Cosmetic Dentistry Orange County | Huefner Sensational Smiles Blog

Cosmetic Gum Lift: Recovery and Aftercare

2010-09-08T09:45:00.000-07:00

Removing excess gum tissue that is covering your teeth can go a long way in improving the overall quality of your smile. An increasingly popular choice in cosmetic dentistry in Orange County, gum lifts are a safe, effective, and permanent solution to smiles that are marred by bulky, large gums. Because gum lifts are permanent, having the procedure preformed by an experienced cosmetic dentist like Dr. Norman Huefner is incredibly important. Only a dentist with sufficient experience, training, and precision can help ensure your results are exceptional, and your safety is taken into the highest account.

Recovering from a Gum Lift
Dr. Huefner performs gum lifts with a laser which not only aids in absolute precision. After the anesthesia wears off, you may experience some small discomfort in your gums. For most patients an over the counter medication like Advil is all that’s necessary to alleviate this discomfort.

As with any dental procedure, you should avoid eating or drinking until the numbness from the anesthesia has worn off. This process generally takes as little as half an hour. In the days following your gum lift, careful attention should be paid to taking care of your mouth.

Aftercare for a Gum Lift
Your gums will heal rapidly from a gum lift, but we recommend you follow these basic steps to ensure against infection and unnecessary discomfort:

Rinse your mouth with a non-alcohol containing mouth wash (like BreathRx) twice daily
Brush gently but frequently to avoid plaque buildup around your gums
Floss daily to remove plaque in between teeth
Refrain from smoking, as this slows the healing process down

Complications from a gum lift are exceedingly rare, but following these simple steps will go a long way in helping make sure you avoid any unnecessary issues.

If you live in Orange County, California and are interested in learning more about improving the appearance of your smile with a cosmetic gum lift, please contact the experienced staff at Sensational Smiles to schedule an initial consultation.

How to Improve a Gummy Smile

2010-08-18T14:55:00.000-07:00

Excessive gum tissue can leave you with a smile that shows more red than white. This embarrassing condition may encourage you to hide your smile, making social and business interactions uncomfortable, and leaving you longing for a solution. A "gummy smile" is also associated with pre-teens and teenagers thus may give an adult an overly "immature" look when smiling. Experienced Laguna Niguel cosmetic dentist, Dr. Huefner has been helping patients with excessive gum tissue perfect their smiles for over 25 years.

The vast majority of time we can utilize the benefits of the Diode Dental Gum Laser to remove excess gum tissue and sculpt or reshape the gums into an even, well balanced shape. Many times this can be done without the need to use local anesthesia. No cutting of the gums, stitches or prescription pain medications necessary when doing laser gums reshaping. Essentially, the laser "dissolves" the excess gum tissue and complete healing within less than a week.

Dr. Huefner will thoroughly examine your gums and work closely with you to ensure that the procedure most suited to your needs is chosen. He will also discuss with you any additional cosmetic procedures that may be necessary for you to reach your ultimate goal of the perfect smile.

If you live in or around Orange County, California and are suffering from the embarrassment of a gummy smile, please contact the gum contouring professionals at Sensational Smiles to schedule an initial consultation and find out how we can help restore confidence and self assurance in your smile.

A Beautiful, Natural Smile with Porcelain Veneers

2010-08-17T14:53:00.000-07:00

A brilliant, seamless smile is on everyone’s wish list. There are several cosmetic dentistry options available to patients in Orange County to help you get the smile you’ve always dreamed of, but choosing which procedure is right for you can be difficult.

One of the most popular choices in cosmetic dentistry today is porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers can be used to correct issues such as:

Cracked or chipped teeth
Unevenly sized or shaped teeth
Stained and dingy teeth
Gaped and oddly spaced teeth
Crooked overlapping teeth

The process for porcelain veneers is relatively quick, and minimally invasive, making them an ideal choice for patients who wish to correct their entire smile with only one or two dental visits.
Empress Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are perfect for many of our patients, but not all porcelain veneers are made equally. Enter Empress Porcelain Veneers, the end result of years of research and development, and the most structurally advanced porcelain veneers ever. By using the highest quality ceramics and state of the art technology, Empress Porcelain Veneers provide the benefit of being:

As much a three times stronger than any other veneers on the market
Much longer lasting than other types of veneers

Empress Porcelain Veneers offer you the comfort and security of strong, long lasting results.

The porcelain used in Empress Porcelain Veneers is among the most natural looking available today. Empress Porcelain Veneers are available in over twenty different shades of white, allowing Dr. Huefner to give you the tooth color you want. The end result is the most natural looking, beautiful smile you have ever imagined.

If you live in Orange County, California and are interesting learning more about how MAC Veneers can provide you with a natural looking, stunning smile, please contact the certified MAC Veneer technicians at Sensational Smiles to schedule your initial consultation.

Why is Preventative Dentistry Important?

2010-08-16T14:51:00.000-07:00

When teeth are not properly taken care of, myriad problems can begin to affect your mouth. Failure to follow a thorough oral hygiene routine can result in gum disease, cavities, bad breath, and severely stained teeth. These problems can lead to costly, invasive surgical procedures could have been avoided with nominal effort.

The first step in any preventative dentistry routine is twice-daily brushing with a fluoride toothpaste. In addition, teeth should be flossed at least once daily, and an anti-cavity mouthwash may be selected to further freshen breath and remove harmful bacteria. The next step in ensuring proper oral health is twice-yearly visits to Mission Viejo family dentist, Dr. Norman Huefner.

The Importance of Preventative Dentistry
Preventative dentistry is necessary to provide your family with healthy, clean teeth and gums. When you come to Sensational Smiles for your twice yearly exam and cleaning, we are able to spot minor problems before they become serious issues. Small cavities that could have been easily filled can turn into root canals or tooth extractions. These procedures often lead to the necessity of other procedures like dental implants, which may have been avoided had you come to visit us.

Preventative dentistry is also useful in spotting:

Periodontal disease
Potential problems in children’s teeth
Small fractures
Potential structural weaknesses

What’s more, only a dentist can get your teeth their whitest and cleanest. We have the tools necessary to brighten and thoroughly clean every member of your family’s teeth, and the diagnostic tools to make sure their teeth remain healthy and in place for years to come.

If you live in Orange County, California and are interested in learning more about how you can protect your family’s teeth, please contact the experienced preventative dentistry staff at Sensational Smiles to have all of your questions answered.

What is Preventative Dentistry?

2010-07-10T11:09:00.000-07:00

Simply stated, preventative dentistry’s purpose is to prevent common problems like tooth decay and gum disease from becoming serious issues that require restorative dental procedures that may be costly or may not be covered by dental insurance. Preventative dentistry relies on the detection of oral health issues and timely treatment through the use cosmetic dental solutions such as fillings, and dental crowns to ensure optimal oral health.

Preventative Dentistry Treatments
At Sensational Smiles, we offer our patients a full range of preventative treatments. We recommend you visit Orange County family dentist, Dr. Norman Huefner twice yearly for:

Professional cleanings
Thorough oral exams with x-rays

Depending on what potential issues Dr. Huefner discovers, treatment methods like periodontal treatments or fillings may be utilized to ensure your teeth and mouth remain healthy, and to avoid additional, more invasive procedures.

Preventative Dentistry for Your Family
The importance of twice-yearly cleanings and exams cannot be overstated. Your entire family, from children as young as one year old to grandparents and everyone in between, it is essential to maintain a healthy mouth. Only a dentist can get your mouth its cleanest, and only through thorough examinations can small problems be addressed before they become serious health concerns.

Not only is preventative dentistry necessary to ensure a healthy, beautiful smile, but failure to have oral health issues dealt with in a timely manner has been linked to numerous systemic issues including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. With so much at stake, making sure your family is protected through simple visits becomes that much more important.

If you live in Orange County, California and are looking for an experienced family dentist to provide your family with preventative dental care, please contact the staff at Sensational Smiles to discuss your needs and schedule an appointment.

Zoom! Teeth Whitening

2010-07-05T11:06:00.000-07:00

Easily one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures, tooth whitening can help turn your dingy, yellowed, or stained teeth into the brilliant, white smile you wish you were born with. Among the latest advancements in tooth whitening procedures is Zoom! tooth whitening, and patients in Orange County are now enjoying teeth that are brighter, more beautiful, and more stunning than they ever imagined.

At-home tray bleaching kits are effective in whitening teeth, but the time and effort are often a detraction for people who are serious about whitening their teeth. With the Zoom! procedure, Dr. Huefner is able to whiten your teeth as many as eight shades in just one office visit.

The Zoom! Tooth Whitening Process
The procedure for whitening your teeth with Zoom! is fast, and remarkably effective. During your visit, Dr. Norman Huefner will place the Zoom! solution on your teeth and apply a special light that speeds the process of the whitening. In as little as one hour, you can leave the office with a smile that you can be proud of.

This process is entirely safe, and has been proven more effective than any other method in removing stains caused by:

Smoking
Prescription drugs
Drinking coffee, tea, and soda
Ageing

Zoom! has even been effective in seriously reducing staining and "striping" that can occur from mineral deposits during tooth development.

If you live in or around Orange County, California and are interested in whitening your smile, please contact the helpful staff at Sensational Smiles to learn all about the options we have available to make your teeth as white and luminous as your desire.

How to Choose a Cosmetic Dentist

2010-07-01T11:03:00.000-07:00

Choosing a cosmetic dentist in Orange County can be a terribly difficult task. With so many to choose from, how are you to know where to begin and what questions to ask? Because choosing a cosmetic dentist involves so many factors, having a checklist of items is essential to making the decision that is best for you.
Questions to Ask Your Potential Cosmetic Dentist
The first thing you will want to know is how experienced your dentist is. Questions such as:

How long have you been in practice?
Where did you receive your degrees?
Have you completed advanced training in cosmetic dentistry?
Can you show me before and after photos of other patients that you’ve personally treated who have dental problems similar to mine?

You will also want to know about the environment your dentist offers with questions such as:

Where are your procedures preformed?
Do you offer sedation dentistry?
What is your staff like?

Next, you will want to make sure your dentist offers the procedures you are interested in. You will want to ask:

What cosmetic procedures do you offer?
Do you perform general dental procedures as well?
How do you help patients determine what procedures are best for them?

Finally, you will have to ask yourself, does this cosmetic dentist have the experience, expertise and passion to do my cosmetic dentistry, but more importantly does he/she really listen to my concerns and expectations and do I feel he/she will really deliver on his/her promises?

Experience that Counts
Dr. Huefner has been in practice for over three decades and has proven results in customer satisfaction and professionalism. With advanced training in both cosmetic and general dentistry, Dr. Huefner is committed to his patients and his community. At Sensational Smiles, Dr. Huefner offers a comprehensive array of dental procedures, and strives to make these procedures available to everyone. In his practice, Dr. Huefner is experienced in addressing the concerns of all of his patients and able to treat most all dental problems, in a comfortable, friendly and caring environment.

If you live in Orange County and are looking for a professional cosmetic dentist with years of experience and a track record of great results for thousands of patients, please contact the friendly staff at Sensational Smiles and allow us to answer any questions you may have.

Alternatives to Braces

2010-06-28T07:51:00.000-07:00

For decades teenagers and adults have been making the trip to the orthodontist to have their teeth straightened with braces. At one point in time, braces were bulky, leading to name calling and other forms of childhood cruelty. Now, with new advancements, many orthodontic patients enjoy smaller, less noticeable braces. While this is wonderful news for teenagers, many adults still feel the stigmatism associated with braces.

At Sensational Smiles, Dr. Huefner is able to apply advances in cosmetic dentistry to help patients in Mission Viejo find alternatives to braces. In the past, you would have to undergo the painful and frequently humiliating process of having your teeth straightened with braces, but now we can now straighten your teeth with noninvasive or minimally invasive techniques.

Straightening Your Smile Without Braces
There are several options available for adults who desire a sensational smile, the smile they’ve always wanted. At Sensational Smiles, we offer:

Porcelain veneers. For patients who wish to have their smiles perfected quickly, porcelain veneers offer an ideal aesthetic solution.
Invisalign. For patients who need to improve bite and other functional issues in addition to cosmetic issues, Invisalign is another great option.
Smile makeover. If you suffer from multiple cosmetic and functional issues that you would like corrected in as little as one appointment, a smile makeover can transform an unattractive smile into a, beautiful smile, the smile you’ve always wanted.

Dr. Huefner understands the various needs and desires of his patients and will work with you to determine which procedure is best suited to meet your individual needs.

If you live in Orange County, California and have been dealing with an unattractive smile for your entire adult life, please contact the experienced cosmetic dental team at Sensational Smiles to set up an initial consultation, and see the many ways we can restore function and beauty to your smile.

What is Oral Sedation Dentistry?

2010-06-25T07:47:00.000-07:00

We all know how important it is to see a dentist twice a year for exams and professional cleanings. But for many Americans, previous uncomfortable experiences can be a deterrent to receiving this necessary care. Orange County sedation dentist, Dr. Norman Huefner understands this fear and strives to make all dental procedures, both cosmetic and general, comfortable for everyone.

By utilizing sedation dentistry, the staff at Sensational Smiles is able to provide comprehensive oral care for patients who suffer from the anxiety and discomfort that can accompany a visit to the dentist’s office. Offering sedation dentistry is simply another step we take in ensuring your entire visit is pleasant, and your results are satisfying.

How Does Sedation Dentistry Work?
We offer our patients a number of solutions to help curb nervousness. First, we listen closely to your concerns. We know you probably hate going to the dentist, that you’re afraid of being hurt, and you’re embarrassed that you’ve put off your dentistry for such a long time because of these factors. We understand how you feel. We won’t judge you.

After carefully listening to you and discovering your dental needs, Dr. Huefner will decide which method is most suited to your particular needs. At Sensational Smiles we offer one of the safest and most comfortable methods of relaxing or sedating our patients, oral sedation dentistry with pills (we do not use shots or IVs in the arm) and/or nitrous oxide gas.

We offer sedation that allows every patient to feel comfortable and safe while undergoing their dental procedures. Because sedation methods range from very mild to moderately deep sedation we may require that you arrange for a friend or family member to give you a ride to and from your sedation dentistry appointment. We will discuss the various types of sedation and any associated risks with you during your initial consultation.

If you live in Orange County, California and have been avoiding the dentist due to anxiety or fear, please contact the professional and friendly sedation dentistry team at Sensational Smiles to see how we can help alleviate your fears and help you get the dental care you deserve. Remember, we understand your fears and we don’t judge you.

What is a Smile Makeover?

2010-06-24T07:41:00.000-07:00

If you are embarrassed or very self conscious from multiple cosmetic and functional issues with your teeth and gums, a smile makeover may be an ideal choice for you. At Dr. Huefner’s Sensational Smiles, we offer this comprehensive cosmetic treatment to patients who wish to improve multiple issues in many cases as little as one appointment.

A smile makeover is designed to ensure your teeth are restored to their most natural and beautiful state and may include procedures such as:

Experienced Laguna Niguel cosmetic dentist, Dr. Huefner, will listen attentively to your concerns and after evaluating your teeth and smile, he will design a treatment plan specifically for you to achieve your goals. The final result is to provide you with a smile you can be proud of for years to come.

Candidates for a Smile Makeover
If you have one or more of the following issues affecting your teeth, you are a candidate for a smile makeover:

Chipped or cracked teeth
Missing teeth
Gapped, unevenly spaced, or unevenly sized teeth
Severely stained teeth
Uneven gums
Crooked, overlapping teeth
Old, unattractive or unnatural looking dentistry

A smile makeover can save you time and money by combining all of the procedures you require into one or more treatment sessions. With over three decades of dental experience and thousands of hours of advanced training in cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Huefner can provide you with an absolutely natural and stunning end result.

If you live in Orange County or anywhere in Southern California (we have patients come to Dr. Huefner for cosmetic dentistry as far north as Bakersfield, as far south as San Diego, and as far east as Scottsdale, Arizona), and are interested in learning more about how a smile makeover can dramatically improve your smile, please contact the smile makeover team at Sensational Smiles to schedule a complimentary smile evaluation and initial consultation.

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2010-04-23T10:00:00.001-07:00

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How to Choose the Best Color Porcelain Veneers or Porcelain Crowns?

2009-12-03T09:10:00.000-08:00

There are many reasons why patients choose to have cosmetic dentistry and especially porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns on front teeth. Sometimes because the teeth are crooked or worn or because they have numerous old fillings are common answers. But the most common reason is that they want “whiter, brighter teeth” and that bleaching didn’t give them what they wanted. Thus once you’ve finally decided to have cosmetic dentistry with all-porcelain crowns or porcelain veneers, then comes the very important decision, “what color do you make your new porcelain veneers?”
Do you want them to match the color of your other teeth as they are now? Probably not, especially since your teeth have most likely stained and darkened over the years. If you are like most people, you’ll want your new porcelain veneers lighter in color than they are now, which will help make you appear younger and healthier, but not too white or “fake looking”.

