Cosmetic Dentistry Orange County | 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

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
What could Diane do? Did she need braces? The answer more than thrilled Diane, she could have a new smile, a sensational smile, in three weeks and two dental visits with porcelain veneer cosmetic dental treatment.
AFTER

Above is the gorgeous results that we got for Diane. She asked that her teeth be whiter, but have a natural look. She also wanted her porcelain veneers to last as long as possible, hopefully the rest of her life. So, we utilized a semi-translucent Empress porcelain, one that really looks natural and is extremely strong and durable. Many cosmetic dentists believe that Empress porcelain is one of the very strongest porcelains available for porcelain veneers.

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

Labels: cosmetic dentist, laguna niguel, porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers, san clemente, san juan capistrano

BEFORE

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

Cosmetic dentists strive for patient satisfaction, especially when doing a smile makeover for their patient with porcelain veneers. One challenge is the ability of the dentist and patient to actively and effectively communicating between each other. Oftentimes it is hard for the patient and dentist to verbally describe the smile they have in mind. But, as we’ve all heard a million times, A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS! That is where the “trial smile” comes in.
Let’s use my patient John here as an example. Here is the teeth and smile he presented with at his first appointment. It’s obvious that his teeth were crowded and misaligned and with these teeth he isn’t showing his best face to the world.

I knew what I had in mind with regard to the smile I want to make for him, but what is the best way to communicate it to him? The answer is that I create a “trial smile” for John. I prepare his teeth for the “trial smile”, but first make him temporary veneers in the size, shape, color and arrangement that I think will make him happy and look his best. Here is his John with his “trial smile”.

After wearing the “trial smile” for a few days, or as long as it takes to make up his mind, John returns for our final decision. If there is something he is concerned about, he can point to it or look at the photo on the computer monitor and tell me what he likes or dislikes (color, shape, length or position of the veneer/teeth). Then I make the appropriate adjustments or corrections. Then after that’s done and we’re all in agreement I take photos, models and measurements of “his approved trial smile”, which go to my ceramist as an accurate blue print for the design of John’s final porcelain veneers.

The photo above is John’s new smile with his final porcelain veneers. What a difference compared to the smile he had just a few weeks previously. The “trial smile” is a very important tool which many cosmetic dentists use to eliminate a lot of the “guess work” with regard to porcelain veneers and smile enhancement procedures. That, along with very clear communication, are some of the very most important elements we use to insure successful treatment and patient satisfaction.

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

Labels: instant orthodontics, laguna niguel, lake forest, porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening

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

Labels: cosmetic dentist, ladera ranch, orange county cosmetic dentist, porcelain crowns, san clemente

BEFORE

AFTER

Labels: dana point, dental implant, lake forest, orange county cosmetic dentist, porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers

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

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

Many people realize that their smile is very important for them and Stacy was the type of person who always wants to look and feel her very best. She had old plastic bonding done years ago, but it kept chipping and staining over the years. Finally, she was ready to do something better and more permanent to correct her smile.

BEFORE

Dr. Huefner also pointed out that her teeth all angled and weren't really straight in alignment with her face. He suggested replacing the old plastic bonding with porcelain veneers, which would also correct her misaligned teeth.

As you can clearly see, Stacy was very pleased with her new smile with porcelain veneers. A beautiful smile for a beautiful lady!

AFTER

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

Labels: mission viejo, orange county cosmetic dentist, porcelain crowns, san clemente, smile design

Most people who have discolored teeth are very conscious of it, especially in photos. Many times that means that they won't smile for photos, or even in public. Cindy was one such person. She went on to say that she actually "hated the way her teeth looked", especially since her front tooth didn't match the rest of the teeth in color.

Cindy now wanted a “whiter, brighter smile”, and came to me asking if I could treat her problem with porcelain veneers. She was a good “dental consumer”, having done enough research on the internet to be familiar with choices of treatment that might be available to her.

BEFORE

Yes, she was an excellent candidate for cosmetic dentistry with porcelain veneers. Here is the new smile we created for her in just two visits.

AFTER

As you might have guessed, she was very pleased with the result achieved "for her new smlle".

Labels: dana point, lake forest, orange county cosmetic dentist, porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers, san clemente

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

BEFORE
What she wanted was a mature, adult-looking smile. Braces weren't the answer, she needed larger teeth. And she didn't want to show as much of her gums either, could that be fixed?
Fortunately for Andrea her problems could be corrected with cosmetic dentistry. First, we used a gum laser to remove some of the excess gums around her teeth. That made her teeth look a little longer. Then we placed porcelain veneers on her upper teeth, making them longer and in normal proportion to her face and mouth. Also, we made her veneers whiter and with a more natural unworn feminine shape. The results were fantastic for Andrea! She loved her new smile and reports that she get compliments everywhere she goes.
AFTER


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

Labels: aliso viejo, ladera ranch, orange county cosmetic dentist, porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers

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