There are smiles that—even if they’re “well done”—fail to connect with the person wearing them.
That was the case for Wingri, a young patient who came to Sonrisa Italiana referred by her family, who had already experienced our personalized approach and the level of detail we bring to every case.
From the very first appointment, Wingri was clear: she didn’t feel her smile belonged to her. Not because it was “ugly” or poorly executed, but because she couldn’t identify with it. “It feels too big for my face,” she told us. That comment was the starting point for a deeper evaluation, where we looked beyond aesthetics to explore how her smile related to her facial proportions, the way she spoke, laughed, and expressed herself.
The clinical assessment, led by Dr. Paola Zabaleta (aesthetic dentist), revealed previous restorations that appeared to be made of direct resin. Once they were removed, the diagnosis was confirmed, giving us the opportunity to completely rethink the shape, contour, and overall expression of her smile—this time aligned with her true expectations.
One of the most important findings during the evaluation was the state of her gum tissue. Her gums showed signs of inflammation and bleeding upon probing—clear indicators that the previous design was compromising periodontal health. This is where the expertise of Dr. Alicia Correa, our in-house periodontist, was essential. She performed a minimally invasive and painless gingival contouring procedure to improve the relationship between the prosthetic margins and the natural soft tissue architecture.
This step not only enhanced the aesthetic harmony but also restored the health of the tissue surrounding the teeth. It reinforces something we consistently emphasize at Sonrisa Italiana: no esthetic dental case should be approached without a proper periodontal evaluation. Working as an interdisciplinary team allows us to make safer, more responsible, and longer-lasting clinical decisions.
From a functional perspective, we also restored her vertical dimension by placing tabletops on teeth 36 and 46. This served a dual purpose: first, to create the ideal space for a more refined proportion in her new veneers; and second, to give her bite greater stability and function—something essential when aiming for long-term success, not only esthetically but also biomechanically.
But perhaps the most meaningful moment came when we talked about color. Wingri wasn’t looking for a Hollywood smile, nor a bright, artificial white. She wanted what many patients today are searching for: true naturalness. That kind of smile that doesn’t call attention to itself, because it looks so authentic and well-integrated, as if she had simply been born with it.
After reviewing several options, we decided on a B1 shade, one of the lightest within the lithium disilicate system. What made the difference was that the veneers were ultra-thin and bonded with a neutral cement, which meant her natural tooth color subtly came through the ceramic—avoiding an opaque, overly bright look.
These types of technical decisions—the thickness of the veneer, the base color, the preparation technique, and the cement used—are what allow us to create refined results without artificial brightness, without excess shine, and without the overly white, “toilet bowl” effect that many patients fear.
Since the preparation was minimal, we preserved as much natural tooth structure as possible, and that’s reflected not only in the aesthetics but also in the comfort Wingri now feels when speaking, chewing, or simply smiling.
Today, Wingri smiles with a different kind of confidence—not because her smile is loud or meant to draw attention, but because she finally recognizes herself in it. Her smile is no longer something superimposed; it’s now a natural extension of who she is.
And that’s exactly what we aim for at Sonrisa Italiana: to transform without imposing, to enhance without erasing essence, and to personalize every detail so that the result feels—and looks—truly yours.
Case review written by Dr. Laura Bula, expert in dental and facial aesthetics