Self-Conscious About Her Teeth: Time for a Smile Makeover

Laura was self-conscious about her teeth, particularly her front teeth which had been traumatised and were root filled. There wasn’t much left but over the years, metal posts and crowns were fitted.

The patient was self-conscious about her teeth which were full of these metal fillings

Laura had discussed the feeling that she wanted to have a smile makeover many times over recent years as she felt increasingly awkward and self-conscious.

Getting rid of as much metal as possible became her main priority.

Laura felt that her teeth were too yellow and her smile was also very narrow. She asked about porcelain veneers and replacement white fillings with composite resin.

Dr Murphy advised that if we wanted to tackle all of the issues, the heavily filled back teeth would require porcelain crowns.

Some were suitable for veneers and it was deemed feasible to expand the canines and premolars – effectively widening Laura’s smile.

The old fillings and crowns were removed, exposing the metal posts, which were thankfully intact.

Acrylic temporary crowns were fitted for a period of two weeks. Some home tooth whitening was carried out with a custom fitted gum shield. Generally patients receive this at half price in extensive cosmetic dentistry makeover cases.

In the final result it’s possible to see the better distribution of tooth widths. The two central incisors are more comparable in size with the lateral incisors which we made slightly wider. The canines, which were leaning in were expanded with minimal-prep porcelain veneers. Other premolars were improved similarly with veneers or ceramic crowns, creating the desired effect of a wider smile.

Laura had six Emax porcelain ceramic crowns and four Emax porcelain veneers.

No longer self-conscious about her teeth, Laura commented: “My teenage daughter is jealous of my smile now, when before she told me I had brown teeth! Thanks so much to Brendan and the girls. I know it’s a cliche but I wish that I’d just done it 10 years ago, it gives you a huge lift in confidence.”