Cosmetic Dentistry is the “New Beauty”
Many appearance-conscious women and beauty professionals know the magazine New Beauty. Sold at bookstores, airports and upscale markets, this magazine has the latest articles and trends in skin care, plastic surgery, anti-aging and cosmetic dentistry. We like the magazine for its educational, medical and product-related information for the beauty world, and because it includes cosmetic dentistry as a major influence in health, youthfulness and beauty. The magazine dedicates a full section in every issue to cosmetic dentistry, and topics include procedures such as veneers and tooth whitening, environmental and green dentistry and dental products, and smile makeovers.
Cosmetic dentistry is not new to the beauty world. Bill Dorfman on the television show Extreme Makeover made popular the notion that the smile is an essential feature in good looks. A Boston plastic surgeon we work closely with, Dr. Melissa Schneider, puts it best. “I can make a person’s face look beautiful and young, but if the teeth are dark or unattractive, their smile will detract from their appearance and reveal their age, or even make them look older than they really are.”
We wanted to share with you this article from the recent issue of New Beauty discussing how dentists like myself carefully determine the right shape for veneers to create wonderful smiles. It really highlights how much planning, artistry and expertise goes into designing a smile, utilizing the latest in teeth whitening innovation and porcelain ceramic veneers and crowns.
Do Your Teeth Complement Your Face Shape?
By NewBeauty Staff
“You’ve heard about having a haircut that flatters your face shape, and using makeup contouring to define facial features has been practiced since the dawn of the blush brush. But have you thought about whether your smile complements your unique features?
“If you’re thinking about getting veneers to enhance the look of your smile, there are important factors you have to consider. First and foremost: face shape. Otherwise, your smile won’t look natural. ‘If your veneers don’t complement the overall features they look unnatural,’ says Scottsdale, AZ, cosmetic dentist Jason McCargar, DMD.
“Here are some standards to go by:
“If you have a SMALL face
Steer clear of long, square-shaped veneers. ‘They may look too dominant and throw off your overall proportions,’ says Dr. McCargar.
“If your face is FULLER
Slightly longer teeth are your best bet because they can create a slimming effect.
“If your face is THIN
Avoid thin, long teeth, which will make the face look longer. Broaden your smile with slightly wider teeth to break up the length and add fullness.
“If your face is ANGULAR or SQUARE-SHAPED
‘Softer edges (on the teeth) will help soften the smile,’ Dr. McCargar says. Sharp angles may look too harsh.”
Going to a well-trained, experienced cosmetic dentist is important when choosing the person to design your smile makeover. According to Dr. Jill Smith at Dental Health and Wellness Boston, “During an initial cosmetic dentistry consultation with a new patient at my Boston dental practice, I take the time to understand their individual appearance goals and determine what cosmetic dentistry procedures will create that perfect smile. By using models and digital photography, I can communicate with the dental lab to custom design a smile that is unique and personalized.” Dr. Smith continues, “I focus on achieving great, natural-looking smiles so I always evaluate my patient’s skin tone, face shape and personality of their smile. In addition, cosmetic dentistry needs to function well: chewing, speaking and jaw comfort are all as important as the way a person’s teeth look, so dental analysis of the bite or occlusion is imperative for a successful cosmetic dentistry procedure. These factors contribute to our signature approach to truly personalized cosmetic dentistry solutions!”
Schedule a consultation today to see how cosmetic dentistry can enhance your looks and how our personalized procedures can help you achieve a perfect, natural-looking smile!