Experts say your smile says a lot about you. However, cosmetic imperfections can blur or even hide who you really are. These imperfections can affect how people perceive you or make you overly self-conscious. If either of these is true for you, then a smile makeover may just be what you need.

A smile makeover is a process of greatly enhancing your appearance by correcting dental flaws. It can also improve your self-confidence and make you less self-conscious. Several dental procedures are involved in this process. You will find some of these below.

But first, do you really need a smile makeover?

At our dental office in Philadelphia, you can see Dr. Gerald Regni, Jr. for a free smile makeover consultation. He will evaluate your smile and will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums. This will allow him to check for tooth decay or gum disease. If you have either or both, then these should be treated first before you can undergo a smile makeover.

A dental examination also reveals dental stains, chipped or crooked teeth, gaps, misalignment and worn fillings. Dr. Regni will also ask you what you think your dental imperfections are and which of these concern you. Knowing all of these details will help him determine if you do need a smile makeover. If you are going through it, he will recommend what dental procedures are right for you.

What are the procedures involved?

Porcelain veneers: These change the shape, size and color of your teeth. Also called dental veneers, these are made of thin shells which are bonded to your teeth to improve appearance. They are generally used to cover misaligned or discolored teeth, chips, cracks and gaps.

Dr. Regni will make a model of your tooth that need veneering. He then sends this to a lab where your porcelain veneer will be produced. You might have to wait between 15 to 30 days for your dental veneer to be made.

Teeth whitening: It is one of the more straightforward procedures in a smile makeover. Your teeth are polished not once but on several visits to our office. This procedure removes stains and discoloration. We use KöR®, a safe and deep bleaching gel which cleans your teeth thoroughly.

Filling replacement: It might be time to replace your old amalgam fillings. These might be worn and also unsightly. Our dental team will replace these with safe materials that match the color of your teeth.

Dental crowns: These serve a lot of useful purposes. We can place a dental crown or cap over your tooth if you have a cavity that is too big for fillings. A cap can also protect your cracked or crumbling tooth. This also restores a worn tooth to its normal shape and size.

Crowns are made from ceramics, resins or porcelain. They are identical in color to real teeth. You can choose what material your crown will be made of. Whatever your choice is, Dr. Regni will make sure that crowns will fit perfectly and of course, improve your teeth’s appearance.

Dental bonding: This is also a procedure that covers cracks, gaps and stained teeth. It’s also done to repair chipped teeth. Dr. Regni will apply a composite resin on your tooth with an adhesive. The resin is hardened with a special light.

Dental bonding is suitable for minor changes to your teeth. Since its use is similar to that of veneers, Dr. Regni will recommend which one is appropriate for you.

Tooth replacement: A missing tooth can affect your speech and appearance. It also can make you self-conscious. Part of your smile makeover process will be the replacement of lost teeth. Tooth replacement is necessary not just for aesthetic but also for health reasons.

You can replace missing teeth with implants, dentures or bridges. Dr. Regni will assist you in making the right choice.

Our holistic approach

If you are going through a smile makeover, Dr. Regni will make an aesthetic study of your bone structure, face and of course your smile. He recognizes the interrelation between all areas of the human body. This study will include a soft-tissue analysis and a periodontal exam. This is necessary because any dental change or modification must complement the rest of your features.

It’s not only your appearance we are concerned about. When we recommend procedures, we have your well-being in mind. We use fillings, crowns and other materials that are certified safe. We will suggest non-invasive procedures if these will serve your needs. At our dental office, we make sure that improving your dental health contributes to your general health!

Your smile makeover

Before any procedure is done, Dr. Regni will present you with models generated with computer software. From these models, Dr, Regni will suggest procedures that he believes are right for you. You might only need one or a combination but we will let you decide in the end. Our only desire is to help you achieve that perfect smile!

For your free smile makeover consultation, call us now at (215)351-9399!