Smile Makeover
Clinically reviewed by Marilyn Gaylor, DDS, AACD Accredited Dentist
A smile makeover combines cosmetic and restorative treatments into one plan to improve the color, shape, size, spacing, and balance of your teeth and gum line. The best makeovers do not look like dental work. They look like your own teeth on a good day, suited to your face and built to hold up. Dr. Marilyn Gaylor personally evaluates, designs, and performs every smile makeover in her Atlanta practice, and she begins each case with a thorough exam to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy enough to support cosmetic treatment.
Dr. Gaylor earned Accreditation from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry in 2009, a credential that requires written and oral examinations and a series of clinical cases reviewed by examiners, and one of her accreditation cases was published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry. She completed the Louisiana State University Cosmetic Dentistry Continuum, is former Visiting Faculty at the Spear Institute for Advanced Dental Education, and has practiced dentistry since graduating from the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry in 1984.
Amy B.“Dr Gaylor looked at my medical history and figured out why there was wear in my teeth. Dr Gaylor was able even out my bite and excellent bonding on my teeth. I have no more sinus pain. She is very caring and wants her patients comfortable when doing dental work. My smile looks amazing now!”
What Is a Smile Makeover?
A smile makeover is a customized combination of treatments, rather than a single procedure, planned around your specific goals. Some patients need only whitening and bonding, while others benefit from porcelain veneers, a gum lift, and new crowns. The treatments are sequenced so that each one supports the final result, for example whitening natural teeth before matching the shade of new restorations.
Dr. Gaylor’s approach is conservative. She considers options that preserve healthy tooth structure first, such as whitening, bonding, no prep veneers, or orthodontic alignment, and recommends more involved treatment only when it will clearly serve you better.
Common Reasons Patients Choose a Smile Makeover
Stained or discolored teeth that do not respond well to whitening
Chipped, worn, or uneven teeth
Gaps between teeth or mild crowding
Teeth that look too short, or a smile that shows too much gum
Old fillings, crowns, or veneers that no longer match or look natural
A smile that no longer fits how you look or feel
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Treatments Used in Smile Makeovers in Atlanta
Porcelain Veneers:
Custom porcelain changes the color, shape, and length of front teeth.
No Prep Veneers:
Ultra-thin veneers may require little or no removal of tooth structure.
Dental Bonding:
Tooth-colored composite repairs chips and closes small gaps.
Teeth Whitening:
Professional whitening brightens natural teeth, often as a first step.
Invisalign Clear Aligners:
Clear aligners improve spacing and alignment before or instead of restorations.
Dental Crowns:
Metal-free crowns restore teeth that are weakened, heavily filled, or broken.
Gum Lift:
Laser gum contouring with the Fotona LightWalker evens out the gum line and can reduce a gummy smile.
When a makeover involves significant wear, missing teeth, or bite problems, Dr. Gaylor may recommend full mouth rehabilitation instead, which addresses function first and appearance as part of the same plan.
Designing a Smile That Looks Natural
Dr. Gaylor designs each smile around your facial features, lip line, skin tone, and the way your teeth come together. During your consultation she discusses your goals, examines your teeth and gums, and uses photographs and smile design imaging to help you preview the planned changes. Healthy gums and a stable bite are confirmed before cosmetic work begins, since restorations placed on an unstable foundation are more likely to fail.
What to Expect During Your Smile Makeover
After your consultation and diagnosis, Dr. Gaylor presents a plan that outlines each treatment, the order of care, and an estimated timeline. Simple makeovers involving whitening and bonding may be completed in a few visits, while cases involving veneers, crowns, or orthodontics take longer. When porcelain restorations are part of the plan, temporary restorations are usually placed while a dental laboratory crafts the final work, which typically takes a few weeks.
Local anesthetic keeps treatment comfortable, and sedation dentistry is available for anxious patients, with IV sedation administered and monitored by an anesthesiologist. You can view examples of completed cases in the smile makeover gallery. Individual results vary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Smile Makeovers
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Your plan is based on your goals and on Dr. Gaylor’s examination of your teeth, gums, and bite. She explains each recommendation and any more conservative alternatives during your consultation.
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Dr. Gaylor designs each smile to suit your face and chooses shades and shapes that look like natural teeth. You can see her work in the smile makeover gallery.
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No. Many makeovers treat only the teeth that show when you smile, and some require no veneers at all.
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A gum lift reshapes the gum line to show more of each tooth or to even out an uneven smile. It is recommended only when the gum line is part of the concern, and you can see examples in the gum lift gallery.
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Longevity depends on the treatments involved, your home care, and habits such as grinding. Porcelain restorations can last many years with good care and regular checkups, and bonding and whitening typically need touch-ups over time.
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Yes. Missing teeth can be replaced with bridges or with implant restorations. Dr. Gaylor does not place implants herself, but she coordinates placement with a surgical specialist and designs the final restorations.
Why Choose Dr. Gaylor for Your Smile Makeover
- AACD Accredited Dentist: Accreditation involves examinations and clinical cases reviewed by examiners.
- Published Cosmetic Work: One of her accreditation cases appeared in the Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry.
- Conservative Philosophy: Options that preserve healthy tooth structure are always considered first.
- Health Before Cosmetics: Gum health and bite stability are confirmed before any cosmetic treatment begins.
- Personal Care: Dr. Gaylor personally designs and performs every stage of your makeover.
- Laser Gum Contouring: The Fotona LightWalker laser is used for precise gum lifts when needed.
Smile Makeovers in Atlanta
If you are ready to talk about changing your smile, Dr. Gaylor welcomes patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, and Vinings to her office at 3280 Howell Mill Road NW, Suite 335. To start planning your new smile, schedule a consultation with Dr. Gaylor. Gaylor.
