What Is a Smile Makeover and What Treatments Does It Include?

Medically reviewed by Dr. Michael Beke, DMD, FAGD on September 30, 2026

A smile makeover is a personalized treatment plan that combines two or more cosmetic and restorative procedures, such as teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, composite bonding, dental crowns, gum contouring, or clear aligners, to change the color, shape, alignment, and balance of your smile. There is no fixed package. Your plan depends on what bothers you about your smile, the health of your teeth and gums, and how much change you want. Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, and when you feel self-conscious about it, that insecurity can quietly shape the way you carry yourself, how often you laugh out loud, or whether you smile at all in photos.

At Lifetime Smiles in Bellevue, we take a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to cosmetic dental treatments. Dr. Michael Beke and our team understand that a beautiful smile is also a healthy one, which is why every smile makeover begins with a thorough consultation and honest conversation about what you want to achieve. With over 35 years of history serving the Bellevue community and Dr. Beke’s Academy of General Dentistry Fellowship guiding our clinical decisions, you can trust that your care will be as precise as it is personalized.

What Is a Smile Makeover?

A smile makeover is not a single procedure. It is a customized combination of treatments that work together to address the specific concerns affecting your smile. One person’s makeover may be whitening plus bonding on two chipped front teeth. Another’s may involve aligners to straighten crowded teeth, followed by veneers and a crown on a heavily restored molar. Today’s approach to planning these transformations prioritizes both form and function, so your results look natural and hold up to daily chewing.

During your consultation, Dr. Beke will evaluate factors like tooth color, shape, size, alignment, and the health of your gums before recommending a treatment plan. The goal is always harmony, creating a smile that complements your face rather than one that looks overdone or artificial. Because each plan is tailored to the individual, no two smile makeovers are exactly alike.

Treatments Commonly Included in a Smile Makeover

The treatments involved in a smile makeover depend entirely on your starting point and your goals. Some patients want to address discoloration and minor chips, while others are looking for a more comprehensive transformation. Each card below links to the service and to our deeper guides on that treatment.

These treatments can be combined in any number of ways. Some patients complete their makeover in just a couple of appointments, while more complex cases may unfold over several months. Either way, our team will walk you through the timeline before anything begins. If chalky white patches are part of what bothers you, our white spot removal treatment may also fit into your plan.

Which Treatment Fits Which Concern?

Most people come in with a concern, not a treatment name in mind. The table below shows how common concerns usually map to options. Your exam determines what actually fits, since the same concern can call for a different approach depending on the health and structure of the tooth.

Why the Order of Treatment Matters

Sequencing is one of the most important parts of smile makeover planning, and it is where a lot of do-it-yourself plans go wrong. According to the American Dental Association’s MouthHealthy guide to teeth whitening, whitening will not change the color of caps, veneers, crowns, or fillings. That is why whitening usually comes before bonding, veneers, or crowns. Once your natural teeth reach the shade you want, new restorations are matched to that brighter color instead of your old one.

Health comes before cosmetics, too. Active decay or gum disease treatment needs to be completed first, because veneers and bonding need healthy tissue to seal against. If alignment is part of the plan, moving teeth with aligners before placing veneers often means less reshaping of your natural enamel. A typical sequence looks like this:

Not every plan uses every step. Many makeovers skip alignment entirely, and some involve only one or two stages.

How We Approach Smile Design at Lifetime Smiles

Every smile makeover at Lifetime Smiles begins with you. Dr. Beke takes time to understand what bothers you most about your current smile, what results you are hoping for, and what feels realistic given your overall oral health. This is not a rushed conversation. Our practice philosophy has always centered on quality over quantity, and that means we take the time to explain your options thoroughly, including the advantages and trade-offs of each treatment, so you can make a confident, informed decision.

Planning That Considers the Whole Picture

Cosmetic dentistry treatments are most effective when they are planned with the full picture in mind. Dr. Beke evaluates how your teeth relate to your gums, your bite, and the overall proportions of your face before finalizing any recommendations. His advanced training in Digital Smile Design and aesthetic rehabilitation, along with the continuing education behind his Academy of General Dentistry Fellowship, informs how we plan tooth proportions and shade so the finished result looks like it belongs to you.

What to Bring to Your Consultation

A little preparation helps us build a plan that matches your priorities. Before your visit, it helps to think about:

• Your top concern: The one thing you would change first if you could only change one
• Photos you like: Pictures of your own smile from years past, or smiles whose shape and shade appeal to you
• Your timeline: Any event or date that affects which treatments make sense first
• Your budget: A comfortable range so we can phase treatment if needed

With that information, we can show you a realistic plan and explain how each step builds on the last.

Cost, Insurance, and Phasing Your Treatment

The cost of a smile makeover varies widely because the treatments vary widely. A plan built on whitening and a few areas of bonding costs far less than one involving multiple veneers or crowns. Purely cosmetic procedures are usually not covered by dental insurance, but portions of a plan that restore damaged teeth, such as a crown on a cracked tooth, may qualify for coverage under your plan.

We are in network with Delta Dental PPO, Premera, and Regence, and we offer CareCredit financing and an in-house membership plan for patients without insurance. Many patients also choose to phase their makeover over several months, starting with the change that matters most to them.

Choose Lifetime Smiles Bellevue for Your Smile Makeover

Dr. Michael Beke has led Lifetime Smiles Bellevue for the past decade, building on the practice’s 35-year history of trusted community care. He served as a dentist with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, completing multiple deployments and managing dental trauma and emergency cases in the field, and he brings that same attention to detail to cosmetic planning. Patients return year after year not because of flashy promotions, but because they trust the quality of care and the relationships they have built with Dr. Beke and our team.

If you are ready to explore what a personalized smile makeover could look like for you, we invite you to contact our office to schedule your consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Smile Makeovers