What Do Smile Makeovers Include?

Some people instinctively smile with all of their teeth, while others have learned to hold back and laugh behind a hand. It’s not because they’re unhappy, but because they’ve never felt quite right about their teeth.

A smile makeover corrects the things that bother you about your teeth and helps you feel more confident about your appearance. 

It typically involves multiple procedures, depending on what you want to change. That could mean anything from whitening and reshaping to replacing missing teeth or fixing alignment issues. 

Robert F. Wilcox, DMD, has extensive experience in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. At his practice in Butte, Montana, he carries out natural smile makeovers that leave you looking and feeling like yourself. 

In this blog, he details what smile makeovers include, who they’re for, how the process works, and what kind of results you can expect.

What goes into a smile makeover?

Smile makeovers are customized. There’s no one-size-fits-all package because no two smiles are exactly alike. But most makeovers include a combination of the following:

Professional whitening

Stains from coffee, tea, wine, smoking, or simply aging can dull the natural brightness of your teeth. Professional whitening is often one of the first steps in a smile makeover because it’s quick and effective. 

We usually do whitening in-office for fast results or with custom take-home trays for a more gradual process.

Veneers or bonding

If you have chips, cracks, small gaps, or unevenness, veneers or cosmetic bonding can help. Veneers are thin porcelain shells custom-made to fit over your natural teeth. Bonding, which uses tooth-colored resin, is a more conservative and often quicker option, ideal for smaller fixes.

Orthodontic treatment

Straightening crooked or crowded teeth doesn’t always require traditional braces. Options like clear aligners can discreetly shift teeth into place, improving their appearance. In some cases, we can use short-term cosmetic orthodontics to make subtle but significant changes.

Crowns or bridges

Teeth that are broken, worn down, or structurally compromised may need more than cosmetic treatment. Crowns can restore strength and appearance, while bridges replace missing teeth in a natural-looking way. Both are often part of more restorative smile makeovers.

Implants or dentures

If you have one or more missing teeth, dental implants offer a permanent, stable replacement that looks and feels like a natural tooth. For more extensive tooth loss, we may recommend full or partial dentures. 

Gum contouring

Sometimes the issue isn’t the teeth, but the gum line. If your gums are uneven or cover too much of your teeth, contouring can reshape them to create a more aesthetically pleasing smile.

What’s the process like?

At your first consultation, we talk with you about what’s bothering you, what kind of smile you’d like to have, and what’s realistic for your teeth. We do a thorough exam, take digital images or impressions as needed, and start mapping out the options.

From there, we work with you to design a plan that makes sense, whether it’s a few simple changes or a more extensive restoration. We explain every step clearly and can complete most smile makeovers in stages, so you can spread out appointments and see progress along the way.

A great smile makeover doesn’t make you look like someone else — it helps you feel more like yourself. You don’t have to keep hiding your smile. Whether your concerns are big or small, a smile makeover can help you feel proud of your smile again and want to show it off. Call today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Wilcox.