Huefner Sensational Smiles Blog

Rita broke off just such a tooth at the gum line and it needed replacement. We discussed several options with her (placing a porcelain bridge, a removable partial denture or dental implant). In her case she didn't want to do anything to the adjacent teeth, so a porcelain bridge wasn't chosen. Also, she didn't want a tooth replacement that came in and out like a removable partial denture, so that wasn't chosen either. She wanted something permanent and very strong and accordingly, chose to do a dental implant.

Here is the process that we used to restore her tooth and smile with the dental implant.

First, the remaining part of the tooth (the root) was removed (extracted). A dental implant was placed into the area were the root was.

Then a zirconia abutment was made.

It was placed into the metal dental implant.

A porcelain crown was made that fits onto the zirconia dental implant abutment.

The porcelain crown was cemented onto the zirconia dental implant abutment.

This was a successful case, but could have looked better had veneers been done on the two adjacent teeth to cover over the yellow root areas. Notice how beautifully matched the dental implant was to the two adjacent teeth!

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

Labels: dental implant, irvine, laguna niguel, mission viejo, porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers

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: corona del mar, irvine, laguna beach, orange county cosmetic dentist, porcelain veneers

Hating the two old "caps" that had been placed on her two front teeth a number of years ago, Tracy wanted teeth that looked natural and would give her a nicer looking smile.

BEFORE

When we looked closely at Tracy's smile we noticed that there were several other problems besides just having bad looking caps. There was a disproportion of her teeth size (the front two teeth were too wide and thick and the rest of her teeth were too small). She showed too much of her gums when she smiles. The gums and root areas around the front two teeth were dark. Her side teeth leaned in and because of that, didn't pick up much light and made her teeth look darker. Also, she really wanted a whiter, brighter smile.

After much discussion Tracy decided on having her two front caps redone with new all-porcelain crowns and have porcelain veneers on her other teeth. Also, to have some minor gum reshaping with the dental laser so that there would be less of her gums showing and that the gums that did show would be more even. Here is the results we achieved with Tracy's new smile with porcelain veneers and two new porcelain crowns.

AFTER

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

Labels: irvine, laguna beach, mission viejo, orange county cosmetic dentist, porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers

BEFORE

2. Tooth preparation and “trial smile” (temporary veneers) appointment, about 2-3 ½ hrs. A gentle local anesthetic is given to numb the teeth. Sometimes a tranquilizing medicine in the form of a pill is given to make the patient more relaxed and comfortable. The patient leaves that visit with their “trial smile”, the “test drive” of the new smile with temporary veneers. During the next few days the patient evaluates the shape, length, contour and color of the trial smile for esthetics, comfort and phonetics (who the teeth might effect speech).

3. “Trial Smile” approval for the final shade, length, contour and color. This visit is done 2-4 days after the tooth preparation visit and lasts about 45 minutes. No local anesthetic or tooth drilling is done at this appointment. Patient and doctor finalize all aspects of the smile design, especially the color and length of the porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns. Approved smile design is photographed, teeth measured for length and models are taken for the master ceramist to use in fabrication of the final porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns. Patient signs written approval of smile design and their final choice in porcelain veneer or porcelain ccrown shade.

"TRIAL SMILE"

4. Porcelain veneer or porcelain crown placement appointment, about 2-3 hrs. Local anesthetic is given, the temporary veneers or crowns (“trial smile”) are removed, permanent porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns are placed for the patient to preview and approve. Patient sees veneers or crowns on their teeth in three lighting conditions (fluorescent, incandescent and natural sunlight) as part of the approval process. Patient signs written approval accepting final porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns prior to final placement (bonding the porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns onto the teeth with laser).

5. Porcelain veneer or porcelain crown check appointment, about ½ hr, 2-5 days after placement. No local anesthetic needed or given at this appointment. The bite (occlusion) of the porcelain veneers or crowns are checked and any adjustments indicated are done.

AFTER

6. Portrait appointment (optional, no fee for this appointment), 1-4 weeks after placement. Dr. Huefner, gold medal winning portrait photographer, takes your portraits of his porcelain veneer or porcelain crown patients as part of “the celebration of your new smile”. A DVD or CD is given to the patient that included all photographs taken.

