Smile Design as performed by the dentists at Old Town Smiles provides Virginia clients with stunning smiles, typically after just one visit. Our goal is for our clients to leave our office confident, finally wanting to flash their radiant smile in photos.
What is Smile Design?
Smile Design is a combination of dental services that is customized to achieve a client’s smile goals and desires. Also known as a Smile Makeover, the process requires great skill, experience, and most importantly, communication between the doctor and our client. We at Old Town Smiles create a unique Smile Design to fit our client’s age, sex, and facial features. We provide our clients with a smile that is aesthetically pleasing and functional.
Smile Design Options We Offer
Below are some of the popular Smile Design services we offer. But please do not hesitate to inquire about other services. The great thing about Smile Design is its customization opportunities.
INVISALIGN
Invisalign is a great way to straighten a smile without the need for visible braces. Invisalign is a set of custom made, custom fit removable aligners that gradually adjust the teeth to be closer together and straighter. Each tray set is slightly different than the previous set to make the process comfortable while the teeth are shifting. Invisalign is especially popular with adults.
DENTAL CROWNS
Dental crowns are used for both restorative and cosmetic dentistry. While a crown can be used to cover a damaged tooth for preventative measures, it is now commonly used to improve the aesthetic of a tooth. The crown can be customized to match the color of surrounding teeth, and they can add length to a tooth to make it more proportional if desired.
PORCELAIN VENEERS
Porcelain veneers play a similar role to dental crowns, but rather than covering the entire tooth they are adhered to the front. The enamel colored addition is great for addressing slight discoloration or misshapen teeth. It can also be used for chipped or cracked teeth.
DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dental implants are used for clients who are missing a tooth or multiple teeth and want to fill the gap permanently. The implant is the color of teeth, so it blends in naturally with the rest of the teeth. A thin rod is inserted into the gum and the replacement tooth sits on top of the gum in proportional placement. This option is chosen over a dental bridge for those whose surrounding teeth are in good shape. A dental bridge is used when the surrounding teeth are discolored or misshapen, in which case the implant is attached to two crowns which go over the surrounding teeth. This will address both the gap and the aesthetic concerns of the surrounding teeth.
GUM CONTOURING
Some of our clients come in with great teeth, but they are hesitant to smile because of excess gum tissue. This is an instance where the teeth appear shorter because too much gum tissue is overlapping, hiding a significant portion of the teeth. This treatment can also be used to contour uneven gums. Dr. Ahmed will remove gum tissue to the client’s liking, creating a more vibrant smile.
TEETH WHITENING
Professional teeth whitening is becoming widely popular for its transformative abilities that store bought remedies just cannot compete with. Teeth whitening products such as whitening strips and whitening toothpaste can only brighten the teeth so much because they are not dentist prescribed, meaning their effectiveness is limited. These store products also run the risk of uneven results, hurting the gums, and results are not long lasting. At Old Town Smiles we have two teeth whitening options: ZOOM 2 and take home trays. ZOOM 2 is a powerful laser light that whitens teeth as much as 10 shades brighter in under an hour. Take home trays are customizable and convenient, allowing our clients to effectively whiten their teeth at their convenience.
COSMETIC BONDING
Cosmetic bonding, or dental bonding, is a good solution for minor imperfections that do not require extensive intervention. Chips, cracks, stains, and gaps are some examples of concerns that can easily be addressed with cosmetic dental bonding.
Benefits
There is no set rulebook that states what a client must get in order to leave with a great smile; it is whatever the client wants. Our dentists are more than happy to provide expert recommendations however. Communication is the key to fantastic results.
Smile Design benefits patients both cosmetically and health wise. Not only are the teeth and smile made to look beautiful, but by doing so lessens risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and infection. Additionally, a Smile Makeover can be performed at the client’s leisure. Those who do not have the time or do not wish to sit through a long session have the option to space their Smile Design into multiple sessions. Clients do however have the option to have the whole process performed during the same visit.
What Makes a Nice Smile?
I’m sure when we skim through magazines or see all those pearly whites on the TV screen, majority of people can agree on who has a nice smile. However, there is absolutely no such thing as a perfect smile, as perfection and beauty are in the eye of the beholder. With this said, there are some common characteristics men and women find beautiful and attractive about a smile. These include:
- Bright white smile
- Centered midline: A straight line can be drawn from between the eyes to the chin and the middle of the two front teeth rests on that line.
- Ideal central incisor ratio: The height and width of the two middle front teeth are proportional.
- Just enough gum showing
- The smile line follows the curve of the lower lip
Everyone has their own ideal characteristics of a “perfect smile”, and we at Old Town Smiles aim to provide you with just that: your perfect smile.
Candidates
Smile Design clients can range from wanting a couple teeth changed to their entire mouth enhanced. Those seeking a Smile Makeover are generally concerned with tooth discoloration, chips, cracks, missing teeth, or gum contour.
There is no age requirement, but clients must have all their adult teeth. Smile Design is geared towards enhancing the cosmetic appearance of the teeth and smile, but functionality is still important. Candidacy is determined at an initial consultation where the dentist will perform a series of exams and screenings to make sure the client is qualified for a Smile Makeover.
Consultation
At your cosmetic consultation, our highly trained team will do a comprehensive exam. This includes a one on one discussion about your past dental history and present concerns. We will also take digital x-rays, diagnostic photos, and the doctor will perform a thorough exam. The exam will include a cavity check, oral cancer screening and an evaluation of your bite. Once your comprehensive exam is complete you will meet with your doctor to discuss your smile design. You can also combine your appointment with a hygiene cleaning and a full mouth periodontal probing to determine if you have any signs of gum disease. Feel free to bring in photos of people’s smiles you like for reference.
The Procedure
The first stage of the procedure is done during the consultation. This is when impressions are taken for casting. Temporary veneers or crowns can be made so the patient can see what their results will look like, and any necessary changes can be implemented before the final procedure.
The second stage is the dental work which is done on a later date. On this day, the implants, gum contouring, veneers, bonding, crowns, etc. are performed with local numbing or light sedation if desired. This can usually be performed in one session. Sometimes the dentist will recommend an additional session if the work being done is extensive or if there are many procedures being performed.
Recovering
Recovering from a Smile Makeover is similar to that of any dental treatment. The gums may feel slightly sore if veneers, gum contouring, or implants were a part of the process, but pain medication can be recommended. Individualized instructions may be provided for more customized cases.
Taking Care of Your Smile
While our dentists can improve and enhance smiles, the client plays a vital role in maintaining the results. Good oral hygiene is extremely important and necessary for long lasting results. Brushing and flossing every day is a must, as well as steering clear of very crunchy or chewy foods. Refraining from smoking or drinking a lot of coffee is also recommended to prevent tooth discoloration. Regular check ups are important so the dentist can make sure everything looks great. So long as a patient takes care of their teeth, Smile Design results should last a lifetime.
Cost
There is no set Smile Design price since the procedure is totally customizable. The cost of a Smile Makeover varies based on the procedure options chosen and the amount of procedures performed. Dr. Ahmed is more than happy to speak with prospective Smile Design clients looking to enhance their pearly whites and provide an estimation of cost. Feel free to contact our Alexandria, Virginia location to get started.