Can a Smile Makeover Fix Crooked Teeth Without Braces?

Many people assume that braces are the only option for straightening a crooked smile. While braces are certainly a popular and effective orthodontic treatment, patients today have more options than ever for achieving a straighter, more seamless smile. At Parker West Dental Associates in Plano, TX, Dr. Tim Nguyen is committed to helping patients get a beautiful, healthy smile they can feel confident about with the most modern and convenient treatment options available. In many cases, a personalized smile makeover can help to address misalignment — often without the need for traditional braces. Continue reading for more information about smile makeover treatment, including what may be included in a smile makeover and how your crooked teeth can be straightened without braces.

What is a smile makeover?

A smile makeover is a customizable dental treatment — typically considered a cosmetic dentistry service — that can be used to address a wide variety of concerns unique to the patient’s individual smile.

What’s included in a smile makeover?

Following a comprehensive consultation, examination, and discussion of the patient’s concerns and desired outcome, Dr. Nguyen will develop a custom-tailored treatment plan for the smile makeover. Some of the treatments and procedures that are commonly included in a smile makeover are:

• Porcelain veneers
• Bonding
• Inlays and onlays
• Orthodontics
• Teeth whitening
• Dental crowns or bridges

Will a smile makeover without braces fix crooked teeth?

One of the primary benefits of smile makeover treatment is that each treatment plan can be fully customized to align with the patient’s specific set of concerns. For patients who have crooked or misaligned teeth, Dr. Nguyen may recommend incorporating orthodontic treatments into the smile makeover plan. However, this does not necessarily mean braces are the only option. Alternative treatments, like porcelain veneers or crowns, can actually be used to create a straighter smile by covering the teeth with restorations that are uniform in shape and size, which can conceal mild cases of misalignment or crookedness. For patients whose tooth misalignment is more pronounced, however, traditional orthodontic treatments may be a more suitable option.

Will I have to wear a retainer after my smile makeover?

Retainers are critical for keeping the teeth in their new, straighter position after traditional orthodontic treatment with braces or aligners. When a straighter smile is achieved with veneers, however, the natural teeth themselves do not move or shift — they are simply covered by the restoration to conceal gaps, rotation, and inconsistencies in size or shape. Because of this, patients should not need to wear a retainer following a smile makeover that does not involve traditional orthodontics. Because each smile makeover treatment plan is unique, aftercare guidelines will vary from patient to patient, and there may be certain cases when a retainer is recommended. Following your smile makeover, Dr. Nguyen will provide comprehensive post-treatment instructions to help ensure your beautiful new smile lasts for as long as possible.

Straightening your smile may be easier than you think with a custom smile makeover in Plano, TX

If you are interested in straightening a crooked smile and getting a brighter, more beautiful smile but prefer to avoid traditional braces, we would love to help you better understand what orthodontic alternatives may be available for you. Start your journey toward the seamless smile you’ve always wanted by calling to schedule your Plano, TX smile makeover consultation with Dr. Tim Nguyen at Parker West Dental Associates today.