Adult Smile Makeovers: Combining Orthodontics with Cosmetic Dentistry

Many adults don’t just want straighter teeth—they want a complete smile makeover.

That might include:

• Correcting crowding, gaps or crooked teeth
• Improving the bite and function
• Brightening discolored teeth
• Repairing chipped, worn or misshapen teeth
• Replacing missing teeth

At Othman Orthodontics in Lombard and Orland Park, IL, adult orthodontic treatment—using Invisalign, ceramic braces or lingual/Incognito braces—often serves as the foundation for a larger cosmetic dentistry plan with your general or cosmetic dentist.

This guide will show how orthodontics can work hand-in-hand with:

• Teeth whitening
• Bonding and contouring
• Veneers
• Crowns and implants

Why Start With Orthodontics?

Even when your main goal is cosmetic, there are big advantages to aligning teeth first:

• Better foundation: Straight teeth provide a more ideal base for veneers, bonding or crowns.
• Less invasive: Sometimes aligning teeth reduces or eliminates the need to reshape or aggressively drill them.
• Improved bite: Orthodontics can improve function and comfort while also enhancing appearance.
• More natural results: After orthodontic treatment, you may need fewer restorations (less “fake” and more “you”).

Think of orthodontics as setting up the “canvas” before adding any cosmetic finishing touches.

Adult Orthodontic Options for Smile Makeovers

We design adult treatment with both function and esthetics in mind, using:

Invisalign for Adults

Invisalign uses clear, removable aligners to straighten teeth with minimal impact on your daily appearance. It’s a popular choice for professionals and busy adults.

Ceramic (Clear) Braces

Ceramic braces use tooth-colored brackets for a more discreet look than metal braces while still providing strong control for many cases.

Lingual & Incognito Braces

Lingual braces and Incognito braces are hidden behind the teeth, offering a truly invisible option for select adult cases.

We’ll recommend the system that best fits your case complexity, lifestyle, and goals.

Adding Whitening for a Brighter Finish

Once teeth are aligned or nearing the end of orthodontic treatment, many adults choose to:

• Whiten their teeth with professional whitening from their dentist.
• Use custom whitening trays (sometimes based on aligner-like impressions).

Whitening is often done:

• After braces are removed, or
• Near the end of Invisalign treatment so final trays can serve as whitening trays (if approved by your dentist).

We coordinate timing with your dentist so that whitening enhances your final result without interfering with orthodontic treatment.

Bonding & Contouring: Refining Tooth Shape

Even with straight teeth, there may be:

• Small chips or worn edges
• Teeth that are slightly different lengths
• Minor shape discrepancies

Your dentist can use cosmetic bonding (tooth-colored resin) and contouring (gentle reshaping) to:

• Smooth chipped edges.
• Create more symmetrical tooth shapes.
• Refine the smile line after teeth are aligned.

Orthodontics + bonding is often less invasive than placing multiple crowns or veneers.

Veneers & Orthodontics

In some adult smile makeovers, porcelain veneers can be used with or after orthodontics to:

• Correct significant discoloration that whitening alone can’t fix.
• Adjust the apparent shape or size of teeth.
• Close very small spaces or refine esthetics after alignment.

We typically recommend:

• Aligning teeth first with braces or Invisalign, then
• Having veneers placed by your cosmetic dentist on selected teeth (often front upper teeth) if desired.

This approach can mean fewer veneers are needed and less enamel is removed.

Crowns, Implants & Replacing Missing Teeth

If you have missing, heavily restored or damaged teeth, a complete smile makeover might also involve:

• Crowns: To strengthen and improve the appearance of damaged teeth.
• Dental implants: To replace missing teeth with long-term, fixed restorations.
• Bridges or partial dentures: In some cases, depending on your needs and your dentist’s recommendations.

Orthodontics can:

• Create proper spacing for implants or crowns.
• Align neighboring teeth into better positions before restorative work.
• Help your general or cosmetic dentist achieve a more stable, harmonious bite.

Coordinating Care: Orthodontist + Dentist = Best Results

The most successful adult smile makeovers are often a team effort:

• We align the teeth and improve the bite.
• Your dentist provides whitening, bonding, veneers, crowns or implants as needed.
• We coordinate sequence and timing so that each step builds on the last.

If you already have a general or cosmetic dentist, we’re happy to collaborate. If not, we can help you understand which type of dentist you may want to see after orthodontic treatment.

How Long Do Adult Smile Makeovers Take?

Timelines vary based on:

• The complexity of tooth movement needed.
• Whether bite corrections are required.
• The number and type of cosmetic procedures.

A common pattern might be:

1. Orthodontic treatment (often 12–24 months for adults).
2. Whitening near or after the end of orthodontics.
3. Bonding, veneers or crowns on selected teeth.

At your consultation, we can provide a realistic timeline and help you plan around special events or milestones.

Adult Smile Makeovers in Lombard & Orland Park, IL

Lombard Office

Our Lombard office offers adult orthodontics, including Invisalign, ceramic braces and lingual braces, for patients in Lombard, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Wheaton, Villa Park, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Hinsdale, Westmont, Lisle, Naperville.

Orland Park Office

Our Orland Park office provides the same adult treatment options for patients in Orland Park, Tinley Park, Palos Heights, Palos Park, Homer Glen, Oak Forest, Mokena, Frankfort, New Lenox, Lockport.

Thinking About a Smile Makeover?

If you’re considering a full smile transformation, starting with orthodontics can give you a healthier, more stable and more natural-looking result.

Schedule an adult orthodontic consultation in Lombard, IL or an adult orthodontic consultation in Orland Park, IL with Othman Orthodontics.

We’ll listen to your goals, evaluate your teeth and bite, and outline how braces or Invisalign can integrate with whitening, bonding, veneers or implants—so you and your dentist can create a smile makeover plan that looks beautiful, feels great and lasts for years to come.