Patient

When do you fix a gummy smile? The phrase “long in the tooth” originates from the idea that receding gums make teeth appear longer and faces look older. A slight gummy smile – up to 3 millimeters – can be seen as a hallmark of youth.

This patient’s primary concern was not gum visibility, but rather gum asymmetry. She also wanted to address the narrowness of her smile and old fillings in her front teeth. Our approach focused on creating harmony in her gum line while slightly reducing the gumminess. We had the opportunity to reduce a lot, but favored a more conservative approach to preserve the spirit of her natural smile. By refining her teeth and gums, we crafted a smile that feels authentic – like it was hers all along.

Following orthodontic treatment, this patient was left with bite contact only on her front teeth, which causes gradual damage over time. Adults considering Invisalign should seek treatment from a highly qualified orthodontist with extensive experience in adult orthodontics and commit to completing the process fully to avoid further complications.

This patient completed her orthodontic treatment but developed a bite that only engaged her front teeth, leaving her unable to properly use her back teeth for chewing. The excessive pressure on her front teeth caused gum and bone deterioration, leading to recession and the appearance of black triangles. The focus of this case was less on aesthetics and more on re-establishing a stable and functional occlusion. We placed minimally prepped veneers on the lower teeth and overlaid the back teeth to increase their height, providing a strong foundational bite. To address her reverse smile and enhance her appearance, we slightly lengthened her front teeth and selected a fresher, more vibrant color, resulting in both improved function and a revitalized smile.

This case presented significant challenges. Several years ago, the patient fainted and fell, resulting in broken front teeth that were replaced with implants. When implants are positioned improperly, it can lead to the loss of the gum triangle between the teeth, making the implants appear thick and bulky, regardless of the quality of the ceramic.

We redesigned his smile with a new bridge on the existing implants, incorporating pink ceramic to simulate the lost gum tissue. This approach was a pivotal improvement, as it created the illusion of thinner, more natural-looking teeth. The result was a more individualized smile, with less focus on the front of the mouth, for a harmonious and aesthetic outcome.

This patient presented with malocclusion, or a misaligned bite, and disproportionate tooth display. Further, he had a protruding canine, which some might assume requires orthodontic intervention.

By envisioning the ideal final position of the teeth, it became clear that the canine required minimal preparation and no orthodontic treatment. The transformation was effectively achieved through restorative treatment alone. With a comprehensive smile makeover, we successfully restored his bite and delivered a beautifully balanced, natural-looking smile.

This patient had naturally good teeth throughout her life and reached her early 70s before seeking cosmetic dentistry. After thoroughly researching her options, she chose us with one clear goal: results that looked completely natural.

Our treatment plan included subtle rotations in the ceramic on her lower teeth to preserve authenticity, as well as addressing her crossbite by properly aligning the upper and lower teeth. She wanted to enhance her smile to look and feel her best – a transformation we were thrilled to provide. A closer look reveals a classic example of being “long in the tooth.” While upper teeth are typically about one-third larger than lower teeth, recession on her bottom teeth made them appear disproportionately large. To restore balance, we carefully adjusted her bite by shortening the lower teeth and lengthening the upper teeth while preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible. By showing more of her upper teeth, her smile now appears youthful and vibrant, reflecting the best version of herself