Smile Solutions

Archive 2008 📸

We are super obsessed with our archive photos. First of all, they remind us of where we were and just how far ahead of our time we were operating in those days. They remind us how we became the practice that helped set the standard for what was to come in the world of dentistry.

Our standards were exceptional, and we always took on the most challenging cases with the most demanding of patients. We recognised very early on that if we could satisfy those whose expectations were at the highest level, and deliver dentistry unparalleled anywhere else, we would unquestionably place ourselves amongst the leading dental centres of the world.

This was a single veneer replacement from my own archive of work. The patient travelled from Scotland to see me. I can still clearly remember who she was, where her husband worked, and how they later went on to have two children before eventually relocating to Germany.

The stories within these archives mean so much more than just teeth. They are a constant reminder of where we were in those days and how far ahead of our time our thinking really was.

What I love most about looking back is that hindsight becomes a measure of perseverance. You realise that excellence is never an accident. It is built quietly, year after year, case after case, patient after patient.

These archives are not simply photographs. They are memories, milestones and proof of a lifelong pursuit of perfection.

They are perhaps the greatest measure of how far you have come.

Start… 🏁

How you start a treatment matters. When setting the stage for advanced composite layering techniques, it is essential that the back surface of the tooth and the initial shell are created first, as this provides the substructure to work from.

As advanced dentists, we often build this freehand at the chairside without using an index, relying instead on our understanding of tooth proportions, anatomy and morphology to reconstruct teeth accurately by hand.

Here is a perfect example from this morning. The shell and outline of the composite have been placed. From here, we will build the teeth back to where they once were, often using 10 to 15 different shades and opacities of composite to recreate the structure, shape and colour as naturally as possible.

This is top end dentistry and what we call pure artistry. We are literally rebuilding teeth that have been lost through wear, poor nutrition, trauma or injury. The very same techniques can also be used to reshape teeth that are naturally misshapen or genetically not in harmony with a patient’s ideal smile.

This is how our morning started. It is always exciting for patients to watch the construction of their smile, holding a mirror and becoming part of the journey as their teeth are rebuilt layer by layer.

Dream Smiles. 💭💭

If anyone wants to dream of a smile that looks completely natural, reflects and refracts light like nature intended, blends seamlessly into the person’s face, looks classy, looks elegant, looks chic, and is a hidden smile that no one would ever know has been perfected with modern dentistry, then this would be it.

Everything, from the design to the gum line and the fit, has been immaculately carried out by Dr Erika.

What differentiates a top class dentist from a regular cosmetic dentist is their in depth understanding of smile design, bonding techniques, and their ability to read a person’s character and deliver a smile bespoke to them.

This is what we call a masterclass in dentistry.

Overlays 🦷📄

Some of the finest porcelain restorations we create begin at just 0.15 mm thick. Despite their delicate appearance, every overlay is individually engineered around the tooth it is restoring.

Not all overlays are created the same. The ceramic material, translucency, opacity, texture, thickness, shade, saturation and overall design are carefully selected depending on the clinical situation and the final aesthetic we are trying to achieve.

Over the years we have also learnt that no single laboratory excels at every type of ceramic restoration. Some ceramists produce exceptional micro layered porcelain with incredible depth and character. Others are masters of surface staining and texture. Some create beautifully natural polished finishes, while others excel when fabricating ultra thin restorations or more substantial overlays. Selecting the right ceramist is just as important as selecting the right material.

That is why every case is individually planned. Matching the correct ceramic, the right laboratory and the appropriate technique allows us to create restorations that are not only beautiful on the day they are fitted, but continue to function and look natural for many years to come.

Here are two stunning porcelain overlays, meticulously crafted by one of our trusted laboratories, ready to be fitted.

Masterclass♟️

What 30 years of expertise looks like.

Dentistry is so much more than the problem the patient walks in with. The ability to deliver an unparalleled finished smile lies in the dentist’s ability to plan using different elements of dentistry, together with the relationship they have built with their ceramist and the talent required to bring that vision to life.

Every detail has to be considered. Every decision has to complement the next. From diagnosis and planning, to tooth preparation, materials, shade selection, anatomy and final fit, each stage relies on the next being executed to the highest standard.

Everybody in the chain has to be operating at the same level, with the same standards, same precision, same morals, same level of expertise in their field and the same expectations, in order to deliver a true masterclass in smile design.

30 yrs & Overnight Success 🦷

A single crown in the most aesthetic part of the mouth, the central incisor, is one of the most demanding procedures in dentistry.

When someone has a problem in the most visible part of their smile, every detail matters. The treatment has to be planned and executed with meticulous precision, combining multiple disciplines of dentistry, including psychology.

The patient is already extremely vulnerable. Without their front tooth, their whole appearance has changed. Their confidence has often disappeared, and we have to be incredibly sensitive. Our first role is to reassure them that they are in the right place.

Secondly, with a portfolio of thousands of photographs built over 30 years, we are able to show patients exactly what we are capable of achieving. Not photographs from a textbook, not images from someone else’s Instagram account, but our own work.

We introduce them to the ceramist who will be creating their porcelain crown. They meet the members of the team who will be involved in their treatment. Most importantly of all, they have the opportunity to speak directly with other patients who have undergone the same or very similar treatment, and if they wish, even meet them in person at the practice.

This is what people call an overnight success.

We call it 30 years of dedication.