Improving your Smile

 

COSMETIC DENTAL MAKEOVER SELF-TEST

The following self test involves some questions that if answered yes may signify that you would benefit and feel better about yourself from a cosmetic dental makeover:

• Are you self-conscious about your smile?

• Do you avoid smiling when photos are taken of you?

• Do you tend to cover up your mouth with your hand when you speak or smile?

• Are you conscious about spaces and gaps in your teeth?

• Do you feel that your teeth make you look older?

• Do you feel that your teeth are stained or too yellow?

• Do you notice excessive areas of tooth wear that make your smile feel older?

• Do you notice any dark fillings that are apparent when you smile?

• Are your teeth crooked, chipped or crowded?
  

 Tricia - before (inset) and after

Tricia is an attractive 30 year old mother of two who was very unhappy with her smile.

She unfortunately really did have something to be unhappy about. Her teeth had been severely discoloured as a result of antibiotics she had as a very young child. Understandably these grossly discoloured front teeth did not help her self confidence growing up.

She had some plastic bondings placed on the teeth a number of years ago. They were certainly an improvement. However they were bulky and over time had chipped and discoloured.

As a typical mum, Tricia was always looking after the rest of the family. Now she had decided it was time to do something for herself. What she wanted was a new smile. We spent time discussing the different options with her. She settled on porcelain veneer facings as the answer to her "smile" problems.

A porcelain veneer is like a false fingernail of porcelain bonded onto the front of the tooth. A major advantage of porcelain veneers is that they don't require the removal of much tooth. They are also a fantastic long term solution. We have done porcelain veneers for patients 25 years old and up to 70 year olds.

We used the recently released Empress porcelains for Tricia's case as they really do mimic the natural tooth incredibly well. Ian, my Ceramist excelled himself. The facings were real works of art.

The day the veneers were placed is one Tricia will always remember. She was absolutely thrilled with the result - and so was I! She even came back a few days later to show off her new smile to Debbie, her Treatment Co-ordinator. Debbie had been away the day we popped the facings in.

Now Tricia has a beautiful smile to match her beautiful blue eyes.

 

 

Harry - before and after.....

Many people think that improving the appearance of your smile is not for men and certainly not for men over 60. This case I did last year demonstrates this is far from the truth.

Harry, an amiable 70 year old, has been a very good patient of the practice for several years. He has worked hard over the years looking after his teeth, although the before shot would have you thinking otherwise. Harry had never been happy with the dark colour of his teeth. He had brushed them so hard trying to remove what he thought was staining that he had, in fact, worn all the enamel off the front of his teeth. The exposed underlying dentine had subsequently been stained as a result of his smoking habit.

Harry had become quite concerned about his front teeth. He was certainly worried that he might lose the teeth. However, Harry had another reason for being unhappy with them. Sadly, he told us he had recently been quite hurt when one of his toddler grand kids started crying when "Pa" had smiled at him. The little fellow had been frightened by his worn, discoloured teeth.

I discussed the options with Harry. While resins were a possibility, porcelain veneer facings were the treatment of choice as a result of his smoking.

Being a self-funded retiree, the cost of treatment was something Harry had to consider carefully. He realized he could have had a good holiday for the money he was contemplating spending. He also realized that spending the money on his teeth would give him the benefit of healthy teeth and a great smile for many years to come - the holiday would be over in a few weeks with nothing left to show for it other than maybe a few photos. He opted for the dental treatment - he didn't want his grand kids scared of him!

Harry was very pleased with his new smile and has never regretted his dental investment.