Cosmetic Dentistry Case Study • Newport Beach
2 Porcelain Veneers • Layered E.max • Custom Shade Matching • exocad Digital Design
The Patient’s Concern
The patient came to Newport Beach Dental Studio dissatisfied with two existing porcelain veneers on his upper central incisors, teeth #8 and #9. Although the veneers had already been completed elsewhere, he felt they were too bulky and that the color did not blend naturally with the surrounding teeth.
His goal was not to change his entire smile. He wanted these two restorations replaced so that the central incisors would look more natural and integrate more seamlessly with the teeth around them.
What We Changed
BEFORE
- Existing veneers on teeth #8 and #9
- Excessive apparent bulk and volume
- Color mismatch with adjacent natural teeth
- Restorations that stood out within the smile
AFTER
- Refined facial contours and proportions
- Improved integration with adjacent teeth
- Customized shade and translucency
- More natural anterior tooth appearance
Why Two Front Veneers Can Be So Challenging
Replacing only two front veneers presents a different esthetic challenge than designing an entire smile. When only the central incisors are restored, the surrounding natural teeth establish the reference for color, translucency, contour, surface texture and overall character.
The objective is therefore not simply to create two attractive porcelain teeth. The restorations need to visually belong with the teeth that were never treated.
Analyzing the Revision
Contour & Proportion
One of the patient’s primary concerns was that the previous veneers appeared too bulky. The replacement restorations were designed with more controlled facial contours so the central incisors would integrate more naturally with the lateral incisors and the overall anterior segment.
Shade & Translucency
The final restorations were approximately an A2 shade, but matching natural teeth requires more than selecting a single shade tab. Incisal translucency and subtle variations in ceramic characterization were incorporated to better reproduce the optical qualities of the adjacent dentition.
Blending Rather Than Transforming
Unlike a larger smile makeover, the objective in this case was restraint. The surrounding teeth were not being redesigned, so the new veneers needed to respect the existing smile rather than overpower it.
Digital Design Meets Ceramic Artistry
The replacement veneers were digitally designed using exocad to refine tooth form, proportions and contours before fabrication.
The definitive restorations were then completed in layered E.max in collaboration with a master ceramist, allowing the final ceramic to incorporate individualized translucency and characterization to complement the surrounding natural teeth.
Completed in Three Appointments
This veneer revision was completed over three appointments, allowing time for careful planning, provisional evaluation and fabrication of the definitive layered ceramics.
01 — CONSULTATION
The existing veneers on teeth #8 and #9 were evaluated along with the patient’s concerns regarding excessive bulk, contour and color mismatch. We established the goals for his veneer revision and planned a more natural integration with the surrounding teeth.
02 — PREPARATION
The previous veneers were removed and the teeth were prepared for the new restorations. The patient left this appointment wearing a temporary smile design, allowing him to leave with a provisional version of the planned result while the definitive ceramics were being created.
03 — FINAL DELIVERY
Approximately two weeks later, the patient returned for delivery of his definitive layered E.max veneers. The final restorations were evaluated for fit, contour, shade, translucency and integration with the adjacent natural teeth before final delivery.
Treatment Details
| Treatment | Replacement of 2 existing porcelain veneers — teeth #8 and #9 |
| Material | Layered E.max |
| Approximate Shade | A2 with customized incisal translucency |
| Digital Design | exocad |
| Laboratory | Completed in collaboration with a master ceramist |
| Appointments | 3 — consultation, preparation with temporary smile design, and final delivery approximately two weeks later |
| Primary Goal | Improve contour and create a closer optical match to the adjacent natural teeth |
The Final Result
The goal of this case was not to create a dramatically different smile. It was to replace two restorations the patient disliked with veneers that felt more appropriate in contour, color and character alongside his natural teeth.
By combining digital design, layered ceramic and individualized shade characterization, the two central incisors were revised while preserving the identity of the surrounding smile.
Unhappy With Existing Veneers?
If existing veneers feel too bulky, look unnatural or no longer meet your esthetic goals, a cosmetic consultation can help determine what can be improved and whether replacement is appropriate.