Hartford and Fairfield Cosmetic Dentistry –Porcelain Veneers and Teeth Whitening Smile Gallery
"Inspiring Lives Through Beautiful Smiles"
At our Connecticut cosmetic dentistry practice, the Center for Esthetic Dentistry, LLC, we are dedicated to serving the dental and cosmetic needs of patients in Greenwich, Hartford, Fairfield, and throughout New England. Teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and other cosmetic dentistry treatments have become popular procedures for patients interested in a complete smile makeover. Our smile gallery illustrates the improvements cosmetic dentistry can bring to your appearance. For those interested in a brighter, straighter smile, the teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and other treatments pictured below may be right for you.
For Hartford and Fairfield-area patients, our cosmetic dentistry practice provides porcelain veneers, teeth whitening , and other options for a smile makeover. If you are seeking results similar to the patients featured below, you can contact our cosmetic dentist at the Center for Esthetic Dentistry, LLC, in Connecticut. Brighten your smile with teeth whitening or restore your beautiful smile with porcelain veneers today!
SB - Smile Design, Teeth Whitening
SB, North Haven, CT - February 2002
"Like the majority of brides, I was apprehensive enough about my wedding. My smile was the last thing on my mind. I would cover my mouth when I laughed and not wear lipstick avoiding all attention to my mouth.
I had two upper aggressive canines (eye teeth) that were too long and pointy for my smile that Dr. Lerch brought to my attention. She then offered to fix them. She also mentioned whitening. I was so excited that I did it right away.
So right before the big day, Dr. Lerch contoured my teeth and whitened them so beautifully! It helped me look my best for the most important day of my life!!!."
RH – Smile Design, Free-Hand Cosmetic Bonding, No Whitening
RH, New Haven, CT - June 2005
Dr. Lerch
"RH came to us with a severe overbite complicated by crooked, crowded teeth. She had never been happy with her smile. After several second opinions she choose us to perform her smile makeover. Her first treatment plan included braces which she did not want. Her second plan, the one we settled on, was to whiten and place eight upper porcelain veneers. Her lower arch was treated with selected white bonded fillings and we talked about a gum lift to lower the front gum. This would be Phase II. As you can see from her photos, she experienced an amazing transformation. We are very proud of RH and of her new smile. She will enjoy it for the rest of her life."
PC - Smile Design, Free-Hand Cosmetic Bonding No Teeth Whitening
PC, Yale University and Brooklyn, NY - June 2007
"I chipped my front teeth three times and the bonding I had done before was not very professional. Thanks to Dr. Lerch, my loved ones say that my new smile makes them always want to smile back. Dr. Lerch is a genius and an artist!"
Dr. Lerch
"PC came to us with a long history of trying to close the spaces between her front teeth with good, cosmetic bonding. It always chipped, changed colors or was never the right shape. We talked about veneers or more bonding. I showed her some of our pictures of previous cases. She decided on free-hand bonding on her front four teeth as a present to herself and to her Dad for Father's Day. I made her teeth slightly longer and whiter to give her a more natural, more appealing look. She was thrilled! We were happy to make her so happy!"
*At patient's request we are not showing her full face.
JM - One Single Anterior Porcelain Crown - No Whitening
JM, New Haven, CT - November 2008
"I am new to the Connecticut area and was referred to Dr. Lerch, due to her accreditations. I also researched her work on the internet. I had a discolored upper front tooth that needed to be replaced. Through prior examinations I was told I would likely have to replace the two upper front teeth or perhaps even all four teeth as it would be very difficult, if not impossible to match the coloring. Dr. Lerch and her team worked their miracle and only needed to replace the one discolored tooth. It looks fantastic, you would never know it was not my own. I have been thoroughly pleased with the high quality of service from start to finish; everyone has been extremely pleasant and hospitable. I would highly recommend them."
Dr. Lerch
"JM came to us with the hardest situation we dentists are faced with. I had a lot of sympathy for what JM had been through. I also understood what her previous consults had shared with her. A single central incisor is very, very difficult indeed, often requiring multiple try-in visits to get the subtle color, texture and shape nuances that are in a tooth recreated in porcelain. Then you have to make sure the darkness of the underlying tooth does not shine through – the block out techniques also has to be right on.
