Smile Makeover After Braces: 20 Porcelain Veneers, Dental Implants, and Gum Lift
Comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment in 8 weeks
By Dr. Kiyan Mehdizadeh, DMD · 9460 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 850, Beverly Hills, CA 90212 · (310) 770-3335
Last Updated: February 2026
Treatment Plan by Dr. Kiyan Mehdizadeh
- Aesthetic crown lengthening (gum lift) to correct gummy smile and establish symmetry
- Placement of 2 dental implants to replace missing lower first molars (#19 and #30)
- 10 upper porcelain veneers (#4–13) with optimized proportions
- 10 lower porcelain veneers (#20–29) coordinated with upper arch
- Implant crowns shade-matched and integrated with veneer design
Why Many Patients Need a Smile Makeover After Braces
This patient presented after completing orthodontic treatment with braces. Despite months of bracket-and-wire treatment, she remained unhappy with her smile. This situation is more common than most people realize: braces address tooth position, but they cannot change the shape, color, size, or proportions of the teeth themselves. And they certainly cannot replace teeth that are missing or correct gum tissue architecture that makes teeth appear short or asymmetrical.
Her case required a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach. She had two missing lower first molars (#19 and #30) that affected her bite stability and chewing function. Her gum line was uneven, with excess tissue making her teeth appear short and creating a gummy smile appearance. And the teeth themselves, while now straight, were not the shape, shade, or proportion she envisioned. A coordinated plan was developed to address every component simultaneously.
“Straight teeth are just the foundation. A beautiful smile requires harmony between teeth, gums, and function.”
What Is a Comprehensive Smile Makeover?
A comprehensive smile makeover differs from a standard veneer case because it involves multiple dental disciplines working together. This patient’s case required the skills of an implant surgeon, a periodontal surgeon, and a cosmetic prosthodontist—all within a single coordinated treatment plan.
The Challenge
Transform a smile that had completed orthodontic treatment but still lacked the aesthetics and function the patient desired. Address two missing first molars, uneven gum architecture creating a gummy appearance, and tooth proportions that braces could not correct. All procedures coordinated into a single 8-week treatment plan.
How the Gum Lift Created the Framework
Treatment began with an aesthetic crown lengthening procedure, commonly called a gum lift. This involved carefully reshaping the gum tissue to reveal more of the tooth structure that was hidden beneath. Using periodontal microsurgery techniques, the gum line was sculpted to create symmetry across the smile and establish the proper tooth-to-gum proportions. The gum lift removed approximately 1.5–2mm of excess tissue from the upper anterior teeth, transforming a gummy smile into a properly framed one. This step established the architectural framework that the veneers would follow.
Why Missing Molars Were Replaced with Dental Implants
The two missing lower first molars (#19 and #30) were replaced with titanium dental implants. These teeth are critical for proper chewing function and bite stability: they bear the highest occlusal forces in the mouth. Without them, the remaining teeth shift, the bite collapses, and the temporomandibular joints experience strain. The implants were placed under IV sedation and allowed to begin osseointegration while the gum lift healed and the veneers were designed. This parallel sequencing kept the total treatment time to 8 weeks.
How 20 Porcelain Veneers Completed the Transformation
With the gum architecture established and the implants integrating, 20 porcelain veneers were designed to complete the smile transformation:
- 10 upper veneers (#4–13) designed to optimal proportions with width-to-length ratios of approximately 75–80%
- 10 lower veneers (#20–29) coordinated with the upper arch for harmonious bite relationship
- Central incisors designed at approximately 10.5–11mm length for a youthful, feminine appearance
- Natural shade selection with proper color gradation from gum line to incisal edge
- Surface texture including perikymata ridges for natural light reflection
Each veneer was individually crafted by a master ceramist to work in harmony with its neighbors. The upper and lower arches were designed together on an articulator to ensure proper occlusal contacts, anterior guidance, and aesthetic balance. The implant crowns for teeth #19 and #30 were fabricated at the same time and shade-matched to the veneers for seamless integration.
The Result After 8 Weeks of Coordinated Treatment
Eight weeks from start to finish. The smile makeover addressed everything her braces could not: the missing molars are replaced with implants that function like natural teeth, the gum line is symmetrical and properly proportioned after crown lengthening, and 20 custom porcelain veneers deliver the bright, confident smile she always wanted. The bite is optimized for long-term stability and comfortable function.
This case illustrates why comprehensive treatment planning by a single provider matters. Each procedure supported the others: the implants restored posterior function, the gum lift created the soft tissue framework, and the veneers delivered the aesthetics. Treating any one element in isolation would not have achieved this result.
“A smile makeover isn’t about a single procedure—it’s about understanding how every element works together.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Smile Makeovers After Braces
Why would someone need a smile makeover after braces?
Braces move teeth into proper alignment but cannot change the inherent shape, size, color, or proportions of the teeth. Many patients find that even after orthodontic treatment, they still want improvements in aesthetics that only restorative dentistry can provide. Common remaining issues include uneven tooth shapes, discoloration, disproportionate teeth, gummy smile, and missing teeth that braces cannot address.
