Smile design refers to the procedure performed to make the smile more even and aligned, and correct any structural deformities that may cause it to look bad. This makeover is categorized under cosmetic dental procedures.
The procedure of a smile makeover may include various treatments like dental veneers, braces, crowns, etc. to make the teeth more beautiful and the smile more even. Teeth whitening treatments and dental braces are the most common procedures usually suggested.
A teeth whitening procedure involves the whitening of the teeth professionally with the help of laser light. If the teeth are crooked or misaligned, dental braces are used. They are metallic wires attached to the surface of the teeth with the help of metallic brackets. They typically take a few months for the complete alignment of the teeth to the jawbone.
Dental bonding and veneers are also some types of cosmetic dental procedures available. Dental veneers are shell-like coverings of the teeth usually made out of porcelain.
The dentist will recommend the most appropriate treatment for fixing the smile by closely observing the teeth. The dentist will consider the requirements of the patient before beginning any procedure for a smile design. Let us try to understand the factors that are considered before deciding on a treatment plan.
Natural smile shape
The smile will be closely observed first. The shape of the lips, the smile lines, and the overall appearance of the smile may be recorded. Then, the patient’s requirements for a change of smile will be recorded.
From the length of the lips to the curve of the smile, anything about the smile can be redesigned with the help of modern cosmetic dentistry. Various procedures like jawbone grafting, dental braces, aligners, veneers, etc. treatments can be performed on the teeth to enhance the shape and appearance of the smile.
Appearance of teeth
Whenever talking about smiles, teeth automatically take the spotlight. Because naturally, whenever a person smiles, the focus is usually on the teeth. If the teeth are in good, healthy condition, the smile is considered bright and beautiful, if the teeth are deteriorating, the same smile is considered dull.
Cosmetic dental procedures can help in the correction of teeth with the help of modern technology. The colour of the teeth can be modified, the most stubborn of stains can be removed, the structure of each tooth can be changed and even the whole set of teeth can be replaced. The alignment of the teeth with the jawbone is also observed. It can also be fixed with the help of dental orthodontic treatments like dental braces.
Discoloured teeth due to excessive wine, coffee, or tobacco consumption can also be lightened with the help of cosmetic procedures like professional teeth whitening. Invisalign aligners can also be worn to align the teeth perfectly into a straight line.
Invisalign aligners are the most preferred cosmetic dental procedure as they are next to invisible and do not affect the appearance that much. They are also extremely flexible and convenient to wear. They are much easier to clean than metallic braces.
Another treatment to enhance the appearance of the teeth is a dental crown. Dental crowns help in the replacement of missing teeth. They replace the space made by the missing teeth and fill in the gaps.
Gum shape
The gums of the mouth can significantly affect the smile. They can make the smile look beautiful if they are healthy and have appropriate dimensions. However, it is not always possible to have the perfect structure of the gum line due to genetic factors, injuries, and even severe dental diseases like periodontitis that affect the structure of the gum line.
The ideal gum line length and width should be just enough to properly expose the teeth and not overexpose them. Also, the gums should be close to the teeth as it makes the teeth appear smaller. With the help of procedures like gum line contouring, the gums can be made to look even and well-defined.
Gum contouring procedure comes under the category of cosmetic dental procedures. It involves the cutting of excessive gum tissue and the grafting of gum tissue from another part of the mouth into the area that lacks gum tissue.
Buccal corridor
A buccal corridor is defined as the space between the lips and the gap of the teeth, observed in the corners of the smile. Bigger smiles have a shorter width of the buccal corridor and the smaller smiles have wider buccal corridors. Smaller, shorter buccal corridors can make the smile look fuller and make the patient appear more attractive. Orthodontic treatments can help with the correction of a larger buccal corridor into a smaller one.
Jawbone alignment
The jawbone of the mouth can oftentimes be naturally uneven and may be angled at odd places. It is also possible that the upper jaw and the lower jaw do not coincide with each other. This misalignment could be due to any reason like genetic factors or due to severe injuries. Dental diseases can also sometimes cause jaw ones to misalign or vice versa.
The patient can experience various dental health issues because of this misalignment, like tooth decaying, tooth loss, etc. Misaligned jaws make it harder to keep the teeth clean and germ free. It becomes hard to clean in spaces that are too small for a toothbrush or any other cleaning device to fit in.
Facial analysis
The facial structure is also analysed closely for observing the facial shape and structure. The face will be analysed with the help of photographs and X-rays. These can give the dentist an idea about what exactly needs correction. If the jawbone is misaligned, then it is properly shaped with the help of a bone grafting procedure. Similarly, if the teeth are not aligned to each other, the patient is advised to get braces to align the teeth back into a straight line. The smile lines, gumline structure, etc. are also observed and the treatment is suggested accordingly.
