More than just Straight Teeth
When we aesthetically straighten teeth we need to look at more than just correcting crowded or crooked teeth. We need to look at their shape and colour. Often when teeth have been in the wrong position or rotated they have worn down unevenly. It may not be noticeable when they're crowded but once we straighten them it sticks out like a sore thumb.
To be able to create a beautiful youthful smile we must plan before straightening what we will do to improve the shape and colour of the teeth. Our options to do this include Tooth Whitening, Composite Bonding, Veneers and Crowns.
Depending on what needs to be done will greatly impact where we aim to have the final position of the tooth when straightening. If we do not plan this before straightening we may not have sufficient space to do these kind of improvements and will be stuck with unaesthetic but straight teeth.
Patient Case Example
This patient case is a great example of how making a plan before straightening with clear aligners what improvements we are going to make to colour and shape of the teeth impacted our Invisalign ClinCheck treatment plan (where we plan the final tooth position after straightening to be).
This patient's front teeth bite end to end. The uneven level and crowding of the lower front teeth has caused severe wear to them and the top front teeth. This creates an aged and detracting smile.
If we were to purely to focus on straightening the teeth the edges of the front teeth would be made level. The teeth would still have flat worn edges, appear short and wide and different sizes. The overall smile would be "straight" but not truly improved in its appearance.
Crooked & worn teeth affecting aesthetics of smile
Crowding and front teeth in contact causing premature and uneven wear of the front teeth
Bottom crooked & worn teeth before Invisalign treatment
Crooked & worn teeth affecting aesthetics of smile
Walk through the patient's ClinCheck plan with Dr Lizzie Dove
In this video Dr Lizzie explains how she planned particular movements to allow the teeth to be restored after straightening to have ideal aesthetics. This patient chose to have tooth whitening and correct the shape of the teeth with Composite Bonding after Invisalign clear aligner treatment.
Using the Invisalign ClinCheck treatment plan Dr Lizzie was able to program the tooth movements to allow specific changes to the tooth shape after straightening.
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It was planned that the top front teeth would be intruded (move upwards) so that the gum lines are move level and there was space to add length to both front teeth with composite resin to restore what was lost with wear. By adding length to these teeth it improves the width to length ratio. So that they have their Goldilocks moment: they're not too short/wide and not too long/narrow, they're just right!
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It was also planned to push down the bottom front teeth not just to be level with each other but even further to allow room to restore with composite resin the lost structure from wear. This again improves the width to length ratio of the teeth, improving aesthetics while also helps protect the them from further wear.
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When the top two front teeth are the correct width and length the lateral teeth next to them are naturally too small (narrow and short). To overcome this Dr Lizzie planned to create space next to these teeth. By making calculated spaces next to these teeth she allowed for wider and longer lateral teeth to be formed with Composite Bonding. This creates golden proportions between adjacent teeth creating balance and harmony between all front teeth.
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By adding length to all four of the top front teeth it restores the youthful appearance of the smile. Front teeth that are all the same level at the tip, worn or short appear aged and extremely masculine. The ends of the top front teeth show have a soft arc that follows the lower lip line to be considered aesthetically pleasing to look at.
All of the improvements that were made with Composite Bonding after straightening the teeth with Invisalign would not have been possible if it wasn't planned for in the beginning. There would have been insufficient space and large aesthetic compromises made to the final outcome without this foresight.
This is an image of the teeth after completing straightening with Invisalign clear aligners. We superimposed ideal tooth shapes to show the aim for our Composite Bonding now that the teeth are ideally positioned.
This is an image of the teeth after completing straightening with Invisalign clear aligners. You can see how the lower front teeth were intruded (pushed down) further than level. The orange line indicates where we plan to restore the teeth back to their original shape with Composite Bonding.
Before and After Invisalign and Composite Bonding
You can see in these before and after photos how by planning the tooth movements carefully provided the space to create highly aesthetic, natural and youthful looking front teeth
Why Choose Dr Lizzie Dove
Dr Lizzie Dove has over a decade of experience working in aesthetic dentistry. She has been an Invisalign provider incorporating aesthetic restorations such as Composite Bonding and Veneers since 2013. Dr Lizzie worked with the Post Graduate School of dentistry doing research for their Graduate Diploma of Aesthetic Orthodontics (SAT) and so has a deep understanding of aesthetics and clear aligners. Having skills in both Invisalign treatment and aesthetic restorative procedures means that Dr Lizzie will look at the whole picture and work with you to ensure you have a treatment plan that will achieve not only straight teeth but the smile you desire.
Every situation is unique and one size doesn't fit all. So it is important to know all options before choosing the one that fits you.
See Dr Lizzie Dove's Portfolio for more case examples and contact us with any questions!