Technology to try on your dream smile!

With the new year approaching, it’s a great time to consider investing in that smile you’ve always wanted. Whether you’re after whiter teeth with subtle veneers or a full-on mouth makeover complete with teeth implants, orthodontics for straighter teeth and more, achieving the exact look you want can be doable with a Smile Transformation. Here, DR SHAUN THOMPSON, founder and CEO of the Expat Dental Group, fills us in on the exciting digital design technology that can help you get your dream smile – and even take it for a test run – minus any surprises.

What is a Smile Transformation?

Smile Transformation is not only aimed at transforming your teeth but also your lifestyle. It is a philosophy that believes that the best thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones is to be the best version of you. This includes taking better care of your teeth, your health and your mental wellbeing. The Smile Transformation process can improve smiles, either through minor enhancements or major teeth makeovers.

The actual process involves the use of digital facial scanning softwares to digitally design a patient’s new smile based on their requirements, and the scientific analysis of their anatomical form and features.
What’s more, the patient actually gets to see and try a mock-up of the smile they can achieve should they move forward with the process. This helps reduce mismatched expectations, disappointment and less than desirable results.

What makes this different from other smile makeovers in Singapore?

Our Smile Transformation is not fundamentally aimed at transforming a person’s appearance. The objective is to improve the patient’s smile, and the health and longevity of their teeth.

At Expat Dental, Smile Transformation is a unique experience. It’s one that the patient really needs to witness firsthand to understand the meticulousness with which we approach these cases. You can also expect:

Investment in technology

We have invested heavily in technology and in our in-house team, as well as in the actual materials, dental labs and ceramists across the globe.

More patient control

The degree of change in the smile design is completely under the patient’s own control. The dentist and team will let you know what can be achieved and the associated costs before any treatment starts.

Treatment Warranty

Our treatment plans always include a material warranty and degrees of additional protection. This covers things like replacement or repair of fractured restoration; for example, chipped veneers or problems with teeth implants. Check the Expat Dental website for full details.

Who can benefit from this type of teeth makeover?

Smile Transformation is for anyone who is seeking a new and improved smile. It can be sought purely for the purpose of an aesthetic enhancement or it can be an actual functional need to improve the overall health and longevity of the teeth. As the saying goes, ‘there are many ways to get to the centre of the city’!

We have patients who request subtle enhancements (for instance, veneers for whiter teeth) to improve their smiles without drastically changing their overall looks, as well as patients who opt for more drastic changes to achieve totally different appearances.

Many patients who undergo Smile Transformation are for functional reasons. They may need orthodontics to strengthen structurally compromised teeth or correct misaligned bites that could be contributing to a myriad of health issues. (After all, straight teeth can come with a range of health benefits that go far beyond your mouth!). Or, they might need implants for teeth that are damaged or missing. And, if gum disease is present, periodontal treatment is usually a must before any aesthetic procedures can commence.

What’s the first step in the process?

It all starts with a Smile Transformation consultation with a dentist at Expat Dental. You will even have your own treatment coordinator who will provide comprehensive support during the entire process. The dental team will collect the relevant data points needed and address any questions or concerns you may have. Once they understand what you want, they’ll take x-rays, digital 3D scans, photographs and videos to get a baseline of your teeth and facial form. This is to ensure that your new smile looks natural, and complements your features, personality and skin tone.

From there, the Smile Transformation team will digitally design what your ideal smile looks like. Of course, they will take into account the established relationship between your speech, teeth, lips and smile. This is done using CAD and CAM technology and modeling software.
From there, the Expat Dental lab will 3D-print the design into a model of your teeth with your new smile. This will be used at your “try-in appointment.”

What happens at the try-in appointment?

This is when you get to test-drive your new smile! The 3D model is used to create a clip-on version of your new smile design. It can be easily snapped on top of your teeth to show you exactly how the design looks in your mouth. You can even ‘test drive’ it over night to get the feedback of family and friends.

Before any treatment begins, it’s imperative that the patient is happy with their new look. The team will get confirmation that the patient is happy with the size, shape and color of the new design. If any changes are required, they will work with the lab on adjustments and schedule another try-in appointment.

How is treatment planned out?

After the try-in appointment, you and your dentist will have a clear picture of the look that you wish to achieve. The team will then map out different ways to achieve your smile and the associated costs with each plan. There are many ways to achieve a Smile Transformation, so the team will provide a variety of options that fit your schedule and budget.

Every Smile Transformation treatment plan is completely different! One patient’s transformation might include aligners for straighter teeth and implants to replace missing teeth. For another, transformation might involve simple veneers or treatment to achieve whiter teeth. Of course, the timeline will vary from patient to patient, as the timeline depends on what’s involved in achieving the end result. For instance, orthodontics to achieve straighter teeth will take longer than a veneers placement or treatment for whiter teeth.

What can we expect during the treatment process?

Once we embark on your Smile Transformation, we always want to get it right. The Expat Dental team takes special care when sourcing materials and always aims to use dental techniques that will help improve the resilience and longevity of your smile.

Patients can also expect to be well taken care of throughout the process, as the Expat Dental team works hard to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible. You can even choose items from their extensive comfort menu. This includes streaming movies to watch during treatment, blankets, neck pillows, music and much more.

After your final treatment, the Expat Dental team will schedule a follow-up to find out how you’re doing and to make sure you’re satisfied. To help give you additional piece of mind, all treatment plans include a material warranty and degrees of emergency protection. Many of our patients continue as general dentistry clients so we can also continue to work with you to look after their oral health.

What benefits have your patients seen after treatment?

We have seen that Smile Transformation can change a patient’s confidence for the better, particularly when they have a smile that complements their face, form and personality. Many patients who have undergone Smile Transformation come back with the same review: they smile wider and they smile often. Some of the other benefits Expat Dental patients have reported include:

#1 More confidence at work

Many patients have said that their new smiles have helped their career growth, particularly those patients who do a lot of public speaking or sales.

#2 Confidence in their personal lives

Many patients have also expressed the positive impact Smile Transformation has had in their personal lives. In fact, many say that they had never fully realised how self-conscious they had been around the ones they love most.

#3 Healthier lifestyle

When function is a major concern during a Smile Transformation, many patients have been surprised by the impact it can have on their overall health and wellbeing. The procedure has sometimes served as a catalyst for a fundamental change in how they care for themselves.

So, whether just simple veneers are required or a total teeth makeover – complete with teeth implants, gum restoration and treatments for straighter, whiter teeth – many patients can feel a variety of positive effects from their Smile Transformation.

Learn more about Smile Transformation here!

Expat Dental
• #08-15/16 Novena Medical Centre, 10 Sinaran Drive | 6397 6718
• #01-00 Malacca Centre, 20 Malacca Street | 6816 5732
expatdental.com

Like this? Read more about oral health and how to get straighter, whiter teeth in our Health & Fitness section.