Tampa Smile Makeover: A Guide to Gaining Your Confidence Back Without the Wait


Tampa Dentist Tells All on Sexy ‘Million Dollar’ Smile Makeovers

Can you really put a price on self-esteem? Truth is, our confidence radiates from the inside, but it doesn’t mean we aren’t taking notice of what’s happening on the outside. After all, we all own a mirror. Sometimes, you may wish you didn’t. 

According to one Forbes article, confidence plays a key role in determining your future. 

“Their lack of confidence affects their ability to reach their full potential,” Bonnie Marcus, an author, said about women in the professional workspace. 

As a pink-powered advocate for feeling sexy and comfortable in your skin, Dalton Dental also believes that it’s important to feel empowered with a beautiful smile. If you’re feeling self-conscious when you grin, it may be time for you to consult a qualified Tampa-area dentist who specializes in smile makeovers. 

What Is a Smile Makeover, and Why Would Someone Need One?

When people think about achieving a different smile, closing a gap, or just hoping to have straighter teeth, they may not know the options. Some clients wonder if their choices only lie between Invisalign and veneers when in reality there are many ways to change a smile. 

“At Dalton Dental, a smile makeover can mean veneers, crowns, or even gum contouring. It is changing a patient’s smile from what they don’t like to the dream smile they really want and deserve.  For some patients, it can be what looks like a subtle change to everyone else, but feels big to them,” Dalton Dental said. 

If you’re seriously wondering how you can get a full smile makeover, contact us for a free consult. 

How Much Do Smile Makeovers Cost?

Self-confidence is invaluable, and so is having a gorgeous, sexy smile. 

The first question we often hear is “How much do veneers cost, or what kind of financing is available for a smile makeover?” While we want to give you a straight answer, the truth really depends on the extent of the work you may need.

Dr. Dalton has performed thousands of cosmetic makeovers using veneers, crowns, gum contouring, and more. Certain patients may only need four teeth fixed, while others may want a full smile makeover which can cost much more.

“It all depends on the patient and what look they are trying to achieve. It can be a few thousand to upwards of $25,000 or more. During a free consultation, we look at a patient’s smile, as well as the health of the mouth and teeth. So often, a smile makeover is not just about the looks, but also about correcting bite issues and maintaining or improving dental health,” Dalton Dental said. 

Even though certain cosmetic procedures, including smile makeovers, can be beneficial for an improved ability to chew, fix or cover up chips, and of course, a boost of confidence, the cost usually falls on the patient. This is because insurance companies do not see it as necessary work.

Financing options are always available including cash, credit cards, and checks as well as financing through

What Is Better:  Veneers or Crowns? 

So you’ve decided to go ahead and get a smile makeover in Florida. This is so exciting! You’re on your way to a sexier, more self-confident you. Congratulations!

If you’ve found a qualified Tampa Dentist, the next step is to decide which method is a better fit for your smile. Your doctor will likely suggest the most effective product to use to achieve what you’re looking for. 

According to Healthline, both veneers and crowns can improve the look and function of your teeth. The main difference between the two is that a veneer covers the front of your tooth, while a crown is fitted around a tooth that is ground down. 

Take a look at the difference between these two smile makeovers below.

One before and after is the result of veneers; the other is a crown makeover. 

Can you tell which image is which?

Smile Makeovers with Veneers: Are They Worth It?

Dalton Dental uses safe, lab-created, porcelain veneers. These high-quality veneers are made without metal, giving a super organic and gorgeous look. These are made to be permanent, but their longevity depends on how well a person takes care of his/her teeth. 

You may have heard others talk about ‘composite veneers’ which are handcrafted in the office with the same material Dalton Dental uses for fillings. These are tooth-colored but are extremely limited when it comes to the range of colors offered. Porcelain veneers have the ability to be stained to an exact match at our dental labs. 

Veneers can last a long time. On average, veneers can go anywhere from 10-20 years before needing to be replaced. Sometimes, it can be even longer when they are well-cared for. Habits like grinding or clenching also can play a role in how long the veneers last. 

While it’s extremely rare, if a dentist misapplies a veneer, it can fall off. If this happens, you’ll want to call the best cosmetic dentist near you right away. 

Changing Your Smile with Crowns: Is it Safe?

While you may not be able to tell the difference just by looking at someone’s smile, you should know that crowns and veneers are not the same. 

 If you’ve ever had a cracked or broken tooth, you may be familiar with a crown. They are often used to permanently cover a tooth and protect it from further decay and/or wear and tear. 

Crowns can also be used to change the appearance of a smile, affecting the overall look of your face.

While the process may sound painful, the actual procedure is not. A board-certified dentist will grind down the natural tooth to a certain degree to enable a snug fit for the man-made tooth. The entire process is completely safe. 

As with veneers, Dalton Dental uses lab-created crowns made of full porcelain zirconia, without metal. This type of crown is made to last, is hypoallergenic, and looks beautiful.  It can be shaded to match natural teeth and the patient’s desired tooth color.  Metal crowns or crowns with metal bases can cause inflammation of the tissue in the mouth as they almost always contain some nickel and other alloy metals that are not ideal in the mouth.  They also are more difficult to match the shade and less natural-looking.

 Porcelain crowns are crafted to last up to 20 years and in some cases, longer. With routine dental care, both veneers and crowns should last a long time, and a qualified dentist will be able to determine when they should be replaced, if necessary. 

There are risks of crowns coming loose, falling off, or cavities forming under the crown. This is very rare and is usually due to poor dentistry or a patient’s low-quality of care for his/her teeth. 

Same-Day Game-Changer

It’s a question asked over and over again: How long does a smile makeover take? 

Happy, smiling patient after a complete smile makeover in Tampa.

Prepare to be shocked — just a few hours, not days, not months, hours.

That’s right.

You can walk into Dalton Dental in the morning and then right out onto the Tampa streets or to Downtown Ybor City and have an afternoon on the town with a brand new smile in a matter of a few hours. 

The smile makeover takes just one day. This is, of course, after your initial free consultation and images have been taken to assess what your smile makeover options are. You’ll have to wait for the lab to create your new smile as well

How Do I Care for My New Smile?

Stop staring at yourself in the mirror! No, really keep staring, you’re hot! What do your new veneers or crowns look like? What do they feel like?

Congratulations on your brand new smile! How do you feel? We hope you feel extra confident, beautiful, and most importantly, you!

Depending on if you have any gum contouring or not, you will at least be sore.

Even with routine dental procedures, side effects usually include mild discomfort for a few days.

We highly suggest starting routine visits with your dentist for check-ups, cleaning and flossing daily, and using a soft bristle brush. You should also avoid biting off hard items like carrots or apples as this force can loosen veneers. Regular check-ups are very important to check the margins and health of the teeth under veneers or crowns.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Hilary Dalton, DMD, MS

Dr. Hilary Dalton owns Dalton Dental, a general and cosmetic dental practice in Tampa, FL. She is board-certified in Periodontology & Dental Implant Surgery and in Procedural Medicine in Aesthetics.

She also holds certifications in microsurgery, laser proficiency, Invisalign, master esthetic facial injector, PRP, and facial laser.

She graduated from Tufts University’s School of Dental Medicine in Boston with an award for Outstanding Leadership and Extraordinary Clinical Achievement.

To learn more about Dr. Hilary Dalton, visit our About page.

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