Rebuilding a smile is a strategic process, one that brings health, function, comfort, and aesthetics back to a mouth with multiple dental problems. At Lively Smiles, we don’t take a rush approach or apply the same plan for every patient in smile rehabilitation. We help you learn more about your options, make you more comfortable in our treatment process, and guide you to a stronger, healthier smile.
In Quakertown, PA, rebuilding your smile may mean restoring teeth that have worn down, replacing missing teeth, fixing broken restorations, fixing a bad bite, improving cosmetic issues, and/or treating years of oral issues. The process allows our team at Lively Smiles to make an individualized plan for both immediate and future improvement.
A Full Exam & Diagnostics
Rebuilding your smile begins with a detailed exam. During the exam, we assess the current state of your teeth, gums, bite, and jaw joints. We also look at your present dental work. The goal in rebuilding your smile isn’t to simply treat one isolated problem. We want to see your mouth as a whole to understand how all the parts work together.
The doctor may look at whether you have worn-down teeth, tooth decay, gum disease, fractured teeth, a bad bite, missing teeth or failing dental work. You may be asked about pain and discomfort in your jaw, sensitive teeth, problems with chewing, headaches or how your teeth now fit together. By identifying the cause of dental issues and not only the symptoms, we can also start the work of creating a plan for your needs.
Technology For Imaging & Planning
Modern technology is an important part of comprehensive smile planning. Digital imaging, photography, CT scans, and x-rays help doctors get a better idea of your teeth, bone support, bite, and overall oral health. With this information, the doctor can determine the most appropriate method for rebuilding your smile. Technology also helps us look at the size and shape of the teeth, their alignment, and bite balance. We can even look at the gums’ condition and the type of restorations that will be best for your smile.
The planning stage can include:
- Deciding on which teeth are candidates for restoration and which will have to be replaced
- Figuring out which treatments are right for you, whether crowns, bridges, implants, veneers, or something else
- Planning the order of your treatments for efficiency, comfort, and long-term success
- Discussing any cosmetic goals you may have, and how they fit into an overall dental health program
For patients in Quakertown, PA, the planning stage can help them feel less overwhelmed. When you have several things wrong with your mouth, getting a clear explanation of how things will be fixed can bring a new sense of control over the situation.
Restoring The Smile With Crowns Or Implants
After a plan is made, the next phase of treatment will be focused on restoring the health and function of your teeth. Repaired or replaced will be damaged teeth or missing teeth. Any areas of weak structure that can’t be used in the current restorations will need attention.
Teeth that are cracked, worn down, or otherwise structurally weak can be restored with dental crowns. Crowns restore function and form and save natural teeth when possible. Dental implants may be suggested when teeth are missing because they replace both the crown and the root.
The restorative stage of rebuilding your smile can involve:
- Crowns: Used to rebuild broken or decayed teeth.
- Bridges: To replace missing single teeth or many.
- Dental implants: For long-term tooth replacement.
- Fillings/core buildup: To support final restorations.
- Gum or periodontal treatment: To promote a stable base.
This stage is about establishing stability, strength, and function so your smile can function well for eating, speaking, and more.
Aesthetics To Achieve A Harmonic Smile
The second stage in your smile rehabilitation plan addresses the aesthetics, creating a natural appearance that is cohesive. This is when cosmetic adjustments can include tooth color, form, length, and position.
This phase can include veneers, bonding, cosmetic tooth whitening, cosmetic tooth restorations or crown shaping, for example. Our goal is not to have an overly cosmetic or fake-looking smile, but one that complements your natural facial structure and is aesthetically appealing.
At Lively Smiles, cosmetic refinement is carefully planned, with both beauty and function in mind. Our teeth look great, but they also fit in well, are comfortable to wear, and can be used for chewing and everyday use. This is why the cosmetic smile phase allows our patients to achieve a truly great smile that not only looks great but has lasting strength, as well.
Fine-Tuning To Guarantee A Great Smile
The final step in your smile rebuilding plan involves checking your bite and making any necessary refinements to ensure your new smile is comfortable and will last for years. Even minor alterations in your bite can affect chewing and comfort as well as longevity.
Your dentist may check your bite after restorations and make small adjustments or a new bite. Depending on your needs, a nighttime dental guard or nightguard may be a good idea to reduce any risk of clenching and grinding.
Follow-up appointments may include:
- Regular dental exams and cleanings
- Regular bite checks
- Routine crown, implant, and restoration check-ups
- Daily good oral health at home – brushing and flossing
- Proper use of nightguards or splints for protecting your restorations
In this way, you can protect and preserve the work you invested in, and have your healthy teeth and gums for years to come.
Smile Rebuild
At Lively Smiles
Your smile reconstruction at Lively Smiles is not just about putting teeth back. A plan is thoughtfully designed and implemented in a partnership between you and your dentist. We consider both the functional and cosmetic results as well as the health of your teeth and gums.
Whatever restorative or cosmetic work is needed – crowns, implants, veneers, and more – your dentist will explain the procedures involved and work with you to complete the treatments you need for a smile you can be proud of.
If you are in or near Quakertown, PA, we'd love to meet with you, discuss your dental needs and provide the restorative treatment that will help you smile.