A smile makeover is a term that refers to a combination of cosmetic dentistry procedures that address various issues with your smile. The procedures chosen depend upon your personal goals and what you’d like your teeth to look like after treatment. Your dentist can help assemble a personalized treatment schedule to give you the smile you’ve always wanted.

Options for a Smile Makeover

If you wish to have a smile makeover, the first thing you’ll do is consult with your dentist. You’ll talk about what you’d like to change about your smile and then discuss what the most effective approach would be to accomplish those goals. Some of the procedures often included in a smile makeover are:

• Teeth whitening
• Porcelain veneers
• Inlays or onlays
• Tooth-colored crowns or fillings
• Invisalign
• Gum Contouring
• Dental implants

These procedures can correct problems ranging from minor stains to missing teeth, giving you a smile you can be proud of.

After you’ve decided how your makeover will proceed, you’ll schedule appointments. Another advantage to this approach is that you can often combine two or more procedures into one visit to your dentist, reducing the time it takes to create your perfect smile.

Why Get a Smile Makeover?

Your smile is one of the most important tools you have to make a first impression. If you don’t feel confident about your teeth, it can have a negative impact on how you present yourself to people. It can also affect your quality of life if you are constantly self-conscious or nervous about showing your smile.

A smile makeover can eliminate this problem, giving you a smile you’re happy to show off. Whether you have missing teeth, severe staining, misaligned teeth or gaps, a smile makeover could be the answer to your best smile yet.

Call our office and talk to one of our dental specialists today to find out how a smile makeover can help.

Clenching and grinding your teeth can lead to a number of long-term problems. Unfortunately, most people who clench and grind do so at night, when they are unable to control the action. Because clenching and grinding are something you do unconsciously, use of a nightguard is one of the best ways to keep the habit from damaging your teeth. You can find out more about nightguards from our dentist, who is dedicated to keeping your teeth strong and healthy.

Causes of Clenching and Grinding

The causes of clenching and grinding can vary. In addition, clenching and grinding can be a symptom of other problems that need to be addressed. Some issues that can cause grinding include:

• Misalignment
• Stress
• (TMD)

If clenching or grinding are symptoms of misalignment or TMD (also known as TMJ), your dentist will probably want to investigate the root cause and provide appropriate treatment. In addition, your dentist might recommend a nightguard to reduce the side effects of clenching and grinding.

Using a Nightguard

A nightguard is a latex appliance that is custom-molded to fit your mouth. Your dentist uses a special gel to make a mold of your teeth. The nightguard is then manufactured in an offsite lab. When it returns from the lab, your dentist will have you try it on and make any necessary modifications so that it is comfortable.

For the best results, you should wear your nightguard all night, every night. The hard latex helps protect the surfaces of your teeth from damage when you clench and grind. It won’t stop the actual grinding, but it will greatly reduce the risk that you might inadvertently damage your teeth.

If you do not wear the nightguard every night, not only will your teeth possibly be damaged, but after a couple of weeks the nightguard might not fit properly anymore. This is because your teeth might move in small increments that cause the mold of your bite to no longer be accurate. So, for the best possible results, wear the nightguard regularly.

For more information about clenching and grinding and how a nightguard can help, please contact our team today.