Smile Makeover

Here is how it works:

1. You’ll visit the practice and discuss with our experienced cosmetic dentist what makes you unhappy about your smile, and what you want to achieve.
2. Your dentist will take photographs , digital 3D scans and x-rays as necessary, and will scan them into the computer.
3. They will discuss the various options available to achieve the results you want, and will show you what to expect from various treatment options.
4. Once you’ve agreed on your treatment, we will then provide you with a detailed treatment plan. In some cases it is possible to start treatment straight away.
5. At Smile4U we work with highly skilled local porcelain veneer ceramists to ensure work is completed to the highest standard.

Advances in digital dentistry now mean that if you choose to improve your smile, you can now be fully confident of the results you’ll achieve even before your treatment has started.

As well as letting you know what to expect, by working with you to create a digital smile, your dentist will ensure you are fully involved in the process of creating your new smile at all times, meaning you will be able to ask any questions and raise any concerns you may have.

Digital smile design is commonly used for veneers, implants and crowns, as well as other cosmetic dentistry procedures.

1. Photographs are taken of your existing smile and scanned into the computer. Your dentist will then discuss exactly what you want to achieve.
2. Your dentist will use the specialised software to design your new smile, creating a realistic likeness of how it will look when treatment is complete.
3. A 3D simulation of your new smile is then made, so you can see it from all angles before treatment begins.
4. You will be fitted with a temporary version of your new smile to check that you are happy with the results. Adjustments are readily made at this time to carefully refine your smile to your likeing
5. Only when you are completely satisfied will your dentist complete permanent restoration work, leaving you with the smile of your dreams.

DSD is an advance in dentistry that allows our patients to see their new smile before dental treatment even begins!

We are leading the way in Digital Smile Design by using state-of-the-art technology. This technology has helped to revolutionise our patient care.

By choosing to invest in DSD, we believe we offer our patients the ability to see and choose the smile they have always desired.

This exciting, and innovative, technology allows us to work in unison with our patients and deliver potentially life-changing outcomes.

What is Digital Smile Design?

Digital Smile Design is an innovative new dental technique that uses state-of-the-art technology and digital diagnostic software. Digital Smile Design allows our dentists to create a digital 3D-model of your teeth, face and jaw.  Our dentists are then able to create a bespoke treatment plan tailored for your individual needs.

As part of this process, our patients can digitally preview their end-result smile before treatment starts to ensure they are happy moving forward.

Is Digital Smile Design right for me?

At Smile4U we understand how the look of your teeth can affect self-esteem. Changing your smile can also have a direct impact on your body’s health and wellbeing.   You may also nervous about the results of dental treatment not being what you wanted.  Uncertainty can be disconcerting.

DSD can help alleviate some of these concerns.  Using the latest advancement in DSD technology, you’ll be able to preview your smile before having dental treatment.

If you have concerns about the colour of your teeth, missing, cracked or chipped teeth, a gummy smile or simply wanting straighter teeth, you can now have a clearer idea of what your teeth could look like before committing to dental treatment.

Digital Smile Design allows for multiple treatment types to be combined to achieve your desired smile.  This includes veneers, crowns, Invisalign, implants and tooth whitening.

The treatment(s) required to get the smile you want will be discussed between you and our dentists.

What happens during a Digital Smile Design consultation?

Here is what you can expect during a Digital Smile Design consultation

Step 1:our dentist will chat with you in detail about your desired smile and discuss any current concerns you may have. During this conversation, it is important you give our dentist as much detail about what you are looking for. This is so our dentist can build the right treatment plan to meet your needs.

Step 2: during this initial DSD consultation, our dentist will analyse your face, features and dental characteristics. Your teeth will be scanned with an intraoral 3D scanner, and photos and videos taken of your teeth. High quality dental x-rays may be taken if required.

Step 3:these scans and images are then uploaded onto a computer for our dentist to build a 3D view of your mouth. This allows them to plan various treatment solutions using state-of-the-art DSD software which considers your unique facial and dental proportions.

Step 4:using the software, our dentist can prepare a 3D copy of your desired smile to ‘try on’. This will give you a preview of how your smile will look once treatment is completed.  This is such a helpful tool, as it will give you a better idea of the results you will achieve. Your new smile is designed to be in harmony with your teeth, gums, lips and your facial features when you move and show emotion, which means your teeth won’t look ‘fake’ or unusual on your face.

