We spend a lot of time on this blog discussing the power of a smile. But there’s nothing like seeing a dramatic dental transformation for yourself to understand exactly how a smile makeover changes lives. If you’ve ever felt less-than-confident about your teeth, you owe it to yourself to learn about your dental options. Take a look at some of our patients’ happy grins below to get some motivation for your own treatment.

Taking a Closer Look at Our Smile Makeovers

It’s easy to look at before and afters and say that the final result is an improvement. But digging in and learning more about exactly what changed will help you articulate what you’d like to duplicate.

The above photo is of an Invisalign patients’ pre- and post-treatment teeth. We love Invisalign because it allows adult patients to straighten their teeth without obstructing their smiles. But the clear aligners aren’t possible for every patient. If your occlusion is similar to the one in this photo, Invisalign is a great step. As you can see, the teeth were generally crooked with excessive spacing between them. The upper teeth overlapped the lower teeth and the overall effect was undesirable.

Invisalign treatment gently straightened this patient’s front teeth. The end result is a symmetrical, evenly spaced, and confident smile. The change between the first smile and the second is remarkable – and it was all possible with clear aligners.

before-and-after-cosmetic-dentistry

This before smile had a few issues, ranging from plaque buildup and gum recession to slightly crooked front teeth. The discoloration and malocclusion caused led to noticeable aesthetic flaws. The first step here was to treat existing health issues by removing plaque buildup and bringing teeth back to square one. Then, cosmetic treatment began.

Dr. Okamura whitened, straightened, and reshaped the front teeth with porcelain veneers. These restorations make it possible to accomplish a wide range of superficial changes. Since the front teeth only overlapped slightly, it was possible to remove some of the natural tooth structure and add straight veneers. This smile makeover not only reworked the smile’s appearance, but lowered sensitivity by protecting exposed tooth roots and worn teeth.

Common Smile Makeovers

  • Whitening – It’s tough to feel good about your teeth when your smile is stained. Stop hiding yellow, dingy teeth and find a dazzling smile. Extrinsic stains will lighten with bleaching. Other stains can be covered with bonding or veneers.

  • Straightening – Whether via Invisalign, crowns, or veneers, straightening your teeth will help you love your smile. Improving tooth alignment can also boost your oral health by making it easier for you to clean your teeth.

  • Filling gaps – Spaces between teeth create noticeable dark spaces that stand out in all the wrong ways. Filling gaps can be as easy as same-day dental bonding.

  • Restoring worn teeth – Cavities, periodontal disease, and gradual wear all have a negative impact. As time passes, erosion grows, marring your smile. Dr. Okamura will find the right path toward a fuller, healthier grin.

What’s Right for Your Own Teeth?

Our Smile Gallery is filled with other patient examples that can serve as your inspiration. Find befores that remind you of something you’d like to change about your own teeth, and look at the afters to see what incredible results can arise from cosmetic treatment. Once you have some ideas about how you’d like to tweak your teeth, get in touch to schedule a consultation. We’ll talk more about your goals, and help you find the most personally fulfilling path to a great grin.

Contact us today!

Seattle General Dentist | General Dentistry Seattle | North Seattle General Dentist
Dr. Kim Dr. Kim

Dr. Kim Okamura

I'm Dr. Kim Okamura and this blog is a product of my love of dentistry. I dedicate it to all the patients I have served so that they may better understand my craft. The information here will give you and others the power to maintain and protect one of your most priceless gifts ... your SMILE.