Here is a photo of a typical dental shade guide on the right, showing the sixteen basic shades going from darkest at the far right, to lighter shades on the left. These are the “natural” colors. Ten years ago most almost all porcelain veneers were made in one of those shades. But today, with bleaching and porcelain veneering, most people want their teeth whiter than those more “naturally” colored shades. On the left you’ll note the four new “bleaching shades”, which are whiter than the shades that occur naturally.
Today it is very typical for our patients to bleach their lower teeth and then do their porcelain veneers on their upper teeth in one of the four bleaching shades. At this time shade “020 or BL2” and “010 or BL1” are our most popular for smile makeovers involving 6-10 upper porcelain veneers.
Although the color of the porcelain is very important, I remind our patients that it is not the only thing that determines how white or natural your smile appears. The “translucency” or “opacity” of the porcelain veneers is a huge factor in allowing or not allowing light to partially pass through the porcelain veneers to appear natural. Real teeth have that translucency, and in general, unless the underlying teeth are extremely dark, some translucency is what we want in porcelain veneers or crowns on front teeth to mimic with the life-like and vital look of real teeth.
This doesn’t happen with opaque porcelains or with porcelain over metal (gold) crowns. The opacity, which often appears “life-less” is what so many patients object too when they see dentistry that they think looks “fake”.
But with semi-translucent porcelain veneers, which are bonded over natural teeth, the teeth can look whiter than natural teeth but still look extremely natural because of the “translucency factor”. Most of the smile makeovers with porcelain veneers that we place are done using MAC Empress Porcelain, which has beautiful life-like translucency, great colors and looks extremely natural even in the bleaching shade range. This is why so many of our patients go into the 020 (BL2) or 010 (BL1) shades and their veneers still look “real”.
Our patients always have the final decision on what color to make their porcelain veneers, but for those who want their porcelain veneers to be in the older and darker natural shades (in one of those sixteen shades on the right) I remind them that the color of their new porcelain veneers is permanent and they won’t lighten or darken over the years. With so many people bleaching their teeth and doing things to enhance their image, wanting to make themselves look younger and more attractive, we’re seeing society as a whole more and more often choosing one of the four bleaching shades on the left.
Color is very subjective, but our main criteria for shade selection is that the patient is happy with the choice of their new porcelain veneers. Here are photos of four ladies, each choosing a different color for their new porcelain veneers:

Although these colors may not show up very good on your computer monitor, each of these patients decided on a unique shade. The first lady on the upper left want her teeth to look natural, and not too white. The second lady on the upper right wanted a “white-bright” smile. The third, on the lower left, had only four porcelain veneers and after bleaching the rest of her upper teeth, wanted the four veneers to match the rest of her natural teeth. The fourth lady, on the lower right, was a little older and her entire life had wanted “white teeth!”. Thus, she chose an opaque “Hollywood white” shade.
Regardless of the color chosen by the patient (not by the dentist), our goal is for the patient to be happy with their new porcelain veneers or all-porcelain crowns and the color they choose. That is the most important thing, that the patient is very involved in the treatment choices and happy with the end results.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Correcting Small Teeth and Gummy Smile with Porcelain Veneers and the Dental Gum Laser by Dr. Huefner

2009-12-02T07:21:00.000-08:00

As a professional man, Conrad's image was very important to him and he certainly wanted to look his very best. But, showing too much of his gums and having teeth that were too small was very bothersome to him.

BEFORE

What could be done? Braces weren’t the answer. How could he get a great smile, whiter teeth, with less of a gummy smile and teeth of normal size? Fortunately for him, the solution was very straight forward and could be accomplished in a few weeks with porcelain veneers and laser gum recontouring ( a relatively easy noninvasive gum reducing procedure with little discomfort). Also, he wanted his teeth whiter. Note the color he chose for his new veneers and his sensational new smile!

AFTER

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Porcelain Veneers and Crowns, Smile Style Part II

2009-11-26T09:10:00.000-08:00

When getting a "new smile", either with porcelain veneers, bonding or all-porcelain crowns, it is a serious decision. Of course, you'll want to choose the color teeth that you think makes you look your very best, but how about the length, shape and proportion of the teeth? In many respects, that may have more influence on the final result than just the color. Your dentist, as a cosmetic artist, will suggest a "smile style" that he or she thinks will give you the best overall look.

So, what is the perfect “smile style” for your new porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns? In my previous article about Smile Design, I discussed that there are over 30,000 different ways that a cosmetic dentist can create a new smile and one of the most popular “smile guides”, Dr. William Dickerson’s “LVI Smile Library”. This article features my other favorite “smile guides”, the Lorin Library, created by cosmetic dentist Dr. Lorin Berland of Dallas, TX. Each smile style is a combination of the teeth shapes for the front six teeth. For example, the four front teeth (incisors) could be either square at the corners (s), square at one corner and rounded at the other (sr), or rounded at both corners (r). Similarly, the cuspids or eye teeth (third tooth back) could be pointed (p), rounded (r) or flat (f). Combining these different shapes each produces a uniquely different smile style. Note that the first smile design on the top left has a r-r-f design, meaning the four incisors are rounded and the canines are flat. Please note, this smile library below is only to choose the basic shape of the front six teeth, and in no way reflect the color, length, surface texture or translucency that the porcelain veneers or crowns will have. Those other things are addressed in other aspects of smile design and choosing the best combination for your “sensational new smile”.

In creating a new smile for you with porcelain veneers or all-ceramic crowns, we could use any of the above 18 smile designs from the Lorin Library or any of the 12 smile designs from the “LVI Smile Library”. However, in general I recommend against smile designs that have the cuspids (third teeth back from the center) too pointy (p) or too flat (f). Pointy cuspids can make the smile look to aggressive and flat cuspids can render an older looking smile. It is so important in the beginning of treatment that my patient involve themselves in an active discussion with me regarding the different smile styles available and which would be most appropriate for them. We take into consideration the age, face shape, personality and a host of other things when recommending one smile style over another. Using our technique called “the trial smile” we’re able to make provisional veneers or crowns so that our patient can “test drive” their new smile prior to making any final decision regarding the smile design for their final porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns. This is very helpful, as many patients are very relieved that they can try out their smile before making their final decision.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

New Smile for Kathy with Porcelain Veneers

2009-11-25T05:48:00.000-08:00

What is smile rejuvenation with cosmetic dentistry? Depending on your unique situation it could simply mean doing only one cosmetic procedure, or sometimes utilizing a combination of a couple of these cosmetic dental procedures to make your teeth and smile look better and younger: bleaching (teeth whitening), porcelain veneers, composite bonding, porcelain crowns, orthodontics, replacing old fillings with tooth colored fillings, laser gum reshaping or esthetic recontouring (reshaping the edges of the teeth).

Kathy is a baby boomer and like many she had much old dentistry. The problem was that all that was ever done was “fix the tooth” at a time, with little or no regard for the big picture….creating natural good looking teeth and smile. The result was a hodge-podge of dentistry.

Old dentistry and orthodontics didn't give Kathy a great smile to be proud of.

Her front two caps didn’t match the rest of her teeth and the metal edge on the one was showing. Her gums were uneven and after having two teeth pulled for braces, the orthodontics collapsed her side teeth so that all you really saw when she smiled was her front six teeth. She has some old fillings and crowns that had discolored her teeth as well. What Kathy wanted now as a “new look”, one that gave her a great smile that she wouldn’t be self conscious about any more. A sensational smile that she could be proud of!

Kathy was treated in just two visits, giving her that sensational smile she wanted. Some laser gum reshaping (also called a “gum lift”) was done to make the gum levels even, her front two porcelain-on-metal crowns were replaced with two all-porcelain crowns (non-metal), porcelain veneers were placed on the other visible teeth so that all her smile would have a beautiful, natural color. Of particular note, the side teeth that leaned in because of the poorly done orthodontics was corrected by placing veneers to widen her smile, giving the illusion that no teeth were pulled. Now when she smiles she shows a full compliment of teeth, not just the front six teeth!

Rejuvenated new smile with porcelain veneers, two porcelain crowns, and laser gum reshaping.

Kathy’s final results now allow her to smile with pride and look her very best.

Kathy's smile rejuvenated with porcelain veneers and cosmetic dentistry

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Porcelain Veneers Don't Stain or Get Darker Over the Years by Dr. Huefner

2009-11-24T08:21:00.000-08:00

One of the biggest concerns people have about their smile is that their teeth discolor over the years. Bleaching is one answer, but often it has to be repeated and doesn't produce teeth as white as patient want. Porcelain veneers is an answer to whiter teeth, and also many other issues (such as size, crowding, proportion, shape, length, etc.), but many patients want to know that their new smile with porcelain veneers won't change color and darken over the years. This was certainly something that used to happen with plastic bonding that was done a decade or so ago.
Fortunately, with a smile on my face, I can assure my cosmetic dentistry patients that by using porcelain veneers we almost never see this the veneers darken over time. Porcelain veneers are dense and smooth as glass, and as such rarely pick up any stain. In placing porcelain veneers for over 20 years I have only had one instance where my patient had veneers that were staining, and that was because he was an avid cigar smoker. After polishing off the cigar stain and showing him a few techniques to improve his brushing habits, his veneers never seemed to pick up any stain after that. However, natural teeth and the older fashioned plastic veneers (which we used to use a lot in the 1980s when cosmetic bonding was first introduced into dentistry) will pick up stain and will often times darken over the years. To help overcome this, natural teeth can be polished in the dental office and bleaching treatments can be used. Old fashioned plastic bonding used to get a yellowish discoloration over the years because of the hardener incorporated into it, but with newer hardeners used today this rarely happen any more, but they still tend to stain and chip more than porcelain. However because of the superior color stability and increased strength of porcelain veneers, most dentists doing significant smile enhancements prefer using porcelain rather than plastic bonding for their patients.
Here is a photo of a patient who returned to my practice 19 years after I did porcelain veneers on her upper front four teeth. Notice that the veneers still match her other upper teeth, no wear or chipping, and they still have a great shine.

THE FACT THAT THESE VENEERS ABOVE WERE DONE 19 YEARS AGO SAYS A LOT ABOUT THE COLOR RESISTANCE AND DURABILITY OF PORCELAIN VENEERS!

It is interesting that this patient returned to my practice because she now wanted all her teeth whiter. This brings up a very important point, that since porcelain veneers don’t discolor it is essential that the cosmetic dentist and patient together choose an appropriate color for the new veneers. Back in 1986 when I originally placed those four porcelain veneers almost all patients and dentists tried to make teeth look natural and not too light in color, as those were the times before teeth whitening procedures became so common. But these days most all patients want whiter and brighter smiles, and choose colors to make them look younger, cleaner and more professional. Thus, when patients have darker teeth, like this lady, today we would generally recommend to do porcelain veneers on 8-10 teeth, to create a more esthetic and homogenous smile that goes along with the lighter color. These are some examples of more current smile makeover with veneers that we are doing in our practice. Note the lighter, more attractive colors currently in vogue.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Spaced, Crooked Teeth Transformed into Beautiful Smile with Porcelain Veneers and Crowns by Dr. Huefner

2009-11-19T10:22:00.000-08:00

Symmetry is one of the most important concepts in facial beauty, and this is oftentimes very important especially with regards to slanted or crooked teeth and their effect on the smile. Spaced teeth that were also crooked and angled to one side really bothered Shannon, as it gave her a “lopsided” smile. In addition to that, she didn’t like the color or the shape of her teeth either. She knew how important nice looking teeth and smile are and soon had some special events coming up that she really wanted to have a nice smile for.

BEFORE

She consulted with us to find out what her options were with cosmetic dentistry. After evaluating her teeth and smile, and finding out more just what kind of smile she wanted, we advised doing her cosmetic dentistry with porcelain veneers. It would only takes a few visits, and Shannon could have her new smile completed in little over a month. Understandingly, she was appreshensive, but couldn’t wait to get started on her new smile.

AFTER

Above is the sensational new smile we created for Shannon with porcelain veneers. Note how symmetrical her smile is now, and doesn’t lean towards one side. Also how the edges of the teeth follow the curve of her lower lip. That is an important concept in cosmetic dentistry, called following the “smile line“. The thing that Shannon like best was the color, how much whiter and brighter her smile was, but still extremely natural looking.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Creating a Great Smile by Replacing Old Porcelain Caps with New All-Ceramic Cosmetic Dentistry

2009-11-18T13:05:00.000-08:00

Hating the two old "caps" that had been placed on her two front teeth a number of years ago, Tracy wanted teeth that looked natural and would give her a nicer looking smile.

BEFORE

When we looked closely at Tracy's smile we noticed that there were several other problems besides just having bad looking caps. There was a disproportion of her teeth size (the front two teeth were too wide and thick and the rest of her teeth were too small). She showed too much of her gums when she smiles. The gums and root areas around the front two teeth were dark. Her side teeth leaned in and because of that, didn't pick up much light and made her teeth look darker. Also, she really wanted a whiter, brighter smile.

After much discussion Tracy decided on having her two front caps redone with new all-porcelain crowns and have porcelain veneers on her other teeth. Also, to have some minor gum reshaping with the dental laser so that there would be less of her gums showing and that the gums that did show would be more even. Here is the results we achieved with Tracy's new smile with porcelain veneers and two new porcelain crowns.

AFTER

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Smile Rejuvenation: Making Older Looking Teeth Younger Again with Porcelain Veneers

2009-11-17T08:12:00.000-08:00

Monica is in her 40s but her teeth and smile were in their 80s! She was embarrassed to smile in photographs and would even put her hand in front of her mouth when speaking with others up close.
Before recommending any treatment Dr. Huenfer and Monica spent considerable time discussing what were her "needs," "wants" and "expectations" with regard to cosmetic dentistry. She said she wanted a really nice smile, and definitely whiter and more youthful looking teeth. Dr. Huefner wanted to know in her mind what her "ideal smile" would be? Then he could recommend the appropriate cosmetic dental treatment, which includes decisions as to the color, length and shape of the teeth. Also, the type of porcelain and the type of dental restoration (porcelain veneer, all-porcelain crown, porcelain-on-metal crown or composite bonding).
Monica had a much older looking smile and wanted a more youthful smile

After much discussion with Monica Dr. Huefner recommended the she have a smile makeover with all-ceramic restorations, porcelain veneers and a few all-porcelain crowns. She agreed to begin treatment according to Dr. Huefner's recommendations, and her treatment was completed in just a few weeks!

Monica's rejuvenated smile with porcelain veneers and all-porcelain crowns by Dr. Huefner

Monica was absolutely delighted with the final results of her cosmetic dentistry. By her own admission "it took off thirty years off of my face!"

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Smile Makeover with Porcelain Veneers Featured in the MAC Calendar

2009-11-12T11:55:00.000-08:00

Tracy Kemble was recently featured in the MAC calendar for the month of April. Dr. Huefner did Tracy's smile makeover with MAC porcelain veneers. Tracy's photo also appeared on the cover of the Journal of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Beautiful Tracy with her beautiful new smile....a picture is worth a thousand words, especially if the picture is of someone as gorgeous as Tracy! Of course all of Tracy's veneers were fabricated by one of MAC's (Microdental Advanced Ceramics) award winning ceramists!

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Porcelain Veneers for Ms. California-Globe by Orange County Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Huefner

2009-11-11T10:25:00.000-08:00

There are many things that help people be the "best that they can be." Many things come to mind: appearance, eduction, hard work, attitude, etc. When competing in a beauty pageant those things are important, however how one appearance on stage might be one of the most important things a judge would consider. Along with that, a beautiful smile weighs very heavily!

Jen know this and wanted a more beautiful smile before competing in the Mrs. U.S.-Globe Beauty Pageant. She was the reigning Ms. California-Globe. Dr. Huefner created a stunning smile for her with porcelain veneers several months prior to the pageant.

Above photo shows the close up of the particular type of smile design we used from the LVI smile catalog. It is called the "enhanced smile style", a design that we have found to be one of our most pupular with women. Click LVI Smile Catalog to see examples of other smile styles.

After creating Jen’s new smile Dr. Huefner did her photoshoot in his cosmetic dental studio and entered the photo on the left in the Smile Gallery competition at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and won his second gold medal.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

A Mature Woman Looks 10 years Younger with Smile Makeover and Porcelain Veneers

2009-11-05T10:56:00.000-08:00

Martha is a lady who takes great pride in her appearance. She has worked hard over the years to be healthy and always look her best. Unfortunately Martha's smile hadn't kept up with the rest of her. Her teeth got progressively darker, had worn and shifted, leaving a gap between her front two teeth. She had one crown placed by her family dentist a few years earlier, but she expressed "it doesn't match my other teeth at all!".

Martha's teeth and smile were not reflective of the rest of her appearance and how well she took care of herself

She came to Dr. Huefner to discuss her options with cosmetic dentistry and she was very precise in listing all of the things about her teeth that she didn't like: 1) the dark color 2) her pointed cuspids (which she called her "fangs") 3) the mismatched cap on her front tooth 4) the space between her front teeth 5) the old mercury fillings that made her side teeth appear black.

After analyzing her teeth and smile, Martha decided on having Dr. Huefner replace the old porcelain-metal crown with an all-ceramic crown, and then having porcelain veneers on the rest of her visible upper teeth.

Beautiful smile created for Martha, taking years off of her face

As is obvious from the photo above, Martha's new smile with cosmetic dentistry turned out great! She was extremely pleased with the results and the efforts of Dr. Huefner's artistry.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Porcelain Veneers Create Sensational Smiles for Mark without Orthodontics

2009-11-04T10:07:00.000-08:00

Mark, a very successful businessman, had crooked, yellow and worn teeth. Dealing with clients and the public he became increasingly self conscious about the appearance of his smile. He had been told that braces would make his teeth straight, but as busy as he was going to the orthodontist for two years just wasn't an option that Mark would seriously consider. He realized that at the end he would have straight teeth, but they would still be worn, misshaped and discolored. Wasn't there a better or easier way to have a great smile?
After consulting with several cosmetic dentists, Mark came to get Dr. Huefner's opinion. Dr. Huefner listened carefully to Mark and after fully understanding his goals and expectations, did a preliminary smile design consultation.

Mark's crooked and worn teeth before cosmetic dentistry

Fortunately, Mark's teeth could be changed into a beautiful smile with porcelain veneers in just a few visits. But, Mark really wanted to have a good idea of the final results before he began treatment. Also, he wasn't sure how white he wanted his new teeth and if Dr. Huefner would create the teeth with the best shape for his face. Was there anyway that Mark could preview the results before treatment actually began?
Dr. Huefner assured Mark that he understood his concerns, as many of his patients had expressed the same thing. The answer, Dr. Huefner told Mark, was in the "trial smile", the "test drive" of the final porcelain veneers.
Briefly, Mark would walk out after his first treatment visit with Dr. Huefner with a great looking smile. But, that smile would not be his final smile, it would be plastic veneers, called the "trial smile" that Dr. Huefner could change or reshape according to Mark's wishes. Then when Mark gave Dr. Huefner his final approval, Dr. Huefner would instruct his master ceramist (who actually constructs the porcelain veneers) the precise design for each and every porcelain veneer....the length, shape, color, texture, translucency, opacity, etc.
After hearing that, Mark felt much more comfortable about proceeding with his treatment.

Mark's "trial smile"

As you might imagine from the photo above of Mark wearing his "trial smile", he was trilled with the amazing improvement. He gave is full approval of his "trial smile" design and final porcelain veneers were fabricated by Dr. Huefner's ceramist according to the design that Mark and Dr. Huefner specified.
End result, a very satisfied patient with a great smile achieved with porcelain veneers!
Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Younger Rejuvenated Smile with Porcelain Veneers

2009-10-29T08:32:00.001-07:00

Helen was a bit "age sensitive". Although only in her 40s she felt her smile made her look older than she really was. Her teeth were discolored, she had a old crown on one of her front teeth that didn't match her other teeth, her gums had receded and she had a small gap between her front two teeth.
She was "fed up" and came to see Dr. Huefner to discuss her options with cosmetic dentistry.

Helen felt her smile made her look older than she really was.

Dr. Huefner listened carefully to Helen as she explained her concerns and expectations. Basically she wanted a younger looking smile with whiter teeth. That brought up a very important point....how white did Helen want her teeth to be? Her answer was, "definitely whiter and brighter, but I still want a smile that looks real and doesn't fake or unnatural."
After looking at the photo above with Dr. Huefner, some other points came out. Her teeth were very skinny at the gumline and irregular in proportion to one another.
In order to give Helen the kind of smile that she wanted Dr. Huefner suggest replacing the crown on her front tooth with an all-ceramic crown and then doing porcelain veneers on the other teeth visible in her smile. By doing her cosmetic dentistry that way all the visible upper teeth would be the same color and Dr. Huefner would have the most control over achieving a well proportioned and even looking smile!
Helen agreed with Dr. Huefner's treatment recommendations and her cosmetic dental treatment was completed in three appointments.

Helen's rejuvenated smile with cosmetic dentistry - one new all-ceramic crown and nine porcelain veneers

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Closing Gaps and Whitening a Smile with Porcelain Veneers

2009-10-27T12:05:00.001-07:00

Charlotte didn't like the way her teeth looked. She had "gaps" (spaces) between several of her teeth and had a single porcelain cap on her front tooth that didn't match her other teeth. Also, she had multicolored teeth and had always wanted a bright, white smile!

Charlotte didn't like the spaces and discolored teeth.

After consulting with Dr. Huefner and explaining to him exactly the kind of smile she wanted, Charlotte asked if she would be a good candidate for porcelain veneers? Would that solve the problems she didn't like about her teeth and smile?

Actually, Charlotte was perfect for porcelain veneers and replacing the single cap on her front tooth. Dr. Huefner could make her visible teeth all the same color, fill the gaps, make the teeth younger looking and in better proportion.

Charlotte after replacing the front cap with an all ceramic crown and placing porcelain veneers on the other teeth to fill the gaps and give her a bright, white smile!

From beginning to end, Charlotte cosmetic dental treatment took three appointments and was completed in three weeks. As you can see from the photo above, Charlotte was very happy with the end results of the smile created by Dr. Huefner.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Smile Makeover for Betty with Porcelain Bridge and Porcelain Veneers by Dr. Huefner

2009-10-26T14:03:00.000-07:00

As a young girl Betty knocked out one of her front teeth when she tripped while playing soccer. Her dentist made her a bridge which served her well for fifteen years. The only problem was SHE HATED THE WAY IT LOOKED!

Betty hated her old porcelain-metal bridge.

She came to Dr. Huefner because she was engaged and wanted a beautiful smile for her wedding. Betty had been thinking about how she didn't like the way her front teeth and bridge looked for years and had very specific things in mind for her new smile. She didn't just want a new porcelain bridge replaced to match her other teeth, she wanted a bright, white smile and "perfect teeth". This meant that other teeth would needs some help as well.

Dr. Huefner suggested replacing the old bridge a newer material called e-max which doesn't contain any silver or gold metal underneath. He also recommended placing porcelain veneers on her other teeth. This way all the teeth would have the same bright, white color and also would allow Dr. Huefner to make them the optimum shape and length.

Betty's new smile with an e-max porcelain bridge and porcelain veneers

The final results were incredible and Betty absolutely loved the whiter, more natural and youthful smile that Dr. Huefner created for her.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Stunning smile for Paulette with Porcelain Veneers by Dr. Huefner, Orange County Cosmetic Dentist

2009-10-22T10:01:00.000-07:00

Paulette, an attractive lady in her 40s, was unhappy with the way her teeth looked. She had braces when she was a child, but her teeth had shifted and worn down over the years. Also, she just didn't like the fact that her teeth turned darker and more yellow as she was getting older.

Paulette's smile before cosmetic dentistry

She made an appointment with Dr. Huefner for a cosmetic dentistry consultation, wanting do discuss her options. After carefully listening to Paulette and her concerns, and then examining her teeth, Dr. Huefner recommended porcelain veneers to give Paulette the kind of smile that she wanted.

Paulette after porcelain veneers by Dr. Huefner

Above is the stunning smile created for Paulette by Dr. Huefner with porcelain veneers.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Porcelain Veneers Used to Correct Crooked Smiles by Dr. Huefner, Orange County Cosmetic Dentist

2009-07-22T09:21:00.000-07:00

There have been many interesting studies with regard to the perception of facial beauty and what they determined was that facial symmetry was much more important than individual features. Since teeth and the person’s smile are the strongest focus area (where your attention is drawn when speaking to or looking at), the symmetry of a smile is incredibly important!

Unfortunately, most people have at least some inherent asymmetry: one eye might be slightly higher than the other, the nose might be off center, and sometimes one side of the face is longer than the other. With regards to the smile, lips that move higher or lower on one side than the other or show more teeth on one when the person speaks or smiles is an important thing for the cosmetic dentist to be aware of prior to beginning any smile enhancement procedures like porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns. Most of the time this isn’t a significant problem, but for others, like this patient of mine, her crooked smile really bothered her.

Note how the teeth all point down to her lower right (her right is on the left of the photo), as seen from the five black lines. Also, that the bottom edges of the teeth cant (lean to one side) as well, as seen on the red line. Together, these all threw off her smile and detracted considerably from much of the beauty of her face.

To make things more interesting, this patient had some old dentistry that she didn’t like. The teeth and gums appeared as having different lengths. She wanted a whiter, brighter smile that would be even and symmetrical and offset her facial asymmetries. So, taking all aspects and features of her face in consideration here is the beautiful result we achieved with porcelain veneers and a new all-ceramic bridge (replacing her old-fashioned porcelain-to-metal bridge).

I can’t emphasize enough that in order to create a superb smile and result like this necessitated I pay particular attention to all of her facial features. I fine tuned the gum symmetry and length, shape of the teeth using provisional (temporary) restorations, which allowed her to “test drive” her new smile first. After achieving her full approval at this stage I was able to give my ceramist very specific and precise instructions on how to complete the final porcelain veneers and bridge. End result: A VERY SATISFIED AND HAPPY PATIENT!

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Porcelain Veneers and Smile Design, Part I by Dr. Huefner

2009-07-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

When considering cosmetic dentistry and a smile makeover what is the perfect “smile style” for your new porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns? In previous articles I discussed that there are over 30,000 different ways that a cosmetic dentist can create a new smile and that there are over 60 different documented “smile styles” available for cosmetic dentists to use as guide and to better communicate with to the cosmetic dental patient and the dental ceramist. In this article we’ll discuss one of the most popular “smile guides”, Dr. William Dickerson’s “LVI Smile Library”. I am particularly fond of this library, as I started my advanced cosmetic training at Dr. Dickerson’s prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies over a decade ago. And since then, following many of the concepts I learned under his tutelage, I’ve done several thousand porcelain veneers and cosmetic crowns, created sensational smiles for hundreds of my patients. Each smile style is a combination of the teeth shapes for the front six teeth. For example, the four front teeth (incisors) could be either square at the corners, square at one corner and rounded at the other, or rounded at both corners. Similarly, the cuspids or eye teeth (third tooth back) could be pointed, rounded or flat. Combining these different shapes each produces a uniquely different smile style. Please note, this smile library below is only to choose the basic shape of the front six teeth, and in no way reflect the color, length, surface texture or translucency that the porcelain veneers or crowns will have. Those other things are addressed in other aspects of smile design and choosing the best combination for your “sensational new smile”.

For most females, the “Enhanced” smile style is one of our most popular designs. Note that the second teeth from the center are a little shorter than the front teeth. This is a youthful effect we call “the gull wing” that really looks nice on females. The “Hollywood” style above is a little more “toothy” and works well for males and especially those wanting to show off a little more teeth. The “Oval” style might look best on someone with a very round face. Notice how very round the edges of the four front teeth are? The “Aggressive” style has tooth edges that are flat almost straight across. We use it mostly for men and it simulates someone who might be a bit older and have a habit of grinding his teeth. The “Youthful” style simulates the shape of unworn teeth that might be seen in a 14 year old. Although many adults like this name because they think it might give them the illusion of being significantly younger, we almost always utilize this design in much younger individuals. The “Mature” style has squarish edges on the four front teeth and is another design that we frequently use for men. The “Softened” style is a very popular design that we use for those wanting their smile to help make them appear a little younger than their years. It is my preference to use smile designs that have the cuspids (also called canines, the third teeth back on each side) that are slightly round, not flat (too old looking) or pointed (too aggressive looking). It is important that both the patient and cosmetic dentist actively discuss the different smile styles at the beginning of the smile makeover process. Using our technique called “the trial smile” we’re able to make provisional veneers or crowns so that our patient can “test drive” their new smile prior to making any final decision regarding the smile design for their final porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

How a Cosmetic Dentist Chooses the Perfect Length Porcelain Veneers or Crowns for Your Sensational New Smile by Dr. Huefner

2009-04-07T10:06:00.000-07:00

When it comes to your teeth and smile the length of your teeth, especially your front two teeth, is a very important aspect on how the world sees your smile. If your teeth are too short, it may make you look older than your years and take a lot away from the power of your smile. If the teeth are too long, because the gums have possibly receded over the years, then the smile can be unattractive or even distracting. Like the story about the Three Bears, the length of the front teeth needs to be “just right” for a great smile. So, when cosmetic dentists create a new smile for their patients, with porcelain veneers, bonding or all-ceramic crowns, what are the criteria that they use?The first test I use is to check my patient when they relax their mouth and face muscles, with the mouth slightly open and separating the back teeth so they aren’t touching together. The upper lip has to be totally relaxed. In general I would like to see 1-2mm (about 1/8”) of the front teeth showing. If I don’t see any teeth showing, the front teeth may be too short producing an older looking smile. If I see more than that, there may be a short upper lip or a large overbite and long teeth that I have to take into consideration.

The left photo shows teeth that are probably too short and the one on the right is of unworn teeth, which is more youthful and attractive.The next test is having the patient give a full smile. How much of the upper front teeth do I see then? If all of the front teeth show, then the next thing I want to see that the tooth is longer than it is wide (rectangular). If the front tooth is as wide as it is long (square), it may be considered too short and/or aged. If it is wider than it is long, the teeth would definitely be considered too short and very aged! The most common reason for short teeth is from wearing away from a grinding habit, which is more pronounced with older individuals.

The left photo shows teeth that are too long for the smile. The next photo shows worn teeth that are now square. The third photo demonstrates severely shortened and worn teeth. The last photo shows teeth that are normal in shape and length for this patient’s smile.
There was a study done once where the public was shown various people smiling and could observe the full length of the front teeth. Almost universally they thought that the most beautiful smiles had front teeth that were 1.29 times longer than they were wide (in dental terms a 78% width-length ratio). Thus, a great starting point for a dentist is to measure the width of the tooth, do the math, and then establish the ideal visual length for the front two teeth. (By the way, one test you can use on that might give you an idea as to how well trained your dentist is with cosmetic dentistry would be to ask “What is the ideal proportion of the length of the upper front two teeth?” Answers of 78% (ideal), 75-80% (acceptable range) or 1.29 times longer than wide are answers that probably indicate that the dentist has studied the finer points of cosmetic dentistry.)This length can be tested to see how the patient likes the length before any treatment is even started. Without needing any numbing medicine or doing any drilling, filling material can be added temporarily onto the short front teeth. Then the patient and dentist can evaluate the length for optimum esthetics when the patient has a relaxed mouth or a big smile. There is another criteria that cosmetic dentists like and that is for the edges of the eight upper front teeth to follow the contour of the lower lip when smiling. Cosmetic dentists call this “following the smile line” .

This photo demonstrates a nice smile that follows the “smile line” and teeth are attractive and normal in length for this patients smile. It should be obvious that this is a post-treatment photo of a lady with 8 porcelain veneers.
The last test that we use is to verify the esthetically determined teeth length with phonetics or “speech function”. If the teeth are too long then they will hit the lower lip to much and affect the ability to produce the “f” sounds. If the patient says the word “fifty-five” cosmetic dentists like to see the upper teeth to gently touch the lower lip. If the front teeth hit too hard and the teeth are too long, making a proper the “f” sounds will be difficult.But more important than all of these cosmetic dentistry criteria is that the patient likes his or her new smile with porcelain veneers and can comfortably and appropriately speak. Establishing the length of the new veneers should be a joint decision between the cosmetic dentist and the patient.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Unbelievable Smile Makeover with Porcelain Veneers for Gerald by Dr. Huefner

2009-03-20T10:35:00.000-07:00

Gerald is a very shy, kind and soft-spoken man. He was at a point in his life that he realized that it was time for some self-improvement and his teeth and smile were some of the things that were holding him back. He was changing careers and dating and realized that he had to get his smile in shape. A year ago Dr. Huefner had done a smile makeover for one of Gerald's friends, and Gerald wanted to consult with Dr. Huefner to see if he was a candidate for cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers.

BEFORE COSMETIC DENTISTRY: Gerald knew it was time that he did something about the appearance of his teeth and smile.

At his cosmetic dentistry consultation Dr. Huefner asked Gerald what he wanted to change about his smile. His answer was that he wanted a great smile, and would leave it to Dr. Huefner to create the best smile possible for him. Usually patient's aren't as trusting as Gerald and want more input into the design of the porcelain veneers.

One of the things that Dr. Huefner had to find out from Gerald was "how white" did he want his teeth? After all, his teeth were very dark and Dr. Huefner wanted to make sure that Gerald would feel comfortable having his teeth made several shades whiter. Again, Gerald said he would leave it up to Dr. Huefner.

Dr. Huefner said he appreciated Gerald's confidence, but he had to make sure that Gerald approved of the color before doing his cosmetic dentistry. The solution to this was for Dr. Huefner to create temporary veneers of Gerald in the size, length, shape and color that Dr. Huefner thought would look best. Then Dr. Huefner would place the temporary veneers, or "trial smile", on Gerald's teeth and let him "test drive" the new smile before fabricating the permanent porcelain veneers for him. This was done and Gerald loved the design created for him and the permanent porcelain veneers were then crafted by Dr. Huefner's master ceramist Dave Stohlman.

AFTER: Gerald's new smile with porcelain veneers by Dr. Huefner

As you might imagine, Geral was absolutely thrilled with his smile makeover with porcelain veneers. Not only did he look healthier and more professional, but people also commented that he looked 10 years younger!

Gerald looked ten years younger with his new smile makeover by Dr. Huefner.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Most Comfortable Way to Have Your Dentistry Done - Oral Sedation Dentistry by Dr. Huefner

2009-03-19T08:05:00.000-07:00

What is Oral Sedation Dentistry?

In general we utilize two oral medications in the benzodiazepine class, which are among the safest and most widely prescribed medications used today in the United States.

The first medication is one that you will take the night BEFORE your dental appointment. It is called Diazepam and its purpose is to give you a good night’s sleep and reduce the amount of medication you’ll take at the dental office.

You are not allowed to eat or drink anything the morning of your dental appointment, and will need a responsible person to drive you to Dr. Huefner’s office. When you arrive you’ll be relaxed and will be escorted to your treatment room. There Dr. Huefner will evaluate you and determine how much medication to give you. The second medication, the one use on the morning of your dental appointment is most commonly Triazolam. It is a small blue pill taken about 1 hour before your dentistry begins. This tablet has been prescribed over 10 million times per year, by physicians, for patient’s use at home. The drug has almost no side effects or interaction with other medicines you may currently be taking. There are other medications that Dr. Huefner might be used instead of Triazolam, like Ativan, Hydroxizine or Sonata. However, Triazolam is generally the medication of choice because of its excellent sedative and hypnotic qualities.

Dr. Huefner will monitor your pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation, and give you the second medication in the dental office. You’ll relax in a dimly lit room under a warm, cozy blanket. After an hour you’ll feel very tired, relaxed and comfortable, however you will not be put to sleep. When you are completely comfortable Dr. Huefner and his skilled team will do your dentistry. When your treatment is done and your sedation has worn off, your companion will drive you home. You’ll feel as if you slept through the morning and won’t have much memory at all of the dentistry that you had.

What are the Benefits or Oral Sedation Dentistry?
It is amazing because oral sedation dentistry allows you to comfortably undergo everything from a simple cleaning to extensive treatment. One of the most important benefits of the medicine that Dr. Huefner uses is that they have an amnesia quality which for most patients, tends to prevent almost any memory of the visit. Oral sedation dentistry is sometimes referred to as “sleep dentistry” because of this and its other pleasant affects, however you are not actually put to sleep.

Other benefits of oral sedation dentistry are:

It enhances effectiveness of anesthetic.
It decreases gagging.
It decreases joint and muscle soreness.
Allows more treatment to be provided in a shorter time, which could decrease total number of visits.

How Long Does Oral Sedation Last?
For most patients, the effects of dental sedation last between 2-4 hours, so we require you to have someone drive you home.

Am I Really Asleep?
Many call it sleep dentistry because most patients do tend to fall asleep just a little. However that is not our goal. We will keep you at a level of sedation where you can still respond to verbal commands. This has been such a comfortable way of doing dentistry that not surprisingly even the most apprehensive patients have been elated with the results.

Safety
We constantly monitor each sedation patient with a computerized computerized state-of-the-art oral sedation monitors. We measure your heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation the entire time. To be completely safe we also have a reversal agent on hand that reverses the effect of the sedation medicine in less than 30 seconds. We are very excited about being able deliver this extremely comfortable type of dentistry to Orange County. This safe, comfortable and relaxing oral sedation method is a blessing for our patients.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Orange County, Laguna Niguel, CA

Choosing the Perfect Shaped Porcelain Veneers by Dr. Huefner

2009-03-17T09:25:00.000-07:00

Anyone considering cosmetic dentistry with porcelain veneers should be aware that there are different ways that they could be made, right? But how many different ways and how does one choose the best design and shape for their face and smile? There are approximately 25 different shades (colors), three different surface textures (how the light reflects off of the front of the veneers), several different porcelain types which each has different translucencies (ability of the light to pass through the veneer to render a “life-like” appearance), several different lengths and shapes that each veneer/tooth could be made and at least 60 different documented smile styles. Do the math and you’ll note that there are probably 30,000 different ways that your cosmetic dentist could create your new smile. This can be pretty confusing. So how do you know you’re getting the best combination for your face and smile?

Mrs. U.S.-Globe Jill Frick and her “Enhanced” smile style with ten porcelain veneers by Dr. Huefner.
The short answer is for you and your cosmetic dentist to communicate on a very high level so that your expectations can be met. Your cosmetic dentist wants your input because he/she certainly wants you to love your new smile. Success is dependent on the skill, care and judgment of the dentist, but also on the ability of both the patient and dentist to communicate and work together on deciding key issues. This article concentrates on one of the huge variables that there is, choosing the smile style. Most cosmetic dentists will involve the patient in this selection process, but offering input and suggestions to help guide the patient in the selection based on the shape of the face, age, personality type and other factors. There are three commonly used “smile guides” that cosmetic dentists have available to them to show patients. Dr. William Dickerson’s “LVI Smile Library” (12 different styles), Dr. Loren Berland’s “Loren Library” (18 different styles) and Dr. William Dorfman’s “The Smile Guide” (36 different styles). One question a patient might ask their cosmetic dentist is which smile guide does he use and specifically what smile style does he recommend? If the dentist is experienced in cosmetic dentistry you should be able to see one of these guides and the cosmetic dentist should discuss by name a smile style that he/she advises using. There are different acceptable variations in shape that each porcelain veneer can be made. For example, the four front teeth (incisors) could be either square at the corners, square at one corner and rounded at the other, or rounded at both corners. Similarly, the cuspids or eye teeth (third tooth back) could be pointed, rounded or flat. Combining these different shapes each produces significantly different smile styles. Here are three examples from the Loren Library:

The design above is round, round, pointed. It is very youthful and oftentimes used when the patient has a very round face.

The above is a design quite the opposite, square, square, flat. It is a much older and oftentimes much more masculine smile style.

This one is in between the first two, being square, square-round, round, and is a very popular design.
Here are two popular smile styles from the Dickerson “LVI Smile Library”:

This is the “Enhanced” smile style, very popular with many of the beauty pageant contestants that I’ve created porcelain veneers for over the years. Note that the second teeth from the center are a little shorter than the front teeth. This is a youthful effect we call “the gull wing” that really looks nice on females. See first photo in this article with of Mrs. U.S.-Globe and the “Enhanced” smile style I used with her 10 porcelain veneers.

The “Hollywood” style above is a little more “toothy” and works well for males and especially those wanting to show off a little more teeth.
It is important that both the patient and cosmetic dentist be aware of the differences in tooth shapes and smile styles and have active communication between each other in choosing the best smile style for the patient’s new porcelain veneers.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Smile makeover for a More Professional Appearance with Porcelain Veneers by Dr. Huefner

2009-03-16T11:29:00.000-07:00

Women aren't the only ones who appreciate having a nice smile. About one third of patients having smile makeovers and cosmetic dentistry today are men.
Porcelain veneers are many times the best solution for many patients who have discolored, chipped and otherwise unattractive teeth and are seeking a more professional appearance. This gentleman was a perfect example of that situation. He also wanted a more youthful appearance, slightly longer teeth that also had a whiter porcelain color (“Hollywood white”). On the right you can see the photo of his porcelain veneers and as you might guess, he was absolutely thrilled with the results we achieved for him.
BEFORE

AFTER

It is extremely important that the patients become very involved in the color selection to be very satisfied with the ultimate results. In our cosmetic practice we will make suggestions as to what color veneers will look best in our opinion, but it is the patients who have the final decision.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Sensational Smile Makeover with Porcelain Veneers by Orange County Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Huefner

2009-03-12T14:16:00.000-07:00

Amber's crooked and disheveled smile was really starting to embarrass her. She is a very attractive lady in her early 50s and her smile certainly didn't go with the rest of her image. She was ready for a "new smile" and wanted to learn what cosmetic dentistry might be able to do for her.
The first cosmetic dentistry consultation is generally just a fact finding appointment, the patient wanting to find out what possible treatments can be done and if he/she like and trust the cosmetic dentist. The first three questions Dr. Huefner asked of Amber were "How can I help you?", "What do you want changed about your smile?" and "What kind of smile do you want?"
She pretty much knew what she wanted. Her teeth were crooked, and she wanted them straight. Her teeth were discolored, and she wanted them whiter. She had several discolored fillings, and she didn't want her fillings to show. Her teeth had worn down and showed the effects of age, and she wanted slightly longer and more youthful, feminine looking teeth.
Amber's smile before cosmetic dentistry
Amber had bridges and crowns on her back side teeth that she wanted replaced as well, but she didn't want to do that until later. Thus her goals were to first restore her front teeth, giving her a great smile, and later to do her side teeth. Dr. Huefner assured her that he could do her treatment that way if she preferred.
After much discussion and consideration Dr. Huefner recommended that Amber have porcelain laminate veneers on her front teeth. Then later she could have porcelain veneers on her side teeth that would also replace her fillings. Along with that she could later replace her back bridges and crowns.
After discussing the design features that Dr. Huefner recommended for her front teeth (size, shape, length, color, texture and translucency), Amber was pleased to learn that her new smile for her front teeth could be completed in less than three weeks.
Below is the completed smile makeover with porcelain veneers that Dr. Huefner did for Amber's front six teeth.

Amber's new smile with porcelain veneers by Dr. Huefner
Dr. Norman Huefner, Cosmetic and General Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

"Trial Smile" is One of the Most Important Steps in Designing Your New Porcelain Veneers or Porcelain Crowns by Dr. Huefner

2009-03-09T13:13:00.000-07:00

When your cosmetic dentist designs your new smile, whether it be by using porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns, much must be decided. Obviously the color of the teeth are important, but there are multiple other things to address. The length of the teeth, shape of the teeth, position in your bite, shape around the gums, size and placement of the teeth relative to the upper and lower lips, etc. are all things that are very important components that help make up the final result of your new smile.

With so many things, how can a dentist determine the final smile design in just one or two appointments? The answer is that most experienced cosmetic dentists would never decide such important things in one or two appointments. Most utilize an extremely important concept called the "trial smile".

At the beginning of treatment the experienced cosmetic dentist evaluates the patients teeth, gums, face, lips, etc. and has some idea how he would design the smile. However, what the dentist has in mind may not be exactly what the patient wants, or even what the patient could determine from just one or two appointments. And, the person who should be most happy with the smile design is the patient, right? So, the dentist first designs the "trial smile", or temporary smile, according to what he deems will look best for the patient.

Then the dentist prepares the teeth, places the "trial smile", and then has the patient wear the "trial smile" for a few days, or sometimes even a few weeks to make sure that the patient approves of the color, shape, length, etc. of the teeth. If there are any changes that the patients wants to be made, those changes can be done much easier to the "trial smile" than the permanent porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns.

If the patient wants the teeth to be longer, then the teeth in the "trial smile" can be lengthened by adding to them. If shorter is what the patient wants, they can be adjusted and shortened. Then after the changes to the "trial smile" are done and approved of by the patient, the cosmetic dentist can precisely direct the ceramist how to make the final porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns.

Below is a photo of Dr. Huefner's patient Sandra. She hated the way her teeth looked, and this made her very self conscious of her appearance, especially when smiling or in photos. Obviously you can see that her teeth were discolored and she had numerous cavities and fillings. Her gums were also uneven and the the front teeth had worn and shortened over the years.

Sandra's teeth before cosmetic dentistry

Sandra wanted whiter teeth, but how white? Also she wanted the spaces between her teeth closed. She wanted her teeth to all be the same color and she didn't want any unsightly cavities or fillings to show. Dr. Huefner also recommended that he even out her gums with his dental gum laser. Porcelain veneers were the recommended treatment. So, Dr. Huefner first placed Sandra in a "trial smile" of his design to allow Sandra to "test drive" her appearance and make sure she approved of the design.

Sandra in her "trial smile" after evening out her gums with the dental gum laser

Sandra wore the "trial smile" for four days, returned to Dr. Huefner's office for the final approval. Then the final porcelain veneers were made to the specifications that Sandra had approved of. The end result was that Sandra got a beautiful new smile and was trilled with the way her new teeth (porcelain veneers) looked!

Dr. Norman Huefner, Cosmetic and General Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Short, Spaced Teeth Transformed into Beautiful Smile with Porcelain Veneers by Dr. Huefner

2009-03-04T09:23:00.000-08:00

Anna had worn her teeth down over the years and was increasingly becoming self conscious about her smile. Her teeth also had spaces between them and they were much darker than when she was younger. She is a successful businesswoman and realized that her appearance is important when dealing with people. What could she do to improve her smile and look younger and more professional?

Anna's smile and teeth before cosmetic dentistry

When a new patient comes in for a cosmetic dentistry consultation the most important thing that a cosmetic dentist can do is carefully listen to their concerns. What is it they want? What don't they like about their teeth and smile? Why are they wanting cosmetic dentistry? Why do they want it now, as opposed to earlier or later? What color teeth do they want? How does their teeth and smile effect them with business or interpersonal relationships? Do they only want a minimal improvement or high expectations, wanting an absolutely perfect smile? There are many questions that are asked to the new patient and Dr. Huefner spent considerable time discussing these things with Anna.

It was ultimately realized that Anna wanted a younger, more feminine smile. Teeth that would help her look her very best. And yes, she did want a "perfect smile" if that could be achieved.

Weighing all her conerns and the condition of her teeth and mouth, Dr. Huefner recommended porcelain veneers for Anna's upper and lower teeth. He strongly felt that would be the most conservative way of achieving her goals of obtaining a "perfect smile". At that time she wasn't sure if she wanted to do all her front teeth, so left being undecided. She felt this was a big decision, so she consulted with several other cosmetic dentists before deciding to go forward with Dr. Huefner's recommendations.

Anna's new smile after porcelain veneers and cosmetic dentisry by Dr. Huefner

Dr. Huefner treated Anna in three phases. First the upper front ten veneers were placed. The second phase was doing the lower ten veneers. The final phase was restoring several of her back teeth. The end result for Anna was excellent, as all her objectives were achieved and she was extremely happy with her new smile.

Dr. Norman Huefner, Cosmetic and General Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Tierra Gets Cover Girl Smile with Porcelain Veneers by Dr. Huefner

2009-03-03T08:59:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Tierra appeared in the MAC calendar for both February and September. Here are the calendar photos as they appeared.

Tierra was Ms. Desert States 2007 from Reno, NV, and was second runner-up in the Mrs. U.S.-Globe Pageant. Prior to competing in the pageant Tierra came to Dr. Huefner for porcelain veneers (of course, done by MAC, Microdental Advanced Ceramics).

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Dental Implant Used to Replace Missing Tooth by Dr. Huefner

2009-03-02T07:51:00.000-08:00

Breaking and losing a front tooth can be devastating and very embarrasing. Everyone sees it.

Rita broke off just such a tooth at the gum line and it needed replacement. We discussed several options with her (placing a porcelain bridge, a removable partial denture or dental implant). In her case she didn't want to do anything to the adjacent teeth, so a porcelain bridge wasn't chosen. Also, she didn't want a tooth replacement that came in and out like a removable partial denture, so that wasn't chosen either. She wanted something permanent and very strong and accordingly, chose to do a dental implant.

Here is the process that we used to restore her tooth and smile with the dental implant.

First, the remaining part of the tooth (the root) was removed (extracted). A dental implant was placed into the area were the root was (below).

Then a zirconia abutment was made (below).

It was placed into the metal dental implant (below).

An all-porcelain (non metal) crown was made that fits onto the zirconia abutment (below).

A all-porcelain (non metal) crown showing how it fits onto the zirconia abutment (below).

The porcelain crown was cemented onto the zirconia dental implant abutment (below).

This was a successful case, but could have looked better had veneers been done on the two adjacent teeth to cover over the yellow root areas. Notice how beautifully matched the dental implant was to the two adjacent teeth!

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Peg-teeth Smile Makeover with Porcelain Veneers by Dr. Huefner

2009-02-26T15:57:00.000-08:00

Lisa had gone through three years of braces, but still wasn’t happy with her teeth and smile. Why? Her teeth were straight, weren’t they? Yes, but she still had a couple problems. First, her lateral incisors were “peg shaped”, smaller than normal. Her central incisors (the front two teeth) had a funny shape, wider near the gums than they should be, and they were too short. Also, her side teeth (bicuspids) tipped in. But most of all, Lisa wanted her teeth to be whiter.

BEFORE

The solution for Lisa was porcelain veneers on her upper eight teeth. Here is the new smile achieved for Lisa in just a few appointments.

AFTER

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Rugged Gentleman Gets Great Smile with Porcelain Veneers by Dr. Huefner

2009-02-24T14:01:00.000-08:00

Philip had a rugged smile with worn and discolored teeth. If you look closely at the photo below you'll notice that he was actually congenitally missing two of his incisors (born without the tooth "bud" for two front teeth, something we see in about 5% of the population).

BEFORE

Over the years Philip's gums had receded which left gaps between his teeth as well. It was time for a change. He didn’t want to look “perfect”, just to have nice looking teeth when he smiled.

Our first appointment with Philip was a complimentary cosmetic dentistry consultation. We took photos of Philip's teeth and smile and looked at them on the computer monitor. This enabled us to communicate better and make sure we were all seeing the same things and truly addressing the concerns that he had.

After discussing his particular situation, likes and dislikes, and goals, Dr. Huefner suggested treating his smile with just four porcelain veneers. He recommended making his two front teeth a little longer and by making his cuspids look like lateral incisors so that he would have a natural looking smile. Also, the color of the veneers were made just a little lighter than the other visible teeth. The result, a younger, more healthy looking, more attractive and professional looking masculine smile! John was thrilled with the result.

AFTER

As you might have guessed by the huge improvement, the patient was extremely pleased with the result achieved for him.
Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Sensational Smile with Porcelain Veneers and a Ceramic Bridge by Dr. Huefner

2009-02-23T11:53:00.000-08:00

Not happy with her teeth and smile, Uliana wanted to know what options cosmetic dentistry might have for her. Her teeth were very discolored and wearing down on the edges. She also had a crossbite on one side and didn't like the way her porcelain-to-metal crowns and bridge looked.
BEFORE
We recommended porcelain veneers on her front teeth and replacement of her old crowns and bridges with all-ceramic porcelain crowns (non-metal based) and porcelain bridge. She wanted to be involved in the design of the shape and length of her "new teeth" and was particularly concerned about achieving a full smile. The results we achieved for her were sensational!
AFTER

Then a few weeks later we took her post treatment portraits right in our "sensational smiles studio". As you can clearly see, she was very happy with her cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers. One of these portraits that we took will be entered in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry annual Smile Gallery competition. Wish us luck!

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Dark, Discolored Teeth Corrected with Porcelain Veneers by Dr. Huefner

2009-02-19T08:39:00.000-08:00

Most people would agree that your smile is very important to you. Many might say that it even sends a message to the whole world about you…about your health, about how you take care of yourself, about how good you look, etc. Your smile is about a third of what you see of your face, so to many that is very important.

Wendy’s teeth were very discolored, especially her front tooth. She’s a professional person and knows how important to appear her best in business and in the public.

BEFORE

After discussing her personal situation, Dr. Huefner suggested porcelain veneers to Wendy, along with an advanced procedure to disguise the dark root under the dark front tooth.

Wendy decided it was time to improve her smile and have the cosmetic dentistry that Dr. Huefner recommended. Here are two photos of Wendy and the sensational new smile that was achieved for her with porcelain veneers on her upper teeth.
AFTER

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Porcelain Veneers and Smile Design Part II by Dr. Huefner

2009-02-17T08:35:00.000-08:00

Orange County Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Huefner Judges Mrs. Globe Pageant

2009-02-14T14:12:00.000-08:00

At the recent Mrs. Globe and Mrs. U.S.-Globe beauty pageant Dr. Huefner was again honored as being one of the celebrity judges. This was Dr. Huefner's seventh year in a row as a pageant judge.

Dr. Huefner at the judge's table on the pageant runway for preliminary judging

The pageant delegates in their evening gowns were absolutely stunning

Dr. Huefner (top right) with the winner of the Mrs. U.S.-Globe and runners up

Pageant Judges Dr. Brian LeSage (left), Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist and Dr. Huefner (right) with newly crowned Mrs. U.S.-Globe and Mrs. Globe

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Younger, More Attractive Smile with Porcelain Veneers for Colette by Dr. Huefner

2009-02-12T09:21:00.000-08:00

Your teeth and smile are probably are among the very most noticeable features of your face. Colette realized this. When you talk or express yourself, your mouth and eyes are the communicators the move and attract attention. If your teeth are worn, discolored, misshaped, crooked and contain unnatural fillings or crowns, this can age your smile and appearance. Colette is an attractive lady and knew that she didn't present the very best image of herself because of her teeth. A professional lady in sales, looking her best was very important to her and she was ready to get her smile in shape!
Colette with worn teeth and old dentistry

She wanted Dr. Huefner to create a younger, more attractive smile. A part of this was she knew she wanted her teeth whiter, but still to look natural. She had friends who had caps that looked false and opaque and certainly didn't want that! Also, she wanted her two ugly caps, one on her front tooth and the other on her back molar to be replaced. And how about her slightly crooked teeth? Would she need braces to correct that? Fortunately, all of Colette's dental concerns could be corrected with porcelain veneers and two all-porcelain crowns to replace her old porcelain on metal crowns. And even better, she could get her completed "new smile" in just a couple of weeks, beginning to end!
She had heard of porcelain veneers before, especially DaVinci veneers used on the TV show "Extreme Makeover" and Lumineers, from the many ads seen in magazines. What type of porcelain veneers would Dr. Huefner recommend? After careful consideration of many factors, Dr. Huefner utilized MAC veneers by master ceramist Dave Stohlman. Dr. Huefner had used MAC veneers by Dave Stohlman for over a dozen beauty pageant winners over the years and if it was good enough for those ladies who really depend on having a beautiful smile, then it was good enough for Colette!

Colette's sensational new smile with porcelain veneers and all-porcelain crowns to replace old porcelain-metal crowns.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Missing Front Teeth Replaced with Conservative Bonded Bridges by Dr. Huefner

2009-02-03T13:46:00.000-08:00

Dawn was congenitally missing her two upper lateral incisors. This is a common problem, as 3-5% of the U.S. population are congenitally missing either one or two lateral incisors or lower bicuspids.

Dawn congenitally missing her two lateral incisors

She had braces for two years and the orthodontist had put two false teeth on her retainer. Now 18 years old and soon going off to college, she was becomming increasingly dissatisfied with the appearance of her teeth and smile and wanted an improvement before she left. What were her options, she asked Dr. Huefner.

One option was dental implants, however that is not a good choice until her facial growth is completed, which it hadn't in her case. It may be five or more years until she could have implants.

Another choice was a better removable partial denture than she currently had. But she hated the fact that it came in and out and really wanted a more permanent solution.

The traditional treatment would be two 3-unit porcelain bridges. However that would mean that the teeth on both sides of the missing teeth would need to be reshaped and completely covered over with crowns, meaning that instead of just two teeth replacements she would have six!

Wasn't there something better, more conservative for Dawn?

Yes, today modern cosmetic dentist now have a better solution, permanent non-metal, porcelain on fiber reinforced resin bonded lingually retained bridges. No drilling on the front of any of her teeth, just very conservative preparation on the backs of the adjacent teeth. Here is the results that we achieved for Dawn with two bonded lingually retained bridges.

Dawn treated with two conservative lingually retained permanent bridges.

As you can imagine, Dawn was trilled with the improvement in her teeth and smile that we were able to achieve for her.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Orange County, CA

2009-01-28T08:35:00.000-08:00

Erin had porcelain veneers done by another dentist in another state a few years earlier and was displeased with the results. The teeth were not symmetrical and actually one front tooth was longer than the other. Also, she wanted her teeth whiter. It just wasn't the ideal results that she had hoped for.
Erin with her old porcelain veneers that she didn't like.

Erin is a good communicator, so it didn't take much effort for her to express to Dr. Huefner what changes she wanted in her smile. She wanted her teeth whiter, brighter, a little longer, for the teeth to have a more feminine shape and look more "real".
Her treatment went extremely smooth. The old veneers were removed and provisional veneers were made to "test drive" the shape, color, length and position of her new teeth. We call that the "trial smile." After Erin's approval, photos, models and measurements of her approved provisionals were sent to our master ceramist, Dave Stohlman. Erin continued to wear her "trial smile" for two weeks, then returned to our office and had her new porcelain veneers bonded with our argon laser.

Erin's new smile with porcelain veneers fabricated by Dr. Huefner and master ceramist Dave Stohlman.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Cosmetic Dentistry Smile Makeover with Porcelain Veneers for Caroline by Dr. Huefner Orange County Cosmetiic Dentist

2009-01-26T10:43:00.000-08:00

Caroline was sick and tired of her teeth and smile. Her teeth were discolored, chipped, has multiple old fillings that had stained and changed color over the years, there was spacing between her front teeth.

Caroline's smile before cosmetic dental treatment

Being embarrassed about her teeth made her less approachable and more withdrawn. She would be reluctant to show her teeth when photographed. The kicker was that one day she was holding one of her grandchildren who looked up to her and said, "Nana, why are your teeth so ugly?"

That was it for her! She already knew she could stand some improvement with her old dentistry, but she wanted to look and feel her best and have more confidence in social situations around other people.

What could she do? She came to see Dr. Huefner for a cosmetic dentistry consultation. Caroline expressed her concerns to Dr. Huefner and he in turn asked her what she really wanted? Whiter teeth? Straight teeth? Just to replace the old dentistry? Did she want to look younger and make her image more professional?

She told Dr. Huefner to suggest a treatment that he could do for her that would give her a great smile again, like she felt she had back in high school. Dr. Huefner in turn recommended doing porcelain veneers on her eight front teeth.

She would have her new teeth and smile in just a few weeks and the treatment with porcelain veneers would be much easier and less drilling than the many crowns she had on her back teeth over the years. "Non-metal, all-ceramic dentistry will give you the best looking result", Dr. Huefner told Caroline. "And, if you're ready now, we can start this week and you'll have your new smile for the holidays."

Caroline was excited and began her cosmetic treatment right away. Here is the final result that she received with cometic dentistry utilizing porcelain veneers.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Why the Appearance of Your Teeth and Smile are Important to Your Success and Happiness by Dr. Huefner, Orange County Cosmetic Dentist

2009-01-24T18:26:00.000-08:00

Most people are "OK" or happy with their teeth and smile, but there are many who aren't. They feel self-conscious when they laugh or meet people for the first time and hide their smile when they are photographed.

Do you realize that your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you? And its said time and again, you only have one chance to made a good first impression. Many people will have a knee-jerk reaction to your appearance, causing them to either like or disapprove of you almost instantly. "Not fair", you say. Yes, but unfortunately that is human nature. We may not like the game, but it is part of the "rules of life".

In this day and age looks do count and people respond measurably more favorable to a nice smile than one that isn't. It's hard enough to get ahead in this world today and a great smile will make you much more confidant and open the doors of opportunity to you. Whether it be business, promotion, social acceptance, relationships or romance, your smile is important! In too many ways an unattractive smile is simply not acceptable in our society today.

The good news....let me rephrase this....the absolutely great news is that today most people can get great looking teeth and many times an absolutely sensational smile with just a few dental visits. No longer is it just about braces and spending two years of orthodontic appointments to get straight teeth. Today it is much more than that, it's about the color, the length of the teeth, their shape and position and the absence of unsightly dentistry. These things cannot be "fixed" with braces, but the word is getting out that today modern cosmetic dentists can create sensational smiles with one or a few simple dental cosmetic procedures - bleaching, veneering, gum reshaping, bonding, tooth-colored all-ceramic fillings and crowns. And, it gets even better. Most of these procedures can be done in just a few visits. Today, 90% of our smile makeovers are completed in 2-6 weeks time.

So, how do you know what cosmetic dental procedures you might benefit from? If you don't already know what you want or need, find a great cosmetic dentist and schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation. The first thing they should do at your appointment is ASK YOU WHAT YOU DON'T LIKE ABOUT YOUR TEETH AND SMILE. After listening attentively to you about that your cosmetic dentist should be able to give you one or more options to solve your problems. Or, if you want a "perfect smile" (the absolutely most beautiful smile that is possible given your face, mouth, lips, gums and teeth), ask your cosmetic dentist what he or she recommends to give you the best to help you look and feel your best.

Now I have to warn you, usually not all cosmetic dentists will recommend the same procedures. This is because cosmetic dentistry is "an art", and the ability to create a sensational smile will depend a lot on your cosmetic dentists training, experience, years of practice, and certainly his or her artistic ability. So if you're thinking of getting a smile makeover it would be an excellent idea to get a few opinions. You should be able to figure out pretty quickly which cosmetic dentist is the best and "fits" with your personality.

So if a new smile will make you feel more confidant and attractive, you owe it to yourself to go out and get one! You are worth it. You only have one go around in this life to look and feel your best. Good luck and here is to your sensational new smile!

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Whiter, Full Smile for Melanie by Dr. Huefner, Orange County Cosmetic Dentist

2009-01-22T13:47:00.000-08:00

Melanie, a very successful businesswoman, does a lot of public speaking for her business. She had some old veneers on her front four teeth, bus she didn't like the way they looked. They were too dark (matching her side teeth) and using her words "were too thick and short". She wanted a whiter, brighter smile. Teeth that were more attractive and youthful were important too. And, her side teeth leaned in. Was it possible to give her a wider, more full-looking smile too?

Melanie before cosmetic dentistry

She consulted with Dr. Huefner about the possible solutions to her situation. Did she need braces to make her side teeth straighter and not lean in so much? If she redid the four old veneers and added veneers on her side teeth, could she then have whiter teeth? Actually Melanie knew just what she needed and the second question was the solution for her...redoing her four old porcelain veneers and adding new porcelain veneers on her side teeth.

She is the kind of person who doesn't take a lot of time to make a decision and once she knows what she wants, she is ready to solve her problem as soon as possible. So, after discussing her treatment with Dr. Huefner she scheduled her treatment right away. With two more visits and three weeks later, Melanie had the smile of her dreams with new porcelain veneers by Dr. Huefner.

Melanie's new smile with porcelain veneers

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Why Do Teeth Darken?

2009-01-20T13:25:00.000-08:00

Several factors can cause the darkening of the surface of the teeth. Strain to the teeth, such as normal wear and tear or teeth grinding, can cause small cracks that collect staining materials that darken the enamel. Certain beverages such as coffee or tea can also stain the teeth, as can cigarettes or chewing tobacco.

Avoiding foods and beverages that cause staining, or treating your teeth grinding, might not completely protect your teeth from discoloration over time. The natural aging process can cause teeth to darken, making once white enamel appear yellowish or even brown.

Tooth whitening can correct this kind of discoloration. While many tooth whitening products are available over the counter, you can get much better results from professional treatments only available from qualified dentists. The whitening agents used by dentists, including Dr. Norman Huefner, are much stronger than those available in drug stores or groceries. These stronger agents can lighten your teeth several shades in a single visit, even if you have stubborn or long-standing stains.

Dr. Huefner provides several kinds of tooth whitening options, from in-office procedures to take-home trays to a combination of the two. For more information about Dr. Huefner’s approach to tooth whitening, please contact us at Sensational Smiles with questions or to set up a consultation.

Porcelain Veneers Correct Claire's Crooked Teeth and Give Her an Amazing Smile by Dr. Huefner, Orange County Cosmetic Dentist

2009-01-20T09:09:00.000-08:00

Claire had crooked teeth that actually angled markedly to one side. When she smiled it appeared as if all her upper teeth were pointing at her right hip. Also, her teeth had worn over the years, making her right teeth shorter than her left teeth.

Claire's teeth before cosmetic dentistry

What could she do? Did she need braces again? Even if she did have braces, after they were straight her teeth would still be worn and discolored. Claire wanted a beautiful, more youthful smile and came to Dr. Huefner to see what he recommended.

After discussing with Claire her concerns and evaluating evaluating her teeth and smile, Dr. Huefner recommended conservative porcelain veneers. By doing this he could almost instantly correct the cant of the teeth, making them straight with the rest of her face. Also, he could make her teeth whiter, more proportional and attractive. And, but adding some length to the teeth with new veneers, Dr. Huefner could make her smile look more youthful too!

Claire had Dr. Huefner create porcelain veneers on her upper ten front teeth. It took two treatment visits and she had her new smile is just over three weeks time.

Claire's new smile with porcelain veneers

Notice how Claire's teeth follow the curve of her lower lip now. That is called "following the smile line", a concept that cosmetic dentists try to do. It gives her a full, natural appearance to her teeth and smile.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Dental Implant Saves Orange County Lady from Needing Extensive Bridgework by Dr. Huefner, Laguna Niguel, CA

2009-01-19T14:08:00.000-08:00

Laura broke off her upper right cuspid in an accident and desperately needed a "new tooth" to fill the space. Unfortunately the root had broken right below the gum line and could not be saved to place a new crown over.

What were Laura's options? One choice was to have the remaining root removed and then have a porcelain bridge placed, utilizing the two adjacent teeth as supports for the bridge. Unfortunately the tooth in front already had a root canal and was severely weakened and would not support a bridge. Another choice replacing the missing tooth with a removable partial denture. However, that choice was unacceptable. Laura did NOT want any replacement that would come in and out. The third choice was having the root removed and place an implant and porcelain crown. This was the best choice of treatments and Laura was excited about this being the treatment she wanted to solve her problem.

The fractured root was removed and an first implant portion was inserted into the hole left from extracting the remaining root.

A "flipper" (immediate partial denture just for esthetics) was utilized for a few weeks until the implant and gums healed.

Then the second part (top part of the implant) was placed into the first part, which was then immediately covered over with a porcelain crown to give Laura back her smile again!

For more information about implants and replacing missing teeth, call us today!
Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Smile Makeover and "Instant Orthodontics" with Porcelain Veneers by Dr. Huefner, Mission Viejo Cosmetic Dentist

2009-01-15T08:23:00.000-08:00

Audrey had crooked teeth and a front "cap" that she didn't like at all. She wanted her teeth to be whiter and straight, but was not willing to go through any orthodontics (braces). She consulted with Dr. Huefner to find out what options cosmetic dentistry might have for her particular situation.

Audrey's smile before cosmetic dental treatment

After discussing her concerns with Dr. Huefner, Audrey made it clear that she had very high expectations. What would be the best treatment that Dr. Huefner recommends?
After examining her, Dr. Huefner recommended "instant orthodontics" with porcelain veneers as his treatment of choice. He could make the teeth straight, all whiter with a very consistent natural color (shade), and do the entire treatment in just 2-3 dental visits.
Audrey was not sure whether or not she wanted to have all upper ten front teeth veneered, so consulted with two other cosmetic dentists and an orthodontist. Several weeks she returned to Dr. Huefner for a second consultation. "How will I know that I will like the shape and color of the veneers?", she asked Dr. Huefner. His answer was that we utilize a unique process called the "trial smile" whereby she can see the prototype of her new smile in advance, actually a "test drive", so to speak. Only after making any changes that she might want and getting her full approval, would Dr. Huefner direct his master ceramist on how to fabricate Audrey's final porcelain veneers.
Audrey was very excited about that part of the treatment, as the other cosmetic dentists did not offer her that opportunity.
She proceeded with Dr. Huefner and after three visits received her final porcelain veneers.

Audrey's new smile with "instant orthodontics" with porcelain veneers

Was Audrey pleased? What do you think? Look carefully at both the before and after photos. Notice the shape, color, position and length of all her new teeth with porcelain veneers. See how much more attractive and professional her new smile is! Audrey was a very happy patient with her new smile with porcelain veneers.
Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Reducing Yvonne's Gummy Smile with Laser by Dr. Huefner, Orange County Cosmetic Dentist

2009-01-14T09:20:00.000-08:00

Yvonne was self conscious about her gums. When she smiled, her upper lip lifted up and showed too much of her gums and that kept her from smiling as much as she should.

Before Laser gum reshaping

After she shared with Dr. Huefner her concerns, Dr. Huefner recommended a very simple, quick and painless procedure called laser gum reshaping on her four front teeth. The concept Dr. Huefner presented to her delighted Yvonne and she elected to have the procedure done the next day.

A little local anesthesia as placed around the gums and within minutes Yvonne's gums were reshaped with the dental laser. This is the results that she got.

After laser gum reshaping

Dr. Norman Huefner, Orange County Cosmetic Dentist, Laguna Niguel, CA

Cosmetic Dentistry and Porcelain Veneers Transforms Multiple Discolored Teeth Into Sensational Smile by Dr. Huefner

2009-01-11T11:01:00.000-08:00

After breaking several of his front teeth, Jeff had them fixed with plastic bonding filling material back in the early 1980s. But over the next two decades the old fashioned materials of that era discolored significantly and Jeff was ready for a change. He wanted to know what newer and better techniques and materials we had today so that he could finally have a “nice smile without discolored, chipped teeth”? Jeff made it very clear to us that he wasn’t looking for a “perfect smile”, just wanting to fix the front teeth that looked so bad.

BEFORE

Our advice was to first bleach all his teeth (teeth whitening) so that whatever he chose to do, the final result would be matching the other whiter teeth, not the other yellowed teeth. He did that and got a great result with the “home tray method” of teeth whitening.

Then we discussed doing porcelain veneers on his upper front teeth, either four porcelain veneers to match the other teeth, or eight porcelain veneers to create a uniform shaped new smile. Jeff chose to only do the four front teeth with porcelain veneers.

AFTER

The results we achieved for Jeff was great, but it could still be better. If you look closely, you’ll note that the canine (eye) tooth on his right (your left) is inset, and not straight. We discussed that if anytime in the future Jeff wanted to have us place a porcelain veneer on that tooth to make it match the other side, we could do that for him.
Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Benefits of White Fillings

2008-11-12T12:34:00.000-08:00

Anyone approaching the half-century mark is likely to have a few of the obvious, metal fillings placed in his or her mouth. Thankfully, modern dentistry offers today’s patients more options—and those old metal fillings can even be replaced. Composite white fillings are durable, conservative, very esthetic and can generally be used for small to medium sized cavities.

Natural Looking Fillings
Even though traditional metal amalgam fillings filled the cavities, they do not appreciably strength an otherwise tooth weakened by decay and are oftentimes very obvious when the patient smiled or laughed; white composite fillings look just like natural tooth enamel, so no one even notices their presence.

An Easy Filling Placement Process
Like having a metal filling, having a white filling placed is a very similar in that it requires only one visit to Dr. Huefner.

First, Dr. Huefner makes your tooth completely comfortable by using a very gentle local anesthetic. Then, when your tooth is numb he will remove the decayed tooth portion caused by the cavity, and then disinfect and prepare your tooth’s surface ready for the filling. Next, a composite material that matches your tooth’s natural shade is placed into the cavity. Finally, Dr. Huefner will sculpt the filling to a natural tooth’s shape.

Once the procedure is complete, dental laser light will harden the filling and bond it to the internal surface of the cavity. The resulting filling surface will be just like that of a tooth that has never had a cavity or filling.

If you need to have a tooth filled and would like to utilize white composite fillings, please call (949) 495-6322 today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Norman Huefner at Sensational Smiles.

The Difference Between Crowns and Bridges and Onlays

2008-11-07T12:21:00.000-08:00

Dental crowns and bridges are extremely useful tools to restore badly damaged teeth. Crowns correct the entire surface of the tooth. Dental bridge placement is used as an alternative to a dental implant to replace missing teeth. A dental bridge is a permanent tooth replacement attached to the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth or teeth. Best of all a dental bridge fixed and relatively permanent and is not able to be removed (taken in or out of the mouth) by the patient.

Crowns and Onlays
Dental crown and onlay placement generally is accomplished in two office visits. On the first visit, Dr. Huefner will remove the part of your tooth that is decayed or cracked, and any other old filling in place. Also, crowns also done on teeth badly broken down or that have already had a root canal. Onlays are much more conservative, requiring less drilling of the teeth and are utilized in situations where the tooth is less damaged and not require a full crown. The actual tooth surface will be prepared for the crown or onlay. A mold will be made of the tooth; this mold will then be used to create a template for the crown or onlay. A temporary crown or onlay will be worn until you visit Dr. Huefner a second time. At the second visit, the permanent crown or onlay will be placed over the tooth and fastened with a super-strong bonding substance.

Bridges
Dental bridges, on the other hand, fill in the gaps that are left by missing teeth. Dental bridges are replacement teeth attached to crowns placed on each side of the missing tooth. Permanent dental bridges are often necessary because leaving a space or gap where a tooth is missing causes a variety of dental problems, including gum disease and teeth shifting out of place in your mouth. Also a missing tooth is very unattractive. A bridge prevents these issues from occurring. Sometimes patients utilize removable bridges or partial dentures, but permanent dental bridges are much preferred because they are not removable and cannot be taken in and out of the mouth by the patient…they are like your own teeth!

If you are in need of a cosmetic dentistry procedure, please call (949) 495-6322 today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Norman Huefner at Sensational Smiles.

Benefits of Anti-Anxiety Dentistry

2008-10-31T08:46:00.000-07:00

A fear of dental work and going to the dentist is really quite common. Many people suffer from these anxieties. The important thing is to not to let these fears keep you from maintaining good dental health or from having necessary dental work done.

In our office, we understand the anxieties surrounding dental care, and we are very pleased to offer anti-anxiety dentistry to patients whose fears and nervousness around dental visits might keep them from receiving proper dental care.

Mild Sedation/Anti-Anxiety dentistry
One approach is that we give you an extremely safe and mild sedative pill to take the night before your appointment.

Another approach for added comfort is to take a pill the night before, and then a second pill in the dental office an hour before the treatment is to start. This is an excellent technique for more anxious patients. Hours will pass like minutes and no treatment will be done until you are absolutely comfortable. This is very safe, as you will not be asleep as in a general anesthesia. One of the things that patients like best about anti-anxiety dentistry is after the appointment they had very little memory of the dental treatment. In these cases, it is necessary that the patient arrange to have someone drive them to and from the dentist as driving capabilities will be impaired.

Nitrous Oxide
After arriving at your appointment, another option that is available to the patient is nitrous oxide—also known as laughing gas. Nitrous oxide places you in a frame of mind that allows you to be unconcerned about your dental procedure and to relax and be comfortable.

We understand the fear going to the dentist, but with anti-anxiety dentistry there is no need to keep your fear keep you from proper dental care. Please call (949) 495-6322 today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Norman Huefner at Sensational Smiles. Dr. Huefner provides a variety of anti-anxiety dentistry options to ensure his patients’ comfort.

How are Dental (Porcelain Veneers) Applied

2008-10-30T08:44:00.000-07:00

Porcelain veneers can dramatically change one’s appearance for the better. Incredibly, this change can typically be accomplished in only three dental visits—once to create the “trial smile” (your test drive of the veneers before they are actually made), second to approve or make changes to the veneers and lastly to preview the final veneers, approve them and then place them on your teeth with our argon dental bonding laser. The veneering procedures are performed under local anesthesia, sometimes with the addition of a safe and effective anti-anxiety pill, for comfortable and relaxing appointments.

The Veneer Placement Process
Here is what you can expect when you have veneers placed:

To get your tooth ready to have your veneers placed, Dr. Huefner will shape a very small amount off of the front of your teeth, typically about the thickness of your fingernail.
The veneers will replace the layers that the dentist has removed—but with a much more enhanced appearance.
During this process, a local anesthetic will keep you comfortable.
An impression of your tooth or teeth will be created and sent to a dental laboratory.
From this impression, your new veneers will be fashioned.
Dr. Huefner will create your “trial smile” and place your temporary veneers on your teeth to wear. Thus, you walk out after your very first treatment appointment with a beautiful smile.
Dr. Huefner’s master ceramist will follow Dr. Huefner’s direction and create your new veneers to be bonded. This usually takes two weeks.
After carefully placing and fitting your new veneers, and getting your approval, Dr. Huefner uses beam of laser light to harden the bonding cement, which bonds the veneers to your teeth.
The last stage of the process is the removal of excess cement, polishing your teeth, adjusting your bite and sometimes some minor fine-tuning of the teeth shapes.

If you are interested in having porcelain veneers placed, please call (949) 495-6322 to schedule an appointment with experienced cosmetic dentist Dr. Norman Huefner at Sensational Smiles.

Advantages/benefits of porcelain veneers

2008-10-28T08:38:00.000-07:00

If you have crooked, stained, or chipped teeth, Dr. Huefner may suggest that you have porcelain veneers placed on your teeth to create a brilliant smile.

What are Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin, shell-like pieces of porcelain that are placed over your teeth to cosmetically enhance their appearance. Dentists apply sturdy bonding material to fasten veneers into place, and when the procedure is complete, the tooth and porcelain shells are highly durable and can last as long as twenty to thirty years.

What are Porcelain Veneers’ Advantages?
A couple of major advantages exist to getting porcelain veneers. The first advantage is that they create an extremely natural-looking appearance. Actual tooth enamel has the characteristic of being translucent; that is, it allows some light to make its way through to the inside of the tooth. In the past, the materials used to repair teeth were not translucent; this meant that false teeth had an unreal, fake-looking appearance. Porcelain’s resemblance to enamel’s glass-like translucence gives it its natural quality.

Resistance to staining is the other big advantage of porcelain veneers. Often, dental bonding materials combined with wine, tobacco, tea, or coffee mean stains and obvious discoloration. As a ceramic material, porcelain’s glass-like qualities will not stain or discolor over time!

If you are interested in having porcelain veneers placed or in exploring other cosmetic dentistry options, please call (949) 495-6322 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Norman Huefner at Sensational Smiles.

What are dental veneers made of?

2008-10-27T08:36:00.000-07:00

Broken, stained, chipped, or crooked front teeth can decrease your self confidence. In the past porcelain crowns and plastic bonded fillings were the only options, but today porcelain veneers are in many cases the preferred method for correcting these unsightly dental problems. Dental veneers are thin shells created from a durable and natural-looking porcelain material that your cosmetic dentist skillfully bonds to the teeth using modern laser technology.

Low-Stress Procedure
Porcelain veneers are placed while the patient is totally comfortable, using a gentle technique of local anesthetic. At our Sensational Smiles office, we understand that patients need a relaxing, comfortable environment, and we do all within our power to reduce your anxiety and to provide a warm, nurturing atmosphere. For patients who are nervous, more sensitive or just plain anxious about their dental visits, “Anxiety Free Dentistry” can also be utilized. Taking a safe and effective relaxing pill the night before the appointment and sometimes a second pill the morning of the appointment has gained popularity around the country for making dentistry extremely comfortable.

Three Office Visits Needed
Three office visits are typically involved in making and placing porcelain veneers. The first visit Dr. Huefner will gently prepare the teeth, make a mold of your teeth and then place temporary veneers, commonly called “the trial smile”. Using artistry, creativity and years of experience, Dr. Huefner will create the desired shape, size, and color of your temporary veneers. This is probably the most important part of cosmetic dentistry, as it allows you to actually “test drive” your new smile. You will then return a couple days later and Dr. Huefner will fine tune any changes that may be needed your “trial smile” to give you the smile of your dreams. Then, based on your input and approval, Dr. Huefner’s master ceramist will be directed precisely how to make your final veneers to accomplish your personal objectives. Finally, at the third visit, the “trial smile” temporary veneers are gently removed and the final veneers are placed on your teeth for your approval. Only after getting your complete approval will Dr. Huefner secure them on to your teeth with his dental laser.

If you are interested in having porcelain veneers put in place or exploring other cosmetic dental procedures, please call (949) 495-6322 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Norman Huefner at Sensational Smiles.

Veneers and Tooth Sensitivity

2008-10-26T09:28:00.000-07:00

Part of the process of having veneers placed involves preparing your teeth so that the veneers will bond correctly to them. This includes removing some of the enamel on the surface of your teeth. It is possible for patients to experience some tooth sensitivity after this procedure is completed. You will most likely experience sensitivity to hot and cold liquids and maybe foods.

Tooth sensitivity may also continue once your veneers have been placed. This may include not only temperature sensitivity, but also awareness of the new shape of your teeth, especially if the veneers are significantly built up over your natural teeth. In most cases, this is only a temporary side effect and your tooth sensitivity will cease to be a problem after a short time. Sensitivity can be avoided with the placement of temporary veneers. Also, a desensitizing agent may be used to treat the teeth before your temporary veneers are placed. This may be done before your permanent veneers are placed as well.

Soreness in your gums is usually the result of minor inflammation caused by the preparation and treatment of your teeth. Once your veneers have been placed, you should be able to floss and brush regularly and avoid future gum problems. A good solution to gum soreness during your veneer process, is using an antibacterial mouthwash while you are waiting for your permanent veneers to be placed.

To learn more about veneers and tooth sensitivity, please contact Dr. Norman Huefner today to schedule a consultation.

Reversibility of Veneers

2008-10-08T09:25:00.000-07:00

Porcelain veneers are made of a ceramic material that is molded and shaped to fit over your existing teeth. In most cases, cosmetic dentistry patients are extremely pleased with the results of having porcelain veneers placed.

Occasionally, there may be a need or desire to have veneers removed. This often poses a problem if they are typical porcelain veneers.

Veneers Can Be Removed, but . . .
Porcelain veneers are a fantastic way to change and enhance your smile without the use of traditional orthodontics. It is important to understand that the process of placing porcelain veneers is not reversible.

This is because in order for veneers to be properly placed, a small amount of enamel must be removed from the front of the tooth for fitting, and for the bonding material to adhere correctly to the front of the tooth. Keep in mind, though, that the amount of enamel removed to place a veneer is very minute compared to that which is removed for other dental restorations to take place.

If your veneers are removed, however, your teeth will bear the visible marks of the placement process. If you are unsatisfied with your veneers, the best solution is to have them replaced with better veneers that are more in line with what you had in mind.

Get It Right the First Time
If you are going to get porcelain veneers, it is crucial that you get the procedure right the first time. There are a number of things you can do to give yourself the best chance of getting the smile you want the first time around.

Choosing a good cosmetic dentist is your first, best step in ensuring you get the smile you want. Choose a dentist with a good reputation, such as one trusted by beauty pageant contestants and others who depend on the quality of their smile. Look at before and after pictures and read testimonials.

Discuss smile design with your dentist. What you dislike about your smile is a good starting place for a conversation, but it is just as important to talk about what you hope your smile looks like after restoration.

Trust your dentist. If you've picked a good cosmetic dentist, you should trust his or her judgment to determine the final choices in deciding on your smile. He or she will have years of experience in what makes smiles work and will have a good idea about what is likely to get the results you want for your smile.

To learn more about making the most of your porcelain veneers, please contact Dr. Norman Huefner's cosmetic dentistry office today.

Cavities Forming Behind Veneers

2008-09-30T10:46:00.000-07:00

Many people do not realize that it is possible to have cavities form behind your porcelain veneers. We all know that dental hygiene is very important in maintaining a healthy mouth and healthy teeth. In reality, it is even more important to take good care of your teeth if you have undergone any form of cosmetic dentistry. You have spent good money and time in your dentists' chair to improve your smile. Why wouldn't you take care of it?

Tooth decay is always a possibility. Porcelain won't decay, but any area of the tooth that isn't covered by the veneer is still susceptible to cavities. The area at the edge of the veneer is more susceptible to decay than any other part of the tooth because it is harder to keep that area clean and free of bacteria.

Avoiding Damage to Veneered Teeth
There are steps you can take to avoid damage to your veneers and the teeth they are bonded to. Some of these include:

Avoid frequent alcohol consumption. Alcohol can dissolve the bonding material that adheres the porcelain to the tooth. This includes mouthwashes that contain alcohol.
Avoid regular toothpastes that may be too abrasive for your dental work. Ask Dr. Huefner which toothpastes are best.
Avoid hard impacts and sharp objects and wear a mouth guard if you tend to grind your teeth or take part in contact sports regularly.
Be sure to avoid snacking if you cannot brush and floss immediately after eating or drinking anything that can leave food particles on your teeth.
Brush and floss regularly and carefully. Take extra care in the areas at the edges of your veneers.

If you plan to have professional tooth maintenance procedures performed on your veneered teeth, be sure your dental hygienist knows the proper procedures and tools to use. Otherwise, your veneers can be damaged. You have invested too much in your new smile to have it ruined. To learn more about cavities and porcelain veneers, please contact Dr. Norman Huefner today.

Instant Orthodontics

2008-09-25T10:44:00.000-07:00

Through instant orthodontics, your cosmetic dentist can transform your unsatisfactory smile into one you will be proud to show the world. If you suffer from teeth that are uneven, crooked, misshapen or discolored, instant orthodontics may be the answer for you.

Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain material that are adhered to the fronts of your teeth. They look and feel like your own natural teeth and can even be colored to match the color of your other teeth. Through the use of porcelain veneers, your teeth can be changed in the following ways:

Length
Width
Shape
Color
Size

Cracks and chips can also be hidden by the use of veneers. Porcelain veneers offer a painless, faster answer to traditional orthodontic practices. Your cosmetic dentist will take an impression of your teeth to ensure that your new veneers will fit precisely. Once your veneers have been created, your teeth are prepared and the veneers are bonded to the fronts of them.

You may experience some mild tenderness in your gums for a couple of days after your procedure that is treatable with traditional over-the-counter medications like anti-inflammatories. This is minor compared to the months and years of adjustments and re-adjustments traditional orthodontics require for optimum results. To learn more about instant orthodontics and porcelain veneers, please contact Dr. Norman Huefner today.

The Art and Science of Porcelain Veneers

2008-09-22T10:38:00.000-07:00

Cosmetic dentistry is truly a combination of art and science performed to improve the appearance and quality of life of dental patients. People who have often suffered for years with unattractive and embarrassing smiles are more and more commonly able to do something about it by depending on the skills of their cosmetic dentist and the latest advances in the use of porcelain veneers.

The Art
The creation of porcelain veneers as an art form requires a certain amount of inherent talent and skill on the part of the cosmetic dentist. Creating images of the potential improvements that can be made to a person's appearance through the application of veneers and manifesting those images into actual physical improvements can change a patient's life forever. It takes artistic skill to determine which cosmetic changes will be of the most benefit to the patient once the procedure is completed, and to create a smile design that matches those changes with the shape of the face and style of smile of the person.

The Science
Cosmetic dentistry has evolved over the years as technology has improved and expanded. A skilled cosmetic dentist combines education and technology and uses them to redesign and improve upon the lives of their patients through recommending methods to improve the patient's smile, which in turn improves the person's overall appearance and sense of self-esteem. Today's science offers new advances in cosmetic dentistry technology--including higher strength ceramics and better color matching with dental bonding that binds the veneer to the tooth--that allow Dr. Huefner to offer his patients better smiles than ever before.

To learn more about the art and science of porcelain veneers, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Norman Huefner today to learn how he can help you.

Veneers vs. Crowns

2008-09-17T10:33:00.000-07:00

Veneers and crowns are both dental prosthetics used to correct cosmetic and functional dental problems, but they are otherwise very different.

Veneers
Dental veneers are thin shells made of porcelain that are bonded to the fronts of your existing teeth. They are used to improve the cosmetic appearance of your teeth by hiding:

Stains
Discoloration
Chips
Cracks
Wear
Misaligned and crooked teeth

The use of veneers offers you natural looking teeth that are resistant to staining and discoloration. Although porcelain is brittle on its own, when bonded to a strong surface such as tooth enamel, it becomes very durable and long lasting, and can even increase the strength of teeth weakened by damage and decay.

Crowns
A dental crown is a cap that is permanently placed over a tooth to cover that tooth and restore its strength, shape, size and appearance. Crowns can be made from different types of materials such as metal, partial porcelain, all resin, and all porcelain. Which material is used depends on your needs and preferences and Dr. Huefner will make appropriate recommendations.

A dental crown is usually recommended for one or more of the following reasons:

To cover dental implants
To protect a tooth after an endodontic treatment
To support and cover teeth that have large fillings without a lot of tooth left
To protect weak or cracked teeth
To repair worn or broken teeth
To cover discolored and misshapen teeth
To add strength to a dental bridge and hold it in place

In order to determine which will best suit your needs veneers or crowns, please contact Dr. Norman Huefner today to learn more.

Material of Veneers

2008-09-12T11:35:00.000-07:00

Porcelain veneers can be used to conceal a variety of dental woes, creating a more attractive, more confident you. Two primary materials are utilized: porcelain and composite resin. When considering dental veneer placement, take some time to research the materials involved. I would be happy to discuss these alternatives with you and determine the best choice to meet your dental enhancement goals.

Advantages of Porcelain
Porcelain veneers have numerous advantages when compared to composite resin veneers:

They are extremely durable and can last for as long as 15 years if you take proper care of your teeth and avoid biting down on hard objects, such as ice.
They look very natural. Porcelain is translucent so that when light hits it, it mimics the way an actual tooth responds, promoting a highly natural appearance.
They resist discoloration. Porcelain is a smooth surface that does not easily pick up stains from food, drink, tobacco, etc.
Porcelain veneers leave a substantial amount of your original tooth structure in place, if not all of it.

Advantages of Composite Resin
However, porcelain veneers do have some disadvantages when compared to composite resin:

Porcelain veneers are created in a dental lab, and as such, require at least two dental visits. Composite resin veneers are fitted in just one visit.
Porcelain veneers are more costly than composite veneers. Porcelain veneer placement takes more time, skill and materials and thus costs more.
If porcelain veneers break, they must be replaced. This is not always the case for composite resin veneers.

If you’re considering porcelain veneers and live in the Laguna Niguel, California area, please call (949) 495-6322 today to schedule an appointment with me, Dr. Norman Huefner.

Lumineers vs. Traditional Veneers

2008-09-03T11:33:00.000-07:00

While traditional porcelain veneers are still a terrific way to dramatically improve your smile, a new alternative has appeared that also offers fantastic smile enhancement—with some unique advantages.

Lumineers offer the same kind of correction as traditional veneers. In other words, if you have cracked teeth, crooked teeth, chipped or discolored teeth, Lumineers is one painless way to correct them. I can help you sort through the plusses and minuses of Lumineers during a personal consultation.

Less Pain Involved
Lumineers, made from cerinate porcelain, are porcelain veneers that are as thin as contact lenses. Unlike traditional veneers that require your dentist to shave away a portion of your original tooth to allow for veneer placement, Lumineers are placed without the removal of any portion of the original tooth or teeth. Thus, Lumineers eliminate a somewhat painful portion of the traditional veneer placement process. They can also be placed over dental work, such as crowns and bridges.

Completely Reversible
Another advantage of Lumineers is that the procedure is completely reversible. Since your original teeth are still in place and have not been ground down, Lumineers can be removed at any time.

Some Things to Consider
Sometimes dentists prefer to use traditional veneers because they believe the grinding down process allows them to create a better finished product, i.e., smile.
Also, because teeth are not ground down, lumps and bumps can still exist on their surface under the Lumineers; this can lead to gum irritation and even tooth decay.

Finally the Lumineers application process takes just 2-3 dental visits and Lumineers have been proven to last over 20 years—and they cost a little less than traditional veneers.

If you’re considering Lumineers or traditional porcelain veneers and live in the Laguna Niguel, California area, please call (949) 495-6322 today to schedule an appointment with me, Dr. Norman Huefner.

The Veneer Process

2008-08-28T09:55:00.000-07:00

Porcelain veneers are a great option for those seeking a rapidly transformed smile. Customized shells of natural-looking material placed over the existing tooth, veneers can turn a so-so smile into a magnificent one through a relatively uncomplicated procedure. The dental veneer procedure generally requires three dental visits, one for a consultation with your dentist and two to create and place the veneers. The actual procedure requires several key steps: diagnosis and treatment plan, preparation and bonding. One tooth or many teeth may undergo the dental veneer process at any one time.

Diagnosis and treatment plan – During this stage, your dentist will perform a thorough dental exam to determine if dental veneers are the right solution for you. He or she will discuss all of the parameters surrounding dental implant placement. X-rays may also be taken at this time, and impressions might be made of your teeth and mouth.

Preparation – In preparing your tooth to receive the veneer, your dentist will remove about one-half millimeter thickness from the outside layer of your tooth or teeth. The veneer will be about the same thickness as the amount your dentist will remove. Often, a local anesthetic is used to keep you comfortable. Next, your dentist will make an impression of your tooth and send it to the dental lab where your veneer will be created. After 1-2 weeks, your dentist will have your veneer. Temporary dental veneers are available at an additional charge.

Bonding – After a careful fitting and placing process to make sure your tooth or teeth are positioned correctly, a special beam of light will activate chemicals in the veneer’s cement to cause it to rapidly harden. The final stages focus on removing excess cement and making certain your bite is perfect.

If you would like to learn more about porcelain veneers, please call (949) 495-6322 today to schedule an appointment with me, Dr. Norman Huefner.

Why Teeth Darken

2008-08-25T09:53:00.000-07:00

In my practice, I have noticed that most patients experience tooth discoloration as a natural part of aging. Sometimes this discoloration can even begin before we are born. But thanks to a host of modern cosmetic dentistry options, we can counteract the discoloration process.
Discoloration falls into to two general categories: intrinsic (inside the tooth) and extrinsic (outside the tooth). Intrinsic discoloration usually can’t be removed, but porcelain veneers are a great option to cover the discoloration.

Extrinsic Discoloration

Extrinsic staining is the “garden variety” of staining that most of us will experience in our lifetimes. Thankfully, this type of discoloration can be easily corrected with tooth whitening treatments and procedures. Sometimes, an extremely thorough, professiona1-level cleaning is all that is in order. Some causes of extrinsic staining include:

Getting older
Drinking and eating pigmented food and drink, including coffee, tea and berries
Some topically applied medications
Smoking
Plaque build up

Eroding Teeth Can Accentuate Staining

Tooth erosion can accelerate extrinsic staining by eroding tooth enamel and making it resist stains less effectively. Substances that erode or wear away tooth enamel include high chlorine in drinking water, soda drinks and stomach acids. Dental veneer placement and bonding procedures can correct areas that are worn.

If you would like to learn more about teeth whitening and you live in the Laguna Niguel, California area, please call (949) 495-6322 today to schedule an appointment with me, Dr. Norman Huefner.

Natural Smile Aesthetics

2008-08-23T09:49:00.000-07:00

Natural smile aesthetics include a variety of cosmetic dentistry options that can give you the smile of your dreams. All of these techniques are available at my dental offices. As the nationally recognized dentist for both the Mrs. Globe Pageant and Mrs. U.S. Pageant, I am skilled at implementing the most leading-edge solutions available to create a more beautiful, confident you!

A few options include the following:

Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are shells placed over teeth and bonded to each tooth’s surface. Generally, dentists use porcelain veneers because they are durable and look very natural. Porcelain veneers don’t involve as much removal of the tooth’s surface as crown placement, so they are a bit more of a conservative approach. Veneers can be a solution for uneven, cracked and chipped teeth, delivering a great smile in a short period.

Composite Bonding
Composite bonding is a term that is used to refer to any type of material used to bond to an existing tooth. Bonding procedures can expertly correct cracked or chipped teeth, hide discolored teeth, or lessen gaps between teeth. While porcelain veneers or crowns remove varying degrees of the original tooth, bonding removes little to none.

Teeth Whitening
Inevitably, over a period of years, our teeth discolor and become yellowish. Substances like coffee, tea and tobacco can also play a key role, as can nerve degeneration. A host of whitening options exists, from in-home treatments to the very latest laser-whitening treatments performed at your dentist’s office.

These and other natural smile aesthetic treatments are available at my Laguna Niguel, California office (Dr. Norman Huefner). Please call (949) 495-6322 today to schedule an appointment with me. As a dental artist, I will work with you to identify the right treatment to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.

Different Smile Types

2008-08-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

One of “the fundamental things in life,” smiles exist on this planet of ours in millions of unique varieties. From these, my field, dentistry, has managed to identify three basic smiles types; the vast majority of us fit into one of these three categories:

The Commissure Smile

Around 67%of the world’s population has a commissure smile, the most prevalent of smile types. To spot an individual with a commissure smile, note that the mouth’s corners pull up and outward and the muscles that raise the upper lip contract to reveal the front teeth. Some celebrities with easy-to-spot commissure smiles are Kate Hudson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Mel Gibson and Dennis Quaid.

Cuspid Smile

Thirty-one percent of the world’s population manifests a cuspid smile. The shape of the lips can be associated with a diamond shape. The cuspid teeth appear first in a “cuspid smiler.” Next, the corners of the mouth pull up and out as in the commissure smile. However, the corners of the mouth are often lower than the top lips’ height. Celebrities exhibiting cuspid smiles are: Tiger Woods, Sharon Stone, Drew Barrymore and Tom Cruise.

The Complex Smile

Two percent of our planet’s population has the rare complex smile. The muscles of the upper lip, the muscles of the corners of the mouth, and the muscles of the lower lip contract simultaneously, showing all the upper and lower teeth at the same time. Celebrities that display this brilliant smile include Julia Roberts, Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith.

If you are dissatisfied with your smile and live in the Laguna Niguel, California area, please call (949) 495-6322 today to schedule an appointment with me, Dr. Norman Huefner. As a dental artist, I will settle for nothing less than achieving the smile of your dreams.

Celebrities and Smiles Makeovers

2008-08-17T09:41:00.000-07:00

Smile makeovers have turned attractive people into the beautiful people—the celebrities we all know and love. As a dentist to beauty pageant contestants, I’ve personally witnessed some remarkable transformations. It’s obvious that these makeovers can have a tremendous impact-- from increasing confidence in the average person to actually helping create movie stars. Here are just a few examples of celebrities who’ve undergone smile enhancements:

Elliot Yamin: Porcelain Veneers

An American Idol contestant once known for a fabulous voice and horrendous teeth, Yamin has now corrected the problem with porcelain veneers. His career has never soared to greater heights. Now, the total package is a much more attractive one.

Miley Cyrus: Porcelain Veneers

“Hannah Montana” is perhaps the biggest star for young girls these days. As she grew more and more popular, she decided to improve her less-than-perfect smile. She apparently has had both dental veneers placed and surgery to make her teeth appear longer and to show less gum when she smiles.

George Clooney: Porcelain Veneers, Crowns and Crown Lengthening

Clooney was a tooth grinder which was one reason he sought out cosmetic dentistry. In addition to having dental veneers placed, Clooney has also had crown lengthening surgery to raise the gum line and expose more teeth.

Keith Urban: Porcelain Veneers

Before stardom and his marriage to Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban’s teeth were anything but perfect. Urban had porcelain veneers placed to correct a large space between his front teeth. While the veneers did a great job enhancing his look, his dentist kept a little bit of his signature gap in front.

As the nationally recognized dentist for both the Mrs. Globe Pageant and Mrs. U.S. Pageants, I can help you attain a smile that can match those of the stars. If you live in the Laguna Niguel, California area, please call (949) 495-6322 today to schedule an appointment with me, Dr. Norman Huefner.

The Problems Veneers Fix

2008-08-15T09:36:00.000-07:00

In my dental office, I pride myself on performing dentistry for some of the world’s most beautiful people—beauty pageant winners! As the nationally recognized dentist for both the Mrs. Globe Pageant and Mrs. U.S. Pageants, I settle for nothing less than the smile of your dreams, and dental veneers are one great alternative for achieving this kind of smile.

Dental veneers are custom-designed shells of tooth-like ceramic material that, when applied over the surface of a tooth, can cover worn tooth enamel, uneven tooth alignment, discoloration, or spacing and chips or cracks.

A tool of cosmetic dentistry, dental veneers are customized tooth coverings made from a ceramic substance. This material can correct a host of unsightly tooth problems, generally during the course of about three dental visits. Today’s veneers are more translucent and natural looking than veneers used in the past. Nowadays, veneers are created from a substance that mimics the way an actual tooth reflects light—so there’s no better time to make yours a beautiful smile!

If you are interested in improving or perfecting your smile and live in the Laguna Niguel, California area, please call (949) 495-6322 today to schedule an appointment with me, Dr. Norman Huefner. As a dental artist, I will settle for nothing less than achieving the smile of your dreams.

Tierra Gets Cover Girl Smile with Porcelain Veneers by Dr. Huefner

2008-06-27T12:08:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Tierra appeared in the 2008 MAC calendar for both February and September. Here are the calendar photos as they appeared.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Dental Implant Replaces Missing Front Tooth by Dr. Huefner

2008-06-25T15:10:00.000-07:00

Breaking and losing a front tooth can be devastating and very embarrasing. Everyone sees it.

Rita broke off just such a tooth at the gum line and it needed replacement. We discussed several options with her (placing a porcelain bridge, a removable partial denture or dental implant). In her case she didn't want to do anything to the adjacent teeth, so a porcelain bridge wasn't chosen. Also, she didn't want a tooth replacement that came in and out like a removable partial denture, so that wasn't chosen either. She wanted something permanent and very strong and accordingly, chose to do a dental implant.

Here is the process that we used to restore her tooth and smile with the dental implant.

First, the remaining part of the tooth (the root) was removed (extracted). A dental implant was placed into the area were the root was.

Then a zirconia abutment was made.

It was placed into the metal dental implant.

A porcelain crown was made that fits onto the zirconia dental implant abutment.

The porcelain crown was cemented onto the zirconia dental implant abutment.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Porcelain Veneers and Smile Design, Part I by Dr. Huefner

2008-06-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

When considering cosmetic dentistry and a smile makeover what is the perfect “smile style” for your new porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns? In previous articles I discussed that there are over 30,000 different ways that a cosmetic dentist can create a new smile and that there are over 60 different documented “smile styles” available for cosmetic dentists to use as guide and to better communicate with to the cosmetic dental patient and the dental ceramist.
In this article we’ll discuss one of the most popular “smile guides”, Dr. William Dickerson’s “LVI Smile Library”. I am particularly fond of this library, as I started my advanced cosmetic training at Dr. Dickerson’s prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies over a decade ago. And since then, following many of the concepts I learned at LVI, I’ve done several thousand porcelain veneers and cosmetic crowns, created sensational smiles for hundreds of my patients.
Each smile style is a combination of the teeth shapes for the front six teeth. For example, the four front teeth (incisors) could be either square at the corners, square at one corner and rounded at the other, or rounded at both corners. Similarly, the cuspids or eye teeth (third tooth back) could be pointed, rounded or flat. Combining these different shapes each produces a uniquely different smile style. Please note, this smile library below is only to choose the basic shape of the front six teeth, and in no way reflect the color, length, surface texture or translucency that the porcelain veneers or crowns will have. Those other things are addressed in other aspects of smile design and choosing the best combination for your “sensational new smile”.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Smile Rejuvinated by Replacing Old Dentistry with Porcelain Veneers and Crowns by Dr. Huefner

2008-06-23T07:43:00.000-07:00

Hating the two old "caps" that had been placed on her two front teeth a number of years ago, Tracy wanted teeth that looked natural and would give her a nicer looking smile.

BEFORE

AFTER

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Smile Makeover with Porcelain Veneers Featured in the MAC 2008 Calendar by Dr. Huefner

2008-06-22T10:15:00.000-07:00

Tracy Kemble was recently featured in the MAC 2008 calendar for the month of April. Dr. Huefner did Tracy's smile makeover with MAC porcelain veneers. Tracy's photo also appeared on the cover of the Journal of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Correcting Dark, Discolored Teeth with Porcelain Veneers by Dr. Huefner

2008-06-19T08:13:00.000-07:00

Wendy’s teeth were very discolored, especially her front tooth. She’s a professional person and knows how important to appear her best in business and in the public.

BEFORE

After discussing her personal situation, Dr. Huefner suggested porcelain veneers to Wendy, along with a special procedure (named for cosmetic dentist Dr. William Dickerson, founder of the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies) to disguise the dark root under the dark front tooth. Wendy decided it was time to improve her smile and have the cosmetic dentistry that Dr. Huefner recommended. Here are two photos of Wendy and the sensational new smile that was achieved for her with porcelain veneers on her upper teeth.
AFTER

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Sensational Smile with Porcelain Veneers and a Ceramic Bridge for Uliana

2008-06-18T07:41:00.000-07:00

How Many Appointments for a Smile Makeover with Porcelain Veneers or Porcelain Crowns by Dr. Huefner

2008-06-17T07:22:00.000-07:00

1. The first appointment for new porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns is a diagnosis and treatment planning visit, about 1 hr. 15 minutes. This consists of a full examination with x-rays, models of your teeth, photographs of your face and teeth, gum length and facial analysis, and smile design analysis. No local anesthetic is needed or given at this appointment.

BEFORE

2. Tooth preparation and “trial smile” (temporary veneers) appointment, about 2-3 ½ hrs. A gentle local anesthetic is given to numb the teeth. Sometimes a tranquilizing medicine in the form of a pill is given to make the patient more relaxed and comfortable. The patient leaves that visit with their “trial smile”, the “test drive” of the new smile with temporary veneers. During the next few days the patient evaluates the shape, length, contour and color of the trial smile for esthetics, comfort and phonetics (who the teeth might effect speech).

3. “Trial Smile” approval for the final shade, length, contour and color. This visit is done 2-4 days after the tooth preparation visit and lasts about 45 minutes. No local anesthetic or tooth drilling is done at this appointment. Patient and doctor finalize all aspects of the smile design, especially the color and length of the porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns. Approved smile design is photographed, teeth measured for length and models are taken for the master ceramist to use in fabrication of the final porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns. Patient signs written approval of smile design and their final choice in porcelain veneer or porcelain ccrown shade.

"TRIAL SMILE"

4. Porcelain veneer or porcelain crown placement appointment, about 2-3 hrs. Local anesthetic is given, the temporary veneers or crowns (“trial smile”) are removed, permanent porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns are placed for the patient to preview and approve. Patient sees veneers or crowns on their teeth in three lighting conditions (fluorescent, incandescent and natural sunlight) as part of the approval process. Patient signs written approval accepting final porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns prior to final placement (bonding the porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns onto the teeth with laser).

5. Porcelain veneer or porcelain crown check appointment, about ½ hr, 2-5 days after placement. No local anesthetic needed or given at this appointment. The bite (occlusion) of the porcelain veneers or crowns are checked and any adjustments indicated are done.

AFTER

6. Portrait appointment (optional, no fee for this appointment), 1-4 weeks after placement. Dr. Huefner, gold medal winning portrait photographer, takes your portraits of his porcelain veneer or porcelain crown patients as part of “the celebration of your new smile”. A DVD or CD is given to the patient that included all photographs taken.

JILL FRICK AND HER BEAUTIFUL NEW SMILE WITH PORCELAIN VENEERS

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

How a Cosmetic Dentist Determines the Best Length for Your Front Teeth by Dr. Huefner

2008-06-16T11:15:00.000-07:00

The length of the teeth, especially your front two teeth, is an extremely important part of how the world sees your smile. If your teeth are too short, it may make you look older than your years and take a lot away from the power of your smile. If the teeth are too long, because the gums have possibly receded over the years, then the smile can be unattractive or even distracting. The length of the front teeth needs to be “just right” for a great smile. So, when cosmetic dentists create a new smile for their patients, with porcelain veneers, bonding or all-ceramic crowns, what are the criteria that they use?The first test I use is to check my patient when they relax their mouth and face muscles, with the mouth slightly open and separating the back teeth so they aren’t touching together. The upper lip has to be totally relaxed. In general I would like to see 1-2mm (about 1/8”) of the front teeth showing. If I don’t see any teeth showing, the front teeth may be too short. If I see more than that, there may be a short upper lip or a large overbite and long teeth that I have to take into consideration.

The left photo shows teeth that are too long for the smile. The next photo shows worn teeth that are now square. The third photo demonstrates severely shortened and worn teeth. The last photo shows teeth that are normal in shape and length for this patient’s smile.There was a study done once where the public was shown various people smiling and could observe the full length of the front teeth. Almost universally they thought that the most beautiful smiles had front teeth that were 1.29 times longer than they were wide (in dental terms a 78% width-length ratio). Thus, a great starting point for a dentist is to measure the width of the tooth, do the math, and then establish the ideal visual length for the front two teeth. (By the way, one test you can use on that might give you an idea as to how well trained your dentist is with cosmetic dentistry would be to ask “What is the ideal proportion of the length of the upper front two teeth?” Answers of 78% (ideal), 75-80% (acceptable range) or 1.29 times longer than wide are answers that probably indicate that the dentist has studied the finer points of cosmetic dentistry.)This length can be tested to see how the patient likes the length before any treatment is even started. Without needing any numbing medicine or doing any drilling, filling material can be added temporarily onto the short front teeth. Then the patient and dentist can evaluate the length for optimum esthetics when the patient has a relaxed mouth or a big smile. There is another criteria that cosmetic dentists like and that is for the edges of the eight upper front teeth to follow the contour of the lower lip when smiling. Cosmetic dentists call this “following the smile line” .

This photo demonstrates a nice smile that follows the “smile line” and teeth are attractive and normal in length for this patients smile. It should be obvious that this is a post-treatment photo of a lady with 8 porcelain veneers. The last test that we use is to verify the esthetically determined teeth length with phonetics or “speech function”. If the teeth are too long then they will hit the lower lip to much and affect the ability to produce the “f” and "v" sounds. If the patient says the word “fifty-five” or "victory" cosmetic dentists like to see the upper teeth to gently touch the lower lip. If the front teeth hit too hard and the teeth are too long, making a proper the “f” and "v" sounds will be difficult.

But more important than all of these cosmetic dentistry criteria is that the patient likes his or her new smile with porcelain veneers and can comfortably and appropriately speak. Establishing the length of the new veneers should be a joint decision between the cosmetic dentist and the patient.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Almost Instant Smile Makeover with Porcelain Veneers by Dr. Huefner

2008-06-12T06:55:00.000-07:00

Nobody likes having crooked teeth and those who do almost always say that the thought of having straight, beautiful teeth is very appealing to them. But the idea of many months or even several years of orthodontics (braces) keeps many adults from doing anything about it.

Kandes was just such a person. She had crooked teeth and definitely didn’t want braces. She was at the point in her life that she didn’t have the time and want a great smile in the quickest way possible, and for her braces were just out of the question.

However, Kandes also had something special going on in her life and now was the time to do something about her smile. She was “Mrs. Southwest 2005? and competed in the Mrs. U.S. Globe beauty pageant.

So, how could she get a beautiful smile without doing the old braces route? The answer of course is that cosmetic dentistry with porcelain veneers is usually a great alternative to orthodontics, especially for adults. Although not technically orthodontics, the results are straight teeth in just a couple visits, which in comparison to the traditional 1-3 years of orthodontics seems to be almost “instant” in comparison.

BEFORE

The photo above shows what she didn’t like about her teeth and smile. Her teeth were crooked, chipped and discolored. She especially didn’t like her upper left eye tooth (canine), which she called her “fang tooth”. The photo below is the beautiful result we achieved with porcelain veneers in three visits.

AFTER

Although there are many circumstances when orthodontics is absolutely the best course of treatment (younger patients, teeth with good color or “bleachable”, teeth not worn, chipped or having multiple fillings or crowns), there are also many times when cosmetic dentistry is a preferably way of getting a sensational new smile (adult, discolored teeth, crowded or spaced teeth, multiple fillings or chipped teeth). Clearly the advantage of a couple visits and the ability to create the color, shape, position and length of the teeth to compliment the patients face gives cosmetic dentistry many advantages to the busy adult.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Smile Makeover with Porcelain Veneers Create Life-changing Appearance by Dr. Huefner

2008-06-11T06:15:00.000-07:00

For some people who have misshaped, discolored or otherwise misaligned teeth, smiling can be embarrassing. Absolutely hating and embarrassed with her crooked teeth, Diane wanted to know what could be done for her with cosmetic dentistry. Not only were her teeth crooked, spaced at the gumline and discolored, but worst of all, her one front tooth was turned and stuck out. Not a pretty smile that she could be proud of.

BEFORE
What could Diane do? Did she need braces? The answer more than thrilled Diane, she could have a new smile, a sensational smile, in three weeks and two dental visits with porcelain veneer cosmetic dental treatment.
AFTER

Above is the gorgeous results that we got for Diane. She asked that her teeth be whiter, but have a natural look. She also wanted her porcelain veneers to last as long as possible, hopefully the rest of her life. So, we utilized a semi-translucent Empress porcelain, one that really looks natural and is extremely strong and durable. Many cosmetic dentists believe that Empress porcelain is one of the very strongest porcelains available for porcelain veneers.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Instant Orthodontics Porcelain Veneers and Cosmetic Dentistry by Dr. Huefner

2008-05-28T07:11:00.000-07:00

Most people today still think that crooked or spaced teeth can only be treated with braces (orthodontics), however in certain circumstances not only is treatment with porcelain veneers and cosmetic dentistry the fastest way to get a new smile, but in many cases it will give the best looking results. Unfortunately, braces just straightens the alignment of teeth, but does nothing to correct the shape, color or length of the teeth. If your teeth are chipped, worn, misshaped, discolored or otherwise not doing their best to give you a nice smile, then consider "instant orthodontics" with cosmetic dentistry. (Note it really isn't orthodontics, but just the illusion of getting straight teeth. The actual teeth underneath the porcelain veneers, bonding, porcelain crowning, or other cosmetic dentistry isn't changed or moved at all.)

BEFORE
Above are two photos of a perfect example of a situation that, in my opinion, is better treated with cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers. Note that the teeth are crooked, but also there is spacing. A couple significant advantages of cosmetic dentistry over orthodontics is no two years of braces, several years more of retainer wear and the constant worry of the spacing opening back up when the braces are removed.

AFTER
In the photos above, note the incredibly natural result we achieved with four porcelain veneers and just a couple dental visits. We even created even gums with laser, something not achievable with orthodontics. These veneers were designed with masculine shaped teeth, different in shape and length than we would have done for a female.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

New Porcelain Bridgwork and Porcelain Crowns Transform a Smile by Dr. Huefner

2008-05-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

Your appearance is important! It effects your image and the way people see and treat you. And, when appearing your best in public is important, sometimes old dentistry just doesn’t cut it. Rhonda was just such a person and she was ready for a change.

BEFORE

As you might guess from looking at the above photo, her old dentistry was done in the era when dentists believed “natural” (usually meaning yellow) was the best way to go and Rhonda wanted whiter teeth this time around. Also, the bridge on her upper right teeth was breaking and she felt really “looked ugly”.

We replaced her old dentistry (old fashioned porcelain-on-metal bridge and crowns) with new, whiter porcelain bridges and crowns. Also, placing four porcelain veneers on the worn, discolored teeth so that all her teeth were the same color and had a uniform and more youthful smile design. As you might imagine, Rhonda was absolutely thrilled with the results.

AFTER

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Spaced Front Teeth Corrected with Porcelain Veneers by Dr. Huefner

2008-05-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

Madeline hated the huge space between her front two teeth, which she called "the gap". She wanted "the gap" closed, be was concerned that by making just her two front teeth wider, that they would look too wide and unnatural.

BEFORE

She was right. Dr. Huefner suggested that rather than take a "two teeth" approach, that Madeline consider her whole smile. What did she really want for a smile? What color teeth did she want? How long or short did she want them? What shape of teeth did she want? At what position in her mouth? After carefully evaluating all the things about her teeth Madeline also thought that they were too short, having worn down over the years. She decided that she wanted all her teeth whiter, a bit longer (like they were when she was a young lady), and better proportioned.
After hearing what she really wanted, Dr. Huefner suggested that she consider porcelain veneers on her eight upper front teeth. Madeline decided to follow Dr. Huefner's suggested treatment plan and this is the result that was achieved in about a month's time and five visits over the course of five weeks (treatment planning visit, veneer preparation visit, appointment to finalize smile design and color, visit to place the final porcelain veneers and one post treatment check appointment).

AFTER PORCELAIN VENEERS

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Porcelain Veneers Create Masculine, Younger Smile for Active Man by Dr. Huefner

2008-05-21T07:59:00.000-07:00

Jeff is a very active man and the appearance of his teeth never seemed "just right" to him. Could cosmetic dentistry help him?
Most people understand that their appearance, which includes their smile and the way their teeth look are important. Unfortunately, people are judged, and many times relationships are determined by appearance. Jeff understood all this. He came into our office to discuss his options with cosmetic dentistry. He felt strongly that his two front teeth were too big and his other teeth too small. He didn’t like the color of his teeth either. What could he do to get a younger, more attractive smile that didn’t look “too pretty” and still was masculine?

BEFORE

Porcelain veneers was the treatment of choice to solve Jeff’s problems. Braces weren’t an option, as that wouldn’t change the shape or color of the teeth. Capping the teeth would be too aggressive a treatment considering his situation. Whitening he teeth alone wouldn’t give him the smile that he wanted. But porcelain veneers would allow us to accomplish all the things he wanted.

Here is Jeff’s new smile with porcelain veneers after just three visits! Notice how much more attractive it is and all the teeth are whiter than before and more evenly proportioned with regard to size, shape and position.

AFTER

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Porcelain Veneers and the Trial Smile, Formula for Successful Porcelain Veneers by Dr. Huefner

2008-05-20T08:26:00.000-07:00

Cosmetic dentists strive for patient satisfaction, especially when doing a smile makeover for their patient with porcelain veneers. One challenge is the ability of the dentist and patient to actively and effectively communicating between each other. Oftentimes it is hard for the patient and dentist to verbally describe the smile they have in mind. But, as we’ve all heard a million times, A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS! That is where the “trial smile” comes in.
Let’s use my patient John here as an example. Here is the teeth and smile he presented with at his first appointment. It’s obvious that his teeth were crowded and misaligned and with these teeth he isn’t showing his best face to the world.

I knew what I had in mind with regard to the smile I want to make for him, but what is the best way to communicate it to him? The answer is that I create a “trial smile” for John. I prepare his teeth for the “trial smile”, but first make him temporary veneers in the size, shape, color and arrangement that I think will make him happy and look his best. Here is his John with his “trial smile”.

After wearing the “trial smile” for a few days, or as long as it takes to make up his mind, John returns for our final decision. If there is something he is concerned about, he can point to it or look at the photo on the computer monitor and tell me what he likes or dislikes (color, shape, length or position of the veneer/teeth). Then I make the appropriate adjustments or corrections. Then after that’s done and we’re all in agreement I take photos, models and measurements of “his approved trial smile”, which go to my ceramist as an accurate blue print for the design of John’s final porcelain veneers.

The photo above is John’s new smile with his final porcelain veneers. What a difference compared to the smile he had just a few weeks previously. The “trial smile” is a very important tool which many cosmetic dentists use to eliminate a lot of the “guess work” with regard to porcelain veneers and smile enhancement procedures. That, along with very clear communication, are some of the very most important elements we use to insure successful treatment and patient satisfaction.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Creating a Super Smile for a Rugged Man with Cosmetic Dentistry and Porcelain Veneers by Dr. Huefner

2008-05-19T07:44:00.000-07:00

Your smile is important, whether your a male or female, businessperson, professional person, or any job or profession. Steven realized this.

He is a rugged guy, but as a very successful businessman he was getting embarrassed with the appearance of his smile. Everything else was in order, he dressed well, is in great physical shape (goes to the gym four times a week) and is a good public speaker. It was time to get his smile in shape. What could we do to correct his “smile problems”?

The solution to Steven’s unattractive teeth and smile was to place porcelain veneers on his upper and lower teeth, and a porcelain bridge to replace a missing tooth. He also wanted “whiter teeth”, and he chose a color in the bleaching shade range. Since he was very masculine we used a more squarish shaped teeth for his incisors, which was in harmony with his personality.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Cosmetic Dentistry and a Sensational New Smile for Mrs. Desert States with Porcelain Veneers by Dr. Huefner

2008-05-18T11:11:00.000-07:00

Mrs. Desert States, came from Reno, Nevada, to Orange County just had her smile makeover with porcelain veneers by Dr. Huefner. Dr. Huefner did her cosmetic dental treatment just four days before the Mrs. U.S.-Globe Pageant. Tierra knew that looking her best on stage, just like in business, is important to success and she wanted to look, feel and be her very best while competiting for the title of Mrs. U.S.-Globe.

Before coming to Dr. Huefner Tierra had short, chipped and discolored teeth, but left with a sensational new smile. Tierra just beamed on the runway at the pageant and placed as the second runner up and is shown here with Dr. Huefner.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Orange County, CA

Extreme Makeover with Cosmetic Dentistry by Dr. Huefner

2008-05-16T06:42:00.000-07:00

Cosmetic dentistry can certainly be “life changing” for many patients with unslghtly teeth, embarrassed to smile. A great example of this would be this patient who had a combination of numerous dental problems. Rather than describe all the issues we had to deal with, please examine the photo below and some of the problems she had should be obvious. The end result is after I completed her cosmetic dentistry this wonderful lady looked younger, more attractive, had a healthier mouth and beamed a beautiful new smile from ear to ear!
BEFORE
This was an excellent example of cosmetic dentistry at its finest, but fortunately most of our cosmetic dental patients don’t have problems this “extreme”.
AFTER

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Porcelain Veneers and Cosmetic Dentistry Result in Sensational Smile by Dr. Huefner

2008-05-15T06:47:00.000-07:00

It is awful when someone hates their teeth and smile. When Jan came to us the first thing she said was, “I hate my two big caps and the darkness at the gumline”. It was obvious that she really wanted cosmetic dentistry. Then she asked, “Is there anything you can do to correct this so I can finally have a nice smile?”

Yes, unfortunately as you can see from the photo below that Jan had a number of dental issues. Her front two caps were too big and after having root canals by her previous dentist, the teeth underneath had turned black. Also, she showed way too much of her gums and her other teeth were disproportionately small. She is single professional person, and she also wanted “whiter teeth“. What could we do to fix her smile?

BEFORE

First, we recommended reshaping her gums with the dental gum laser so that her smaller teeth would appear longer and there wouldn’t be so much of her gums showing when she smiles. Then we removed the old caps and whitened the black teeth underneath with “composite masking” (putting tooth colored filling over the black tooth). Then we replaced her old porcelain-on-metal caps with all-porcelain caps and placed porcelain veneers on her other teeth. Doing porcelain veneers was very important as it allowed us to create a normal size and shape for all of her teeth that was proportionate to her mouth and smile. We finished by doing teeth whitening on her lower teeth.

Here is her new smile in the photo below just a few days after her new smile was created! Isn’t it an amazing improvement.

AFTER

One of the other things we accomplished was by doing porcelain veneers on her side teeth (bicuspids) we were able to widen her smile, as her original teeth tilted in way too much. All and all, it turned out to be an incredible improvement for Jan and her smile.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Porcelain Veneers and Cosmetic Dentistry Create New Smile for Barbara by Dr. Huefner

2008-05-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

Your teeth and smile are a huge part of your face and smile and the way the world sees you. having an unattractive smile always really bothered Barbara. She showed too much of her gums, which were very uneven. Her teeth were spaced, crooked, discolored and she didn't like the actual shape of the teeth.

BEFORE

What could be easily be done? Well, we suggested she have two things done immediately. Reshape her uneven gums with the dental gum laser and then whiten her teeth. This is the way her smile looked two weeks later after doing those two things.

AFTER LASER GUM RESHAPING AND TEETH BLEACHING

Barbara was pleased, but then decided she really wanted a nicer smile. What else could be done? Dr. Huefner recommended porcelain veneers. He could give her the color she always really wanted (much whiter), fill the spaces, give her normal shaped teeth of the appropriate length to follow the smile line of her lower lip. Here is how her new smile looked the following month after Dr. Huefner finished the smile makeover for Barbara with porcelain veneers.

AFTER PORCELAIN VENEERS

Barbara looked terrific with her new smile. Amazing how cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers can greatly improve someone's appearance so much and so quickly.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Porcelain Veneers for a Beautiful New Smile by Dr. Huefner

2008-05-13T10:11:00.000-07:00

Very concerned that her teeth were too yellow and small, Courtney was considering cosmetic dentistry to have a much nicer smile. Dr. Huefner designed a smile for her with porcelain veneers. Along with Dr. Huefner, Courtney also chose to have slightly longer teeth that followed her “smile line” (i.e. lower lip line) and whiter color for her new porcelain veneers.

What Courtney really liked about the porcelain veneers that Dr. Huefner did for her was that they looked so natural and “real” and that they don’t stain or discolor over the years.

Earlier this year Dr. Huefner did a smile makeover with porcelain veneers for beautiful Courtney and these are the portraits that he took of her in his "smile design and portrait studio" in his dental office. As you can clearly see she now has a “very sensational” new smile. Look in the current issue of Orange Coast Magazine for Courtney’s photo in black.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA

Choosing the Perfect Shaped Porcelain Veneers for Your Face by Dr. Huefner

2008-05-04T15:22:00.000-07:00

All cars, houses and people aren't the same, and neither are porcelain veneers and smile makeovers. For those considering cosmetic dentistry with porcelain veneers you should be aware of this. But how many different ways and how does one choose the best design and shape for their face and smile?

There are approximately 25 different shades (colors), three different surface textures (how the light reflects off of the front of the porcelain veneers), several different porcelain types which each has different translucencies (ability of the light to pass through the veneer to render a “life-like” appearance), several different lengths that each veneer/tooth could be made and at least 60 different documented smile styles. Do the math and you’ll note that there are probably 30,000 different ways that your cosmetic dentist could create your new smile. This can be pretty confusing. So how do you know you’re getting the best combination for your face and smile?

Mrs. U.S.-Globe Jill Frick and her “Enhanced” smile style with ten porcelain veneers by Dr. Huefner.

The short answer is for you and your cosmetic dentist to communicate on a very high level so that your expectations can be met. Your cosmetic dentist wants your input because he/she certainly wants you to love your new smile. Success is dependent on the skill, care and judgment of the dentist, but also on the ability of both the patient and dentist to communicate and work together on deciding key issues.
This article concentrates on one of the huge variables that there is, choosing the smile style. Most cosmetic dentists will involve the patient in this selection process, but offering input and suggestions to help guide the patient in the selection based on the shape of the face, age, personality type and other factors. There are three commonly used “smile guides” that cosmetic dentists have available to them to show patients. Dr. William Dickerson’s “LVI Smile Library” (12 different styles), Dr. Loren Berland’s “Loren Library” (18 different styles) and Dr. William Dorfman’s “The Smile Guide” (36 different styles). One question a patient might ask their cosmetic dentist is which smile guide does he use and specifically what smile style does he recommend? If the dentist is experienced in cosmetic dentistry you should be able to see one of these guides and the cosmetic dentist should discuss by name a smile style that he/she advises using. There are different acceptable variations in shape that each porcelain veneer can be made. For example, the four front teeth (incisors) could be either square at the corners, square at one corner and rounded at the other, or rounded at both corners. Similarly, the cuspids or eye teeth (third tooth back) could be pointed, rounded or flat. Combining these different shapes each produces significantly different smile styles. Here are three examples from the Loren Library:

The design above is round, round, pointed. It is very youthful and oftentimes used when the patient has a very round face.

The above is a design quite the opposite, square, square, flat. It is a much older and oftentimes much more masculine smile style.

This one is in between the first two, being square, square-round, round, and is a very popular design.

Here are two popular smile styles from the Dickerson “LVI Smile Library”:

This is the “Enhanced” smile style, very popular with many of the beauty pageant contestants that I’ve created porcelain veneers for over the years. Note that the second teeth from the center are a little shorter than the front teeth. This is a youthful effect we call “the gull wing” that really looks nice on females. See first photo in this article with of Mrs. U.S.-Globe and the “Enhanced” smile style I used with her 10 porcelain veneers.

The “Hollywood” style above is a little more “toothy” and works well for males and especially those wanting to show off a little more teeth.

It is important that both the patient and cosmetic dentist be aware of the differences in tooth shapes and smile styles and have active communication between each other in choosing the best smile style for the patient’s new porcelain veneers.

Dr. Norman Huefner, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Laguna Niguel, CA