Steven M. Butensky - Prosthodontics and Aesthetic Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry

The Daily, September 15, 2011

The Celebrity Dentist Spills!

Has Cathy had work done?
Yes. She's definitely had work done on her four front teeth-and it wasn't orthodontics. Before, there was a space between the two front teeth, and they were slightly angled. She probably had porcelain laminate veneers done on the four front teeth. During that time, they closed the space and it appears they even made the laterals a little bigger. She looks a lot better!

How much does something like that cost?
I've heard of offices charging as little as $1,100 up to as high as $2,500 per tooth. I'm presently charging $2,200.

Would you have done anything different?
Her dentist did a pretty good job, but her central incisors are as wide as they are long, and it makes the front teeth look really worn down and also square-ish. The width should be 75% or 85% of the length of the tooth to give her a more natural appearance. It looks like her cuspids are in good condition. It would have been nice to build out the teeth behind the eye tooth--the pointy one. It could also use some shadowing, as there are some old fillings there that are coming through the tooth structure. That's another way you could improve her smile. She has the lower face of Reese Witherspoon, so she has this prominent lower chin and a small middle third of the face.

What could you do there?
I'm not sure. That's obviously more of a skeletal issue. But hair looks a lot better.

How so?
Before, she had highlights with shades of red, blonde, and orange. She let it grow, and it's darker. She seems happy. She looks much better as a brunette.