Aesthetic dental treatment focusing on the patient’s personality
by Olga Papasotiriou, Dr.med.dent.,MSD,FICD
In our daily life our image is projected more than ever before. The smile plays a key role to our appearance. Whenever we want to keep happy memories and cherish them, we shoot pictures, take videos and even post these on social media. Research in psychology has shown that the smile is the second most dominating part of the face, after the eyes. People with healthy, radiant smiles are extroverts, convey positive vibes and receive more favorable responses in their professional and their private life.
A natural looking, irresistible smile, thanks to aesthetic dentistry
Modern aesthetic dentistry has an array of techniques and treatment options that can create naturally looking, radiant smiles. For young persons with minute flaws in their teeth, mini composite veneers are the treatment of choice. They are very conservative and do not demand any drilling of tooth structure:
Photography in aesthetic dentistry – capturing the emotions.
Emotional dentistry is an individualized approach of aesthetic dental treatment. Through photographs and video capture we collect valuable pieces of information that guide us to design the new smile according to the personality and the lifestyle demands of each patient.
In the next picture, a patient with a gummy smile and warn dentition may have a glimpse of his new smile:
In the following clinical case a combination treatment of minimal invasive gingivoplasty and composite veneers has been performed:
Common aesthetic flaws in a smile
Crowding (crooked teeth) is one of the most common aesthetic problems in a smile. Very often we also encounter asymmetry in the shape and position of teeth and gaps (diastemas) between the teeth.
An existing asymmetry on the one side of a smile doesn’t add neither charm nor personality on one’s appearance, in the contrary, it attracts all attention on the flaw and makes the smile look ugly.
While performing the digital study on the smile we can have an idea how the smile will look when the teeth will have symmetric shape and position:
The final clinical result of the treatment is usually better looking than the digitally modified image of the study:
The problem with crowding is that the jaw is not big enough to keep the teeth aligned. In not so severe cases aesthetic dentistry may cover the problem and teeth may look straight again. A new smile may bring gig changes in a person’s life. Apart from the psychology factor, many peoples career depends on their smile, as we see in the following testimonies.
Angeliki K, actress “My mouth is my instrument. As long as my teeth were crooked and my smile was not harmonious, I was ashamed and did not dare to smile. I had inferiority complexes. Now I can smile again and I am not distracted by anything anymore. At last, I can concentrate on my roles!»: 
Exactly the opposite happens when gaps exist between the teeth. The side of the smile is equally important as the front part.
Marianna M., fashion model.” It was my dream career to become a model, however my teeth had a different opinion. My teeth showed asymmetries and this costed me a lot of self-confidence. I didn’t dare to smile. Now at last I can spread my wings and concur the career I always dreamed of!»: 
Gaps between the teeth (diastemas) occur when teeth are smaller in size compared to the jaw.
Martha G., marketing director.” Since I was in high school I was ashamed of my smile. There were huge gaps between my teeth. On all pictured I was frowning. Now I can smile again, at last I found my real self, I am not ashamed any more to talk to my clients. I feel completely free!”:
The advantages of emotional dentistry
Modern aesthetic dentistry gives us self-confidence and a sense of security while we smile and express our feelings. The major advantage of emotional dentistry is that it improves aesthetically a smile while maintaining the character and personality of the individual. Through the digital study of the case the treatment is predictable and the end result naturally looking. The dental treatment is custom tailored to the personality and the wishes of each patient and it fulfills his / her expectations.
Olga Papasotiriou, DMD, Dr.med.dent, MSD, FICD received her doctorate degree from Munich University, consequently she specialized in aesthetic dentistry at Boston University U.S.A.. She lectures at dental congresses in Greece and abroad, teaches webinars and seminars to dentists and has published scientific articles in Greek and foreign scientific journals. She practices aesthetic dentistry in Athens.
www.my-smile.gr, tel: 2107227045.