JILL FRICK AND HER BEAUTIFUL NEW SMILE WITH PORCELAIN VENEERS

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

Labels: cosmetic dentist, irvine, laguna beach, mission viejo, san clemente

The length of the teeth, especially your front two teeth, is an extremely important part of how the world sees your smile. If your teeth are too short, it may make you look older than your years and take a lot away from the power of your smile. If the teeth are too long, because the gums have possibly receded over the years, then the smile can be unattractive or even distracting. The length of the front teeth needs to be “just right” for a great smile. So, when cosmetic dentists create a new smile for their patients, with porcelain veneers, bonding or all-ceramic crowns, what are the criteria that they use?The first test I use is to check my patient when they relax their mouth and face muscles, with the mouth slightly open and separating the back teeth so they aren’t touching together. The upper lip has to be totally relaxed. In general I would like to see 1-2mm (about 1/8”) of the front teeth showing. If I don’t see any teeth showing, the front teeth may be too short. If I see more than that, there may be a short upper lip or a large overbite and long teeth that I have to take into consideration.

The left photo shows teeth that are probably too short and the one on the right is of unworn teeth, which is more youthful and attractive. The next test is having the patient give a full smile. How much of the upper front teeth do I see then? If all of the front teeth show, then the next thing I want to see that the tooth is longer than it is wide (rectangular). If the front tooth is as wide as it is long (square), it may be considered too short and/or aged. If it is wider than it is long, the teeth would definitely be considered too short and very aged! The most common reason for short teeth is from wearing away from a grinding habit, which is more pronounced with older individuals.

The left photo shows teeth that are too long for the smile. The next photo shows worn teeth that are now square. The third photo demonstrates severely shortened and worn teeth. The last photo shows teeth that are normal in shape and length for this patient’s smile.There was a study done once where the public was shown various people smiling and could observe the full length of the front teeth. Almost universally they thought that the most beautiful smiles had front teeth that were 1.29 times longer than they were wide (in dental terms a 78% width-length ratio). Thus, a great starting point for a dentist is to measure the width of the tooth, do the math, and then establish the ideal visual length for the front two teeth. (By the way, one test you can use on that might give you an idea as to how well trained your dentist is with cosmetic dentistry would be to ask “What is the ideal proportion of the length of the upper front two teeth?” Answers of 78% (ideal), 75-80% (acceptable range) or 1.29 times longer than wide are answers that probably indicate that the dentist has studied the finer points of cosmetic dentistry.)This length can be tested to see how the patient likes the length before any treatment is even started. Without needing any numbing medicine or doing any drilling, filling material can be added temporarily onto the short front teeth. Then the patient and dentist can evaluate the length for optimum esthetics when the patient has a relaxed mouth or a big smile. There is another criteria that cosmetic dentists like and that is for the edges of the eight upper front teeth to follow the contour of the lower lip when smiling. Cosmetic dentists call this “following the smile line” .

This photo demonstrates a nice smile that follows the “smile line” and teeth are attractive and normal in length for this patients smile. It should be obvious that this is a post-treatment photo of a lady with 8 porcelain veneers. The last test that we use is to verify the esthetically determined teeth length with phonetics or “speech function”. If the teeth are too long then they will hit the lower lip to much and affect the ability to produce the “f” and "v" sounds. If the patient says the word “fifty-five” or "victory" cosmetic dentists like to see the upper teeth to gently touch the lower lip. If the front teeth hit too hard and the teeth are too long, making a proper the “f” and "v" sounds will be difficult.

But more important than all of these cosmetic dentistry criteria is that the patient likes his or her new smile with porcelain veneers and can comfortably and appropriately speak. Establishing the length of the new veneers should be a joint decision between the cosmetic dentist and the patient.

Labels: c, cosmetic dentist, irvine, mission viejo, orange county cosmetic dentist, porcelain veneers, san juan capistrano

Kandes was just such a person. She had crooked teeth and definitely didn’t want braces. She was at the point in her life that she didn’t have the time and want a great smile in the quickest way possible, and for her braces were just out of the question.

