This patient arrived at Long Island Veneers looking for a fresh start. Her smile had been bothering her for years. She had old fillings on her front teeth that had started to break down and discolor, leaving behind a dark, uneven appearance. Some of her teeth had shifted over time, causing crowding that made the entire smile feel misaligned.
Although she had maintained her dental health overall, the combination of old restorations and crowding made her smile appear much older than she was. She wanted to feel confident again, not just in photos, but in everyday conversations and social settings.
Assessing the Existing Damage
The first step was to evaluate the condition of the old fillings. These restorations had likely been in place for years. They had started to stain, crack, and pull away from the surrounding enamel, creating dark lines and irregular surfaces on her most visible teeth.
On top of that, she had moderate crowding in the upper front arch. The overlapping teeth not only worsened the cosmetic issues but also made it harder to maintain proper hygiene, potentially accelerating staining and wear.
This wasn’t a case where a quick fix would hold up. We needed a plan that would:
- Correct the crowding
- Remove the failing restorations
- Rebuild a natural and even smile
Realignment with Invisalign
Before addressing the cosmetic concerns, we started with Invisalign to resolve the underlying crowding. We used a short, focused treatment to open space in key areas and bring the teeth into better alignment.
How Invisalign helped:
- Reduced overlap: Allowed for better access and even veneer placement.
- Improved proportions: Created more symmetry between teeth.
- Enhanced function: Smoothed out bite forces for long-term stability.
This phase gave us the breathing room needed to rebuild the smile properly and set the stage for durable results.
Replacing Restorations with Veneers
After alignment was complete, we removed the old, discolored fillings. The underlying teeth were healthy but worn and irregular in shape. We placed eight porcelain veneers across the upper front arch to fully restore both form and color.
This case required a high level of customization. The patient didn’t just want whiter teeth. She wanted a smile that looked fresh, even, and age-appropriate.
Design goals for her veneers:
- Eliminate discoloration: Veneers masked any remaining stain or damaged enamel.
- Refine contours: Each tooth was shaped to better match its neighbor and the overall curve of her smile.
- Restore balance: The smile line was adjusted to follow the lip, creating a softer, younger looking appearance.
We also used a custom blend of materials to ensure that the new veneers had a natural level of translucency. Her old fillings had appeared dull and flat under light. These veneers reflected light the way healthy enamel should, adding brightness without looking artificial.
The Transformation
The before and after images speak for themselves. The dark, aging appearance of her previous restorations was completely replaced by clean, uniform, and vibrant teeth. Her smile now looked balanced and smooth, with no visible crowding or shadowing.
Notable improvements:
- Color and brightness: No more stains or visible filling lines.
- Tooth shape: Each tooth had a more natural and consistent contour.
- Smile width: The veneers helped widen her smile, enhancing facial symmetry.
The emotional response was just as dramatic. She shared that she finally felt comfortable smiling without hesitation. What once caused self-consciousness was now a point of pride.
A Real-World Solution
This case is a great example of how layered treatment, starting with alignment, then moving to cosmetic restoration, can make a dramatic difference, even without full-mouth work. The patient did not need extensive reconstruction. She simply needed the right approach for her unique combination of issues.
Too often, patients believe that old fillings are “good enough” as long as they’re intact. But as this case shows, restorations age, shift, and discolor. When they do, they can begin to define a person’s entire smile.
By replacing those failing restorations and correcting the alignment, we gave her a result that not only looked better, but will also last longer.
