A Dubai based dentist is offering a service aimed at giving confidence to those considering improving their smile, which research has found can help people advance personally and professionally.
According to a public survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 96 per cent of the respondents believe a beautiful smile has a great impact on the opposite sex and 75 per cent think an unattractive smile has a negative impact on your professional career.
And Dr Stefan Pihlveus, dentist at Vilafortuny Laser Centre in Jumeirah Dubai is offering an innovative smile analysis service, using temporary materials to show exactly how the new smile will look if the patient goes ahead with procedures.
Dr Pihlveus says: “A smile is an important asset if you want to make a good first impression. However, a pleasant smile is not about having white and straight teeth. Often patients ask about tooth whitening procedures and, where this is an easy way to enhance a smile, the colour of the teeth is the least important factor when designing a new smile.
“It’s more important to have symmetry and harmony with teeth, gum, lips and facial features. As part of a comprehensive dental examination we also include a detailed smile analysis with simulated before and after photographs, which are given to the patient. The outcome of this analysis is then discussed and a treatment plan is formulated and presented.”
Aesthetic improvement can range from simple non-invasive tooth whitening procedures to complex treatments, involving elimination of ‘gummy’ smiles or a complete makeover of unattractive or ageing teeth. Today’s advancement in dentistry with the use of biomimetic materials can not only rejuvenate the appearance of the smile but also restore the strength and function of worn teeth.
However, according to Dr Pihlveus, it is crucial that any treatment is preceded with meticulous planning, beginning with a smile analysis. “This is to determine the correct course of treatment. It also gives patients the confidence to go forward as they can see what their new smile will look like. In the majority of the cases we can show the image to the patient using the mock-up materials and computer imaging. Once agreed upon, the course of action can usually be completed in a few sessions. It’s very rewarding to see the improvement of the patient’s self-confidence after receiving the new smile,” he says.
UAE National, AH, from Dubai recently received some reconstructive work and veneers after receiving a smile analysis. He said: “My teeth were in a very bad way and I had put off the dentist for years. People had started commenting on them and saying I need to get them fixed. The idea of veneers bothered me but after receiving a smile analysis, I could see the huge difference that could be made. My teeth were straight and strong, so I was amazed how little work was needed to make such a huge difference to me and I cannot stop smiling.”
Smile analysis at Vilafortuny Laser Clinic starts at Dh500 and takes 45 minutes to 1 hour. After thorough assessment of the patient’s present dental situation, the health of the teeth and gum is then examined visually and X-rayed, as any diagnosed tooth or gum disease needs to be treated first. A smile analysis is then conducted, where the look of the teeth is assessed against the overall appearance of the face and mouth when the patient smiles, talks, laughs and relaxes. The ideal proportions are determined when a harmony is judged to exist in the appearance of the entire face. By assessing the upper, middle and lower facial dimensions and features, it is then possible to determine and evaluate the impacts of facial alterations, such as dental or soft tissue procedures in the mouth.
Dr Pihlveus explains: “The lips act like a framework of a painting and there needs to be a proportional balance between the teeth, gum, lips and face. For example, how much does the patient show of the teeth and the gum? Are there any discrepancies from the facial mid-line? Does the horizontal plane of the teeth and gum divert from the imaginary horizontal line that connects the eyes? These are just a few parameters which are important to assess before creating a new smile.
“There are also specific guidelines to follow, such as the size and proportions of the teeth, the ideal amount of gum being displayed, the curvature of the teeth and gum-line. In general you can say that anything that looks distracting might well be rectified. However, it doesn’t mean that we try to create a stereotype smile, as it’s still important to maintain a person’s individual characteristics.
“The next step in the process is to convey the picture to the patient of how she will look like after the proposed alterations. I have found this is best done by applying temporary composite filling material directly on the teeth or the gum, giving the patient a good opportunity to instantly see how the new smile will look. After it has been documented with photographs and models, the mock-up is easily removed. Sometimes it’s necessary to conduct several examples before deciding on the final look, meaning we can fulfil the patient’s expectations or, as in my personal experience, usually exceed them.”
Once the desired appearance is agreed upon, the necessary procedures and cost implications are then explained. This can range from tooth whitening to complex reconstructions involving replacement of missing teeth, implants or veneers.
