Two out of five Americans don’t see their dentist as often as they’d like. Even more are unhappy with the health and appearance of their smile. Your smile is the first thing people see when they meet you, and it can significantly influence their opinion of you. If your smile isn’t up to par, you might want to consider a smile makeover.
At Chapman Smiles Orthodontics in Happy Valley, Clackamas, Oregon, orthodontist Dr. Gary Chapman can provide a smile makeover that straightens your teeth, evens out your smile, and covers imperfections.
Smile makeover basics
A smile makeover not only focuses on aesthetics, it also helps your teeth and bite to become more functional. This improves oral health and the longevity of your teeth.
Reasons to seek a smile makeover include:
- Gummy smile
- Crowded or gapped teeth
- Bite or individual tooth misalignment
- Damage to teeth from trauma or decay
- A narrow palate that’s causing issues
Treatments used in a smile makeover
Since Dr. Chapman is an orthodontist, he typically takes an orthodontic approach to your smile makeover, seeking to align your teeth more perfectly for better function and a more even appearance.
First, he takes advantage of advanced digital technology to create a model of your desired smile, and then works out the steps required to get you from your current state to the goal. He can show you the timeline and what your smile will look like at each stage of treatment.
Then he uses two or more of the following procedures to develop the smile you desire.
Traditional braces
If your teeth are severely misaligned or a rogue tooth has grown out of place, Dr. Chapman may recommend regular braces to correct the issue. He can use tooth colored materials to keep your braces as discreet as possible.
Invisalign® or Spark™ clear aligners
Common orthodontic issues like crooked or misaligned teeth can often be corrected without traditional braces. Dr. Chapman evaluates your mouth and determines which option is better for you. Straightening usually takes 6-18 months of wearing your clear aligners for at least 22 hours every day.
A palate expander
Palate expanders can help widen the breadth of your soft palate. Dentists use these for reducing overcrowding, making more room for orthodontic work, and even easing sleep apnea. This metal device can gradually be widened across the roof of the mouth to create more space for the teeth.
Other treatments for a smile makeover
You might also want other procedures to make your smile perfect, and Dr. Chapman can provide referrals to specialists who can assist in your smile makeover by providing bridges, crowns, dental implants, or veneers.
To find out if a smile makeover is right for you, call 503-336-3269, or schedule an appointment online today.