What Is a Smile Design? (and Is It Right for You?)

A smile design is a cosmetic dentistry procedure to improve the look of your smile, but what is it really?

Read on to find out!

We all know the huge role a great smile plays:

For young kids, a warm smile at daycare is the difference between crying and laughing.

At job interviews, a friendly smile changes the entire atmosphere of the meeting.

And in romantic comedies (and yes, sometimes even in real life), that first glimpse of a smile makes strangers fall in love.

Now that’s the power of a smile!

But what happens if you feel self-conscious about your smile?

Maybe you dislike the way your natural teeth look, perhaps you had an accident that altered the appearance of your smile, or maybe you’re just ready for a makeover.

Whatever your reason for wanting to change the look of your smile, our team at Benca Dentistry is here for you, and we’ll walk you through what exactly smile design is.

Let’s get to the basics.

What is a smile design?

A smile design is a custom plan for a better smile and may include a combination of dental procedures to improve the look of your teeth and gums.

The result is a more beautiful smile you feel good in!

Smile design may include a combination of the following:

• Teeth whitening
• Dental bonding
• Porcelain veneers
• Gum contouring
• Crowns or bridges
• Dental implants
• Invisalign

Each person is unique, and so is their smile, which is why we take into consideration several factors to create a custom smile design.

Smile design considers the following factors:

• Face shape
• Age and personality
• Personal goals
• Time and budget

As you can see, it’s completely custom-made.

The process is personalized for your needs and can correct multiple dental imperfections at once, such as misaligned teeth, gapped teeth, crooked teeth, broken teeth, chipped teeth, stained teeth, and more.

We’ve got more good news:

With today’s advanced dental technology and procedures, a smile design is done faster and more comfortably than ever!

The cosmetic dentistry procedures explained:

A smile design involves a combination of procedures, so we’ll quickly explain what each one does.

While cosmetic dentistry procedures improve the look of teeth, some of them are also restorative, meaning they improve your teeth’s function.

Based on your needs, your dentist may recommend one or multiple treatments of the following:

Teeth whitening: A professional teeth whitening quickly and safely whitens teeth by several shades in one visit. Additionally, most dentists offer custom take-home kits for touch-ups or whitening at home.

Dental bonding: Dental bonding fixes light cracks, chips, and other imperfections in teeth. A tooth-colored composite resin is applied to the tooth and shaped to create a better appearance.

Porcelain veneers: Veneers are thin, custom-crafted porcelain shells adhered to the front of teeth to fix both minor and extreme imperfections ranging from misalignments, crooked teeth, gaps in teeth, etc.

Gum contouring: Gum contouring reshapes or resculpts the gums for an improved appearance and gum health. The procedure can fix a gummy smile, uneven gums, or receding gums.

Crowns or Bridges: Crowns and bridges help restore teeth damaged from decay or trauma, providing a tooth cover to restore function and protect the tooth with a crown or fill a missing tooth gap with a bridge.

Dental implants: Dental implants replace a missing tooth with an implant inserted in the place of the root and a custom-crafted tooth (AKA crown) placed on top to restore the mouth’s look and function.

Invisalign: Invisalign… opens in a new window to Invisalign website… is a teeth-straightening system that uses clear, custom trays to straighten teeth with mild to moderate alignment issues.

As you can see, there are many types of solutions available.

Now back to smile design:

Let us explain the process.

How does smile design work?

Each smile design is unique, so the exact way it works for you and how long it takes depends on the combination of treatments.

While the possibilities are endless here, the goal is always the same – to improve a smile and boost confidence!

Getting started is easy:

Step 1: You meet with the cosmetic dentist for a smile design consultation to assess your current smile and discuss what you’d like your dream smile to look like.

Step 2: The dentist takes photos of your mouth to examine your face, teeth, and gums fully.

Step 3: We’ll recommend a smile design treatment plan, along with realistic outcomes, and explain what to expect from the procedure.

Once you feel 100% comfortable with your custom smile plan, we’ll schedule your visit or multiple visits to create your dream smile!

The benefits of a custom smile makeover are infinite because when you feel confident, there’s a ripple effect in other parts of your life – from your personal to work life.

Is smile design right for you?

You may be wondering, “Am I a candidate for smile design?” or “Should I get a smile makeover?”

If you’re unhappy with the look of your smile and have healthy teeth and gums, then you’re a candidate for smile design.

Maybe you’ve thought about improving your smile but don’t know where to begin, think it’ll take too long, or fear it’ll cost too much.

The truth is:

A smile makeover is done faster than ever with today’s dental technology, and your dentist will walk you through the process at your initial consultation. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

As for the cost – your dentist will take into consideration your goals, time, and budget when planning your smile makeover and may have unique payment plans available.

While costs vary greatly depending on the treatment, you should consider your smile design as an investment in your appearance and confidence. The results will last for years if proper dental care is taken, and the benefits are priceless.

Looking for a custom smile design in Tukwila, WA?

Drs. Patricia and Laura Benca and Dr. Adam Gee are ready to help you get your dream smile.

With teeth whitening, dental bonding, and more, we’ve got the perfect cosmetic dentistry procedure for your smile design.

View our smile gallery and see our happy clients with their before-and-after photos.

Schedule your visit today:

• • Contact us online to schedule your appointment
  • Call us at 206-575-1173
  • Email us directly at info@bencadds.com

Our dental office is located in Tukwila, WA… opens in a new window to Google Maps…, and we also welcome patients from our surrounding communities, including Kent, Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, and Newcastle, WA.