Smile Makeover in Moses Lake, WA
A smile makeover is not a single procedure. It is a coordinated plan that combines two or more dental treatments to address multiple cosmetic or restorative concerns at once. The goal is a result that looks cohesive, functions well, and fits your face, not a collection of separate fixes that do not relate to each other.
Dr. Nick Smith, DDS, has spent a significant part of his continuing education focus on esthetic dentistry and smile design. He approaches smile makeover consultations by listening first: what bothers you, what you have tried before, what your timeline looks like, and what budget you are working with. From there, he builds a plan that makes sense for your actual situation.
Smile makeovers at Moses Lake Family Dentistry are planned and executed in-house for most procedures. Dr. Smith handles veneers, bonding, whitening, crowns, and tooth-colored restorations. For orthodontic components, Six Month Smiles and Invisalign are available in the same office. If any work requires a specialist, Dr. Smith coordinates the referral and the sequencing.
Call 509-765-4351 to schedule your consultation. No obligation. Just an honest conversation about your options.
What Goes Into a Smile Makeover?
The specific treatments in a smile makeover vary for every patient. Some of the most common combinations include:
- Teeth whitening followed by porcelain veneers on the front teeth, with whitening done first so the veneers can be shade-matched to the brighter enamel
- Direct bonding to fix chips or gaps combined with whitening for a fresh, uniform appearance
- Replacement of old metal or discolored fillings with tooth-colored composite, combined with whitening
- Orthodontic alignment with Invisalign or Six Month Smiles followed by whitening and bonding for any remaining cosmetic concerns
- Crown or implant restorations for damaged or missing teeth combined with veneers on the adjacent visible teeth for a uniform result
- Periodontal treatment to correct a gummy smile, followed by veneers to complete the esthetic outcome
The right combination depends on what your teeth look like now and what you want them to look like. Dr. Smith does not apply a standard package. He looks at your specific teeth and designs accordingly.
How the Smile Makeover Process Works
Cosmetic Consultation
Your first appointment is a dedicated consultation. Bring photos of smiles you like, or be ready to describe what specifically bothers you about your own smile. Is it the color? The shape of specific teeth? Gaps? A chipped edge? Teeth that feel too small or too short? The more specific you can be, the better Dr. Smith can target the treatment plan.
Dr. Smith examines your teeth, takes photos, and may take impressions or X-rays as needed. He identifies any health issues that need to be addressed before cosmetic work begins. Then he outlines the options available to you, the sequence they would need to happen in, and the approximate cost for each component.
Health Foundation First
Cosmetic work placed on a mouth with active gum disease, untreated cavities, or cracked teeth will not hold up. If any of these conditions are present, Dr. Smith addresses them first. This is not a delay. It is what makes the cosmetic result durable. Veneers bonded to a tooth with underlying decay fail quickly. Whitening applied to a mouth with gum inflammation is uncomfortable and unpredictable.
Most patients find this phase goes quickly. A cleaning to address any gum inflammation, a filling for any small cavities, and a crown for any cracked tooth are straightforward procedures that create the clean foundation cosmetic work needs.
Sequencing the Cosmetic Procedures
Order matters in a smile makeover. Whitening always comes before veneers or bonding, because the shade of those restorations is set at fabrication and cannot be changed afterward. If whitening is done after veneers are placed, the natural teeth will lighten but the veneers will stay the same shade, creating a mismatch.
Orthodontic treatment, if included, typically comes before veneers. Moving teeth with aligners after veneers are placed is not appropriate. Any gum recontouring or periodontal treatment also precedes final cosmetic restorations. Dr. Smith maps the correct sequence for your specific plan at the consultation.
Cosmetic Procedures
Once the foundation is set and the sequence is planned, the cosmetic procedures begin. Each appointment builds on the last. Dr. Smith tracks how each result looks in context with the overall smile, not in isolation. If adjustments are needed between steps, he addresses them before moving to the next procedure.
Maintenance
A smile makeover is an investment that pays off over years, but only with consistent maintenance. Regular checkups every six months, daily brushing and flossing, and wearing a nightguard if you grind your teeth are all part of protecting the result. Dr. Smith discusses the specific maintenance needs for your particular combination of treatments at the completion appointment.
Smile Makeover Cost and Timing
The cost of a smile makeover at Moses Lake Family Dentistry depends entirely on which procedures are included. A makeover involving whitening and bonding costs significantly less than one that includes multiple veneers and orthodontic treatment. Dr. Smith provides an itemized estimate for each component at your consultation so you can see exactly what you are investing in.
Phasing is an option for patients who want to spread the work over time for budget reasons. Dr. Smith helps you identify which procedures to prioritize first based on your goals and what will have the most visible impact. Cherry financing is available to help manage the cost of individual procedures within the plan.
Many cosmetic procedures are not covered by dental insurance. Some restorative components of a smile makeover, like crowns placed for structural reasons, may have partial coverage. Our team checks your benefits and tells you what applies before any work begins.
Before and After Photos
Moses Lake Family Dentistry has before-and-after photo cases available for review during your consultation. Before-and-after photos require written patient authorization, and all cases used for consultation are de-identified or have appropriate consent in place. Seeing real cases from our practice gives you a realistic picture of what is achievable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Smile Makeovers
How long does a smile makeover take?
It depends on how many procedures are included. A makeover involving only whitening and bonding can be completed in two to three appointments over a few weeks. One that includes Invisalign, veneers, and restorative work may take six months to a year. Dr. Smith gives you a realistic timeline at the consultation based on your specific plan.
Will I need to take time off work?
Most smile makeover procedures do not require significant recovery time. Whitening and bonding have no recovery period. Veneers may cause mild sensitivity for a day or two. Orthodontic treatment has no downtime. If any surgical procedures are included, Dr. Smith discusses recovery expectations at the planning stage.
Can I start with just one procedure and add others later?
Yes. Dr. Smith frequently treats patients who start with one improvement and come back for additional procedures when they are ready. The main thing to plan for is sequence: whitening should happen before veneers or bonding is placed, and orthodontics should precede cosmetic restorations. Dr. Smith helps you think through the right order so later procedures are not complicated by earlier ones.
I have always been self-conscious about my smile. Is it too late?
It is not. Dr. Smith sees patients at every age who have decided to address long-standing concerns about their smile. The procedures are the same regardless of how long someone has waited. What matters is where your oral health is now and what your goals are.
Call 509-765-4351 to schedule your smile makeover consultation. Dr. Smith will tell you exactly what is possible for your teeth and what it would cost. Open from 7:00 AM most weekdays.