Patient Education

Case Studies

The following case studies are examples of up-to-date dental procedures that our network dentists have submitted.  

 

Porcelain Veneers

  
   
  Before After  
 

Male Patient, age 27

This 27 year old male hated the look of his upper front teeth.  The patient was treatment planned for six porcelain veneers.  The shape and shade of the teeth was changed to make them look lighter and more masculine.  Veneers are thin "shells" of porcelain or ceramic which are bonded to the lightly prepared teeth with a light cure composite bonding material that adheres tightly to the enamel layer of the  teeth.  Ceramic is a very durable material similar to porcelain.  Full anterior and posterior crowns and onlays are also possible with this material.  Now the patient can't quit smiling.  He is extremely happy with his new smile!

  
 

Porcelain Crowns

 		  
   
  Before After  
 

 

 

Male Patient, age 24

Notice the shape of the upper teeth on this patient.  The patient was so unhappy with his teeth that he was embarrassed to smile.  The finished case turned out beautifully and the patient was extremely happy.  

  
 

Porcelain Crowns & Teeth Whitening

  
   
  Before After  
 

Female Patient, age 45

This middle-aged, female patient had several problems including uneven incisal wear, gingival decay and discoloration, and cross-bite.  By bleaching the lower teeth, and then matching the upper veneers to that lighter shade, an ideal smile was achieved. Eventually, the lower teeth will be crowned making the patient's smile even more ideal.   


  
 

Bleaching and Recontouring

 		  
   
  Before After  
 

 

Female Patient, age 22

This young female patient was unhappy with her "long-toothed" smile.  Simply by recontouring the incisal edges and polishing them, and bleaching her teeth, a more ideal esthetic smile was accomplished.  This is a very conservative approach but can many times make all the difference in how someone feels about his or herself.  This patient was very pleased with the result.   

  
 

Composite Veneer

 		  
   
  Before After  
 

Female patient, age 7

Even children can benefit from cosmetic dentistry.  This young patient fell and chipped her permanent tooth.  Using an acid etch technique with flowable composite the edge of the tooth was successfully restored.  She immediately went back to school smiling and happy!  Her mother was relieved as well!


 
 

All Ceramic Crowns

 		  
   
  Before After  
 

Male Patient, age 18

This patient presented with the typical "skate boarder" smile, in which both incisal edges are fractured.  After checking the vitality of the teeth, all ceramic crowns were placed to restore them in an ideal configuration.  The gum tissues are superior with the all ceramic crowns because the margins of the crowns are not placed deep under the gum tissues.  With porcelain fused to metal crowns, however, unless the margins are placed under the gums tissues, a blue line shows many times causing it be very unsightly.

 
 

Composite Filling

 		  
   
  Before After  
 

Male Patient, age 68

This 68 year old man was embarrassed by this old discolored composite filling.  The filling was replaced with a new composite filling.  The shade match was perfect!  

 

  
 

Teeth Whitening & Porcelain Veneers

 		  
   
  Before After  
 

Female Patient, age 45

Whitening the teeth and placing four veneers on the upper-front teeth accomplished a very esthetic result.  The patient was very please with the result. 

 

  
 

Gingival Crown-Lengthening Surgery, with Ceramic Bridge and crowns 

 		  
   
  Before After  
 

Female Patient, age 52

This patient was in an accident a few years ago, losing a tooth, and fracturing others.  By doing gingival surgery, and then placing a ceramic bridge and crowns, a very attractive result was realized.  This patient was able to get a new job shortly after.  She attributes it to her new smile!

 

  
 

Veneers

  
   
  Before After  
 

Male Patient, age 39

This patient had severe wear on his lower teeth as a result of bruxism from his prominent upper central incisors.  The spacing on his lower teeth and the foreshortened upper lateral incisors detracted as well.  By placing porcelain veneers upper and lower, a total makeover of his smile and bite was accomplished.  This superior esthetic case will serve this patient for many years to come.  He was very pleased with the result..