Cosmetic Dentistry Orange County | Huefner Sensational Smiles Blog

Serving Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Santa Margarita, and Surrounding Areas Of Orange County, California

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Porcelain Veneers and Smile Design Part II by Dr. Huefner

When getting a "new smile", either with porcelain veneers, bonding or all-porcelain crowns, it is a serious decision. Of course, you'll want to choose the color teeth that you think makes you look your very best, but how about the length, shape and proportion of the teeth? In many respects, that may have more influence on the final result than just the color. Your dentist, as a cosmetic artist, will suggest a "smile style" that he or she thinks will give you the best overall look.

So, what is the perfect “smile style” for your new porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns? In my previous article about Smile Design, I discussed that there are over 30,000 different ways that a cosmetic dentist can create a new smile and one of the most popular “smile guides”, Dr. William Dickerson’s “LVI Smile Library”. This article features my other favorite “smile guides”, the Lorin Library, created by cosmetic dentist Dr. Lorin Berland of Dallas, TX. 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 (s), square at one corner and rounded at the other (sr), or rounded at both corners (r). Similarly, the cuspids or eye teeth (third tooth back) could be pointed (p), rounded (r) or flat (f). Combining these different shapes each produces a uniquely different smile style. Note that the first smile design on the top left has a r-r-f design, meaning the four incisors are rounded and the canines are flat. 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”.
Loren library
In creating a new smile for you with porcelain veneers or all-ceramic crowns, we could use any of the above 18 smile designs from the Lorin Library or any of the 12 smile designs from the “LVI Smile Library”. However, in general I recommend against smile designs that have the cuspids (third teeth back from the center) too pointy (p) or too flat (f). Pointy cuspids can make the smile look to aggressive and flat cuspids can render an older looking smile. It is so important in the beginning of treatment that my patient involve themselves in an active discussion with me regarding the different smile styles available and which would be most appropriate for them. We take into consideration the age, face shape, personality and a host of other things when recommending one smile style over another. 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. This is very helpful, as many patients are very relieved that they can try out their smile before making their final decision.

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

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posted by Dr. Norman Huefner at 8:35 AM

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Stephanie's Smile Makeover with Porcelain Veneers by Dr. Huefner

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

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posted by Dr. Norman Huefner at 6:46 AM

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Almost "Instant" Correction of Crooked Teeth with Porcelain Veneers by Dr. Huefner

Having crooked teeth really bothered Sylvia. She had always wished that she could have bad braces as a child, but now as an adult she wasn't willing to go through "all that hassle" (she was a busy professional person and multiple office visits over months or years just wasn't an option for her). She had seen "smile makeovers" done on the "Extreme Makeover" TV show, and wanted to know if cosmetic dentistry was an option for her?

BEFORE

Actually, in Sylvia's case, cosmetic dentistry, specifically using porcelain veneers, was the best option and would give her a great result. "But how many visits and how long would it take?", Sylvia asked. She was delighted to learn that she would have her "new smile" in just five week. We would start in two weeks and she would have them three weeks after that. Of course, that is exactly what we did for Sylvia. Here is the beautiful results we achieved for her with porcelain veneers.

AFTER

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

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posted by Dr. Norman Huefner at 9:01 AM

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Tracy Gets Smile Makeover with Porcelain Veneers by Dr. Huefner

Having discolored, crooked teeth bothered Tracy. As a healthcare professional, businesswoman and former Mrs. Globe beauty pageant winner, Tracy wanted to look her very best and knew it was time to consider cosmetic dentistry.

BEFORE

After considering the options of braces vs. cosmetic dentistry, it was very obvious to Tracy that porcelain veneers were the way to go for her. Not only could she have straight teeth, but she could get them whiter and in just a few dental appointments. After having porcelain veneers on her upper teeth, Tracy decided to have her lower teeth veneered as well.

AFTER


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

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posted by Dr. Norman Huefner at 6:28 AM

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