JM had exceptionally beautiful enamel which we were able to imitate at the first appointment since we had the right block out. Boy did that make all of us happy!"
KS - Zoom! Whitening, Two Porcelain Crowns
KS, Fairfield, CT - August 2008
"I am extremely happy with the doctor and staff here and most of all, of my new smile. I feel like a new person, and even my mom has said what a difference this had made. Thank you!"
Dr. Lerch
"You are welcome KS, it was a pleasure working with you! You presented to us with old cracked bonding on mismatched upper central incisors. In less than a month you had the smile you always wanted. Thank you for your trust!"
RH - Smile Design, Four Porcelain Veneers, No Whitening
RH, Geneva, Switzerland - October 2001
Dr. Lerch
"This young doctor came to us just as he was finishing his studies at Yale University. In a very short time he would be returning home to Europe, and he wanted a more modern smile to take home with him. He chose not to whiten as Europeans have not adopted the current American look. We placed four porcelain veneers on his front teeth to match both his natural shade and his natural smile line. He was very pleased with his new smile when he left.
Please notice the natural texture on the porcelain teeth. It is important to match all aspects of color and design when creating a harmonious smile."
DT - Smile Design, Four Porcelain Veneers & BriteSmile! Teeth Whitening
DT, West Haven, CT - June 2004
"When I smiled, you couldn't see my front teeth. For all these years, you wouldn't know that I had front teeth. The reason was because I was a "night time grinder". So, I did some research online and found the Center for Esthetic Dentistry, LLC website which was very impressive. There were before and after photos and other patients experiences here so I called. My initial contact with the office was great; answered all my endless questions, they were friendly and made me feel comfortable. They treated me like I was the only patient there. So I made my first appointment... I now have the teeth and smile that I always wanted."
Dr. Lerch
"When DT came to us, she declared that it was finally time for her to take care of her own smile. She told us she had always wanted to show her teeth, "like everyone else's teeth do!" After her intake appointment, we sat and discussed her best options. She chose our recommendations which were simply to whiten with Zoom!® and then place bonded porcelain veneers on her upper four front teeth to lengthen, widen and straighten them. All of us were thrilled with her results! She is a great lady who has become much more outgoing and confident as a result of the Smile Design treatment she had done."
JF - Smile Design, Four Porcelain Veneers & BriteSmile! Teeth Whitening
JF, Watertown, CT - April 2002
"I stopped seeing a dentist over six years ago, mostly because I found the whole experience very unpleasant. Over this extended period of time my teeth started to look very unsightly, and thus I was losing the beautiful smile that I once had.
When I finally had enough of hiding my teeth and hiding from cameras, I made an appointment to see Dr. N. Summer Lerch at the Center for Esthetic Dentistry, LLC. I'm so pleased that I did. Dr. Lerch has given me a beautiful smile and not to mention a whole new level of confidence. Also, the staff at C.E.D. is absolutely amazing. They made going to the dentist very enjoyable and much less stressful that I ever thought was possible.
I would like to thank Dr. Lerch and staff for my wonderful new smile, my restored sense of self reliance, and reinventing the whole dental experience."
Dr. Lerch
"This gentleman presented with severely stained and broken down front teeth, affecting his smile (notice how forced it is) and his self-image. After teeth whitening and four porcelain veneers were placed on his front teeth, his smile relaxed and became broader. His new found sense of self shows in his facial expression - one of ease and confidence now."
YI - Smile Design, Four Porcelain Veneers & Zoom! Teeth Whitening
YI, New York, NY - December 2006
"I have wanted to have straight front teeth all my life. Finally before my wedding, I decided to give this to myself. I am SO happy I did. I smiled and laughed all the way through my wedding. Everyone thought I looked so beautiful. I felt it! For anyone thinking of doing this, do it. You will be so happy you did."
Dr. Lerch
"YI came to us just two months before her wedding. After a careful examination I knew I could give her just four front porcelain veneers that preserved the health and vitality of her teeth, illuminating the natural the beauty of her smile and enhancing the exoticness of her look. This was all done in just two visits (which really took three because she Zoom! whitened before we started.) YI is a wonderful person and I am thrilled for her new future."
