The Baby Boomers are aging and have received a significant amount of dental work over the years. Through the dental experiences of these patients, comes their increased knowledge and therefore, the increased demand for exceptional dental care.
The incredibly natural appearance of pressed ceramics is becoming known to all. Gone are the days the patient will tolerate a black line in the front of their mouth and the accompanied gingival changes.
Patients are aware of the advances in dentistry and the precision and life-like qualities that are available today. Many find it almost intolerable, to live with a less than naturally beautiful smile, as our smile effects everyone around us!
A 45 year old female realtor presented with a history of extensive dental work. She had full gold crowns placed approximately 15 years ago on her broken down molars. Her maxillary centrals have had bonded veneers placed two times due to post-orthodontic discoloration and a diastema (space).
The patient’s complaint regarding the bonding is the full life-less appearance and having a food trap between her two front teeth. She had bleached her teeth previously but then stopped as the color discrepancy between the bonded teeth and her natural teeth became more noticeable.
The patient was interested in porcelain veneers as she understood and appreciated the life-like qualities of porcelain. She also wanted the gold restorations replaced to look more natural.
Digital photos were utilized to assess the patient’s needs and desires and presented in a treatment planning consultation. The patient participated in her treatment planning and agreed her smile can most definitely be enhanced. The bonding of the upper centrals needs to be replaced at the very least. She desired a “whiter” smile and wanted an overall improved mroe aesthetic smile. The patient also displayed an excessive amount of gingivae (gummy smile) and is a very “smilely” person.
The patient’s treatment consisted of:
- bleaching her lower teeth
- soft tissue recontouring to reduce the “gummy smile”
- Photos of smile preferences by the patient to assist in developing her wax-up
- veneering/crowning 10 teeth
Conclusion:
The patient was delighted with her result and voiced that her expectations were surpassed. The utilization of state of the art materials and techniques plus the combined diligent clinician/ceramist communication, demonstrates that the existing dentition can be altered by size, shape and color to reveal an aesthetically enhanced treatment.