As a cosmetic dentist in New York, I have been beautifying teeth and enhancing smiles for over thirty years. From restoring a single front tooth that was broken in a mishap to orchestrating a complete cosmetic make-over, there are few things more gratifying to me as witnessing a patient’s face light up with joy as they look into the mirror for the first time at their beautiful new smile.

Bonding & Porcelain Veneers

Generally speaking, when patients speak to me about cosmetic dentistry, they are usually thinking about bonding or porcelain veneers. Bonding is a technique that revolutionized dentistry starting in the 1950s by allowing tooth-colored material (composite) to be applied to tooth structure without needing to grind a tooth down to a “nub.”

Suddenly, it was possible to close spaces between teeth, change the color and shape of a single tooth, or redesign an entire smile in one visit. As the years passed, bonding techniques and materials have improved dramatically, and today the results can be dazzling.

The most exquisite type of dental bonding is porcelain veneers. Nothing compares to the beauty and elegance of the ultrathin porcelain facings. Dental veneers are custom-crafted by a ceramist and finished in a porcelain furnace to the point where they are as lustrously vibrant and translucent as ceramic glass. While porcelain veneers are quite delicate, they become quite strong when bonded to natural teeth.

7 Things A To Consider When Having Cosmetic Dentistry

Beautiful teeth do not necessarily a beautiful smile make! Not only do the color and shape of your teeth affect your smile, but your teeth present themselves in the context of your face and mouth is the key.

When you discuss cosmetic dentistry with your dentist, these are the things you must keep in mind. And, don’t be afraid to ask about any of them. Cosmetic dentistry isn’t cheap, and you need to feel comfortable that you’re making the right decisions and seeing the right professional.

1. Your Teeth Must Fit The Contours Of Your MouthTeeth that are too large for your face will give you a “toothy” appearance and strain your lips when you close your mouth, especially if your lips are too thin and small to drape over them comfortably. Alternatively, if your teeth are too small for the contours of your mouth, you can end up with a “collapsed” look that will age you.
2. No Spaces Or ShadowsUgly teeth aside, nothing will detract more from your smile than dark spaces that show between and around your teeth. Your teeth should be visible upon smiling, and the spaces between them should not be large gaps.
3. The Perfect Amount of Gum Should Show When You SmileAn excessive display of gum or a gummy-looking smile can result from your teeth being too small or an overabundance of gum tissue. Make sure you discuss this with your dentist.
4. Your Teeth Should Be In Harmony With The Shape Of Your Face
   
   One of the features of a beautiful smile is harmony. The midline of your front teeth should be aligned with the midline of your face, and the edges of your upper front teeth should follow the curve of your lower lip when you smile.
5. Your Teeth Should Be In Harmony With The Size Of Your Face
   
   The size and shape of your teeth should be in harmony with the size of your face to support your upper and lower lips and give you a pleasant front view and profile.
6. The Color Of Your Teeth Should Complement Your Complexion While we all want white teeth, there are a bazillion shades of white. For your teeth to look natural, your dentist must be conscientious about choosing the color and shade of the material that will be covering your natural tooth. That goes for bonding and porcelain veneers. Most dentists will work closely with you to choose the perfect color.
7. Your “New” Teeth Should Be In Harmony With Your Other Teeth

While the size, shape, and color of your teeth should be in harmony with your face and complexion, they also need to be in harmony with your other teeth.

First, they should be proportionally sized and balanced with your natural teeth. If you have any teeth that we previously bonded or if you have crowns or implants, your “new” teeth should match their color, shade, texture, and shape.

In Conclusion

As you can see, there is a lot to consider when you’re contemplating cosmetic dentistry. As a cosmetic dentist, I believe it’s my responsibility to communicate with my patients every step of the way as I design their new smiles. And that is why they’re so happy when they take that first look in the mirror – and for years afterward.