You have no doubt come across the phrase "smile makeover." It’s almost everywhere you look: TV, magazines, giant billboards. Some people who may feel too jaded over false claims that some advertisements are notorious of may think that a smile makeover is just another exaggerated PR ploy to make those with less-than-perfect smiles flock to dental clinics in droves.

At the hands of a dentist skilled in performing smile makeover procedures, however, a smile makeover can literally transform your smile. Studies show a correlation between an attractive smile and success and popularity. A wide smile can make others readily feel at ease in your presence, but you can only smile broadly and confidently if you know your teeth are worth showing off.

Fortunately, advancements in dental technology have made it possible to treat virtually any dental imperfection you might have: missing, misaligned, overcrowded, gapped, and discoloured teeth, gummy smile --- you name it.

Many Hollywood celebrities owe their million-dollar smiles to smile makeover treatments, and they are often the best examples of how a smile makeover can transform one’s looks. Tom Cruise, Miley Cyrus, Jessica Simpson, and Scarlett Johansson are just some examples of Hollywood stars who have had dental makeovers performed on them. The popularity of smile makeover treatments among celebrities has spawned the term "Hollywood smile makeover."

A smile makeover usually involves two stages. The first stage is the initial consultation. During the consultation, the dentist encourages you to talk openly about your dental problems and your aesthetic goals and wishes. He then uses digital imaging to determine the extent of the problem and what can be done about it. Digital imaging allows the dentist to make a customised smile makeover treatment plan for you.

Another component of the consultation stage involves the dentist making an "impression" or mould of your teeth which is sent to the dental laboratory for casting. The result will be a 3D image of your teeth.

The second stage of a smile makeover is the actual treatment. The dentist may use a range of techniques such as dental implants, porcelain veneers, fillings, Invisalign braces, gum contouring, and teeth whitening to give you the smile you want. Many dentists now use lasers in their procedures to speed up the treatment and healing process.

A smile showing white, complete and well aligned set of pearly whites can effectively light up one’s face and make you feel more confident. It’s one of the main factors that define what’s beautiful and what isn’t. If smiling makes you feel uncomfortable because of you dental imperfections, a smile makeover is what you need.