02 Jan Improving Your Smile for Senior Pictures, Photo Shoots

Whether you are in your junior year of high school or finding a photographer for your wedding, it’s best to plan ahead. These are the pictures that will be cherished for decades. Your smile is the first thing people will notice in pictures, so visiting the dentist is the best way to improve how you look.

At Mitchell Dental Spa, we can examine you in our office and discuss what you do not like about your smile. If you have gaps between your teeth or they are crooked, stained, or misshapen, we can fix them. There are several ways we can address most aesthetic issues. We will begin by conducting an examination, taking X-rays, discussing the timeframe we are working with. We will then present you and your parents a variety of options to choose from. Since some have set time constraints, it is best to schedule your appointment with our office as soon as possible at (312) 642-1014.

Invisalign® – To Straighten Your Teeth

If your biggest concern is that your teeth are crooked, we can straighten them using Invisalign®.

This is the best way for you to straighten your teeth if you are worried about the appearance of traditional metal braces. The Invisalign® aligners look like a full plastic retainer, and they surround your teeth completely. By placing pressure on specific teeth, they gradually move them into the right position. Each aligner is worn for around two weeks before being switched out for the next one in the series, and since you can do that at home, you will spend less time at our dental office. Our patients love this option is because the aligners are removable. You can take them out to eat, brush your teeth, play sports, go to a school dance, etc. This means you are in complete control of your treatment and can still enjoy life without constantly worrying about your teeth. As long as you wear the aligners for at least 20 hours a day, your treatment will progress on schedule.

When you visit our Chicago dental office, we can examine you and let you know how long your Invisalign® treatment will take. At Mitchell Dental Spa, we find the average treatment time to be around a year and a half. The good news is that if your teeth are not perfectly straight before your pictures are taken, they will at least be straighter and your smile more beautiful. Since the aligners are removable, simply take them out for your photos.

Dental Veneers – For a Flawless Smile

When you want a smile that rivals any Hollywood star, dental veneers are your best option. Dental veneers are thin porcelain shells bonded to the surface of your prepared teeth. They essentially replace the outer layer of your teeth, the enamel. Once bonded in place, all you see is the veneers and not the teeth beneath them. As a result, they can be used to change the shape and size of your teeth so your smile is symmetrical. They can also close gaps between your teeth, cover dark stains, and make your teeth appear straight, even though their actual position has not changed. At Mitchell Dental Spa, we place dental veneers on a regular basis and work to produce the best results possible.

During your first appointment, we will make an impression of your teeth and take measurements in addition to preparing your teeth. This requires us to remove a portion of your enamel so when the veneers are placed, they lay flat and do not make your teeth appear overly large. We will then provide you with a set of temporary veneers to wear while the lab completes the permanent ones. In a week or two, you will need to return to our office so your final set of veneers can be bonded to your teeth. Since several appointments are required and your teeth will be sore for a few weeks, it is recommended to schedule an appointment for around two months before your senior pictures. This way, your smile will be beautiful, and you will be used to your veneers long before stepping in front of the camera. To schedule your appointment, call (312) 642-1014.

Dental Bonding – To Improve the Appearance of Your Teeth

If your pictures or photography session is just around the corner, the fastest way to improve the appearance of your smile is with dental bonding. Unlike dental veneers, which can take a month, or Invisalign®, which can take a year, dental bonding can be completed in one appointment. This is a non-invasive procedure that is completed chairside, meaning without help from the dental lab. When you come in for your initial consultation, we will discuss the concerns you have about your teeth and then strategize as to the best way to correct them.

For example, if one tooth is longer than the rest, we could shave off a portion of it and use dental bonding to contour it. If your teeth are yellow and severely stained, we can place the dental bonding material on top of them to cover these deep stains. We can even use bonding to close small gaps in between your teeth, to restore teeth that have been cracked or chipped, and to change their overall shape and size. Dental bonding material is incredibly diverse because once applied to prepared teeth, we can shape it right then and there. Once it looks exactly right, we will harden it with a special dental light and you will be on your way. You can have your pictures taken that week, and your smile will look amazing.