Dental Blog - Portland, OR

When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, every smile has a story, and we’re here to help our patients rewrite theirs. One of our recent cases involved a patient who had been self-conscious about her smile for years. She struggled with a gummy smile, short upper front teeth, and an old crown that stood out as dull and opaque, mismatched with her natural teeth. After seeing examples of successful gummy smile corrective surgeries, she finally decided it was time to transform her smile.

Understanding the Patient’s Goals

Our patient wanted a brighter, more balanced smile that she could confidently share with the world. To achieve this, we focused on addressing her primary concerns:

1. Reducing the appearance of her gummy smile.
2. Lengthening her upper front teeth for a more proportional appearance.
3. Replacing her old crown and ensuring all her teeth matched seamlessly.

Planning a Customized Treatment

Every great result starts with careful planning. We began by collecting digital records and photos to design her new smile. The treatment plan included:

• Corrective Gum Surgery: To expose more tooth structure and reduce the visibility of her gummy smile.
• Porcelain Veneers: To create a bright, natural-looking, and harmonious appearance across her upper teeth.

Step-by-Step Transformation

The journey to her new smile was methodical:

1. Gum Surgery: The first step was carefully sculpting her gum tissue to reveal more of her teeth. After surgery, we allowed time for the tissue to heal completely.
2. Porcelain Veneers: Once healing was complete, we prepared her teeth and placed custom-designed veneers to enhance the color, shape, and symmetry of her smile.

The initial results were fantastic, and the patient was thrilled with her transformation. However, a few months later, she returned to the office with a concern: her root canal-treated tooth was darkening, even showing through the veneer.

Addressing the Challenge: Internal Tooth Bleaching

To resolve this issue, we performed internal bleaching, a technique specifically designed to brighten root canal-treated teeth. This procedure lightened the discoloration from within the tooth, restoring the uniformity of her smile. Once completed, the veneers matched perfectly, and our patient left feeling truly confident and pleased with her results.

A Life-Changing Transformation

This case highlights the power of combining advanced cosmetic techniques with a personalized approach. Our patient’s transformation wasn’t just about aesthetics—it was about helping her feel more confident and comfortable in her own skin.

If you’re looking to transform your smile, whether it’s a gummy smile, discoloration, or any other concern, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward your dream smile!