With the advancement of dental technology and the popularity of “smile transformations” on social media, more people are interested in the aesthetics of their smile than ever before- but with so many modern treatment options available and plenty of conflicting advice on the internet, it can be hard to know what the right choice is!
Our guide talks through the factors that should be considered when creating the ideal treatment plan for your dream smile.
Where to start
When creating a plan for your dream smile, it is important to first consider your starting point- some people might be looking to perfect an already healthy smile with minor adjustments, and others may need major restorative work before considering aesthetic improvements.
No matter what your overall goal is, you don’t have to decide anything major right away. The first step is always a dedicated consultation with your dentist to discuss your treatment options- sometimes there can be several different treatments that might offer similar results, and your dentist will be more than happy to go through the pros and cons of each option with you before you make any decisions.
Patient-specific treatment
While doing research and gathering information is great to gain some insight into what might be involved in your dental treatment, it is important to remember that every smile is totally different- a specific treatment that has worked for someone else might not be suitable for you, and it is always best to chat to your dentist about what your overall dental goals are.
Often patients will enquire about a specific type of treatment, but upon consultation with the dentist realise that there is a less destructive, more effective treatment option that might work better for their dentition, so it is always worth bringing it up at your next dental visit to see what will suit you best.
Multi-treatment approach
Popularity of treatments such as teeth whitening and composite bonding have skyrocketed in recent years, and when it comes to smile transformations it’s not hard to see why! But when deciding which treatment would work best, most patients do not realise that “dream smiles” are usually created using a combination of several treatments, and may not be as simple as one option over another.
For example, orthodontic treatment is often used in conjunction with both teeth whitening and composite bonding to change the alignment, shade, and shape of teeth- creating an overall smile that could not be achieved with a single treatment alone.
Trending treatments
Dental trends are everywhere on social media- some legitimate, some scarily misinformed. From teeth shaving & DIY ortho to “shark” teeth and “instant” veneers, there is a lot of dangerous dental content on the internet! As with anything, if it seems too good to be true then it probably is- be wary of any online retailer offering instant whitening products, clip-on veneers, orthodontic aligners and similar treatments. There is just no substitute for high-quality dental work carried out by a qualified professional- no miracle product or cheap treatment is worth risking your dental health!
Timeframe
We tend to consider the aesthetics of our smile in advance of a major life event- of course we all want to smile with confidence in that family photo or on your big day!
That being said, it is important to consider the timeline of any potential dental treatment, especially major restorative work such as dental implants or orthodontics, and how to factor this into any big future plans.
Ensure to organise an initial dental examination in plenty time if you are planning any aesthetic or restorative dental work- even minor treatments such as teeth whitening involves waiting time for lab work, several appointments and the whitening period itself- so ensure to leave as much time as you can before an event to organise dental treatment, especially for a significant occasion such as a wedding or big birthday; the best results take time!
Costs
Definitely one of the biggest considerations when approaching any major dental treatment is of course the cost involved. Organising a dedicated dental consultation with a dentist will give you a much clearer indication of how much your potential dental work will cost.
While we do not offer specific payment plans here at Renmore Dental, the cost of our more complex treatments (such as dental implants, crowns, veneers, etc.) can usually be spread out over the length of treatment, depending on the amount of dental work required and the estimated timeframe.
Most patients opt to make payments towards the cost of their treatment in advance, adding money into their account with us on a regular basis to build up credit towards future treatment- this is a great way to spread out the cost of your dental work & make it more manageable when it comes to the end of treatment.
Longevity and aftercare
Finally, it is worth considering what type of aftercare is involved in your ideal dental treatment before going ahead with any major work. Even long-term dental treatments come with some form of aftercare to maintain your new smile; for example, teeth whitening requires regular top-ups once a month in order to continually preserve the results of the initial whitening course, and retainers are needed post-orthodontic treatment to keep the teeth in their new alignment.
Committing to dental treatment also means committing to maintaining it, but not to worry- your clinician will always go through post-treatment aftercare in detail with you to ensure you know how to best look after your new smile going forward.
Got any questions for us? Our patient care team would be happy to help on 091 757 678 or email info@renmoredental.ie