Composite Veneers: Step-by-Step Smile Rehabilitation
At Sonrisa Italiana Barranquilla, we offer composite veneers as a minimally invasive solution to restore both function and aesthetics. Composite veneers were the perfect fit for Karen, a professional footballer who came to us after years of enamel wear. She wanted a long-lasting and natural-looking result—without going through orthodontics again.
Karen had a very specific type of bruxism—called eccentric bruxism—which involves grinding the front teeth, not the molars. This habit, often related to stress and muscle tension, had worn down the enamel of her upper anterior teeth over time. The result? A flat, aged smile line, functional discomfort, and an overall tired appearance.
As an athlete, Karen faces daily physical and emotional stress. And while she didn’t notice her grinding at first, her smile told the story. This is a common scenario for patients with high-performance lifestyles.
Behind the Wear: The Hidden Impact of Bruxism and Stress
What Karen was experiencing wasn’t random—it was the result of years of eccentric bruxism. Unlike typical nighttime grinding that affects the back teeth, eccentric bruxism involves rubbing or sliding the front teeth against each other, often subconsciously during the day or in moments of concentration and stress.
Karen had gone through intense physical and mental demands throughout her athletic career. The combination of daily tension, jaw pressure, and unmanaged stress had turned into a functional habit—one that gradually wore down the enamel of her front teeth.
We often associate stress with headaches or muscle pain, but it can just as easily manifest in the mouth. In Karen’s case, the signs were right on her smile: enamel loss, loss of tooth height, and a flatter, more aged smile line.
Composite Veneers: A Step-by-Step Smile Rehabilitation
1. Our periodontist, Dr. Alicia Correa, performed a crown lengthening procedure on teeth 11, 12, 21, and 22. This exposed more tooth structure and helped create a balanced gum line for the upper veneers.
2. To recover the vertical height lost through wear, Dr. Daniel Zabaleta applied tabletop composite restorations on Karen’s premolars and molars. This step restored proper occlusion and ensured stability before placing the anterior veneers.
3. Once the bite was stabilized, Dr. Zabaleta crafted 10 direct composite veneers on Karen’s upper front teeth. This minimally invasive technique allowed real-time artistic control and complete personalization of shape, shade, and size. Karen actively participated in choosing her smile design, making the final result not only beautiful—but deeply personal.
The result: Functional beauty, naturally restored
Karen’s treatment proves that composite veneers can offer more than just cosmetic improvement—they can rebuild confidence, restore bite function, and prevent further wear.
Her case showcases the perfect balance between:
- Functional rehabilitation
- Natural aesthetics
- Efficient, non-orthodontic solution
With restored vertical dimension, harmonized gingival levels, and veneers customized to fit her facial features and lifestyle, Karen now smiles with energy and authenticity.
Why composite veneers are ideal for active patients?
For patients like Karen—young, active, and unable or unwilling to commit to long orthodontic treatments—composite veneers in Barranquilla offer a fast, flexible, and aesthetic solution.
The direct technique also means minimal enamel removal and no permanent commitment, making it perfect for patients who value artistic dentistry, function and results in just one day.
🎥 Watch the full case explained by Dr. Daniel Zabaleta
Scroll to the end of this post to watch our lead cosmetic dentist, Dr. Daniel Zabaleta, explain Karen’s smile rehabilitation step by step. You’ll see the challenges, the reasoning behind each choice, and how we achieved natural, functional results.
If you’re curious about what’s possible with composite veneers, this is a must-watch.
Ready to rebuild your smile?
📍 Whether you’re in Colombia or visiting from abroad, Sonrisa Italiana Barranquilla is where art meets dentistry. Let’s design a smile that reflects who you are—with precision, warmth, and intention.
Case review written by Dr. Laura Bula, expert in dental and facial aesthetics