According to a recent study, 3 in 5 people don’t like their smiles. So if you’re one of those people, you’re certainly not alone.
The unfortunate thing is when you’re unhappy with your smile; it affects so much more than just how you look. Whether you’re dealing with crooked teeth, discolouration, missing teeth, or several dental issues, it can be highly distressing.
You might hide your smile whenever you laugh, avoid smiling in photos, and even avoid certain social situations because you don’t feel confident. So, you start researching what you can do and come across the term “smile makeover.”
While this might sound like exactly what you need, how do you know if a smile makeover dental treatment is the right choice for you? What’s actually involved in a smile makeover, and how much does it cost?
Just hang tight because our cosmetic dentistry team has all the answers you need below.
Is a smile makeover right for you?
Below you’ll find some of the most common reasons why patients opt for a complete smile makeover to help you figure out if this is the right treatment path for your dental issues.
Difficulty socialising: Many patients we treat often report backing out of social or family events because they’re embarrassed by their teeth.
Eating problems: Some patients experience issues eating and drinking, especially when they are missing teeth, have chipped teeth, or are dealing with tooth pain.
Lack of confidence: Many people underestimate the effect a lack of confidence can have. If you’re feeling self-conscious due to your smile, it might be time to get help.
Low mood: If you cover your smile when you talk or laugh, it can have a real impact on your mood levels. Imagine being able to smile freely, without worrying about how your teeth look?
The smile makeover process: what to expect
Hopefully, now you’ve figured out whether a smile makeover is the right choice for you and your teeth. But what does the smile makeover process look like?
Check out our guide below.
Step one: Smile makeover consultation
During your first consultation, your cosmetic dentist will talk to you about your teeth concerns in detail and understand how these impact your smile and quality of life. We would then assess your teeth’ current condition before making some preliminary recommendations for your treatment.
Step two: Dental assessment and imaging
Your cosmetic dentist will then thoroughly inspect your teeth and take mould impressions to create a wax or digital model of your existing teeth and show you how they will look after your smile makeover. Your dentist may even make a composite bonding mockup which you can fit over your natural teeth to imagine how they will look and feel.
At Dickens Yard Dental, this process is fully digital using innovative 3D scanners and digital smile design software to help you visualise their future smile. You’ll even get the chance to “test drive” your new smile with a teeth mockup placed in your mouth – meaning no messy impressions or wax work.
Step three: Smile makeover plan
Once you and your dentist nail down your perfect dental design, they will put together a comprehensive smile makeover plan detailing every procedure you need, when it will happen, and how much it will cost.
Step four: Select your finance option
Some cosmetic dentists can split your payments into monthly instalments to make the cost of your smile makeover more manageable. See what financing options they have available and choose one that best fits your budget.
At Dickens Yard Dental, we offer finance for up to 5 years to help you spread the total cost of your dental treatments. Want to see how much it’ll cost you per month to get your dream smile? Try out our finance calculator!
What treatments does a smile makeover include?
As many or as little as you would like/ need! A smile makeover can look like a few tweaks here with composite bonding, or it can be a total smile rejuvenation with teeth straightening procedures and a complete set of veneers.
Each smile makeover will be totally unique to you and your needs. To help you figure out what may be right for you, see a list of common issues our patients come in with and how we help them.
Crooked teeth: Do you have several teeth crossing over each other in your mouth? If so, you might choose Invisalign® clear aligners as part of your smile makeover.
At Dickens Yard Dental, we have achieved Invisalign® “Elite” status, perfecting our patient’s smiles using advanced 3D scan technology that can create a smile simulation to show you how your finished transformation will look.
Not only will teeth straightening improve your confidence and teeth’s appearance, but it will also improve hygiene by making your teeth easier to clean. Another bonus is that clear braces make your teeth less prone to wear and tear, thus reducing their aged appearance.
Lost teeth: Are you missing a single tooth or multiple teeth? Your cosmetic dentist may recommend dental implants as part of your smile makeover to replace them. Dental implants can help you eat better, smile with confidence, and are a permanent solution to fixing your smile.
Teeth gaps: Do large gaps in between your teeth bother you? A smile makeover using composite bonding, veneers, or using clear braces (or a mixture of these) can help reduce these gaps for teeth that align perfectly.
Asymmetrical teeth: Are your teeth chipped or cracked? For your smile makeover, your dentist can employ several techniques to restore balance including composite bonding, veneers, or teeth straightening (or a mixture of these.)
Gummy smile: Do you wish you had less of a “gummy smile”? To counteract this, your dentist can increase the length of your teeth during your smile makeover. You can also consider what’s called a “gum lift” or even facial treatments such as botox to mask this.
Discoloured teeth: Do you have yellow or discoloured teeth due to smoking, coffee stains, or medications? As part of your smile makeover, your dentist can whiten your teeth for a brighter smile.
Psst…Did you know we offer full smile makeovers at DickensYard Dental? Check out our Smile Makeover page for more information.
What the most common smile makeover treatments are
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are like shellac nails but for your teeth. They’re perfect for fixing misalignments, creating your dream teeth shape, improving the colour, and forming a beautifully balanced smile.
Composite bonding
Composite bonding can help you create that perfect smile in under a day.. Cosmetic dentists use it to close gaps, fill in chips, change your teeth’s shape, and restore your smile. The beauty of this dental treatment is that you don’t have to deal with any drilling or injections! Teeth whitening During the teeth whitening process, your cosmetic dentist will give you reusable custom whitening trays and prescription strength gel to use at home for the most reliable and cost-effective results.
Teeth straightening
During your consultation, your dentist will help you decide whether you’re a good candidate for teeth straightening and if clear braces, like Invisalign® or traditional metal braces, are the best option.
How much does a smile makeover cost in the UK?
The cost of your smile makeover will depend on what and how many procedures you need to create that perfect smile. Some cosmetic dentists will accept insurance to cover some of your smile makeover cost. However, to give you a basic idea of prices for your smile makeover, here are some of our starting prices for smile makeover treatments at DickensYard Dental:
Teeth whitening: £369
Teeth straightening: From £2,600
Composite bonding: From £250 per tooth
Porcelain veneers: From £859 per tooth
Begin your smile makeover journey with DickensYard Dental
We hope you’ve found this blog helpful and feel a little clearer about what a smile makeover entails, how it works, and whether it’s the right choice for you.
Are you ready to transform your smile (and your confidence)? Talk to our experienced cosmetic dentists at DickensYard Dental! From teeth whitening to porcelain veneers, our dentists offer a range of services to create a smile so good, you’ll never want to hide it again!
Oh, and did we mention we are nervous-patient proof? Everything from our friendly approach to our relaxing, modern clinic will instantly put you at ease, no matter the treatment. Book a treatment or chat to us today to get started.
