Questions About Smile Makeover
What is a Smile Makeover?
A Smile Makeover is a set of procedures designed to address all of your cosmetic dentistry problems according to an overall plan. You and Dr. Kleive will work together closely to develop the plan based on your personal cosmetic dentistry goals and values.
What is the advantage of a Smile Makeover as opposed to dealing with each dental issue individually?
Creating a plan makes the dental work more economical for you. When the procedures chosen with forethought and done in the right sequence, they minimize your dental chair time and save money. Dr. Kleive can explain why some things are best done before other things and you can plan the timeframe and budget ahead for greater convenience.
An example of correct sequence would be to do tooth whitening before replacing old metal fillings. Why? Because porcelain does not respond to whitening. If you have new fillings done first, they cannot be further whitened later when you brighten up your tooth enamel.
What problems could my Smile Makeover address?
Each smile makeover is unique because everyone has unique needs and goals. Dr. Kleive will begin by addressing any underlying dental health problems because cosmetic work done on teeth in poor health will be undermined. Once your dental health is firmly established cosmetic goals can be addressed effectively.
Your smile makeover could first whiten your teeth. Then it could use porcelain veneers or dental bonding on front teeth to take care of small defects like small gaps or slight crookedness. At some point you could have the old metal fillings replaced with white porcelain inlays or onlays; or you might have all-porcelain crowns to replace gold crowns. If you have too much gum tissue showing in your smile, Dr. Kleive can do gum recontouring to correct that.
If you have any missing teeth and currently have a bridge, Dr. Kleive could discuss with you the option of a dental implant to replace the missing tooth root, saving your jawbone from shrinking to fill that gap. The implant can hold one or more replacement teeth or a new bridge.
If your dental problems are too extensive to be corrected with a smile makeover, Dr. Kleive may suggest full mouth reconstruction.
Could I spread the procedures out over time?
Yes. We will never rush you through dental care. When you and Dr. Kleive create your smile makeover plan, you can also create a timeline that works for you. We know that time, stress and financing are all important variables when considering dentistry and we will work with you to make them all fit comfortably into your life.
How permanent will results be?
Rather than giving you a visual “quick fix” that ignores underlying problems, Dr. Kleive looks at patterns and reasons why problems are occurring. He then develops a plan to prevent significant problems in the future. The result is a long-lasting, beautiful smile. Your part will be to maintain it well with good daily home care, and regular visits for check-ups and professional hygiene services.
If you have further questions about Smile Makeovers or cosmetic dentistry, please contact our office in the St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota area. We will be happy to schedule your free initial consultation. Dr. Kleive can give you clear answers and help get you on the path to a beautiful, healthy smile.
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