Cosmetic Dentistry Orange County | Huefner Sensational Smiles Blog

Labels: laguna beach, lake forest, orange county cosmetic dentist, porcelain veneers, smile design

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

Most people would agree that your smile is very important to you. Many might say that it even sends a message to the whole world about you…about your health, about how you take care of yourself, about how good you look, etc. Your smile is about a third of what you see of your face, so to many that is very important.

Labels: cosmetic dentist, laguna beach, porcelain veneers, san clemente, santa margarita

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

Most people today still think that crooked or spaced teeth can only be treated with braces (orthodontics), however in certain circumstances not only is treatment with porcelain veneers and cosmetic dentistry the fastest way to get a new smile, but in many cases it will give the best looking results. Unfortunately, braces just straightens the alignment of teeth, but does nothing to correct the shape, color or length of the teeth. If your teeth are chipped, worn, misshaped, discolored or otherwise not doing their best to give you a nice smile, then consider "instant orthodontics" with cosmetic dentistry. (Note it really isn't orthodontics, but just the illusion of getting straight teeth. The actual teeth underneath the porcelain veneers, bonding, porcelain crowning, or other cosmetic dentistry isn't changed or moved at all.)

BEFORE
Above are two photos of a perfect example of a situation that, in my opinion, is better treated with cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers. Note that the teeth are crooked, but also there is spacing. A couple significant advantages of cosmetic dentistry over orthodontics is no two years of braces, several years more of retainer wear and the constant worry of the spacing opening back up when the braces are removed.


AFTER
In the photos above, note the incredibly natural result we achieved with four porcelain veneers and just a couple dental visits. We even created even gums with laser, something not achievable with orthodontics. These veneers were designed with masculine shaped teeth, different in shape and length than we would have done for a female.

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

Labels: laguna beach, orange county cosmetic dentist, porcelain veneers, san clemente, san juan capistrano

Mrs. Desert States, came from Reno, Nevada, to Orange County just had her smile makeover with porcelain veneers by Dr. Huefner. Dr. Huefner did her cosmetic dental treatment just four days before the Mrs. U.S.-Globe Pageant. Tierra knew that looking her best on stage, just like in business, is important to success and she wanted to look, feel and be her very best while competiting for the title of Mrs. U.S.-Globe.

Before coming to Dr. Huefner Tierra had short, chipped and discolored teeth, but left with a sensational new smile. Tierra just beamed on the runway at the pageant and placed as the second runner up and is shown here with Dr. Huefner.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Orange County, CA

Labels: laguna beach, laguna niguel, mission viejo