Smile Makeover in Bethlehem, PA

A smile makeover is a plan rather than a single procedure — I sequence whitening, bonding, veneers and crowns into one course of treatment at Always About Smiles, our Bethlehem, PA dental office. We can make your dreams come true with a Smile Makeover, and it begins with a conversation about what you want.

Changing your smile can change your whole appearance. That's why we work closely with you to make sure that we understand your expectations and that you are comfortable with your choices before the makeover begins. We take a comprehensive approach and believe in establishing a treatment plan with a thorough discussion of options, giving you the information you need to make an informed decision. You will be surprised to learn how many choices are available to improve your smile.

In designing your new look, we carefully analyze your smile and facial shape, including your nose, eyes, lip line, the amount of teeth showing, the width and length of each tooth, the gum level, the position of each tooth, as well as the color. We also make impressions of your teeth and mouth to analyze your bite. In essence, we look at all aspects — the health, function and beauty of your smile when planning your Smile Makeover.

Dr. Lambert knows that a true smile, one that lasts a lifetime, is based on a foundation of healthy bone, gums and teeth. For this reason, he always establishes a patient's initial dental health prior to performing any cosmetic or reconstructive work. Decay is treated and the gums settled first, so that his veneers, whitening and other cosmetic procedures are placed on a strong, healthy foundation. Our goal is maximum results with minimum dentistry.

Whatever your own smile needs, drawn into one sequence. A makeover commonly combines teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns and replacing missing teeth.

A smile makeover isn't a single price, because no two plans contain the same work — the figure follows from how many teeth are involved and which procedures they need. You get the whole plan costed in writing, procedure by procedure, before anything begins, so you can decide what to do and in what order. Financing is available.

Anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on what the plan holds. Whitening and bonding are quick; veneers and crowns run two to three visits each because they're made at a laboratory; and anything that needs the gums or decay treated first adds time at the front. I give you the sequence and the dates at the planning stage.

It's spread out, which is most of the answer — you're not in the chair for hours on end. Where anesthetic is needed, I buffer it chair-side before the injection, which brings it closer to your body's own neutral pH and makes the numbness more rapid and profound, and OraVerse, a novocaine-reversing agent, is available afterward to return normal sensation. Nitrous oxide and a mild oral sedative are both available.

The parts have different lifespans and the plan accounts for that. Under our Peace of Mind Limited Dental Warranty, porcelain veneers and crowns are warranted five years against fracture with normal use; bonding and tooth-colored fillings, three years. Whitening needs a top-up every year or two. You must follow our recommendations for care, cleanings, and treatment; accidents, sports, grinding and neglect are excluded.

Yes — that work simply becomes the first stage of the plan rather than a reason to turn you away. Decay is treated, gum disease brought under control and the bite settled before any cosmetic work goes on top, because a beautiful result placed on an unhealthy foundation doesn't stay beautiful. I'll map out that order at the consultation.