Cosmetic dentistry isn’t about giving every patient the same “perfect” results. Every smile is different, which is why it’s important for cosmetic work to complement the individual patient’s features and goals. At Leavitt Dentistry, we perform extensive planning before treatment begins to reduce guesswork and ensure the result matches the patient’s expectations.
Keep reading to learn more about our approach to cosmetic dentistry and what our planning process entails.
Start by Understanding What the Patient Wants
We start by gaining an understanding of exactly what the patient’s goals are. We discuss what they like and dislike about their smile, what they would like to change, and how they want the result to look. Many patients bring photos of smiles they like to help our team understand their vision. We will look at color and shade samples, and talk about what will look the most natural, but most importantly, what each patient truly wants.
Choosing Treatments Based on the Individual
The patient’s existing tooth structure, bite, oral health, and desired outcome influence which treatment(s) we select. Depending on their individual needs and goals, cosmetic treatment may include:
- Veneers
- Cosmetic bonding
- Crowns
- Teeth whitening
- Clear orthodontics
- A combination of treatments
Planning for a Result That Lasts
As we consider which cosmetic improvements to make, we also account for functionality and long-term oral health. There are many factors that can affect the lifespan of cosmetic dental work, including:
- Proper fit
- Bite forces
- Tooth grinding or clenching
- Oral hygiene
- Gum health
- Material selection
- Patient habits
We understand the importance of addressing underlying dental problems before beginning cosmetic dentistry treatment — achieving and maintaining a healthy smile is the key to long-lasting results.
Treatment Planning Begins With the Face, Not Just the Teeth
The goal of cosmetic dentistry is for the finished smile to look natural and complement the person’s features, along with improving symmetry, alignment with lips and face, and what shows when a patient smiles.
To create a harmonious, natural-looking smile, in addition to other detailed items, we consider the patient’s:
- Facial proportions and symmetry
- Lip position and lip mobility
- Smile line curves
- Eye position
- Natural tooth length and width
- Gumline position and amount that shows with a normal and accentuated smile
These factors influence the ideal size, shape, position, and proportions of the teeth and how they relate to each other. Careful planning is so important and is well worth the time up front before any treatment is done.
Taking the Guesswork Out of Cosmetic Dentistry
We take the guesswork out of cosmetic dentistry by doing everything we can to help patients understand what the final result will look like. Our goal is to help you make important decisions about your smile before anything is done and plan carefully in order to identify any potential concerns early.
Our goal is always to preserve natural enamel. As we plan we will discuss situations that may be possible to treat without any removal of enamel, as well that those that require minor enamel adjustments in order to improve the position of the teeth as well as the strength of the restorative materials chosen. We have many options with modern ceramic materials, which are chosen according to each situation and the goals that we are hoping to accomplish.
Using Photos and Digital Scans to Plan the Result
We take lots of photos to create a detailed record of the patient’s current smile and facial features, which helps us throughout the planning process. We begin by looking at those photos together and talking about what the patient sees, and what they would like to see. We also take digital scans to capture tooth alignment and bite. This is a great 3D visual for us to plan from and to look at together. All of this digital information helps us evaluate tooth proportions, plan restorations, and visualize how the patient’s finished smile will look. Our patients are in the driver’s seat, as we help them know what is possible so they can make informed decisions about their smile goals.
The Role of a Wax-Up in Cosmetic Dentistry
A wax-up involves using the digital scan of your teeth to create a 3D printed accurate model, and making restorations (veneers) in beautiful wax to represent the proposed changes. This allows patients to see what the results of treatment will look like and gives us the chance to make changes before the final restorations are created. Once a patient approves of the changes, this model serves as our blueprint for planning, for creating a test drive for the mouth to allow patients to see it come to life in their mouth before making any decisions, and for creating our temporaries while the restorations are being made in ceramic. This blue print takes all the guesswork out of the cosmetic process and gives us a predictable quality result. Planning is everything in cosmetic dentistry.
Take Your Smile for a Test Drive
An important part of our smile design process is doing a free test drive to ensure you’re happy with the plan. Seeing the shape of the plan come to life in your mouth is so exciting, and gives you a chance to envision where we are going, happening right in your own mouth. This allows us to adjust the plan if needed early on in the process. Temporary veneers are placed right on top of your teeth, so you can evaluate their size, color, and shape. If we are not accomplishing your goals in the test drive, this is our chance to alter the plan, no commitments made until you are confident in the outcome! You can wear this test drive home and show it to your loved ones.
Communication With the Dental Laboratory
Achieving the results you want requires careful communication with the very best laboratory technicians who are creating the restorations. We’ll provide everything they need to craft the perfect restorations, including photographs, digital scans, wax-up information, and more. It’s truly a collaboration between our team and the laboratory. We have great relationships with our lab technicians, and a long track record of working together to produce amazing smile transformations!
Cosmetic Dentistry in Pocatello, Idaho
At Leavitt Dentistry, we specialize in using the power of cosmetic dentistry to create a smile that feels like you, and allows you to be your best self! We’re committed to ensuring you’re completely satisfied with your new smile and treat the planning process as a collaboration between you and our team.
If you have questions or concerns about any aspect of our cosmetic dentistry services, please don’t hesitate to bring them to our attention. We’d be honored to bring your vision to life and give you the beautiful, confident smile you’ve always dreamed of.