EW - Smile Design, Gum Lift, Four Almost Prep-Less Porcelain Veneers With Free Hand Bonding, No In-Office Whitening
EW, Farmington, CT – August 2009
"I found Dr. Lerch online and was very impressed by the before and after photos. I have had a lot of dental work performed and was able to close up a lot of spacing with orthodontic treatment. However, I had spacing on the front left of my smile which I was told could not be improved. When I saw what Dr. Lerch had done based on the pictures on the website I decide to give it a try.
I was very excited after my first consult. Dr. Lerch had a treatment plan that would close the space and improve my smile by lengthening the teeth and placing veneers. The results were amazing and I am very thankful to Dr. Lerch and her team for my new smile. Everyone at the office was always very professional and upbeat and a joy to be around and they were as excited as I was about my new smile.
Thank you for a wonderful experience!"
Dr. Lerch
"EW came to us with excellent dental health and excellent placement of her smallish teeth, due to solid orthodontic treatment from Dr. Paul Rigali in Wallingford, CT. She just need better proportioned teeth and a little less gum to show when she smiled. Since we have the Waterlase MD dental laser gum lifts and crown lengthening procedures are very easy to do in office. This allows me to have total control over the placement and design of the gums with very little discomfort to our patients. The Waterlase is an excellent tool for this.
Her smile design treatment took a little over a month to complete. With proper planning even uneven spacing can be overcome. We decided on 4 thin porcelain veneers preceded with a gum-lift on her front four teeth, with tooth colored composite bonding on her eye teeth to close all her spaces and slightly enlarge her smile. The result is most pleasing… we all were happy for her!"
HF - Smile Design, Zoom! Teeth Whitening, Two Porcelain Crowns and Two Porcelain Veneers
HF, Norwalk CT - November 2004
"I have always been self-conscious of my smile and have always made sure my mouth was closed when I smiled for pictures. I wasn’t happy about it. After coming to Dr. Summer Lerch my confidence in my smile has impacted my life. I smile fully now, with ease and grace, all the time.
I had been through this procedure twice before, and had always been scared. I debated whether to go through with it a third time, but after coming in and meeting Dr. Lerch and her staff my mind was made up that this was a good decision, that I had chosen the right office and that they could deliver what I wanted. Beside, when I used to go to the dentist I would get very nauseous and nervous. When I left her office for the first time I felt very warm and cared for. She wanted to know what I wanted; Dr. Lerch and her staff really listened, taking the time to understand my needs. She showed me all of her work and was very confident in what we talked about. So I knew she could do it.
During the procedure while there were some parts that were uncomfortable, Dr. Lerch and Stephanie talked me through everything; always reading and sensing my unease almost before I did. For me, this is part of being a good doctor, and something I had been looking for.
Literally almost everyday I get a compliment on my smile, at the grocery store, going out at night, at school, at my aerobics instructors training classes. Everywhere, you name it! No matter what I went through, the discomfort, the money, the time, it was all worth it for the confidence and sense of my self I now have."
Dr. Lerch
"The minute Hannah walked into our office we took an instant liking to her bubbly personality. It was a shame to us that she could not smile fully without covering her mouth. In a very short time, with whitening, and treating her four front teeth (two porcelain crowns on the centrals and a porcelain veneer on each lateral) she had the smile she could match her bubbly personality with!"
RA – Smile Design, Braces, Zoom! Whitening, Four Upper Porcelain Crowns / Porcelain Veneers with Four Lower Porcelain Veneers
RA, Madison, CT – June 2006
"Dr. Summer Lerch has truly made a positive impact on my life. After living with a sports-injured tooth, plus not having braces as a child, it is amazing that I now smile openly and confidently. Dr. Lerch expertly managed the entire process--which involved an excellent orthodontist as well. I felt completely 'secure' in her talented hands. She is a warm, caring professional and I would highly recommend Dr. Lerch to anyone considering this type of dental work."