However, Kandes also had something special going on in her life and now was the time to do something about her smile. She was “Mrs. Southwest 2005? and competed in the Mrs. U.S. Globe beauty pageant.

So, how could she get a beautiful smile without doing the old braces route? The answer of course is that cosmetic dentistry with porcelain veneers is usually a great alternative to orthodontics, especially for adults. Although not technically orthodontics, the results are straight teeth in just a couple visits, which in comparison to the traditional 1-3 years of orthodontics seems to be almost “instant” in comparison.

BEFORE

The photo above shows what she didn’t like about her teeth and smile. Her teeth were crooked, chipped and discolored. She especially didn’t like her upper left eye tooth (canine), which she called her “fang tooth”. The photo below is the beautiful result we achieved with porcelain veneers in three visits.

AFTER

Although there are many circumstances when orthodontics is absolutely the best course of treatment (younger patients, teeth with good color or “bleachable”, teeth not worn, chipped or having multiple fillings or crowns), there are also many times when cosmetic dentistry is a preferably way of getting a sensational new smile (adult, discolored teeth, crowded or spaced teeth, multiple fillings or chipped teeth). Clearly the advantage of a couple visits and the ability to create the color, shape, position and length of the teeth to compliment the patients face gives cosmetic dentistry many advantages to the busy adult.

Labels: cosmetic dentist, instant orthodontics, irvine, ladera ranch, orange county, porcelain veneers, santa margarita

BEFORE

AFTER PORCELAIN VENEERS

Labels: cosmetic dentist, irvine, mission viejo, orange county cosmetic dentist, porcelain veneers, san juan capistrano

Your smile is important, whether your a male or female, businessperson, professional person, or any job or profession. Steven realized this.

He is a rugged guy, but as a very successful businessman he was getting embarrassed with the appearance of his smile. Everything else was in order, he dressed well, is in great physical shape (goes to the gym four times a week) and is a good public speaker. It was time to get his smile in shape. What could we do to correct his “smile problems”?

The solution to Steven’s unattractive teeth and smile was to place porcelain veneers on his upper and lower teeth, and a porcelain bridge to replace a missing tooth. He also wanted “whiter teeth”, and he chose a color in the bleaching shade range. Since he was very masculine we used a more squarish shaped teeth for his incisors, which was in harmony with his personality.

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

Labels: cosmetic dentist, irvine, orange county cosmetic dentist, porcelain veneers, san juan capistrano, santa margarita

Cosmetic dentistry can certainly be “life changing” for many patients with unslghtly teeth, embarrassed to smile. A great example of this would be this patient who had a combination of numerous dental problems. Rather than describe all the issues we had to deal with, please examine the photo below and some of the problems she had should be obvious. The end result is after I completed her cosmetic dentistry this wonderful lady looked younger, more attractive, had a healthier mouth and beamed a beautiful new smile from ear to ear!
BEFORE
This was an excellent example of cosmetic dentistry at its finest, but fortunately most of our cosmetic dental patients don’t have problems this “extreme”.
AFTER

Labels: cosmetic dentist, dental implant, extreme makeover, irvine, newport beach, porcelain crowns, rancho santa margarita

Yes, unfortunately as you can see from the photo below that Jan had a number of dental issues. Her front two caps were too big and after having root canals by her previous dentist, the teeth underneath had turned black. Also, she showed way too much of her gums and her other teeth were disproportionately small. She is single professional person, and she also wanted “whiter teeth“. What could we do to fix her smile?

BEFORE

First, we recommended reshaping her gums with the dental gum laser so that her smaller teeth would appear longer and there wouldn’t be so much of her gums showing when she smiles. Then we removed the old caps and whitened the black teeth underneath with “composite masking” (putting tooth colored filling over the black tooth). Then we replaced her old porcelain-on-metal caps with all-porcelain caps and placed porcelain veneers on her other teeth. Doing porcelain veneers was very important as it allowed us to create a normal size and shape for all of her teeth that was proportionate to her mouth and smile. We finished by doing teeth whitening on her lower teeth.

Here is her new smile in the photo below just a few days after her new smile was created! Isn’t it an amazing improvement.

