Smile Makeover

Created on 10th July 2009

Every issue we check out the latest procedures and treatments on the market...

What prompted you to have the treatment?

I have been conscious about my lips and teeth since I was a teenager. I fully researched dermal filler injections and then went to see an aesthetician at 61 Harley Street. 

At my first consultation I saw Lisa Mazura who is an aesthetician. She looked carefully at my facial features and the shape of my lips. I explained to Lisa what I was unhappy about and mentioned that I hated my teeth and said that I wanted to replace my crooked teeth with crowns.

Lisa explained to me that my teeth are perfectly healthy and told me about Lumineers. What I liked was that Lisa asked her dentist colleague to see me there and then, who explained to me that, with Lumineers, in most instances, there is minimal or no removal of tooth structure.

The dentist Dr Patel confirmed that my teeth were very healthy and that crowns would damage my teeth by removing almost all the outer part of the enamel.

Who carried out the procedure and what was their opinion at the consultation?

My treatment was carried out by Dr Parag Patel. He showed me many photographs of his previous work, which was done so beautifully that I was convinced I only wanted to have my teeth done at 61 Harley Street.

How long did it take?

Well, my first consultation was initially for lip filler with an aesthetician, that took about half an hour, then Dr Patel joined and I talked to him for about 40 minutes.

After that it took two formal appointments. The first to prepare my teeth for Lumineers and the second to fit them. Actually, I did have a third return to the clinic, but that was only to take photographs of my new teeth and discuss my future dental and skin health routines with Dr Patel and Lisa.

How was the experience?

I felt I was in the right place literally ten minutes into my visit. The specialists were so highly knowledgeable and I saw so many stunning photographs of real people's beautifully done lips and teeth. With the local anaesthetic given to me by Dr Patel the treatments were not painful at all.

What were the immediate results?

Fillers are a wonderful treatment because you can see the results instantly in one visit. With Lumineers your teeth need to be prepared first, but even with the temporary veneers that Dr Patel put on I would have been more than happy. If you saw them, you would not be able to tell that they were temporary.

Are you happy with the treatment?

Oh yes, I am very happy! I am a new confident person. I love my teeth and my smile. The Lumineers I was told could last about 15-20 years. I will need to top up my fillers once every six to eight months, but I am happy to do that.

Do you think your smile is perfect now?

Yes, I think it is. I don't think I would want to change anything else apart from my lipstick!

I actually wanted to have permanent make-up for my lips, but Lisa advised me that cosmetic tattooing does not take above dermal fillers, and that I need to wait until the filler's gone. So I opted for just the filler alone.

CS&AM