Dr. Lerch
"RA came to me after a move from New York. He was interested in some cosmetic work. After a full exam, including a head and neck review, jaw joint examination, a occlusal/bite investigation and a complete review of his teeth/gums and oral tissues, I determined that his teeth were too far apart and his bite too closed to be able to help him without orthodontic treatment first. We referred him to one of our favorite orthodontists in Wallingford, Dr. Paul Rigali; a dentist who treats a lot of adults and has taken a special interest in bite/jaw joint relationships. RA felt comfortable in his hands and was diligent in all his appointments. After roughly two years of treatment, we commenced with the whitening and completed with his anterior smile makeover. With his teeth in the proper place and his bite freed up, the treatment proceeded very smoothly. All of us were very pleased to be able to help this gentle, kind hearted man."
TR - Smile Design, Six Porcelain Veneers, Zoom! Whitening
TR, Tampa, FL and Wallingford, CT - July 2008
"This office sends off a very good vibe and I was really attracted to the idea of all women working here. Although I hit some hard times throughout the procedure and was a little questionable about the outcome; after it was all said and done I could not be happier with the results. I really appreciate how friendly the staff is and how patient Dr. Lerch was. I really felt as though all that mattered was how I felt at the end and if I was happy. I truly do smile bigger now and am so thankful!"
Dr. Lerch
"TR presented to us just after orthodontics were over. She was born missing her front lateral teeth (the two on either side of the front central incisors.) This is a very common situation affecting people today. "Laterals" as we call them, can erupt misshaped; twisted; one missing and not the other; they can be discolored and/or not fitting into the smile line at all. Sometimes these teeth can be replaced with bridges (see KD in this Smile Gallery), sometime they can be replaced with implants and sometimes the canines are moved into the lateral position as in TR’s case.
Taking a large canine tooth and turning it into a delicate lateral tooth is a very hard procedure. For TR, after whitening, I reshaped her canines as best as I could to get a lateral look. We then transformed the pre-molar teeth on each side into canines through porcelain veneers. She now has a balanced look which is very becoming with her beautiful Floridian tan and striking good looks. TR is a beautiful young woman and we are happy to have helped her!"
BF - Smile Design, Zoom! Teeth Whitening, Eight Upper Porcelain Veneers / Porcelain Crowns
BF, New York, NY - October 2004
Dr. Lerch
"BF came to us after several years of unsuccessful bonding. She had small teeth that she has always wanted bigger ones. She was very tired of having to hide her smile. A simple solution of eight porcelain veneers after a Zoom!® whitening procedure was the key to her success. She is very proud of her smile and her teeth now and is doing quite well in New York City. I love the different, life-like shades of her new porcelain veneers."
JS - Smile Design, Zoom! Whitening, Gum Lift and Eight Upper Porcelain Veneers
JS, Glastonbury, CT- March 2005
Dr. Lerch
"JS was always self-conscious about the white spots on her front teeth. She hated them. I looked at her and taking into account her natural beauty and lovely features suggested that just her upper eight front teeth should be treated after she whitened all her teeth. I thought that would do the trick. She agreed and within two months had the smile she always wanted. Her smile design did include a gum-lift on the two teeth behind the canines to make them larger and more noticeable. This gives her a fuller smile and helps brighten her whole face."
FP - Smile Design, Zoom! Teeth Whitening, Gum Lift and Porcelain Veneers with Lower Free Hand Bonding
FP, Poughpaug, NY - November 2005
Dr. Lerch
"FP found us through the Internet. She inquired about "replacement of existing veneers." She wanted someone with experience in "designing and shaping porcelain veneers to fit a person's face and personality." After much search, she found us. She was pleasantly surprised when she contacted us and thus decided to make the two hour drive each way a priority. FP's previous veneers, which did not match her face or smile, were just a couple of years old. I knew we could make her prettier and more outgoing. And we accomplished that ~ FP looks softer and is more sure of herself now. She whitened her teeth with a take home product from Discus Dental - Nite White® 10%, added one more veneer to her right canine and made her midline straight which straightened her whole smile. I was so pleased with her outcome; FP is thrilled and is taking such good care of her oral health. Just look at those wonderful, healthy gums!"
EM - Smile Design, Porcelain Veneers, Zoom! Teeth Whitening & Gum Lift
EM, Norwalk, CT - April 2007
"Dr. Lerch's work is amazing. Her staff is friendly and makes you feel quite welcome. I couldn't be happier with my experience."
