I have a consult with a dentist next week and I want to go in with a better idea of my options to be sure I don’t get taken for a ride. What I’m looking for is something similar to what Aaron Judge had done to his teeth. He’s a Yankee’s outfielder, if you’re not familiar.

His front teeth always looked a little different. Kind of peg-like with a gap between them. When he came back this year, the gap was gone and his teeth look fuller. Mine are sort of like his used to be but the upside-down V-shaped gap is a bit more pronounced. I always thought I’d need to get braces to fix it, but his transformation was fast, so I don’t think he did that. Any insights would be appreciated.

-Yankees Fan in Auburn

 

Dear Yankees Fan,

Aaron Judge has a great smile! Let’s dig into what dental work he had done and also why you might not want to specifically ask for the same treatment.

Take a Closer Look at Older Pictures of Aaron Judge

If you take a closer look at older photos of Aaron Judge’s teeth, you’ll note that there’s more going on than just the gap and what you describe as “peg-shaped” teeth. The photo shown here gives a better view across his smile line going back a few more teeth. See anything?

Yes, he didn’t just have gap between his front teeth. He had gaps between all the teeth that show when he smiles.

How Did Aaron Judge Fix His Teeth?

Now, Aaron Judge’s teeth have a fuller, straighter appearance, and that gap you noted is gone, as are the gaps between his other teeth. In other words, this was more than likely a total smile makeover rather than a single cosmetic fix.

Dentists address in-depth smile makeovers in a variety of ways. As you noted, braces or Invisalign are sometimes involved. Given that options like Invisalign can be taken out, it’s possible he did go through some form of orthodontics as part of his care and simply removed the appliance while in public.

However, it’s more likely he jumped right into an option like porcelain veneers. These can be thought of as “shells” that hug the front surface of the tooth and wrap around the edges a bit, but don’t fully enclose the tooth. With veneers, you can make teeth look straighter, brighter, and fuller, plus close gaps or fix chips instantly.

Ask Your Dentist What He Recommends

The problem with going in and asking for veneers is that you may need something else done to achieve a similar look or the dentist you’re consulting may not be particularly skilled when it comes to placing veneers. They’re an art form. It takes quite a bit to make them look natural and aesthetically pleasing.

Instead, ask the dentist what he recommends and why he recommends that treatment. You can still use Judge as a point of reference to indicate the end result you’re hoping for though. It’s also a good idea to ask for before and after photos of the dentist’s real patients so you can get a better feel for his abilities. If you don’t love the photos you see or you aren’t confident about his recommendations, get a second opinion. Best of luck to you.

 

This blog is sponsored by Dr. Raymond Bolt, an Auburn, AL dentist.