s dentistry, you have so many options and combinations of treatments to choose from! So no matter what your timeline or budget is, you’re bound to find a way to enhance your smile’s beauty.
How to fix your smile
We’ve compiled a list of the top 8 ways to transform your smile.
1. Teeth whitening
Over time, your teeth become dull, yellow, and stained, making you look unhealthy, aged, and less attractive.
The quickest solution to fix this is teeth whitening!
Teeth whitening is affordable, non-invasive, fast, and safe. It’s the perfect option if you want a quick fix or add a finishing touch to your other dental work (such as after orthodontics).
For the most effective whitening result, seek out professional in-office treatments, like Zoom! Teeth Whitening.
Zoom! whitens your smile up to eight shades lighter in just one appointment.
It’ll also remove years of deep, stubborn stains and discoloration to keep your smile white longer than over-the-counter whitening methods.
Not to mention:
Teeth whitening at the dentist’s office is customized to reach your desired shade of white and minimize tooth sensitivity, which is a common side effect.
2. Dental bonding
Do you have chips, gaps, or discoloration? Or would you prefer different shaped teeth?
Cosmetic bonding hides common smile imperfections in a single visit.
Bonding consists of tooth-colored material that’s adhered to your teeth, shaped, and polished. When complete, your altered tooth will blend in seamlessly.
It’s a conservative alternative to veneers because it requires minimal to zero modification to your teeth. Plus, it’s less expensive!
With proper care, bonding lasts up to 10 years before needing to be touched up or replaced, making this a worthwhile investment.
3. Gum contouring
Do you have a gummy smile? Or a nonsymmetrical gumline?
Gum contouring removes excess gum tissue without surgery. It can be performed on a single tooth or multiple.
Want to avoid the scalpel? Find a dentist who offers laser dentistry!
Dental lasers gently shape your gums, which reduces pain and minimizes recovery time.
Typically, gum contouring takes one appointment and is less expensive than other cosmetic treatments.
4. Porcelain veneers
If you want the ultimate smile makeover, here it is!
Porcelain veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells that adhere to the front of your teeth. The material is super durable and resistant to stains and decay.
Veneers fix your smile’s:
- Stains and discoloration
- Chips and cracks
- Gaps
- Alignment
- Shape
- Width and length
And more!
From the number of teeth treated to the style of your new smile, this treatment is fully customizable.
Keep in mind:
Veneers are more conservative than crowns. However, it’s necessary to remove some of your enamel to place the veneer, making this procedure irreversible.
Rest assured, you’ll love your new smile and never look back!
5. Crowns
When your tooth is severely damaged or decayed, a crown may be your best option – especially when the alternative is extracting the tooth.
A crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over your existing tooth. It’ll improve your tooth’s strength and function.
A crown enhances your smile’s appearance! Crowns are custom-designed to look and feel like a natural tooth so that no one will notice.
Typically, crowns last an average of 5 to 15 years, depending on the material used and how well you care for it.
6. Dental implants
Are you missing one or more teeth?
Dental implants are the go-to option for replacing missing teeth.
Why?
They’re the only restoration that replaces your entire tooth from root to crown.
The benefits of dental implants include:
- Preserved bone structure, stopping premature aging
- Prevention of additional dental problems, like shifting teeth
- Full functionality, so you chew and speak with confidence and comfort
- A permanent restoration, no worry about it falling out or slipping around
- Cost-effectiveness, saving you money in the long run
With proper care, the implant’s small titanium post (your new tooth root) should last a lifetime, making this initial investment worth it.
If you have multiple missing or damaged teeth:
To save money, you may not want to replace every single tooth with an implant. Instead, you may prefer to have an implant-retained bridge or denture.
7. Tooth-colored fillings
If you need a filling or need to replace an existing one, ask about composite fillings.
Composite fillings use tooth-colored material instead of silver amalgam.
This type of filling is more durable and safe than traditional metal fillings because they tightly bond with your tooth and don’t expand or contract with hot and cold temperatures.
Plus:
Tooth-colored fillings blend in seamlessly with your smile, so no one has to know.
8. Botox and dermal fillers
Improving your smile isn’t limited to your teeth.
Botox and dermal fillers are making their way into advanced dentistry for cosmetic and therapeutic benefits, including:
- Reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, such as crows feet and frown lines
- Adding fullness to your lips
- Relieving facial pain, tension, TMJ symptoms, headaches, and more
You could look decades younger with these cosmetic facial treatments.
Even though these treatments are typically associated with dermatologists and plastic surgeons, dentists make ideal Botox and dermal filler administrators.
How so?
Dentists have extensive training and experience with facial structure, muscles, bones, and aesthetics. Plus, they’re well-versed in injecting sensitive areas.
Real patient before and after smile makeovers
Not sure if cosmetic dentistry is worth it?
Let these pictures speak for themselves!
The patient on the left had severe tooth decay around the cervical line. Our cosmetic dentist, Dr. Salvatore Infantino, restored this smile without root canals, preserving the teeth’s full strength and function.
The patient in the center had discolored front teeth and a chipped one. With dental bonding, Dr. Sal restored the patient’s smile and confidence in just one appointment!
The patient on the right had a smile that lost its brilliance and was becoming duller. The patient wanted a glamorous smile that would stay white and polished forever. With porcelain veneers, Dr. Sal completely transformed this patient’s smile.
See More Before & After Photos
Ready to improve your smile?
The first step is to Google: “cosmetic dentist near me.”
We recommend reviewing the top candidates’ credentials to see what qualifications they have, including:
- Years of experience
- Specialized training
- Active dental memberships
- Before and after photos as proof
Once you narrow it down, contact your preferred dentist or dentists for a consultation and begin your smile journey!
Looking for a cosmetic dentist near Pittston, PA?
Contact Dr. Salvatore Infantino, DMD!
Dr. Sal has been practicing cosmetic dentistry for more than 30 years. He advanced his dental training by attending the Las Vegas Institue for Advanced Studies… This text opens a new tab to the school’s website…, focusing on cosmetic dentistry and complex cases.
His expertise and our modern technology make for an unmatched combination. Schedule a consultation to experience our difference for yourself!
Or reach us by:
- Phone: 570-655-1400
- Email: salvatore@smilesbyinfantino.com
Our dental office proudly serves Pittston, PA, and surrounding communities, including Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Harding Falls, and Kingston.