Dr. Lerch
"EM came to us wanting a fuller, more even smile. He did not like his gummy smile with his small, crooked teeth. We talked about a full gum lift (crown lengthening) procedure and veneers. I offered EM a trial smile, a preview, where he could see the changes through the addition of composite material over his existing teeth and gums. In so doing, we discovered that he could conservatively treat his smile with the gum lift on the front four teeth only, followed by just four very thin (like Lumineers® ) veneers. You can see the confidence and transformation this has produced for EM."
RH - Smile Design, Porcelain Veneers, Teeth Whitening & Gum Lift
RH, Wallingford, CT - February 2005
Dr. Lerch
"RH owns a wonderful salon in town. As she is growing and advancing her business, she wanted a smile that is a compliment to the different looks she is creating. The best solution for her was to give her six new front teeth, to lengthen, widen and whiten them. We used free-hand bonding to do this adding a few imperfections at the edges to make her smile look natural. The result was both pleasing to her and to us. I like it when both the doctor and patient are satisfied. I know I have done a good job."
KD - Smile Design, Two Porcelain Bridges, Six Porcelain Veneers & Zoom! Teeth Whitening
KD, Fairfield, CT - July 2006
"My father who lives in Chicago asked his cosmetic dentist for a referral in Connecticut. After going over all the different names of cosmetic dentists and their credentials, we knew that Dr. N. Summer Lerch was the one to go to. My dad hasn't been here throughout this process, but he just knew I would be in good hands with Dr. Lerch. When I first came in, Dr. Lerch met me with a firm handshake and never lost eye contact when she talked to me. I knew then that she was the right person to be working with. Since I am missing my lateral incisors I have had to wear a flipper for years. I couldn't wait to have that worry of it possibly falling out go away. The flipper was not my only worry.
I also have a slight over bite. Dr. Lerch has built my teeth out so it doesn't appear to be so noticable. I finally can smile not only with confidence but my self-esteem has risen tremendously. I want to thank the lab for re-doing my teeth for the second time; it has made a huge difference and they look great! Dr. Lerch's kindness and her soothing manner throughout the whole procedure helped me through it greatly. I would recommend Dr. Lerch to anyone that needs anything done with their teeth; she really is a great doctor!"
Dr. Lerch
"KD came to us the summer before heading off to college. She needed a smile she could trust and a look that spoke of her collegiate aspirations. We considered implants in the place of the missing teeth, however she did not have enough room even for the smallest of them. Metal based bridges were also out in such a young and beautiful woman. I chose to place two Encore bridges to replace the missing teeth. An Encore bridge starts with a composite/quartz matrix cemented behind the teeth that fills the missing tooth space. Then six matching porcelain veneers were placed on the smile side to complete her look. It is intensive, painstaking work that when done properly can create a stunning look. KD now has the length of teeth, the size and shape of teeth and the confidence with her teeth that she has always wanted."
NL - Smile Design, Gum Lift, Implant Porcelain Crown, Three Porcelain Veneers, Zoom! Teeth Whitening
NL, Stafford Springs, CT - August 2004
"Every time I get a compliment from my friends I realize that I couldn't have chosen a better dental team to work on my smile. Dr. Lerch is very professional and worked very hard to help me achieve the smile I have always wanted. And I got it!"
Dr. Lerch
"NL came to us with mismatched front teeth, discolorations, a small amount of decay and most importantly, the knowledge that she was going to have to lose her right lateral (smallest) tooth. She was having an implant placed by one of our favorite periodontist, Dr. Marianne Urbanski. Since we were able to see her before the implant was placed, I recommended that we include veneers on the other three front teeth, so that we could design a smile that really worked with her face. She thought this was a good idea. I don't know who learned more, NL or us; it was a great experience getting her the smile she had always deserved. And as I write this, more than three years later, I know NL is now engaged to be married in February 2008. We are thrilled for her!"
