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Clinical Cases: Dr. He yanjin
Chinese Registered Physician Practice Certificate No.120210200002636
Consent for the use of patient information has been obtained
Before
Undersized peg laterals (#12, #22) compromising smile aesthetics.
Impression Taking
Precise impressions captured to design the customized wax-up blueprint.
Diagnostic Wax-up
Intraoral mock-up allows the patient to visually preview the final shape and size.
After
Natural-looking veneers seamlessly blend with native teeth for a harmonious smile.
Undersized, cone-shaped lateral incisors (commonly known as peg laterals) can significantly compromise a patient's smile aesthetics and self-confidence. This case highlights the conservative aesthetic rehabilitation of a patient presenting with undersized maxillary lateral incisors (teeth #12 and #22). The patient was highly motivated to improve her appearance but faced a critical decision regarding the scope of treatment. She had previously researched various options and was torn between restoring all six anterior teeth or limiting the treatment solely to the two affected lateral incisors. Recognizing the need for a tailored approach, Dr. He Yanjin at Anyu Dental Hospital engaged in comprehensive consultations with the patient to weigh the pros and cons of each option. While treating all six front teeth would undoubtedly yield a more standardized aesthetic result, it would require a greater amount of irreversible tooth reduction. Conversely, focusing exclusively on the two lateral incisors allowed for a completely no-prep approach. Since the patient is not an entertainer, influencer, or high-end service professional, the resulting smile line after treating just two teeth was deemed perfectly adequate for normal social interactions. Furthermore, this localized approach successfully preserved healthy tooth structure while retaining some of her unique, personalized dental characteristics. To ensure complete transparency and satisfaction, Dr. He’s team utilized advanced digital workflows, creating diagnostic wax-ups and performing intraoral mock-ups so the patient could visually preview the outcome before any commitment was made. Ultimately, the patient chose the conservative route and was thrilled with the results. The final restorations featured natural coloring and blended seamlessly with her native dentition, proving that targeted, minimally invasive treatments can deliver highly satisfying aesthetic outcomes for everyday patients.
The primary challenge was managing the patient's expectations while balancing ideal aesthetics with maximum tissue preservation. Treating only two teeth within a naturally asymmetrical arch carries the risk of visual disproportion; however, the alternative involved sacrificing healthy enamel on four otherwise intact teeth. To bridge this gap in decision-making, Dr. He’s team employed a meticulous digital planning protocol. They first took precise impressions to fabricate a diagnostic wax-up representing the proposed veneer shapes and sizes. This wax-up was then temporarily transferred into the patient's mouth using an intraoral mock-up technique. This crucial step transformed abstract concepts into a tangible reality, allowing the patient to physically see and feel the proposed changes. By experiencing the new tooth proportions firsthand, the patient gained absolute clarity and confidence in choosing the localized, no-prep treatment plan.
Following the successful mock-up approval, Dr. He Yanjin proceeded with the definitive no-prep porcelain veneer placement on teeth #12 and #22. Because no enamel was removed, the bonding process relied entirely on ultra-thin ceramic shells and premium adhesive protocols. The chosen shade perfectly matched the patient's natural translucency, avoiding any artificial brightness. Upon delivery, the newly shaped lateral incisors harmoniously filled the spaces left by the original peg teeth. The patient expressed profound satisfaction with the conservative outcome. The final smile was aesthetically pleasing, functionally sound, and biologically respectful, demonstrating that exceptional aesthetic improvements do not always require aggressive tooth preparation.
Traditional veneers require removing 0.3mm–0.7mm of enamel to create space for the restoration. No-prep veneers use ultra-thin ceramics (often 0.1mm–0.3mm) that bond directly to unaltered enamel, making the procedure highly reversible and minimally invasive.
Peg laterals have reduced surface area and volume. Adding a thin layer of porcelain simply restores them to their natural anatomical size without requiring the tooth to be shaved down to accommodate the material thickness.
Beyond aesthetic dissatisfaction, peg laterals often create excessive gaps between teeth, leading to food impaction, increased risk of decay, gum inflammation, and compromised bite mechanics.
Six veneers offer superior, uniform aesthetic harmony but require significant irreversible grinding of healthy teeth. Two veneers preserve pristine enamel and are less invasive, though the overall arch shape may remain slightly asymmetrical.
A diagnostic wax-up is a physical or digital 3D model of the proposed final teeth. It serves as a precise blueprint for both the dentist and the lab technician, ensuring proper proportions, occlusion, and aesthetic alignment before any clinical work begins.
The mock-up involves placing a temporary composite resin copy of the wax-up directly onto the patient's unprepared teeth. This allows the patient to visually assess the new shape, length, and color in real-time, eliminating guesswork and anxiety.
Retention relies heavily on micromechanical bonding to intact enamel. This demands impeccable isolation (usually rubber dam), specific etching protocols, and high-quality dual-cure resin cements to ensure long-term durability without mechanical undercuts.
Severe crowding, large existing fillings, or deep/tight overbites are contraindications. Without prep, adding thickness to crowded teeth worsens protrusion, and tight bites can cause the thin ceramics to fracture under excessive shear forces.
Meet the Attending Dentist
General Dentist (医师)
Verified Specialist at Chengdu Anyu Dental Implant Hospital (成都安玉牙种植医院)
Chinese Registered Physician Practice Certificate:
120210200002636
Education & Academic Background:
Professional Affiliations:
Clinical Profile:
Dr. He graduated from the prestigious West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University. As a highly skilled clinician at Chengdu Anyu Dental Implant Hospital, she seamlessly integrates solid academic insights with high-precision technical standards.
She specializes in a comprehensive range of clinical procedures, including fixed prosthodontics, partial and full removable dentures, implant-supported prosthetics, minimally invasive tooth extractions, and general endodontic treatments. Furthermore, she delivers exceptional patient outcomes by leveraging her core expertise in minimally invasive esthetic restorations (such as dental veneers) and state-of-the-art digital implant restorations.
Welcome to Chengdu Anyu Dental Implant Hospital, your premier destination for a complete Smile Makeover. As a comprehensive dental center, we offer a full spectrum of services ranging from dental implants, orthodontics, and pediatric dentistry to restorative care. Our Medical Aesthetics and Implant departments are particularly celebrated, earning exceptional praise from international patients for our world-class standards. We specialize in crafting high-quality dental veneers, including durable Porcelain Veneers and minimal-prep dental Lumineers, helping you achieve the dazzling Hollywood Smile you've always wanted at an affordable cost.
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