Smile Makeovers
We believe anything is possible when you smile. So why not be proud of it?
A smile makeover can be a significant improvement in the overall beauty of the face. After learning and discussing the patients goals, a plan is created to combine different procedures to achieve the aesthetic goals of the patient.
In this particular patient, the result was completed over a period of about 1.5 years with periodontal scaling, composite restorations, crowns on the back molars, invisalign, and zoom whitening. The patient was also very anxious when we first met him, so we did much of the restorative work with sedation. The patient gained trust and confidence over the course of his treatment which we were immensely proud of him for.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers can correct a variety of cosmetic and functional defects of the teeth. The goal at our practice is always for a natural-looking result. Flaws that veneers can correct are heavily stained teeth, gaps, crooked teeth, chipped or fractured teeth, excessively gummy teeth, or misaligned teeth. Veneers can be used to correct a single tooth, or can completely enhance the overall cosmetics of the smile.
A smile has an immense effect on the beauty of the face. An expert veneer dentist is trained to design a smile with veneers to enhance the beauty of not just the smile but the entire face. Veneers can increase harmony of the other facial features by drawing attention away from a crooked nose, skin blemishes, or facial asymmetries. The confidence of a smile is very powerful for overall well being.
Invisalign
Orthodontics can make a big impact in the beauty of the smile. It can also be used to correct TMJ pain, headaches, and jaw misalignment. Invisalign uses a series of clear removable aligners to straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets. The aligners are made through a combination of Dr. Sutera‘s expertise and 3-D computer imaging technology.
You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move – little by little, week by week – until they reach the desired final position. You’ll visit Dr. Sutera about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages 9 – 15 months but will vary from case to case.
In this case, the patient desired to eliminate the step between the front teeth and the back teeth, and also desired to improve the black triangular space between the front teeth. The case was completed in a total of about 10 months.
Cosmetic Dental Bonding
When a patient desires to correct small defects of decay on the teeth or small chips of the teeth, composite dental bonding is a simple and predictable procedure. The weak area of the tooth is cleaned and prepared, and a composite restoration is added to the tooth. The composite can then be sculpted to achieve the ideal shade and contours of the tooth.
For this particular patient, the before and after result shown was completed in only one visit. The patient continued on to whiten the lower teeth further in an additional visit.
The result is stable for 8 to 15 years and can be completed in one visit. There are some limitations to the size that a composite bonding can be. After a certain size of defect of the teeth, veneers then become a more favorable choice for proper aesthetics and long term success.
Dental Implants
Losing teeth can be very traumatic for a patient. Dental implants are designed to provide a replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. In addition, dental implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration which occurs when teeth are missing.
This particular patient presented to us the day after a traumatic motor vehicle accident which caused several injuries most notably here was the fracture of his four front teeth. At his initial evaluation we determined the teeth were too fractured to restore. We recommended to extract the front four teeth, graft the area, and allow the patient to heal for about 4 months. During that time the patient wore a temporary appliance that simulated teeth. At month four we placed 4 dental implants and restored the area with dental crowns. The before photo, shows the patient 2 weeks after the teeth were removed, and the after photo here shows the patient approximately 9 months after the accident.
Periodontal Plastic Surgery
The beauty of the smile can be affected by the height of the gums, or if the gums are not level. Dr. Sutera has renowned expertise in gingival aesthetics. Procedures to enhance the gum position can be achieved in 1 to 2 visits with minimal recovery time. Common periodontal plastic surgery procedures that are performed are gingivectomy, connective tissue grafting, or lip lowering surgery which is also called reverse vestibuloplasty.
This particular patient had excessive gum show after completing orthodontics. The orthodontist needed to intrude the top teeth upward to achieve the proper tooth position, and it was planned to then adjust the gums to also achieve the proper position. Using a gingivectomy procedure, the gums of the upper teeth were reshaped to achieve a more ideal and aesthetic position. The procedure was completed in about 45 minutes and healing is mild tenderness for about 2 days after. The patient returned for a followup at 2 weeks. The after photo displays the result after only 2 weeks post-op.
Thank You for the Kind Words From Our Wonderful Patients!
“The office was easily the nicest dental office I have visited. The staff was professional and welcoming,” Randi M – Lincoln, MA