The Challenge
Our patient came to us frustrated with her existing dental work. She felt her old veneers were too short, lacked brightness, and didn’t properly “fill” her smile.
She was also concerned with a “gummy” appearance that made her teeth seem smaller than they actually were.
She was looking for a more vibrant, youthful, and dominant smile.
The Solution
After a comprehensive facial analysis and Digital Smile Design (DSD), we realized that simply replacing her old six veneers wouldn’t be enough. To create a truly transformative result, we decided to:
- Expand the Smile: Increase the veneer count from 6 to 10 to fill the “dark corridors” in the corners of her mouth.
- Restore Vertical Dimension: Design longer teeth to better frame her face.
- Gingival Recontouring: Perform a laser gum lift to harmonize the gum line and eliminate the “gummy smile.”
The Process
- The Preparation: We began by applying a “Trial Smile” mock-up over her old restorations. This allowed her to visualize the new length and width before we proceeded. We then carefully removed the old veneers, prepared the four additional teeth, and performed the laser gum recontouring.
- Collaboration: We held a clinical design meeting with our master lab technicians and the patient to select the ideal translucency and “Bleach” shade that would provide the brightness she desired while looking natural.
- The Delivery: Within a few days, the custom porcelain veneers were ready. After a meticulous “try-in” phase where the patient approved the final look, the veneers were permanently bonded.
The Delivery
After a 48-hour test period and minor bite adjustments, the transformation was complete. Her smile is now brighter, fuller, and perfectly proportioned to her facial features.
She no longer hides her gums and smiles with total confidence.
