What is an Extreme Makeover?

The term ‘extreme makeover’ is used to describe a significant transformation in an individual’s appearance, which usually includes a haircut, make up application, and various cosmetic treatments, such as tooth whitening, but it can also extend to more radical changes, like surgical enhancements or dental veneers. In terms of dentistry, an extreme smile makeover involves rebuilding damaged teeth, bleaching enamel staining, applying veneers or crowns, and possibly fitting dental implants to replace missing teeth. The overall aim is to present the patient with a beautiful, flawless smile that they can be proud of, where once they might have kept their mouth closed in public situations. The process might also include some sort of facial rejuvenation, to properly display the new teeth, which could be a series of Botox injections, or dermal fillers; these are used to smooth out unsightly lines and to plump up the cheeks.

Although the aim of the treatment is always to make the patient look and feel great, smile makeovers can mean different things to different people, i.e. one person might want a perfectly straight, bright Hollywood-style smile, whereas another may be looking for something more natural and less obvious. You can discuss your own personal requirements with your dentist before the treatment begins, to make sure you are both on the same page, working towards similar goals. Surgeons at the Pearl Dental Clinic work very hard to give their patients exactly what they desire in terms of smile enhancement, so give them a call if you would like to book a consultation, or you would just like to discuss the various options available.

What sorts of procedures are performed as part of an extreme makeover?

There are various treatments used during a makeover, it really depends on the problems that are present in the first place. Each patient will have different needs and expectations, so it’s up to their chosen dentist to work towards that outcome, using every tool at their disposal. Let’s take a look at some of the common techniques used as part of an extreme makeover;

Orthodontics – This isn’t the fastest solution, but it is the most permanent, providing the changes are kept in place using a retainer. Most dentists would chose to move the natural teeth into a more desirable position, using Invisalign braces or an Inman aligner, or perhaps even traditional ‘train track’ brackets and wires, rather than simply placing veneers straight over the top, but that depends on their personal preference and whether the patient is prepared to wait to see results. Some braces can take two or three years to perform to the desired extent, but there are some newer systems that can boast very effective treatment in just a short space of time.

Orthodontics can help with all kinds of dental problems; overcrowding, large spaces, crooked teeth, misaligned jaws, uneven bites, buck teeth, and everything in between. Braces often play a large part in smile makeovers, as they can make a huge difference to issues that could have developed over decades.

Composite bonding material – This is used to repair small chips and cracks, which are unsightly, but don’t stop the teeth from functioning correctly. It’s important to rebuild structural damage like this, not only because it looks unpleasant, but also because it can lead to more complicated problems, such as decay, and the condition of the teeth can deteriorate over time. The material is mixed on-site and applied to the affected area, then the dentist moulds it to the size and shape of the natural teeth, and cleans any excess away, before smoothing out the newly repaired tooth. This method doesn’t take very long, and is useful with teeth that don’t need a complete overhaul, but they could do with a few touch-ups.

Veneers – Dental veneers are usually made out of either porcelain or composite bonding material, and they are sometimes referred to as ‘instant orthodontics’, because they can be used to cover up minor malocclusions, without the need for braces. Patients who have extreme conditions are not generally advised to have veneers fitted until their problems have been dealt with to some extent, but they could still use some type of veneer or crown to disguise small misalignments. The main disadvantage of porcelain veneers is that they require quite a lot of re-shaping of the natural teeth, in order to comfortably fit the shells in place. However, new products, like Lumineers or Emax veneers, are revolutionising dental restoration, by manufacturing thinner, stronger laminates that can fit over teeth without the need for extensive remodelling.

Even at such a high price – some can cost upwards of £10,000 a set – dental veneers are still very popular as part of an extreme makeover, simply because they can give you a perfectly straight, white, well-proportioned smile in a matter of weeks – who wouldn’t want that?

Dental implants – Implants have really begun to take off in the UK over the past few years, as the technology continues to improve and the results speak for themselves. Missing teeth can be replaced using a dental bridge or dentures, but implanting permanent titanium roots into the jaw bone is a long-term solution to the problem. Although the initial implanting procedure can be quite traumatic on the gums – it is surgery, after all – the outcome is a synthetic replacement that both looks and functions exactly like a natural tooth. A successful implant can last a lifetime, with proper care, and is often considered the next best thing to a real tooth, by industry professionals.

Dentists and surgeons will use a combination of the above techniques, as well as other products, such as teeth whitening and Botox injections, to create a more aesthetically pleasing appearance, in accordance with the wishes of the patient, and their own personal recommendations. You should be certain that you are comfortable with the proposed changes before you go ahead with treatment, and you can help move the process along by checking into your dentists previous makeovers, their credentials, and how much experience they have in the field – don’t assume that all clinics are the same, the skill of the dentist can vary greatly from place to place.