Cosmetic Dentistry Orange County | Huefner Sensational Smiles Blog

Not happy with her teeth and smile, Uliana wanted to know what options cosmetic dentistry might have for her. Her teeth were very discolored and wearing down on the edges. She also had a crossbite on one side and didn't like the way her porcelain-to-metal crowns and bridge looked.
BEFORE
We recommended porcelain veneers on her front teeth and replacement of her old crowns and bridges with all-ceramic porcelain crowns (non-metal based) and porcelain bridge. She wanted to be involved in the design of the shape and length of her "new teeth" and was particularly concerned about achieving a full smile. The results we achieved for her were sensational!
AFTER

Then a few weeks later we took her post treatment portraits right in our "sensational smiles studio". As you can clearly see, she was very happy with her cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers. One of these portraits that we took will be entered in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry annual Smile Gallery competition. Wish us luck!




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

Labels: aliso viejo, cosmetic dentist, ladera ranch, newport beach, porcelain bridge, porcelain veneers

BEFORE

Labels: cosmetic dentist, newport beach, porcelain bridge, porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers

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

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

Your teeth and smile are a good part of your appearance, and generally most people understand that. This is especially appreciated by those who find that their chosen profession is one that involve many people looking at them. Andrea, was just such a person. She had tiny “peg teeth”, and hated the shape, color and spacing. She was also a college student working on her modeling and acting career and knew how important her smile and appearance were to her success. She came to Dr. Huefner to discuss her cosmetic dentistry options.

BEFORE
Would she need braces? Would bleaching do the trick? What was the solution to giving her a beautiful, and of course “normal” looking smile?

Dr. Huefner recommended bleaching (teeth whitening) her lower teeth, and then placing porcelain veneers on her upper teeth and some bonding on her lower teeth. Her entire treatment could be done in just a few visits!

AFTER

Well, her cosmetic dentistry must have helped, as since getting her smile makeover by Dr. Huefner she has been on TV several times and co-stared in one movie!

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

Labels: lake forest, newport beach, porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers, san clemente

BEFORE

AFTER

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

BEFORE

AFTER

Labels: instant orthodontics, laguna niguel, newport beach, porcelain veneers, smile makeover

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