08/26/2026
The OTHER AI in dentistry:
AMELOGENESIS IMPERFECTA
A genetic condition where the outer protective layer of enamel is malformed, partially formed, or completely missing.
Unfortunately for Olivia, she was missing all of it...just like her grandmother. Her teeth were spaced relatively correctly (like you can see on the xrays), but the enamel just wasn't there. This meant years of staining, and extreme sensitivity to food, drinks and regular dental hygiene. But perhaps most importantly, was the self-confidence piece - small, yellow adult teeth that looked like baby teeth, but appeared out of place in a teenager's smile.
This multidisciplinary case started with orthodontics: get the teeth in the right spot, THEN make them look pretty. Olivia was treated by , with the goals of correcting the collapsed cross bite on the right, flare out her tucked-in front teeth, and improve spacing. This was a tricky case that was handled well - the teeth were SO short for attachments/force transmission, especially those tiny molars.
Once ortho was done, it was time to design a new smile! I smoothed off sharp edges, scanned her teeth, updated photos, and then Theo went to work designing her new smile! Gum recontouring was offered for better symmetry but declined.
We confirmed the esthetics, bite and phonetics with some pop-out 3d printed temporaries, and once shapes and colour was approved, we 3d printed and cemented single tooth restorations. Olivia still has the pop-out temporary appliance on the lower teeth, that we'll be adjusting and refining before conversion to singles in 2027.
At our followup visit for photos, Olivia commented on how nice it was to be able to eat anything and everything without debilitating sensitivity anymore!
The unspoken benefit she didn't mention though, is the change in the way she carries herself- multiple members of our team mentioned that we think she doesn't even realize that transformation in her self confidence yet!
We'll find out from her soon enough- Olivia is heading back to school in a couple weeks and can't wait to show off her new smile! :D
