Patients have Control of Smile Improvements, by East Longmeadow Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Larry Life

www.meadowplacedental.com

You may be interested in improving your smile, but wonder how you can feel comfortable with the result prior to having the work done. Let’s face it, we’ve all seen anterior crowns or “caps” that are unsightly… too big, too white or just generally unnatural and non-flattering to the “wearer”.   You may want to think twice about receiving treatment from a dentist that says, “I’m the professional here… and I know what is best for you”.  Listed below are the steps you can take to ensure you receive the beautiful smile that you envision:

1. Look through magazines to find examples of smiles that you like; of course, it helps if the smile is surrounded by lips and a facial shape somewhat similar to yours. Ask the cosmetic dentist whom you are considering to perform the work if they have before and after photos that can serve as examples.  This is a good starting point for discussions.
    
2.  If your teeth are healthy and not too discolored the Orthodontic option should always be considered.  Short term “Invisalign” Orthodontic treatment may be a less expensive and more conservative alternative to crowns or porcelain veneers.  Many times minor orthodontic movement can be achieved in a few months without others even noticing.  This can either serve as the final treatment or help position teeth for a more favorable and conservative veneering treatment.
    
3. If crowns are a necessity due to previous tooth damage or position, pursue an all porcelain crown option if at all possible.  While techniques and materials have improved in the fabrication of porcelain fused to metal crowns, the presence of metal frequently “kills the aesthetics”.  The unsightly dark blue or gray shadow at the gum-line of many crowns is due to an underlying metal substructure that does not allow light to shine through as it does in natural teeth.  The need to block out the metal also frequently leads to crowns that are too opaque looking.
    
4. In order to see a 3D prediction of your final result, ask to have study models of your teeth or “diagnostic casts” taken during the consultation phase so that a mock-up or “wax-up” can be done.  Pre-op smile photos can also be digitally altered to show a potential result. These services can aid an esthetic-minded dentist in planning the treatment and serve as another point of control for smile design discussions between the dentist and patient.  There may be a minimal charge for these services but many dentists will credit any fees charged towards the final treatment when it is undertaken. 
    
5. If the cost of the agreed-upon treatment is a concern many offices have financing options.  Another possibility is starting treatment on just two or four teeth at a time.  Frequently this is all that is needed anyway after patients go through a teeth whitening process. 
    
6. Once you have agreement on a final smile design goal, your cosmetic dentist of choice should be able to fabricate esthetic temporaries which will give you another chance to view and critique the outcome before the permanent restorations are fabricated.

Patients in the Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut areas are encouraged to call our office at 413-525-6123 and request a free esthetic consultation or learn more by visiting us at www.meadowplacedental.com