ES - Smile Design, Gum Lift, Upper Porcelain Crowns and Porcelain Veneers, Zoom Whitening
ES, Shelton, CT – May 2009
"For many years I was very reluctant to smile because my teeth were extremely discolored and I was told by my previous dentists that it was from high fevers when I was a child when I was given tetracycline. Often I thought about teeth whitening and was just always so busy and never made the time to do it. I tried whitening strips, but that didn’t do the trick.
While I was on a routine appointment with my dermatologist in New Haven, I came out of the door and saw on the nearby office door the sign for Center for Esthetic Dentistry, LLC and I thought to myself, what is the harm in checking this out. Also, I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason and there are no coincidences.
As soon as I met Gail, the friendly patient care coordinator, she made me feel so comfortable, and answered all of my questions. Gail was extremely knowledgeable and encouraged me to book an appointment and I instantly felt that she was right and I needed that gentle push. Initially, I tried the teeth whitening to see if that would brighten my teeth and make a positive difference without spending a significant sum of money. I then met Sheri for the teeth whitening and she immediately made me feel at ease and was very good at explaining the entire process and answered my questions. The teeth whitening process brightened my teeth a couple of shades, however, just as my previous dentist said to me that I could and probably should try this first, but it most likely would not meet my expectations and therefore, veneers would probably be the best option for me.
So, Sheri set up an initial consult with Dr. Summer Lerch and she greeted me with a warm smile and we spoke for almost an hour. It was clear to me that Dr. Lerch understood the shame that I felt about even looking in the mirror at my teeth and she took the time to do a complete review of my mouth and I could immediately tell that she was going to outline the best method for achieving 100% complete satisfaction with my new smile. I had nine veneers put on and Sheri and Gail also were very involved in helping us best select the correct shape and shade of the veneers and I was so happy to have their input as well. It is almost overwhelming for the patient to know which shade and shape veneer will best suit their smile.
Now, words cannot begin to express how pleased I am with my new smile! I can honestly say that I am 110% satisfied and I work in a very visible leadership role and so many of my colleagues, friends, and family, have said to me that it was the best investment that I ever made. I feel so much more confident when I smile and can’t thank Dr. Lerch, Gail, and Sheri, enough for changing my life in such a positive way!"
Dr. Lerch
"ES initial found us by walking past our door here across from Yale Medical School. Thinking that whitening would do the trick, it soon became obvious to her and us that she would need more. Between her discolored enamel and mismatched previous dental bonding, she needed a Smile Makeover. Keeping her goal in mind of wanting a smile that she did not need to hide, we talked about which teeth would need veneers and which would need porcelain crowns or onlays. We talked about how far back to go. You see, when a new smile is given to a person, their lips and checks relax. So more teeth show in the end and that needs to be taken into consideration when designing a new smile. Eileen made a good choice, one that balanced her needs against the cost of the treatment. Right after we finished, she got a job offer with more benefits and greater responsibility. She is flying high!"
AM - Smile Design, Upper Arch Porcelain Crowns
AM, Cheshire, CT - September 2005
Dr. Lerch
"AM was referred to us by a wonderful periodontist, Dr. Marianne Urbanski, (who does great work, I might add). AM hated her smile and really needed much more than the implant crown on her upper left side she was referred to us for. After several visits and consultations about what could be done, AM decided to give herself a smile makeover by starting with her upper teeth. Due to the large failing fillings she had, her treatment consisted of porcelain crowns to both reinforce and hold her remaining tooth structure together (functional consideration) and to give her a beautiful smile (esthetic consideration). Very often cosmetic dentistry has a very strong functional component to it. AM was very happy with her new smile and thought her time was well invested in this process."
*At patient's request we are not showing her full face.
RK - Smile Design, Upper and Lower Porcelain Crowns and Porcelain Veneers
RK, Monroe, CT - April 2005
Dr. Lerch
"RK became one of our favorite patients through his Smile Design process. RK is of German descent and currently lives most of the time in Fairfield County and New York. He found us through the Internet. When he came to us, he was just about to marry his sweetheart in an intimate ceremony and did not want to have his dark, crooked, mismatched teeth in his wedding pictures. He and his bride deserved better. So I created a smile for him using porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns, some gold onlays in the back combined with several rounds of gum scalings. We had enough to do and he loved his provisional teeth so much that he wore them to his wedding and on his honeymoon! The photos were great too – our provisionals have become a great tool to ensure the bite and gum health as well as to refine the esthetics for our patients. RK has an unbelievably great smile now, his gums and teeth are healthy, he knows exactly now to take care of them, and he cannot stop smiling at his new wife."
