Straight teeth, but still not the smile you wanted?
Orthodontics moves teeth. It does not change their shape, their color, or the way the gumline frames them, and it cannot replace one that is missing. If you finished braces and still are not happy, send us a photo.
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What this case cost
$490/month
144 payments at 9.99% APR, on approved credit.
Total: $41,000 for twenty porcelain veneers, two dental implants with crowns and a gum lift.
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Treatment Plan by Dr. 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. Braces address tooth position, but they cannot change the shape, color, size, or proportions of the teeth themselves, 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. We developed a coordinated plan 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 lay hidden beneath. Using periodontal microsurgery techniques, Dr. Mehdizadeh sculpted the gum line 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 We Replaced the Missing Molars with Dental Implants
Dr. Mehdizadeh replaced the two missing lower first molars (#19 and #30) 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. He placed the implants under IV sedation, which he administered, and they began osseointegration while the gum lift healed and we designed the veneers. 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, we designed 20 porcelain veneers 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
Our master ceramist crafted each veneer individually to work in harmony with its neighbors. We designed the upper and lower arches together on an articulator to ensure proper occlusal contacts, anterior guidance, and aesthetic balance. Our ceramist made the implant crowns for teeth #19 and #30 at the same time and shade-matched them to the veneers for seamless integration.
The Result After 8 Weeks of Coordinated Treatment
Treatment took eight weeks from start to finish. The smile makeover addressed everything her braces could not: implants that function like natural teeth now replace the missing molars, the gum line is symmetrical and properly proportioned after crown lengthening, and 20 custom porcelain veneers deliver the bright, confident smile she always wanted. We balanced the bite for long-term stability and comfortable function.
“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, Dr. Mehdizadeh removed approximately 1.5–2mm of excess tissue 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?
This case was $41,000, covering twenty porcelain veneers, two dental implants with crowns and a gum lift. $490/month: 144 payments at 9.99% APR, on approved credit.
How long does a comprehensive smile makeover take?
This case took 8 weeks because we sequenced the procedures strategically. Dr. Mehdizadeh performed the gum lift and placed the implants early, and we designed the veneers during the healing period. Most comprehensive makeovers take 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 typically last many years when properly maintained. The gum lift results are stable, 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?
Your braces have to come off before we can place porcelain veneers, as the veneers require direct access to the tooth surfaces for preparation and bonding. In this case, removing the remaining lower braces was the first step. Your orthodontic treatment should reach its goals before we proceed, as veneer design depends on the final tooth positions established by orthodontics.
Will the implant crowns match the porcelain veneers?
Yes. Our master ceramist makes the implant crowns at the same time as the veneers, 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.
