Shape, colour and smile proportions

How do I choose shape, colour and proportions?

I choose shape from the face, lips, smile line, age and character of the patient's teeth, not from a catalogue of standard shapes. A natural shape has small asymmetries and a surface texture that matches the neighbouring teeth.

For proportions I use reference points, for example the width to height ratio of the central incisors (the literature often quotes a range around 75 to 80%). They are guides, not rules, and the eye and the face of the patient have the last word.

Colour is chosen under controlled light, with a shade guide and photographs, and whitening, if wanted, is done before the shade is selected. I do not aim for the whitest possible result but for a shade that suits the eyes, the skin and the other teeth, within natural limits.

What role does the bite play?

The bite, meaning how the teeth meet, decides whether a veneer lasts. The incisal edge of a veneer takes force with every bite, and contacts in sideways and forward movements have to be distributed correctly.

Premature contacts, bruxism and habits such as nail biting increase the risk of cracks or debonding. That is why I check the bite before treatment, during it and at the end, and in higher-risk cases I recommend a protective night guard.