SG - Smile Design, Full Mouth Reconstruction: Eight Upper Porcelain Crowns, Eight Lower Porcelain Veneers, with Posterior Bite Opening Restorations
SG, West Haven, CT - February 2009
"I write this letter of endorsement and testimonial with much delight and gratitude!
The professionalism, dedication, humor, compassion, and overall good will that you all constantly expressed throughout the process of rebuilding my smile (and self esteem) have been wonderful.
When I first contacted you I was in the middle of a major overhaul of nearly every aspect of my life. I had become very unhealthy and unhappy and had reached a breaking point. Luckily, I had a concerned and compassionate group of friends and family, and together with my medical doctor I began to think in new ways… I began to change my diet and over the course of 16 weeks lost over 50 pounds and gained a new lease on life. I was definitely happier and beginning to like who I saw in the mirror…. except, I did not see a happy smiling face looking back at me.
Over the course of a decade or more of ill health and depression I had effectively ground my teeth down to such an extent that they did not show when I smiled. They were also much stained from years of tobacco smoke and chew, and coffee… and overall neglect.
My journey back to a healthy happy smile began with oral surgery needed to repair a dramatically receding gumline (due to chewing tobacco). I was in danger of losing teeth and bone, and made a critical decision to change. After that change, I decided to look into an overall rebuilding of a smile. I had made headway in changing nearly every other aspect of my health, but I still did not smile or express my delight very often. My smile had receded into non-existence. I could not even find a single photograph of me smiling in which you could see teeth… and perhaps that was by choice, as I knew my teeth were just stubs and very discolored, chipped and ugly.
So, I was at a crossroads…. feeling better about my body and mind, but still not my expression.
My search for a solution took me to the internet, where I immediately found your practice. I researched other practices and found few, if any that I felt were as dedicated. I was impresses with your history and professional participation, and decided to contact you. Once I heard from you (a very compassionate initial email and phone response) I knew that I was on the right track. After our initial meeting, I knew for sure that I wanted to move ahead with whatever process could help me rebuild my image.
After we investigated some possibilities (new smile styles) I became so convinced of the process, that I negotiated a small home equity loan as a part of a home refinance already underway. Now I was ready for the big move.
At first I did not give it much thought that I was working with an all female practice. But that soon became one of the biggest reasons for continuing – that and the wonderfully compassionate personalities of Dr. Lerch, and Gail and Sheri! Your group dynamics, honesty, humor, dedication to your patients, all eased me through the many months it eventually took to rebuild my smile. I was nervous at first about the time it would take, the many visits, the temporary teeth, etc. but it was actually not an unpleasant process, made actually exciting and fun by your constant attention, humor and encouragement. And you made the whole financing process so non-stressful!
In earnest, I began to look forward to our meetings, as I knew I would be surrounded by a dedicated group of women who really knew how to make someone comfortable and confident. Even the 10+ hours it took to prepare my teeth… I don’t know that I ever would have survived the stress of that extensive preparation had it not been for the constant assurance and support I received.
Now, with a whole new set of teeth, a big bright smile… I do like who I see in the mirror!
I want to thank you and your team of highly skilled and compassionate professionals (and lively, funny, honest and very real, caring people) for the tremendous support and encouragement you have shown… and the results have been spectacular! I love my new smile, and am assured every time I look in the mirror…. That I can be happy and confidently show it!
I would be happy to share my experience with anyone who is considering making such a positive change in their life. Get your smile back! Go to the Center for Esthetic Dentistry, LLC, and become a happier, more expressive person."
Dr. Lerch
"SG has really said it all here. Thank you most kindly! SG is a delightful college professor who now can teach, smile, expound, create, invent, and laugh wholeheartedly while helping to mold the future leaders of America in his classrooms without a thought to his teeth. That is truly a wonderful thing!