AFTER

One of the other things we accomplished was by doing porcelain veneers on her side teeth (bicuspids) we were able to widen her smile, as her original teeth tilted in way too much. All and all, it turned out to be an incredible improvement for Jan and her smile.

Labels: cosmetic dentist, gummy smile, irvine, orange county cosmetic dentist, porcelain veneers, san juan capistrano

Your teeth and smile are a huge part of your face and smile and the way the world sees you. having an unattractive smile always really bothered Barbara. She showed too much of her gums, which were very uneven. Her teeth were spaced, crooked, discolored and she didn't like the actual shape of the teeth.

BEFORE

What could be easily be done? Well, we suggested she have two things done immediately. Reshape her uneven gums with the dental gum laser and then whiten her teeth. This is the way her smile looked two weeks later after doing those two things.

AFTER LASER GUM RESHAPING AND TEETH BLEACHING

Barbara was pleased, but then decided she really wanted a nicer smile. What else could be done? Dr. Huefner recommended porcelain veneers. He could give her the color she always really wanted (much whiter), fill the spaces, give her normal shaped teeth of the appropriate length to follow the smile line of her lower lip. Here is how her new smile looked the following month after Dr. Huefner finished the smile makeover for Barbara with porcelain veneers.

AFTER PORCELAIN VENEERS

Barbara looked terrific with her new smile. Amazing how cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers can greatly improve someone's appearance so much and so quickly.

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

Labels: cosmetic dentist, gummy smile, irvine, laser gum reshaping, mission viejo, orange county, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening

There are approximately 25 different shades (colors), three different surface textures (how the light reflects off of the front of the porcelain veneers), several different porcelain types which each has different translucencies (ability of the light to pass through the veneer to render a “life-like” appearance), several different lengths that each veneer/tooth could be made and at least 60 different documented smile styles. Do the math and you’ll note that there are probably 30,000 different ways that your cosmetic dentist could create your new smile. This can be pretty confusing. So how do you know you’re getting the best combination for your face and smile?

Mrs. U.S.-Globe Jill Frick and her “Enhanced” smile style with ten porcelain veneers by Dr. Huefner.

The short answer is for you and your cosmetic dentist to communicate on a very high level so that your expectations can be met. Your cosmetic dentist wants your input because he/she certainly wants you to love your new smile. Success is dependent on the skill, care and judgment of the dentist, but also on the ability of both the patient and dentist to communicate and work together on deciding key issues.
This article concentrates on one of the huge variables that there is, choosing the smile style. Most cosmetic dentists will involve the patient in this selection process, but offering input and suggestions to help guide the patient in the selection based on the shape of the face, age, personality type and other factors. There are three commonly used “smile guides” that cosmetic dentists have available to them to show patients. Dr. William Dickerson’s “LVI Smile Library” (12 different styles), Dr. Loren Berland’s “Loren Library” (18 different styles) and Dr. William Dorfman’s “The Smile Guide” (36 different styles). One question a patient might ask their cosmetic dentist is which smile guide does he use and specifically what smile style does he recommend? If the dentist is experienced in cosmetic dentistry you should be able to see one of these guides and the cosmetic dentist should discuss by name a smile style that he/she advises using. There are different acceptable variations in shape that each porcelain veneer can be made. 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 significantly different smile styles. Here are three examples from the Loren Library:

The design above is round, round, pointed. It is very youthful and oftentimes used when the patient has a very round face.

The above is a design quite the opposite, square, square, flat. It is a much older and oftentimes much more masculine smile style.

This one is in between the first two, being square, square-round, round, and is a very popular design.

Here are two popular smile styles from the Dickerson “LVI Smile Library”:

This is the “Enhanced” smile style, very popular with many of the beauty pageant contestants that I’ve created porcelain veneers for over the years. 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. See first photo in this article with of Mrs. U.S.-Globe and the “Enhanced” smile style I used with her 10 porcelain veneers.

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.

It is important that both the patient and cosmetic dentist be aware of the differences in tooth shapes and smile styles and have active communication between each other in choosing the best smile style for the patient’s new porcelain veneers.