Step 5: we will walk you through your treatment plan, including a full breakdown of costs, and the number of visits you will require. Once you are happy to move forward, we will book your appointments to start you on your smile journey.

Are your teeth stained, chipped, or not aligned on top of each other? Veneers are a good treatment option to consider because they look like natural teeth and don’t require a major procedure. Veneers can also be used to close small gaps if braces are not suitable. If one tooth is slightly out of position, a veneer can sometimes be fitted to bring it into line with the others.

Here is how they work:

1. A veneer is a very thin, tooth-coloured piece of porcelain (like a false finger nail, but more durable and custom made) that is then bonded on top of your own tooth.
2. Based on your needs, the shape and size of the veneers can be adjusted to make your teeth overall look longer and or closer together.
3. You can have just one veneer fitted or a whole set, known as a smile makeover.

Composite bonding is an increasingly popular cosmetic dental treatment and is used to improve the shape, colour and overall appearance of patients’ teeth. It uses the same resin material used for white fillings, and is most frequently used on the front teeth, which are those that show when you smile.

There have been huge advances in the materials used in bonding dentistry in recent years, meaning composite bonding can be used for disguising minor imperfections in the front teeth, closing small gaps and hiding minor tooth rotations, with no damage to your teeth.

Composite bonding is a pain-free experience that requires, in most cases, just one visit to the practice. Your dentist will be able to choose a shade of resin that closely matches the colour of your teeth, meaning that the results will look entirely natural.

This is how the treatment works:

1. Your dentist picks a shade of white resin filling that best matches the natural colour of your teeth.
2. The resin is carefully applied to your teeth, with minimal need for any preparation.
3. Your dentist then carefully shapes and smooths the resin to hide any imperfections, for a result that looks entirely natural.
4. Once the resin has been shaped, it is hardened very quickly with the help of a special light.

Although composite bonding treatment does not last for as long as veneers, many patients find the treatment highly cost-effective and aesthetic option. It can also be repeated with no damage at all to your teeth.

If you are self-conscious about the shade of your teeth or if you have staining on some of your teeth, professional teeth whitening treatment is a proven and recommended option for you to consider.

Here’s how teeth whitening works:

1. You will be assessed for the type of staining your teeth have.
2. A custom tray is made to fit snugly over your teeth.
3. The teeth whitening process is activated by a bleaching agent, which is inserted into the custom tray which transfers the agent onto your teeth.

Home teeth whitening kits are also available to lighten the teeth more gradually in the comfort of your own home. At home whitening means the trays with bleaching agent can be worn overnight. With all whitening treatment, individual results will vary and are dependent on your initial tooth colour and the nature of your tooth staining.

A ‘gummy’ smile happens, as the name suggests, when more of your gums show than your teeth when you smile. Gummy smiles are very common and can be treated by a periodontist. Some people describe the condition as having ‘short’ teeth, although it’s more likely your teeth are standard length and are just covered by excess gum tissue. There are other factors that can cause gummy smiles too and the first thing your dentist will do is help to establish the cause of your gummy smile.

Causes of gummy smiles include:

1. Excess gum tissue covering the teeth.
2. Having worn-down teeth.
3. Having a high lip line.
4. Hyperactive lip lifting muscle.
5. Certain genetic conditions affecting the jaw.
6. Altered passive eruption.

Any treatment will depend on the cause. For excessive gum tissue and worn teeth, crown lengthening is a common treatment. This involves removing and reshaping excess gum tissue and occasionally bone  to expose more of your natural teeth. This can be performed on one or several teeth, and is also sometimes performed before restorative treatment such as crowns. In some cases, laser treatment is available to remove excess gum tissue.

If your teeth are very worn-down or naturally short, your dentist  may recommend dental veneers. These could be made of porcelain or a composite, tooth-coloured material, and will restore your teeth to their natural length.

Orthodontic treatment such as invisible braces can be used for some genetic conditions affecting the jaw, while surgery can correct hyperactive lip elevator muscles. In some cases, Botox can also be used to control these muscles, although this treatment would require repeating every few months.

To discuss the best options to  treat your gummy smile, you should speak to your dentist today.