Smile makeovers are usually done with the use of porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns and/or porcelain onlays. Veneers are thin shells of fired porcelain that are placed on the front surfaces of the teeth. Veneers allow the cosmetic dentist to dramatically change the length, width, colour or shape of a tooth. Helping restore teeth to their natural beauty, veneers also resist staining, creating an enduring white, bright straight smile. Porcelain crowns and onlays offer the same advantages.

Actual procedure:
As soon as the dentist and the patient settle down for a particular “style" of the desired smile, the dentist then makes a drawing of the patient's existing teeth which is then sent to a lab with precise instructions of what the smile should look like. The lab creates a wax model of how the enhanced smile or repaired teeth should look. The patient and dentist review the wax model and, making changes if any, give the lab the go-ahead. From the model, the lab creates the patient's new "teeth", typically a combination of veneers, crowns, inlays and onlays made of porcelain.
Once the wax-up is approved, the dentist prepares the patient's teeth, takes a new impression, and fits him or her with a temporary version of the "new smile". Three to four weeks later when the porcelain restorations are ready, the temporaries are removed and the porcelain is bonded to the teeth.

The recovery or post-operation result
The recovery is almost the same as that of any dental procedure. The gums may be tender for a couple days after the veneers are bonded to the teeth. If any discomfort persists, this can be overcome using pain relievers or anti-inflammatories.
After a week or two, the veneers may require minor adjustments for a more comfortable bite or fit.

Complications
So far, a smile makeover has not produced any complications.