Technically, SG needed extensive work. We needed to open his bite by making all his teeth bigger, we needed to strengthen his teeth by placing crowns, not just veneers and we needed to be sure his bite was accurate, comfortable and stable or else he was sure to grind his teeth down again. SG and I decided to do this in two phases. We started with splint therapy, we ordered a complete wax pre-view of his new set of teeth and we removed all the old fillings, decay and broken dental work that was in his mouth. Once his bite was stable on the splint, we preceded to open his back bite with composite fillings. Then we placed the porcelain crowns and veneers in the anterior region. The second phase will be to replace the back resin fillings with porcelain crowns to ensure a stable bite for years to come."
DD - Smile Design, Full Mouth Reconstruction
DD, Fairfield, CT - March 2003
"I needed substantial reconstructive work due to extreme wear on my teeth. This was a cause of considerable anxiety since I wanted to make sure that the job was done right and I wanted the experience to be as painless as possible.
After a good deal of research, I came across Dr. Lerch and the Center for Esthetic Dentistry, LLC. The office was out of the way for me, but Dr. Lerch, by all indications had the strong background in the reconstructive and cosmetic dentistry and the dedication to patient care that I was looking for.
Now having finished the process, for a life long denti-phobe like myself, I'm still surprised at how positive the experience turned out to be. Dr. Lerch and the whole staff handled the process skillfully and professionally and were extremely responsive and compassionate throughout. Any concerns or questions I had were addressed immediately and they always made me feel like I was their most important patient.
But perhaps, most significantly, Dr. Lerch has an uncommon commitment to perfection in her work and it shows in the results. I know because I now have the smile to prove it."
JK - Smile Design, Full Mouth Reconstruction
JK, Wallingford, CT - January 2006
"The art of dentistry is demonstrated in the quality work performed by Dr. Summer Lerch. Four years of my life were spent repairing my jaw and my teeth, after which Dr. Lerch began the arduous task of correcting my bite and placing my teeth where they belong. Throughout the process, Dr. Lerch demonstrated fortitude, professionalism, and determination, and she assured me that my teeth would be perfect when she finished. She spent long hours making sure that my bite, my jaw and my facial muscles were perfectly balanced.
I owe my very existence to Dr. Lerch for enabling me to chew solid foods which I had previously avoided. Because of my time with Dr. Lerch I now have a truly beautiful smile."
Dr. Lerch
"JK came to us after years of suffering from an unbalanced jaw / mismatched tooth relationship, resulting in inefficient chewing and painful nights with dizziness, headaches and ringing in her ears. After successful jaw realignment therapy in NYC, JK and I began the complicated and precise process of restoring her teeth to match her now balanced bite and facial musculature. We used a combination of porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers and splint therapy.
JK is an amazing woman, who truly gave her confidence to us as she moved through her different appointments. Within four months of starting JK's rehabilitation she was stable, her bite solid and her headaches and dizziness gone. I am thrilled to have been a part of her healing."
DB - Smile Design, Full Mouth Reconstruction
DB, Old Lyme, CT - June 2003
"Dr. Lerch and her warm, caring and skilled staff were very supportive throughout the entire process and this was most critical in overcoming my inordinate fear of the dentist's chair. The makeover from the "old" DB to the "new" is nothing short of miraculous. Certainly my new smile is a great confidence booster when I get up to speak at seminars or make presentations before groups of people around the state.
Thank you Dr. Lerch for making this happen!"
Dr. Lerch
"I am a Lion, a member of Lions International District 23C here in Connecticut. Several years ago I noticed that my President was having trouble smiling. I approached her thinking we might be a good match to help her get over whatever in her past had created such fear of the dentist. DB gave us her full trust ~ allowing us to use a combination of implants, bridges, crowns, veneers and bonded restorations to redo her smile, her bite and her confidence. I feel extremely honored to have made a difference with such a wonderful woman."
Contact the Center for Esthetic Dentistry, LLC
If you are seeking a smile design experience, you can get excellent treatment at the Center for Esthetic Dentistry, LLC, where we provide patients in Hartford, Fairfield, and throughout New England with cosmetic dentistry options such as teeth whitening and porcelain veneers. To learn more about getting the smile you've always dreamed of, contact our Fairfield-area cosmetic dentist, N. Summer Lerch, DDS, today.