Smile Makeover Erie, PA

A smile makeover is a custom procedure designed by our Erie, PA cosmetic dentist to meet your smile goals. It will include multiple cosmetic dentistry procedures. How many procedures are needed and the exact selection of procedures depends on your goals, the current state of your teeth, and overall oral health.

A smile makeover begins with a consultation. In the consultation, Dr. Tucker will listen to your cosmetic goals. He will also look at any pictures or videos you brought to help him understand what you’re looking for. Then, he will ask questions to ensure he understands what you hope to achieve. Make sure to mention any limitations you might have: timetable, budget, or procedures you want to avoid, for example.

If you’re a current Tucker Dental Excellence patient, we will review your records. If you are a patient at another dental practice, we might want to perform a dental exam during the consultation or as part of a separate appointment. We will want to see your records from your current dentist, but it might not be enough to help us understand your current state of oral health. We may want to use our RAYFace facial scanner to help us design a smile makeover that best compliments your overall facial appearance.

Next, Dr. Tucker will design your smile makeover. He will explain what he’s planning and may show you visualizations of your new smile, such as computer imagery. If there are multiple choices for achieving your goals, he will present them with the benefits and limitations of each.

You’ll get a comprehensive estimate of the cost of your smile makeover. If it seems reasonable, Dr. Tucker will start scheduling treatment appointments.

The length of a smile makeover depends on the number and type of procedures you choose.

Dental bonding: This procedure can be completed in just one visit if you need just one or a few teeth treated. More teeth will require multiple appointments.

Porcelain veneers: Porcelain veneers typically take two to three visits, allowing enough time for the dental lab to make your veneers. In general, porcelain veneers take less than a month to complete.

Teeth whitening: Take-home teeth whitening works gradually. You’ll likely notice results within a few days, but achieving maximum brightness can take up to six weeks.

Dental implants: The time required for dental implants depends on your oral health. Sometimes, it’s possible to have teeth extracted, get implants placed, and receive attractive provisional restorations all in one day. Other times, you might need extractions, gum disease treatment, and bone graft, all in separate procedures that can take months to complete before placing the dental implant. You might also have to wait weeks or months before provisional restorations. We’ll estimate the likely timetable, but your implant surgeon may revise the schedule if necessary.

ClearCorrect Aligners: ClearCorrect aligners take about the same time to complete as traditional braces. Depending on the complexity of your case, this may be as short as six months, or it may take over a year.

As a custom procedure, we can’t estimate a smile makeover’s cost online. If cost is a concern, make sure to mention your limitations. We offer financing with CareCredit and can also stagger treatments so you can pay for them as you go.

You will always get a comprehensive cost estimate before you agree to a treatment plan.

Most smile makeover results are long-lasting. However, exactly how long depends on the types of procedures in your smile makeover.

Dental bonding: Dental bonding results last for up to a few years.

Teeth whitening: Teeth whitening results last a few weeks to a few months. However, you can quickly freshen them to maintain your bright smile for as long as your teeth have healthy enamel.

Porcelain veneers: Porcelain veneers typically last 10-15 years. Taking good care of them can extend their life span to 20 years, especially with Lumineers.

Dental implants: With proper care, dental implants can remain in place and healthy for the rest of your life. The restorations on top of dental implants (crown, bridge, or denture) will likely need to be replaced after 10-15 years, though some high-quality restorations can last 30 years or more.

ClearCorrect aligners: As long as you wear your retainers as recommended, the results from ClearCorrect aligners will last for life.

Many dentists perform cosmetic dentistry with little or no training in the discipline. However, Dr. Tucker has taken many continuing education courses dedicated to cosmetic dentistry. He has received a Certificate of Proficiency in Esthetic Dentistry from the University of Buffalo and a Fellowship in the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics. In addition, he has maintained a private practice in Erie, Pennsylvania, since 1982, giving him more than 40 years of practical experience in helping people achieve and maintain a beautiful smile.

Please call (814) 836-7777 to trust your smile to Tucker Dental Excellence.