Cosmetic Dentistry Orange County | Huefner Sensational Smiles Blog

When considering cosmetic dentistry and a smile makeover what is the perfect “smile style” for your new porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns? In previous articles I discussed that there are over 30,000 different ways that a cosmetic dentist can create a new smile and that there are over 60 different documented “smile styles” available for cosmetic dentists to use as guide and to better communicate with to the cosmetic dental patient and the dental ceramist. In this article we’ll discuss one of the most popular “smile guides”, Dr. William Dickerson’s “LVI Smile Library”. I am particularly fond of this library, as I started my advanced cosmetic training at Dr. Dickerson’s prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies over a decade ago. And since then, following many of the concepts I learned under his tutelage, I’ve done several thousand porcelain veneers and cosmetic crowns, created sensational smiles for hundreds of my patients. Each smile style is a combination of the teeth shapes for the front six teeth. For example, the four front teeth (incisors) could be either square at the corners, square at one corner and rounded at the other, or rounded at both corners. Similarly, the cuspids or eye teeth (third tooth back) could be pointed, rounded or flat. Combining these different shapes each produces a uniquely different smile style. Please note, this smile library below is only to choose the basic shape of the front six teeth, and in no way reflect the color, length, surface texture or translucency that the porcelain veneers or crowns will have. Those other things are addressed in other aspects of smile design and choosing the best combination for your “sensational new smile”.

For most females, the “Enhanced” smile style is one of our most popular designs. Note that the second teeth from the center are a little shorter than the front teeth. This is a youthful effect we call “the gull wing” that really looks nice on females. The “Hollywood” style above is a little more “toothy” and works well for males and especially those wanting to show off a little more teeth. The “Oval” style might look best on someone with a very round face. Notice how very round the edges of the four front teeth are? The “Aggressive” style has tooth edges that are flat almost straight across. We use it mostly for men and it simulates someone who might be a bit older and have a habit of grinding his teeth. The “Youthful” style simulates the shape of unworn teeth that might be seen in a 14 year old. Although many adults like this name because they think it might give them the illusion of being significantly younger, we almost always utilize this design in much younger individuals. The “Mature” style has squarish edges on the four front teeth and is another design that we frequently use for men. The “Softened” style is a very popular design that we use for those wanting their smile to help make them appear a little younger than their years. It is my preference to use smile designs that have the cuspids (also called canines, the third teeth back on each side) that are slightly round, not flat (too old looking) or pointed (too aggressive looking). It is important that both the patient and cosmetic dentist actively discuss the different smile styles at the beginning of the smile makeover process. Using our technique called “the trial smile” we’re able to make provisional veneers or crowns so that our patient can “test drive” their new smile prior to making any final decision regarding the smile design for their final porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Labels: irvine porcelain veneers, Lumineers Rancho Santa Margarita, orange county cosmetic dentist, porcelain crowns laguna niguel

Your teeth and smile are probably are among the very most noticeable features of your face. Colette realized this. When you talk or express yourself, your mouth and eyes are the communicators the move and attract attention. If your teeth are worn, discolored, misshaped, crooked and contain unnatural fillings or crowns, this can age your smile and appearance. Colette is an attractive lady and knew that she didn't present the very best image of herself because of her teeth. A professional lady in sales, looking her best was very important to her and she was ready to get her smile in shape!
Colette with worn teeth and old dentistry

She wanted Dr. Huefner to create a younger, more attractive smile. A part of this was she knew she wanted her teeth whiter, but still to look natural. She had friends who had caps that looked false and opaque and certainly didn't want that! Also, she wanted her two ugly caps, one on her front tooth and the other on her back molar to be replaced. And how about her slightly crooked teeth? Would she need braces to correct that? Fortunately, all of Colette's dental concerns could be corrected with porcelain veneers and two all-porcelain crowns to replace her old porcelain on metal crowns. And even better, she could get her completed "new smile" in just a couple of weeks, beginning to end!
She had heard of porcelain veneers before, especially DaVinci veneers used on the TV show "Extreme Makeover" and Lumineers, from the many ads seen in magazines. What type of porcelain veneers would Dr. Huefner recommend? After careful consideration of many factors, Dr. Huefner utilized MAC veneers by master ceramist Dave Stohlman. Dr. Huefner had used MAC veneers by Dave Stohlman for over a dozen beauty pageant winners over the years and if it was good enough for those ladies who really depend on having a beautiful smile, then it was good enough for Colette!

Colette's sensational new smile with porcelain veneers and all-porcelain crowns to replace old porcelain-metal crowns.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Labels: Lumineers Rancho Santa Margarita, porcelain crowns mission viejo, porcelain veneers irvine, teeth whitening aliso viejo