Cosmetic Dentistry Orange County | Huefner Sensational Smiles Blog

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

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

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

BEFORE

Porcelain veneers was the treatment of choice to solve Jeff’s problems. Braces weren’t an option, as that wouldn’t change the shape or color of the teeth. Capping the teeth would be too aggressive a treatment considering his situation. Whitening he teeth alone wouldn’t give him the smile that he wanted. But porcelain veneers would allow us to accomplish all the things he wanted.

Here is Jeff’s new smile with porcelain veneers after just three visits! Notice how much more attractive it is and all the teeth are whiter than before and more evenly proportioned with regard to size, shape and position.

AFTER

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

Very concerned that her teeth were too yellow and small, Courtney was considering cosmetic dentistry to have a much nicer smile. Dr. Huefner designed a smile for her with porcelain veneers. Along with Dr. Huefner, Courtney also chose to have slightly longer teeth that followed her “smile line” (i.e. lower lip line) and whiter color for her new porcelain veneers.

What Courtney really liked about the porcelain veneers that Dr. Huefner did for her was that they looked so natural and “real” and that they don’t stain or discolor over the years.

Earlier this year Dr. Huefner did a smile makeover with porcelain veneers for beautiful Courtney and these are the portraits that he took of her in his "smile design and portrait studio" in his dental office. As you can clearly see she now has a “very sensational” new smile. Look in the current issue of Orange Coast Magazine for Courtney’s photo in black.

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

Labels: cosmetic dentist, lake forest, porcelain veneers, san clemente, teeth whitening

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

Stephanie has crooked, discolored teeth and desperately wanted a nice smile. She didn't like the space between her front two teeth, and the "worn look".

BEFORE

She wanted a younger, more attractive smile and definitely wanted her teeth whiter. We recommended porcelain veneers. Here is the incredible result we got for Stephanie!

AFTER

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

Labels: aliso viejo, orange county cosmetic dentist, porcelain veneers, san clemente, smile makeover, teeth whitening

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

Teeth that stick out too far or are too pointed often produce an unattractive smile. Monica has this problem and hated her teeth and smile. She called it her "fang teeth" and along with it she had an excessive gummy smile!

BEFORE

Her teeth were so crowded that orthodontics was the best treatment, but she said "No way! I never would go through braces." She then asked me, "Is there any other way you can help me with cosmetic dentistry?" Fortunately for her, the answer was "Yes." We gave her the option of laser gum recontouring to correct her "over gummy smile". After that was healed, we could give her straight teeth by placing porcelain veneers, a procedure we oftentimes call "instant orthodontics". Below is a photo three days after reshaping away her excess gums with the dental gum laser.

THREE DAYS AFTER LASER GUM RECONTOURING

We recommended 8 or 10 porcelain veneers, but she could only afford to do the six front teeth at this time. Here is the amazing photo of Monica with her new smile with six porcelain veneers. Notice....no more fang-teeth!

AFTER SIX PORCELAIN VENEERS

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

Labels: aliso viejo, dental laser, orange county cosmetic dentist, porcelain veneers, san clemente

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