Veneer Case Study : Olena Khamula

Veneer Case Study : Olena Khamula

Olena Khamula is most famously known as one of the three finalists of Bachelor Australia 2016. Her claim to fame, was how she effectively dumped the Bachelor, before he knew what happened.

She had decided that she would not bend her own values, in order to make good television. By being loyal to herself, she followed her own script. For this decision making, she was a strong favourite of the audience.

Her fans have followed her long past the show’s season, with her making her social media a major part of her life. Olena was hands down, the most beautiful contestant of that season. Shocked and intrigued, we had to look closely to find the reason why she booked a consultation with Dr Fadi Yassmin.

OLENA’S CONCERNS

Olena expressed her own cosmetic conflicts with her teeth. She was unhappy with the way her smile presented itself, and was looking to improve it.

She had tried dental whitening with various levels of strength. First, she tried whiteners the local chemist. Those didn’t do much, and neither did anything that was over the counter. After having seen several dentists in the past, she was convinced to receive a composite veneer treatment..

Being unhappy with the shapes of the veneers, as well as their discolorations, Olena was actively self conscious when smiling. She had trained herself to smile far smaller than how she felt. She said she was tired of hiding herself, while wondering if other people are noticing her teeth.

DIAGNOSIS

Upon closer inspection, Dr Yassmin determined that Olena’s teeth presented the following conditions:

• Olena had noticeable discoloration of her previous composite veneer treatment.
• As learned, her previous dentists had failed at attempts at traditional teeth whitening. In the end, they ultimately provided her with an inferior treatment.
• The veneers could not be whitened.

There were a few uneven, and slightly irregular shaped teeth. Visually these were picked up by the naked eye, without needing to search. She kept her smiles at a reserved level because of this.

Olena also had Enlarged Gum Papilla (the triangles between the teeth) as a result of the previous composite veneer treatment.

CONSULTATION

Each of these conditions could be simultaneously corrected. Dr. Yassmin took the opportunity to educate Olena on the many benefits of porcelain veneers.

Utilizing our Digital Smile Design Concept, Olena’s teeth were planned for perfection. First, we performed a specialized Cone Beam CT scan. This included her gums, teeth, jaw bones, and sinuses in the upper jaw. We now had exact digital copies of her mouth, in 3D.

From this point in the consultation, Dr Yassmin was able to showcase what could be done to correct her smile. Thanks to the power of the digital editing in real time, the potential effects of the treatment were immediately felt. As with most of our patients, Olena was impressed, to say the least.

First, Olena saw her teeth as they were shaped and extended in a symmetrical pattern, to fill her smile frame. This symmetry is what causes the most impact when creating the perfect smile.

Next, her gums were shown in a more natural proportion. This helps draw the eyes to the radiance of the teeth.

Finally, Olena’s digital teeth were brought through a range of white shades. This was done to match her teeth to her complexion. Although her skin might not always be tan, it still makes a difference to go through this step. The purpose is to create an appealing smile, not an artificial one.

DIAGNOSIS

Dr Yassmin would be treating Olena’s teeth with Porcelain Veneers. Upon arrival of her next appointment, he would need to prepare her teeth for the veneers.

01

First, he shaped the teeth to their symmetrical dimensions. This included building up the shape of the teeth in some locations. Other areas were shaved down, to create symmetry.

02

Next, he needed to remove all of the previous composite veneer, as well as a small amount of enamel from the front of her teeth. This was in order to finalize their correct shapes.

It should be noted, that with proper planning, treatments only require very minimal tooth structure to be removed. Some cases do not need any removal at all.

• A digital impression was then taken, for the dental laboratory who make the veneers.
• Olena was then fitted for temporary veneers. These were used to protect her teeth, where the enamel had been shaved down in preparation of the final product.

Olena needed to keep these temporary veneers for just two weeks. This was while her permanent veneers were made to Dr Yassmin’s design. Once completed, we scheduled her for her next visit.

• As required, her temporary veneers were removed.
• Her teeth and gums were cleaned and prepared for permanent bonding. It was at this time, when Dr. Yassmin treated her Enlarged Gum Papilla.
• Once each veneer was precisely fit, they were all bonded in position.

FOLLOW UP VISIT

Olena was scheduled to return for a follow up, to make sure her gums were not being agitated by the new veneers. Her teeth looked great and there was no agitation between any of her gums. In fact, she couldn’t stop smiling ear to ear.

MAINTENANCE ADVICE OFFERED TO ALL PATIENTS

In the spirit of maintaining a million dollar smile, it is advised to take consideration of the following:

Traditionally, brushing and flossing is recommended twice each day.
After every meal, be sure to immediately rinse your mouth.
Although porcelain veneers are stain resistant, you should still be mindful of food items that stain. Examples such as wine, coffee, and black berries.
Avoid hard food items, including hard candy.
Avoid anything that puts pressure on your on your teeth, such as biting off caps to open bottles.
If you are known to grind your teeth at night, wear a mouthguard. The pressure that you exert can easily crack the porcelain veneers.