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

Labels: cosmetic dentist, irvine, lake forest, newport beach, porcelain crowns, rancho santa margarita

BEFORE

The big questions he asked us was “would we have to pull any of his bottom teeth?” and “would he need braces?” The answer to both questions was “No!”, which was an answer that thrilled him. Here is the result was got for John with porcelain veneers on his lower teeth, and porcelain veneers and a bridge on his upper teeth.

AFTER

Note that no lower teeth were removed. The crowding, color and shape of his lower teeth was corrected with some simple gum recontouring with laser and ten porcelain veneers, which we sometimes call "instant orthodontics". Since his teeth had worn and shortened over the years, we also made his upper teeth a little longer, resulting in a smile that made him look younger.
As you can clearly imagine, he was extremely pleased with the results that we achieved for him and now he beams a great smile everywhere he goes!

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

Labels: cosmetic dentist, irvine, laguna niguel, porcelain bridge, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening

BEFORE

You'll note from the photo that she shows 12 teeth. Because of this, and the fact that she wanted whiter teeth, we recommended that she do 7 porcelain veneers and replace the three old porcelain crowns with whiter all-porcelain crowns. However, Cheryl decided only to do the 7 porcelain veneers. This is the beautiful result we achieved for her.

AFTER

This was an incredible improvement in Cheryl's smile, but you'll note that there are still three back/side teeth that are yellow and don't truly match the whiter color porcelain veneers that Cheryl chose. How much nicer Cheryl's smile would have been by doing all ten teeth in the same color porcelain, rather than just doing the seven teeth.

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

Labels: irvine, mission viejo, orange county cosmetic dentist, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening

Most people appreciate a beautiful smile, but ladies in beauty pageants really recognize the importance of a great smile and looking one's best. We recently had the privilege of treating Dolores Couceiro from Madrid, Spain, who won the title of Mrs. Spain, and later Mrs. Globe.

She actually came to Dr. Huefner’s cosmetic practice in Laguna Niguel for porcelain veneers and a smile makeover before the beauty pageant. Dr. Huefner did her smile makeover in two visits before the pageant finals. Dolores’s teeth were crooked and discolored and she wanted her new smile to have whiter, more perfect teeth, which was achieved by Dr. Huefner using MAC Empress Veneers (Microdental Advanced Ceramics laboratory).

Dr. Huefner with Dolores Couceiro, Mrs. Globe
Dr. Huefner with Dolores Couceiro, Mrs. Globe

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

Labels: dental implant, irvine, orange county cosmetic dentist, porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers, san clemente, santa margarita

BEFORE

AFTER

Labels: cosmetic dentist, irvine, lake forest, newport beach, porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers

Everyone has seen people from time to time with porcelain-metal "caps" on their front teeth that just didn't look natural. Jenny is one such person. She really didn’t like her smile, especially since the oversize caps still left a space between her front two teeth. Also, the yellow color of her teeth were very bothersome to her, and all the teeth seemed to be disproportionate in size. What could be done?

BEFORE

Actually Jenny’s situation is something that cosmetic dentists are regularly asked to solve. The solution for Jenny was very straight forward, replace the front porcelain-metal caps with all-porcelain caps, and then place porcelain veneers on the other teeth. That allowed us to distribute the spacing proportionately and choose a whiter color for her new smile. Making her teeth a little longer and whiter is very appreciated by patients because those are characteristics of more youthful smiles. And who doesn’t want to look more attractive and more youthful?

AFTER

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

Labels: cosmetic dentist, dana point, irvine, porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers, san clemente

As a professional man, Conrad's image was very important to him and he certainly wanted to look his very best. But, showing too much of his gums and having teeth that were too small was very bothersome to him.

BEFORE

What could be done? Braces weren’t the answer. How could he get a great smile, whiter teeth, with less of a gummy smile and teeth of normal size? Fortunately for him, the solution was very straight forward and could be accomplished in a few weeks with porcelain veneers and laser gum recontouring ( a relatively easy noninvasive gum reducing procedure with little discomfort). Also, he wanted his teeth whiter. Note the color he chose for his new veneers and his sensational new smile!

