Cover Story

Michelle Sullivan began her quest for an enhanced smile long before she came to see me. For more than eight years while moving up the corporate ladder and starting a family with her husband, Bill, she had consulted with several dentists around the country about what she called her 'tilted smile’. She had heard treatment options ranging from crowns and orthodontics, to jaw surgery that would require several months of treatment and healing time. Naturally, this range of opinions was confusing. The one thing these meetings had in common was Michelle’s reaction to them: an underlying feeling that she didn’t trust the other dentists’ skills and compassion. In addition, Michelle just didn’t feel confident that they were going to get great results, as a consumer, she was frustrated by not having a reliable source for information and clinical skills.

By the time she came to see me, she had essentially put aside the idea of enhancing her smile. In fact, Michelle had sought us out for laser dentistry to provide a more comfortable level of care in case her children needed any fillings.

Cosmetic dentistry was not on her priority list until she saw the portraits and photo albums of the many happy people we had cared for in the past. She asked if I could take a look and share my thoughts on designing and enhancing her smile.

Michelle was very straightforward about her expectations for a brighter, straighter, and wider smile, as well her desire to keep her treatment practical and non-orthodontic. After a comprehensive examination, we reviewed some options. The one that most appealed to her was to tweak the gum position using the laser, then augment her upper aesthetic zone (#4-I3) with porcelain to improve the reflective surfaces with veneers, and strengthen a weakened central with a crown, Furthermore, doing some occlusomuscular therapy would add predictability and longevity to the results. Finally, Michelle was willing to trust me to build natural aesthetics and some imperfections into the porcelain so that her smile would look beautiful and believable.

Michelle became a big fan of Laser technology and of our team approach with the Laboratory. Even better she was grateful to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and its Accreditation process to protect the consumer. Both she and her husband feel we exceeded their expectations. It’s great to have an ambassador like her for our practice and for the AACD.

Michelle is now having great success working with a skin care and beauty products company. She frequently has to speak to groups and says it is much easier to do with a confident smile. We are very proud to be part of her success.

Cosmetic dentistry and clinical photography by Dr. Hugh flax Atlanta, GA. Ceramics by Wayne Payne, Payne Dental Lab, San Clemente. CA. Cover model: Michelle Sullivan, Atlanta, GA. Cover photography by Richard Mellinger, Atlanta, GA. Makeup and hair by Say Wood, Atlanta, GA.