Q&A With Dr. Golestani on
Rejuvenating Your Smile

Transforming a smile isn’t just about improving the appearance, but also improving the health and integrity of your dentition!

Below is an exclusive Q&A with Dr Hooman Golestani who answers some really important queries regarding Smile Makeovers and the ultimate goal of rejuvenating your smile! 

• In your opinion, what difference can a beautiful smile make to someone’s appearance? Do you think a rejuvenated smile can make one look younger?

  It most certainly can! A beautiful smile is our best asset. A smile enhancement can take years off your appearance. A beautiful smile will give a more youthful look.  In fact, in many cases good dentistry can have greater impact on your overall wellbeing than some other cosmetic procedures!

• In addition to appearance, what other advantages can someone expect when they get a rejuvenated smile?

  Increased confidence without a doubt. A beautiful smile enables a person to confidently take on the world. Self-esteem levels rise.  We often see it in the form of a sparkle in their eyes! We find that when a patient’s smile is not right they will often use their hands to hide their teeth. This significantly reduces the confidence the person they are talking to has in them.

  From a more functional point of view a rejuvenated smile can often mean that daily tasks like brushing and flossing will be made easier for the patient. What was a crooked, difficult to reach tooth now forms part of a beautiful smile that is far easier to maintain.

• Can you give us 3 or 4 examples of the most common procedures that are done to rejuvenate a smile (for example: teeth whitening, replacing missing teeth, fixing misaligned teeth). For each, can you give us a brief description of what patients should expect when having this procedure and what difference each solution can make to your overall appearance?

  There are countless procedures and techniques that are used to complete a smile makeover. Each patient’s treatment proposal is tailor-made to ensure we meet the expectations of the patient and ensure an aesthetically pleasing result.

  We begin with a wax mock up, a hand-made or digitally produced model of what we hope to achieve in wax. This allows the patient to see what is possible. Once the patient is happy we get started. We always start with a preventive program to remove any surface stains and build-up. To ensure I have a clean surface to work with and that the soft tissues are healthy. Then, whitening if the patient is interested in improving the shade of their teeth to complement their new smile.

  We use a combination of restorations such as E-MAX Veneers or Zirconia crowns to create our final result. The smile makeover could include implant crowns or bridges as required. These treatments may be used on their own or in conjunction with other treatments like Invisalign prior to placing the final restorations.  Invisalign is a process whereby we reposition teeth using clear aligners. Gum contouring also forms an important part of a smile makeover. And of course whilst the final restorations are being created the patient has provisional teeth for a couple of weeks. This gives me a window of opportunity to correct and tweak as needed.

  This kind of treatment is comprehensive and complex. No two cases are the same and every patient is treated with the utmost care and professionalism. The process from start to finish is seamless for the patient.

  I personally make a point of ensuring that my patients are fully aware of the treatment plan and what it involves. I spend a great deal of time during the initial consultation and on the day we begin explaining to the patient what is involved. Each patient’s treatment plan is very individual. There is no one size fits all approach at Dental 359 Malo Clinic.

• What sort of reaction do you get from patients when they see their rejuvenated smile?

  Tears of joy! There can be a mixture of nerves and anticipation on the day we begin the smile rejuvenation and often the provisional restorations look better than what the patient presented with. The real magic occurs 10-14 days later when the lab has returned the case and the patient is seated for delivery of their final restorations. The moment we show the patient what we have created is priceless. Their reactions are varied but needless to say most are overwhelmed. I have been hugged by patients so one might assume those patients in particular are over the moon with result my team and I were able to achieve for them.

  I like to see the patients two weeks later and then 3 months and I am often left speechless. Once the patients have adapted to their new smile they really come into their own. Lip lines have settled, soft tissues are pink and healthy and the teeth themselves of the very best quality. It is only fitting that each of my patients experience a complimentary photo shoot to celebrate their new smile. Their happiness is evident but capturing this and sharing it with family and friends is very special indeed.

• Who is your typical client for cosmetic dentistry?

  The emphasis at Dental 359 is on aesthetic dentistry. We may use cosmetic dentistry to achieve this but always I am endeavouring to give the patient the most aesthetically pleasing and acceptable result possible. We find our patients are both young and old, male and female. There is no ‘typical’ patient. Each patient is their own person with their own set of motivators, personal history and individual expectations. What IS typical is the reason patients present to us in the first place. They want something better than what they have. They want to improve their confidence. They want to smile and light up a room. They might have their son’s wedding coming up and want to look beautiful in the photos, they might plan to propose to their girlfriend; whatever their individual reason is, they all typically want better for themselves. At Dental 359 we are privileged to treat each and every one of them. My reward you might wonder? Sure my fees reflect my experience and quality of my work but what means more to me than all of that is when  a patient leaves on the day with a smile on their face and they thank me. They actually thank me. That is why I do what I do!

• What should someone consider when thinking about cosmetic dentistry? Do you have any advice you could give to ensure they get the best treatment for their individual needs?

  When considering a smile makeover or any form of aesthetic dentistry we strongly advise patients to consider their expectations for treatment, the reason their teeth are in the state they are and ongoing maintenance. It isn’t as simple as designing a new smile.

  One must first ensure the patient understands what is involved, that the gums and soft tissue are healthy and that the patient understands that following a preventive care regime is critical to the long term success of the smile rejuvenation. Patients should consider the time involved in gathering diagnostic records, creating wax mock up models, preparing for the prep appointment, the delivery itself and the follow up in the weeks immediately following their appointment. It is a fine art that cannot be rushed where short cuts are taken.

  My biggest piece of advice is this. Do your research. Know what you want and who can help you achieve it. Look for qualifications, experience, skill, training, support and reputation. Be comfortable with your choice and ensure you feel at ease throughout. Ask as many questions as you can and be confident that you understand the treatment plan.  As is the case with my own patients I take the time to get to know them, understand them as best I can –  only then can I create a smile that highlights their personality, matches their features and makes them smile from ear to ear for many years to come.

Call Dental 359 for your Smile makeover consultation appointment on 1300 625 625.

We will then bring you back to present the wax up model or digital design of your new smile. You will then be able to view the before and after of your new smile. At the same visit our Treatment Coordinator will have your personalised treatment plan to present to you, which will outline the treatment you require to achieve the best result and the total fee for your treatment.

Once you have approved the wax up and treatment plan you have two final appointments for your Smile makeover. The first appointment is where Dr Golestani will prepare your teeth which involves re-shaping your existing teeth and preparing your teeth with temporaries. Your permanent veneers or crowns take about 2-3weeks to be prepared in our laboratory. The second appointment is where Dr Golestani will take off your temporaries and insert your permanent veneers or crowns.