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Before we discuss cosmetic options for transforming your smile, and before any preparations for treatment, there’s one question that needs to be answered: What do you want to be different about your smile?

There’s a common misconception that cosmetic changes to the teeth and gums — a “smile makeover” — is primarily a technical achievement based on rigid principles of beauty. Patients believe they must defer to their dentists for what will look best. But that’s not the entire picture: what’s often lost in the understanding is that it’s your smile — the smile at the end of the process you must be comfortable showing with confidence.

In this regard, there are two types of patients, with no right or wrong view — simply what a patient perceives as the smile they want. Some want the “perfect” smile — the greatest level of regularity between teeth shape, size and alignment and the maximum level of brightness. Others are more comfortable with a “natural” smile, a more subtle look with just enough change to create something new and different. The latter may even desire a less than perfect look that doesn’t “fix” all their imperfections — the ones they believe give their face “character.”

Knowing to which side you lean is important at the outset. It’s then important for you to communicate those expectations with us. While we’re focused on the technical aspects of treatment — tooth length, the lineup of teeth with other facial features or the gum-to-lip distance — only you can express what’s going to be a beautiful yet comfortable smile for you. By meshing the technical requirements with your personal desires, we’re able to formulate a makeover plan that fits you.

It all begins with a comprehensive examination to determine the exact health state of your mouth, and it may be necessary to first perform dental work to improve it. From there we can discuss what is and isn’t possible to change the appearance of your teeth and gums. In the end, we want the same result as you — a beautiful smile you’re happy and confident to show the world.

If you would like more information on smile makeovers, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Great Expectations: Is what you get what you want?”

At the first-ever Players Weekend in August 2017, Major League Baseball players wore jerseys with their nicknames on the back. One player — Cleveland Indians shortstop, Francisco Lindor — picked the perfect moniker to express his cheerful, fun-loving nature: “Mr. Smile.” And Lindor gave fans plenty to smile about when he belted a 2-run homer into the stands while wearing his new jersey!

Lindor has explained that he believes smiling is an important part of connecting with fans and teammates alike: “I’ve never been a fan of the guy that makes a great play and then acts like he’s done it 10,000 times — smile, man! We’ve got to enjoy the game.”

We think Lindor is right: Smiling is a great way to generate good will. And it feels great too… as long as you have a smile that’s healthy, and that looks as good as you want it to. But what if you don’t? Here are some things we can do at the dental office to help you enjoy smiling again:

Routine Professional Cleanings & Exams. This is a great place to start on the road toward a healthy, beautiful smile. Even if you are conscientious about brushing and flossing at home, you won’t be able to remove all of the disease-causing dental plaque that can hide beneath the gum line, especially if it has hardened into tartar, but we can do it easily in the office. Then, after a thorough dental exam, we can identify any problems that may be affecting your ability to smile freely, such as tooth decay, gum disease, or cosmetic dental issues.

Cosmetic Dental Treatments. If your oral health is good but your smile is not as bright as you’d like it to be, we can discuss a number of cosmetic dental treatments that can help. These range from conservative procedures such as professional teeth whitening and bonding to more dramatic procedures like porcelain veneers or crowns.

Tooth Replacement. Many people hide their smiles because they are embarrassed by a gap from a missing tooth. That’s a shame, because there are several excellent tooth-replacement options in a variety of price ranges. These include partial and full dentures, bridgework, and dental implants. So don’t let a missing tooth stop you from being Mr. (or Ms.) Smile!

If you’d like more information about oral health or cosmetic dentistry, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Beautiful Smiles by Design” and “The Impact of a Smile Makeover.”

Find out the many ways in which our Phoenix dentist can improve your smile.

It’s amazing how one flaw in our smile can affect not just our appearance, but our confidence as well. If you find that you aren’t smiling that much because you hate that gap between your front teeth or because your teeth are yellow and stained, it’s time to turn to our Phoenix, AZ, cosmetic dentists Dr. Linda Beguin and Dr. Gary Steen.

What We Provide

We are proud to offer these top cosmetic treatments,

• Dental bonding
• Tooth reshaping
• Gum contouring
• Teeth whitening
• Dental veneers
• Dental implants
• Invisalign

The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to be able to enhance your smile’s aesthetic appeal through altering the shape, length, size, or straightness of your teeth. After all, just one misshapen tooth can truly impact your whole smile!

Of course, we know that some people are worried that cosmetic dentistry is invasive or time-consuming, but the treatment (or treatments) that are right for you will directly accommodate these concerns. But first, our Phoenix dentist will need to examine your teeth and gums to make sure your smile is healthy enough for cosmetic dentistry.

From there, we will discuss what your goals are for cosmetic dentistry. This is your time to tell us what really bothers you about your smile and what you wish to change. It’s important to be upfront but also realistic about the results you wish to achieve, as this will also help us create the best treatment plan for you.

A Treatment For Your Needs

Not sure which option is the right one for you? Don’t worry—we can help you with that. Of course, there are some treatments that will work better than others depending on what problems you want to improve through cosmetic dentistry.

Want a whiter smile? Most of the time, professional teeth whitening will give you the results you want; however, internal stains won’t respond to whitening but can easily be covered by dental bonding or a dental veneer, depending on the size of the stain.

Looking to make minor tweaks to your smile without having to undergo tooth preparation, anesthesia, or needles? Many of the treatment options we offer are non-invasive or minimally invasive. Any questions or concerns you might have about the treatment process we would be more than happy to discuss with you.

Cosmetic dentistry is helping countless patients feel more confident smiling. Are you ready to find out how it could help you? If so, call (602) 671-3956 to schedule a consultation with CenterCare Dental Group in Phoenix. We’ll give you something to smile about!

Find out how our cosmetic dentistry services could give you that ideal smile.

Your smile says a lot about you. It may seem hard to believe but people may perceive you as more successful, smarter or even more attractive based on your smile. So if your smile isn’t up to par then maybe it’s the perfect time to turn to our Phoenix, AZ cosmetic dentists Dr. Linda Beguin and Dr. Gary Steen for help. We offer a myriad of options to get your smile back on track.

Dental Bonding

Sometimes even the smallest imperfections get in the way of having the smile we want. Here in Phoenix, our dentists can easily cover tiny flaws like chips, cracks, discolorations and even little gaps between teeth by applying a tooth-colored resin over these areas. This procedure is painless and can even be performed during your next routine cleaning.

Gum Contouring

Some people hate their smiles because their gums are too prominent and teeth look too tiny. If you have a “gummy smile” then you may be wondering what’s out there to even out your smile. By reshaping the gums we can provide a more symmetrical and attractive smile that provides better cosmetic proportions.

Dental Veneers

If your cosmetic imperfections are significant enough that dental bonding can’t address them, then the ideal option may be to get dental veneers. These thin, tooth-colored shells (often made from porcelain) are adhered to the front of one or more teeth to improve the shape, size or color of your smile. Not only can they hide certain flaws but they can also be applied without the need for invasive tooth preparation.

Invisalign

Getting braces as an adult can sound a bit scary. After all, wearing metal all over your teeth may be a terrifying idea for you. Of course, if you want a healthier and straighter smile the only option is to get orthodontic treatment; fortunately, we offer a clear way to get the results you want. Invisalign uses clear, custom-made aligners, which are worn over your teeth to shift them into the ideal position over time. It’s a great option for both teens and adults.

We know that you want a smile that looks as good as you feel. Enjoy renewed confidence in your smile and your overall appearance when you chose cosmetic dentistry. Call CenterCare Dental Group in Phoenix, AZ today!