As an artist who had studied facial structure and painted many portraits, Katherine knew exactly the kind of smile she wanted for herself: an artist's smile, not a starlet's. Specifically, one that would look natural rather than artificial--like one she had been born with, rather than one that had been designed on an assembly line in Hollywood. But Katherine had been born with a gummy smile, disproportionately large front teeth (central incisors) with gaps between them in the bargain, and old bondings on the bottom front teeth (lateral incisors) that had become discolored and misshapen. Not at all what she had in mind! Because she was an artist, we tried to give her exactly what she envisioned and collaborate on a smile she would be proud of. Our initial treatment included a full upper arch gum lift to replace the gummy look with a new, straight gum line, and to create balance and symmetry with her own features. About one month after the gum lift, we continued her treatment by placing ten upper veneers. Katherine finally had the smile, and the natural look, she had always wanted--an outcome fit for a new self-portrait.