AFTER

Labels: cosmetic dentist, dana point, dental laser, irvine, newport beach, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening

Yellow teeth! This really frustrated Paul and he wanted to do something about it. He had tried bleaching, but his teeth were just too discolored for bleaching to give him the whiter, brighter smile than he had always wanted. Also, his teeth were crooked and he had a number of the mercury-amalgam fillings done in his youth on his side and back teeth. Not only did those discolor his teeth almost blackish, but they were weakening his teeth and they were starting to crack and break. It was time to replace the old dentistry and get a smile that he would be proud of.
BEFORE

Dr. Huefner recommended porcelain veneers for Paul, as not only could his teeth be made a lot whiter (as he had always wanted them to be), but they would be straight and even. Also, the veneers on the side teeth could be made so at the same time they would replace the mercury amalgam fillings giving him two benefits....better looking teeth and also stronger.
AFTER

Paul’s smile makeover with porcelain veneers was done in just a few visits, beginning to end just three weeks.

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

Labels: irvine, mission viejo, porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers, santa margarita

Dr. Huefner suggested cosmetic dentistry with porcelain veneers, and within a few weeks had created a sensational smile for her with 8 porcelain veneers by MAC (see www.macveneers.com).

Not surprisingly, Rachel then went on and won the crown at the Miss Teen California-International Pageant.
Congratulations Rachel, we're all very proud of you! You look absolutely beautiful.

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

Labels: cosmetic dentist, irvine, mission viejo, orange county, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening

BEFORE

She consulted with us to find out what her options were with cosmetic dentistry. After evaluating her teeth and smile, and finding out more just what kind of smile she wanted, we advised doing her cosmetic dentistry with porcelain veneers. It would only takes a few visits, and Shannon could have her new smile completed in little over a month. Understandingly, she was appreshensive, but couldn’t wait to get started on her new smile.

AFTER

Above is the sensational new smile we created for Shannon with porcelain veneers. Note how symmetrical her smile is now, and doesn’t lean towards one side. Also how the edges of the teeth follow the curve of her lower lip. That is an important concept in cosmetic dentistry, called following the “smile line“. The thing that Shannon like best was the color, how much whiter and brighter her smile was, but still extremely natural looking.

Labels: irvine, ladera ranch, orange county cosmetic dentist, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening

Labels: cosmetic dentist, irvine, ladera ranch, lake forest, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening

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: cosmetic dentist, irvine, orange county, porcelain veneers, rancho santa margarita, smile design, smile style, teeth whitening

BEFORE

Dr. Huefner suggested that she first bleach her teeth (teeth whitening), making all her natural teeth whiter, which she did. Then he suggested replacing the front two crowns with new all-porcelain crowns and making porcelain veneers for her lateral incisors. Thus, all four front teeth would match and be in proper proportion. Jackie agreed to Dr. Huefner's proposed cosmetic treatment and the treatment was completed in just a few visits over a three week period. Here is the results Dr. Huefner achieved for Jackie by just treating her four front teeth.
AFTER
Afterwards, Dr. Huefner took these portraits of Jackie in his studio. As you can see, Dr. Huefner does both cosmetic dentistry and portrait photography for his cosmetic patients.

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

Labels: cosmetic dentist, irvine, mission viejo, newport beach, porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers

Women aren't the only ones who appreciate having a nice smile. About one third of patients having smile makeovers and cosmetic dentistry today are men.
Porcelain veneers are many times the best solution for many patients who have discolored, chipped and otherwise unattractive teeth and are seeking a more professional appearance. This gentleman was a perfect example of that situation. He also wanted a more youthful appearance, slightly longer teeth that also had a whiter porcelain color (“Hollywood white”). On the right you can see the photo of his porcelain veneers and as you might guess, he was absolutely thrilled with the results we achieved for him.

It is extremely important that the patients become very involved in the color selection to be very satisfied with the ultimate results. In our cosmetic practice we will make suggestions as to what color veneers will look best in our opinion, but it is the patients who have the final decision.

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

Labels: aliso viejo, cosmetic dentist, irvine, porcelain crowns, san clemente, teeth whitening

BEFORE

AFTER

Labels: cosmetic dentist, irvine, porcelain bridge, porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers