Porcelain Bridge and Veneers Whiten and Brighten and Unattractive Smile

When she was younger Maria was involved in an auto accident and broke off one of her front teeth.  A porcelain-on-metal bridge was placed by her family dentist, but she was never really happy with the appearance of her teeth and smile.  Over the years her natural teeth darkened and she began working in a profession where she was out in the public eye all the time.  She became increasingly self conscious about her teeth, even feeling that it hindered her chances for promotion.

Missing one front tooth, Maria had an old porcelain bridge that gave her a very unattractive smile

Maria knew that a new porcelain bridge would improve her smile, but she didn’t just want a better smile, SHE WANTED A GREAT LOOKING SMILE!

She consulted with Dr. Huefner regarding her options with cosmetic dentistry.  She stressed that she wanted a whiter, brighter smile, but also even, unchipped teeth that would make her look younger and more professional.  After much discussion and consideration, Maria chose to have porcelain veneers in addition to a new porcelain bridge (however this time Dr. Huefner said he could utilize new technology and make her a ceramic bridge that did not have to be supported by gold or other alloyed metals).

Maria’s treatment was completed in three dental visits with Dr. Huefner and she was pleased and appreciative with the final results!

A new all-ceramic bridge and porcelain veneers gave Maria a much younger and more attractive smile

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

Old Porcelain on Metal Crowns Replaced with All-Ceramic Crowns Create Much Younger Smile for Cynthia

Cynthia had porcelain-on-metal crowns placed on her upper six teeth when she was in her mid 20s.  As she approached her 40th birthday she because increasingly self conscious of her teeth and smile, feeling that her old dentistry gave her a much more aged look!

She came to Dr. Huefner to discuss replacing her old dentistry with something that was much more natural.  Cynthia explained to Dr. Huefner how she hated the black metal line around her gums.  Also, that the color of her teeth were very “unreal looking”, referring to the very opaque porcelain that looked “like chicklets”.  She asked if the black mercury fillings on her side teeth could be replaced and could she have a whiter, brighter smile that covered those teeth as well?

Cynthia's old porcelain on metal crowns gave her a much older look that she didn't appreciate

After examining Cynthia’s teeth, Dr. Huefner and Cynthia decided to replace her old dentistry with six all-ceramic crowns and also place three-quarter all-ceramic crowns (“mini-crowns”) on her side teeth.  The three-quarter crowns replaced her old fillings and also covered over the outside of the teeth, which would give her a beautiful ten-teeth smile in a very esthetic and natural color.

New all-ceramic crowns transformed Cynthia's smile, giving her a much younger appearance!

The end result for Cynthia is pictured above, a very natural and younger looking smile with no black lines around her gums.

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

Congenitally Missing Teeth Replaced with Bonded Bridges by Dr. Huefner

Katy, sixteen years old, was congenitally missing both her upper lateral incisors.  Since the two teeth weren’t present her teeth had drifted, partially closing the spaces.  She went through orthodontics (braces) to straighten her teeth back out and open the spaces for cosmetic dentistry.  Her orthodontist has suggested implants, but other options he suggested were bridges or partial dentures.  She consulted with Dr. Huefner regarding her options.

Katy was congenitally missing both lateral incisors

Dr. Huefner evaluated her teeth and discussed the alternatives, pros and cons for each.  First, because of her age implants were not an acceptable option.  All growth has to be completed before implants can be utilized,  and since she was only sixteen she has five or more years before that would happen.  Also, the bone and space was too small for implants.  Second, a removable partial denture could be used, but she said that “something that you take in and out” was unacceptable.  Third, permanent fixed bridges could be made.  However the downside of that was that the perfectly good teeth on both sides of the missing teeth would have to be prepared (reshaped) to accomodate crowns.  In Dr. Huefner’s opinion, that was not the best way to solve her problem.

Fortunately Dr. Huefner was able to suggest a very conservative procedure called “bonded lingual retained fixed bridges” whereby the pontics (false teeth to replace the missing teeth) are bonded to the back sides of  the teeth on both sides.  The huge advantage is that the side teeth do not have to be prepared for crowns.  Katy and her parents were very excited with this option and proceeded with treatment by Dr. Huefner.

Katy's new smile with two bonded lingual retained bridges

As you can see from the photo above, Katy’s problem was completely solved with the bonded lingual retained fixed bridges and she was very appreciative and pleased with the final results!

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

Yellow, Crooked Teeth Transformed into Great Looking Smile with Porcelain Veneers

Steve is a successful CEO of a large business.  And as you might imagine, Steve was very concerned about his appearance and professional image.  Unfortunately, Steve had very yellow crooked teeth which had bothered him for a long time.  His biggest concern was that he thought he would have to have braces (orthodontics) in order to have a nice smile and he definitely didn’t have the time or inclination to go through two years of orthodontic treatment.  When Steve heard that sometimes cosmetic dentistry could solve problems like his he came to Dr. Huefner for a cosmetic dentistry consultation.

Steve didn't like his yellow, crooked teeth

Fortunately, Steve had the kind of problem that could be easily fixed with porcelain veneers by a skilled cosmetic dentist.  Sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics”, with porcelain veneers the teeth can appear straight and even with cosmetic dentistry rather than having to undergo braces treatment.

When Steve learned that he was a good candidate for porcelain veneers he became excited and indicated that he wanted to proceed with treatment.  The next thing was to determine what color teeth Steve wanted and what type of smile design?  Smile design has to do with the shape, proportion, length and position of the teeth.  Steve indicated he wanted a younger smile and much whiter in color than he had, but also a masculine smile.

Steve got a great looking smile with porcelain veneers

Above is the beautiful smile that Dr. Huefner created for Steve with porcelain veneers.

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

Porcelain Veneers for Yvonne by Dr. Huefner

Yvonne’s teeth had worn and discolored over the years.  She also had a number of old fillings that were in need of replacement.  She had always wanted a beautiful smile with straight, white teeth.  So, she consulted with Dr. Huefner regarding cosmetic dentistry.

Yvonne's discolored and crooked teeth before porcelain veneers

Actually Yvonne had a nice smile, but it just wasn’t a “great smile”.  Replacing the fillings wouldn’t do much, as she still would have crooked worn teeth.  Bleaching her teeth would make them whiter, but that wouldn’t make them straight.  Braces would solve the teeth being crooked, but they still would be worn and discolored.  What would be the best, easiest and most suitable treatment to give Yvonne the smile she had always wanted?

Dr. Huefner recommended eight porcelain veneers.  That would allow him optimum control over the size, shape and color of her teeth.  Also, porcelain veneers are more conservative than porcelain crowns, something most dentists and patients agree make porcelain veneers the treatment of choice in many smile makeover situations.

Yvonne's beautiful new smile with eight porcelain veneers

Yvonne’s smile with porcelain veneers was completed in less than three weeks and three dental appointments.  And, as you might guess from seeing the results in the photo above, Yvonne was delighted with her new smile!

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

Porcelain Veneers and New Smile for Anna by Dr. Huefner

Anna didn’t like her teeth.  They were discolored and even though her front two teeth were slightly larger than normal, they had a gap between them.  She also felt that her cuspids were way too pointy….she called they her “fang teeth”.  What she wanted was a beautiful smile with well proportioned teeth and no gaps or spaces.  Also, she wanted them a lot whiter.  She knew that braces wouldn’t solve the problems with her teeth, so she consulted with Dr. Huefner to discuss the options that could be solved with cosmetic dentistry.

Anna didn't like her spaced teeth and fang-like cuspids

After carefully listening to Anna’s concerns and taking a few photos of Anna’s smile, Dr. Huefner evaluated her smile and showed her the photos of her teeth on the computer monitor in his smile design studio.  As is often said, a photo is worth a thousand words and by looking together at the photos of Anna’s teeth Dr. Huefner she could even better understand how the color, length, shape and proportion of her teeth could be improved.  Dr. Huefner recommended porcelain veneers to correct Anna’s smile.  Porcelain veneers would allow Dr. Huefner ultimate control over the color of her teeth, closing the gaps and creating the proper shaped teeth for an incredible smile.  Anna was excited when she learned that the whole process could be completed in just a few weeks.

Anna's new smile with porcelain veneers by Dr. Huefner

Dr. Huefner placed eight porcelain veneers on Anna’s teeth and created an absolutely stunning new smile for her that she really loved!

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

Lifechanging Smile Makeover with Porcelain Veneers for Kaitlin by Dr. Huefner, Orange County Cosmetic Dentist

Kaitlin is a very successful businesswoman, but having a smile with short, chipped, discolored teeth was incongruent with her professional image.

Kaitlin's short, chipped teeth embarrassed her.

Very unsure on whether or not she was willing to have cosmetic dentistry, she consulted with Dr. Huefner about what her options might be.  She had heard about bonding, porcelain caps, orthodontics, bleaching and porcelain veneers, but wanted to know Dr. Huefner’s opinion on what might be the best course of treatment for her?

After carefully listening to Kaitlin’s concerns and then examining Kaitlin’s teeth, Dr. Huefner recommended porcelain veneers.  That would be the most conservative mode of treatment, but allow Dr. Huefner full control over achieving the best color, length and shape of Kaitlin’s new teeth.  Kaitlin still had reservations until Dr. Huefner described the “trial smile” process, whereby Dr. Huefner would first create temporary veneers in the color, shape and length that he though would be best suited for Kaitlin.  Then Kaitlin could wear them for several days and return to Dr. Huefner to make any modifications that she wanted before the actual porcelain veneers where made.  In essence, the “trial smile” veneers approved by Kaitlin would serve as a template for the actual porcelain veneers.

Kaitlin in her "trial smile" veneers by Dr. Huefner.

In Kaitlin’s case there were very little changes she wanted made, except she wanted her teeth to be a little “whiter”, which Dr. Huefner did for her.  Kaitlin continued to wear the “trial smile” veneers for ten more days while the permanent porcelain veneers were being fabricated by Dr. Huefner’s master ceramist.  Then she returned to Dr. Huefner, he gently removed the “trial smile”, placed the final veneers on her teeth for her final approval, and then bonded the new porcelain veneers onto her underlying teeth with his Argon dental laser.  The resulting smile achieved for Kaitlin was amazing!  It took ten years off of her face and gave her the classy, professional look that she had always wanted!

Kaitlin's beautiful new smile with porcelain veneers by Dr. Huefner.

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

Taking 20 years off of a smile with Porclain Veneers by Orange County Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Huefner

Monica was extremely embarrassed with the appearance of her teeth and smile.  She wouldn’t smile in family photos and many times when she was talking to other people up close she would put her hand in front of her teeth in attempts to hide them.  She had been wanting to do something about her teeth and smile for years, but she just didn’t know what to have done and which dentist to go to.  After months of thinking about it and researching many options and dentists in the Southern California area Monica came to Dr. Huefner for a cosmetic dentistry consultation.

Monica's smile before cosmetic dentistry.

Upon meeting Dr. Huefner for the first time, she explained how self conscious she was even to show her teeth to a dentist!  She asked, “What can you do for me?  What would it take to give me a beautiful smile?  Veneers?  Crowns?  Braces?  Bleaching?”  She also wanted to know how long it would take and how many appointments.

After evaluating Monica’s teeth Dr. Huefner was pleased to inform her that he believed he could create a beautiful, younger looking smile for Monica with porcelain veneers.  It would take three appointments to do her upper teeth, and three to do her lower teeth.  She told Dr. Huefner that she liked his approach but since this was such a big decision she wanted to get a couple other opinions from other cosmetic dentists.  She returned to Dr. Huefner two weeks later, ready to start treatment with him.  Dr. Huefner asked her why she chose him over the three other dentists she saw.  Monica said it was because he was the only one who showed her photos of numerous other patients he had treated with problems equal to hers.  Also, other dentists wanted “to cap my teeth”, and really preferred Dr. Huefner’s philosophy of conservative dentistry using porcelain veneers rather than crowns.

Monica's new smile after cosmetic dentistry by Dr. Huefner

Monica’s treatment started by first doing porcelain veneers on her upper teeth (she photo above), which was completed in three appointments.  She then came back a few months later and had lower veneers placed as well, which completed her “smile rejuvenation” with porcelain veneers.

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

Sensational Smile for Jen with Porcelain Veneers by Dr. Huefner

Here is the sensational smile that we created for Jen with porcelain veneers. Jen is the former Ms. California-Globe and competed in the Mrs. U.S.-Globe Beauty Pageant.

After creating Jen’s new smile Dr. Huefner did her photo shoot in his office 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

Porcelain Veneers and a Porcelain Bridge Create Sensational Smile by Dr. Huefner, Orange County Cosmetic Dentist

Not happy with her teeth, smile and old dentistry, Janet 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
Dr. Huefner 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.  Janet 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

As you would guess, Janet was very happy with her cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers.  Actually, Dr. Huefner even entered her treatment and photographs in the annual American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Smile Gallery competition.

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