Smile Makeover One Tooth at a Time

Experience counts. Seattle cosmetic dentist Lance Timmerman DMD in Tukwila has lots, and that is what separates “the men from the boys” when it comes to smile makeovers. It is common for people to learn from Dr Timmerman the best plan for a smile makeover, what is involved and the number of teeth necessary to achieve their goals. In an effort to more easily afford the care, they often ask, “Can we do it one tooth at a time?”

CAN it be done? Sure, but the result will NEVER be as good as doing at the same time. A main reason is the issue of “Golden Proportions” with a balanced and symmetrical look. The width of teeth is determined by the teeth on each side. If the adjacent teeth are 7 mm apart, a tooth that is 10 mm wide will not fit. If your face needs a wider tooth, restoring one tooth at a time makes this impossible.

Many people, when doing a smile makeover, have short or worn teeth that would benefit from being longer (sometimes dramatically). If you did a smile makeover one tooth at a time, the single new tooth will stick out and eventually break. It is not a matter of, “I will just avoid the tooth for now.” This tooth WILL break.

Doing a smile makeover one tooth at a time is similar to laying new carpet one square foot at a time. Although the color, brand and style are the same, they will never match as perfectly as if you were to lay the entire carpet at once. You might get things to look VERY close, but it will never be AS close.  Also, different light sources react differently with differing materials, so getting a restoration to match in one light setting may be a problem in a different light.

Doing a smile makeover one tooth at a time is similar to laying new carpet one square foot at a time. Although the color, brand and style are the same, they will never match as perfectly as if you were to lay the entire carpet at once. You might get things to look VERY close, but it will never be AS close.  Also, different light sources react differently with differing materials, so getting a restoration to match in one light setting may be a problem in a different light.

If a dentist agrees to do a smile makeover one tooth at a time, this may be a sign that they lack the experience or skill to create a truly stunning smile makeover for you. You may want to consider a second opinion to find your best choice for your new smile.

Lance Timmerman