At Prosper Family Dentistry, one of the most important aspects of the care we provide to our patients is the customized approach. In our office, you are not just a number. We have never taken a one-size-fits-all approach to dentistry.
The area of dentistry in which that is most obvious is our cosmetic dentistry. When it comes to creating beautiful smiles, we customize each one to the patient’s unique smile goals. There are many different types of beautiful smiles. We work to ensure that you get your version of beautiful.
Step One: Information Gathering
The Interview
That sounds so formal, doesn’t it? It is nothing formal at all. “Interview” is just the term we use to describe a specific time set aside to get to know you a little better. The interview is all about communication. When we communicate well, we can work together to achieve the exact goal you have in mind for your smile.
When it comes to performing cosmetic dentistry and transforming a smile, the first step is to communicate in such a way that we perfectly understand your idea of a beautiful smile. And we know that dentists talk about teeth in a different way than the rest of the world does. So we ask questions. We use photos. We gather as much information about what you do like and what you do not like before we begin the design process.
Important Questions
Your answers to these questions give us a great idea of what kind of smile you want us to create for you.
- What specific things do you not like about your current smile?
- If your teeth were already several shades whiter than they are now, what else would you change?
- Do you prefer a totally white “Hollywood Smile”, or a more natural look?
- Think of someone whose smile you admire. What is it about that smile that you like so much?
- Do you want your smile to look more feminine or more masculine than it currently does?
- Do you want your teeth to look more youthful or more mature?
Do Your Homework!
Dr. Jill and Dr. Cara often ask patients seeking cosmetic changes to their smiles to show them photos of smiles they do find attractive. If you see a smile on Instagram that you think is particularly beautiful, take a screenshot. If your favorite movie star is featured in a magazine article, rip out that page of the magazine and bring it to us. (We don’t mind if you tear pages out of the magazines in our lobby!)
Study the photo and try to narrow down what it is you really love about what you see. Is it the fact that you see ten teeth? Do you love how the teeth are perfectly aligned except for one slightly rotated tooth on the side? (Some people like minor imperfections like this to show that a smile is “real”.) Is it the slightly rounded edges of the front teeth?
Cosmetic Photo Evaluations
Not only do Dr. Jill and Dr. Cara evaluate your teeth as you are talking during this interview. They also take a series of high-definition photos of your teeth. These photos cover all of the possible views of your smile, including talking, laughing, and smiling.
You know how they say a picture is worth a thousand words? We are able to gather so many important details about your smile from these photos. The photos capture more subtle aspects of a smile that just is not quite right.
We also give you the chance to evaluate these close-up views of your teeth on our large screen computer monitors. By getting up close and personal with your smile, you may be able to better articulate what you would like to change.
Models and Measurements
In addition to the high-def photos, we also gather information in the form of an exact replica of your teeth. We accomplish creating this replica by taking high-definition molds of your teeth and very precise measurements. These models and measurements give us an exact reproduction of your teeth.
This is the final piece in the puzzle of information gathering. If the interview and photos do not show an important aspect of your smile, the models and measurements will!
The models are essential to the next step in the process of creating custom smiles: The Mockup. Stay tuned for the next blog to learn more about the mockup process.
Interested in a Custom Smile Consultation?
Call 972-347-1145 today to schedule a consultation visit with Dr. Jill and Dr. Cara! They will walk you through the process and get started with your “interview” right away.
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