I remember a dear female relative whom I’ll refer to as Bess. Bess was rather meticulous about her appearance. Her attire was always color-coordinated and she wore matching jewelry with every outfit. She was one of those ladies who always had “every hair in place.” Yet, the thing that always stood out the most – to everyone – was her drawn-on eyebrows.
Although from a good distance away, I imagine that her eyebrows looked, for the most part, like eyebrows. Yet, the closer you got, the more obvious it became that Bess’ eyebrows were ‘fakes.’ Unfortunately, this seemed to be the feature that stood out the most and in a not-so-flattering way.
When any of our facial features fails to look natural, it also fails to complement our overall facial appearance. And, it tends to be the feature that gets noticed most. Since your smile is one of your most prominent facial features, it makes sense that something unnatural in appearance would stand out a great deal.
When a dentist applies modern techniques, materials and technology to smile enhancements, the word “natural” should describe the look, feel and function. This is accomplished through advanced training that help to correctly size, shade and shape your restorations (such as porcelain veneers, crowns, and crown-&-bridge combinations) so that they truly complement your facial features. For example, by slightly elongating teeth, we can make a wide face appear more slender.
Over the years, though, I’ve seen a number of ‘cosmetics gone wrong’ cases, such as in the repair of a gap between front teeth. I’ve seen where dentists widened the two teeth to meet, only to create a ‘bunny look’ for the patient. Yes, this probably gave the patient a lower treatment fee but simply replaced the the gap with an unbalanced smile that stood out in a different way, not an improved way.
Using the proper materials are important as well. I typically recommend porcelain restorations. Like natural teeth, these reflect light naturally and have a luminosity like that of real teeth. Too, the gum tissue that arches each tooth should also be at the same level as neighboring teeth. This gives an even smile line of teeth framed by balanced curves.
Actual Patient of Dr. Ban Barbat
Just as important is the placement and alignment of the teeth. As a neuro-muscular dentist, I see patients who have endured years of headaches, migraines, dizziness, ear ringing, sore jaw joints and night-time clenching and/or grinding. Many have worn, chipped, or fractured teeth.
My advanced training and diagnostic technology allows me to hone in on what is contributing to an imbalance in bite alignment. Amazingly, just one or two improperly placed or designed crowns can lead to years of suffering.
There is always a cheaper way to do something. When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, however, a ‘good deal’ typically means short-cuts and compromises that DO show. In our office, we are dedicated to creating smiles that give the most natural and flattering look combined with proper function and exceptional longevity. Our goal is to have people compliment you on your smile because it is beautiful and looks like you were lucky enough to be born with it!
For a private, no cost consultation appointment, call 1-866-9-Smiles. During this time, I’ll make recommendations that can help you enjoy a smile that will bring out your personality in an attractive way. We can also have our financial coordinator meet with you to explain payment options, if you like.
