Posted: July 13, 2021
A smile makeover is a comprehensive, versatile approach to renewing your smile. As an experienced restorative and cosmetic dentist, Dr. Scott Greenhalgh focuses his smile makeover services on improving both dental health and smile aesthetics, because they go hand-in-hand.
If you’ve been considering this type of smile rejuvenation, you may be wondering how long the results will last. After all, most people who invest in something like cosmetic dentistry want to know that they will be receiving durable, long-lasting results. Overall, you can depend on our treatments to last a long time, especially when you maintain a good at-home hygiene routine and regularly scheduled professional cleanings.
A smile makeover is a customized set of dental procedures tailored to your unique needs and goals. Therefore, the best way to find out how long those treatments will last is to visit Dr. Greenhalgh for a consultation. Some of the most commonly incorporated treatments and their average longevities include:
- Teeth whitening: Professional, in-office teeth whitening usually yields a brighter smile for as many as 2-3 years. It is possible for the results to fade faster, particularly as a result of poor dental hygiene, coffee, wine, soda and sports drinks, tobacco use, and other teeth-staining foods and beverages. Talk to our staff about how you can extend the lifetime of the results.
- Dental crowns: When well-cared for, most tooth crowns last between 10-30 years. It is possible for them to last much longer. Avoid chewing on ice cubes, chewing on pen tips, opening packages with your teeth, and always wear a mouth guard for contact sports.
- Porcelain veneers: Like dental crowns, if you take care of your teeth, your veneers can last 10-30 years or longer without needing to be replaced.
- White fillings: Fillings absorb a lot of wear and tear over the years. They stand up against the force of chewing and eating, as well as abrasion from brushing. Composite resin/white fillings have the added benefit of withstanding temperature fluctuations, whereas metal fillings of the past tended to expand and contract in response to temperature changes. All that said, white fillings may need to be replaced after 10 years or so, but may last longer. They typically need replacement only if they have broken, chipped, or cracked.
- Dental implants: Dental implants offer some of the longest-lasting results of any tooth replacement system! It is not uncommon for dental implants to last a lifetime with good dental hygiene.
If you are interested in rejuvenating your entire smile – both improving your dental health and the appearance of your smile at once – experienced cosmetic dentist Dr. Scott Greenhalgh is ready to help you plan it! To arrange a consultation at our Lakewood office, please call our team at 303-988-9060.