What is crown lengthening or a gum lift?
Crown lengthening is a periodontal microsurgery procedure that reshapes gum tissue to reveal more of the tooth structure beneath. This corrects a gummy smile, creates symmetry in the gum line, or establishes proper tooth-to-gum proportions before placing veneers. In this case, approximately 1.5–2mm of excess tissue was removed from the upper anterior teeth, transforming the proportional framework of the entire smile.
Why were dental implants included in a smile makeover?
Missing back teeth, particularly first molars (#19 and #30), bear the highest chewing forces in the mouth. Without them, remaining teeth shift, the bite collapses over time, and the jaw joints experience strain. Replacing them with implants restored full function, maintained bite stability, and provided the posterior support needed for the veneer restorations to function properly long-term.
Why treat upper and lower teeth together with 20 veneers?
The upper and lower teeth work together when biting, chewing, and smiling. Treating both arches ensures proper color matching, proportional harmony, and correct bite relationship. Treating only one arch creates obvious mismatches in shade and proportion. Additionally, designing all 20 veneers simultaneously on an articulator allows optimization of the occlusal contacts and anterior guidance for long-term stability.
How much does a comprehensive smile makeover with veneers and implants cost?
A comprehensive smile makeover including 20 porcelain veneers, 2 dental implants with crowns, and a gum lift typically ranges from $60,000 to $100,000 depending on complexity. Individual veneers range from $2,000 to $4,000 per tooth, implants with crowns range from $4,000 to $6,000 per site, and crown lengthening ranges from $2,000 to $5,000. Financing options are available, and detailed cost breakdowns are provided during the consultation.
How long does a comprehensive smile makeover take?
This case was completed in 8 weeks by strategically sequencing the procedures. The gum lift and implant placement were performed early, and the veneers were designed during the healing period. Most comprehensive makeovers are completed in 6–12 weeks. Cases requiring extended implant healing in compromised bone may take 4–6 months.
How long do the results of a smile makeover last?
Porcelain veneers typically last 15–20 years with proper care. Dental implants can last a lifetime. The gum lift results are permanent, as the tissue does not regrow to its original position. Maintaining the results requires professional cleanings every 6 months, good home care, and wearing a night guard if recommended to protect the veneers from grinding forces.
Can all these procedures be done at one practice?
At most dental offices, a case like this would require referrals to multiple specialists: a periodontist for the gum lift, an oral surgeon for the implants, and a prosthodontist for the veneers. Having a single provider trained across all three disciplines eliminates coordination delays and ensures a unified treatment vision from start to finish.
Is a smile makeover possible without removing braces first?
Braces must be removed before porcelain veneers can be placed, as the veneers require direct access to the tooth surfaces for preparation and bonding. In this case, the remaining lower braces were removed as the first step. However, orthodontic goals should be sufficiently achieved before proceeding, as veneer design depends on the final tooth positions established by orthodontics.
Will the implant crowns match the porcelain veneers?
Yes. The implant crowns are fabricated at the same time as the veneers by the same master ceramist, using the same porcelain materials and shade references. This ensures seamless integration in color, surface texture, and translucency. Designing everything simultaneously is one of the key advantages of coordinated comprehensive treatment versus having separate providers handle different phases.
Last Updated: February 2026
Dr. Kiyan Mehdizadeh, DMD
Doctor of Dental Medicine
Most cosmetic dentists refer out for surgery. Most surgeons don’t do cosmetic work. Dr. Mehdizadeh trained in both—implantology and bone grafting at Loma Linda and UCLA, fixed prosthodontics under Mauro Fradeani in Italy, periodontal microsurgery with Hürzeler and Zuhr in Munich, and IV sedation at the University of Alabama. That combination means complex cases involving surgery, grafting, implants, and restorative work are planned and executed by a single provider with full command of every phase.
Technical skill produces function. Taste is what produces beauty. The difference between dental work that looks like dental work and a result that looks entirely natural comes down to aesthetic judgment—proportion, texture, translucency, how light moves across a surface. That sensibility runs through everything here, from the way cases are designed to the office itself.
An in-house master ceramist and on-site laboratory allow restorations to be designed, fabricated, and refined with direct collaboration between doctor and technician—no outsourced lab work, no guesswork, no compromise on the final product. Dr. Mehdizadeh is one of few dentists with the refined ability to provide care across multiple specialties, resulting in cohesive and holistic outcomes.
Education & Credentials
- Mastership in Implant Dentistry, Loma Linda University/gIDE Institute
- Advanced Implant Therapy and Grafting, UCLA/gIDE Institute
- Certificate in Guided Bone Regeneration & Ridge Augmentation, gIDE
- Certificate in Sinus Elevation and Augmentation, gIDE Institute
- Master Program in Fixed Prosthodontics, Fradeani Education, Italy
- Certificate in IV Sedation, University of Alabama, Birmingham
- Certificate in Periodontal Micro-surgery, Huerzelr/Zuhr, Munich
- Doctor of Dental Medicine, Boston University (Cum Laude)
Begin Your Transformation
Schedule your consultation with Dr. Kiyan Mehdizadeh to explore what’s possible for your smile.