My smile has bothered me for as long as I can remember. When I was younger I took medication that stained my teeth, and I never had braces to fix their misalignment. With my wedding right around the corner, I didn’t want to hide my smile in photos anymore, like I had for so long. I wanted a smile that was worthy of my personality, and decided it was time to take action. Having known Dr. Mladen Kralj for quite some time, there was no other doctor I felt as comfortable with.

A CUSTOM-MADE SMILE   When I met with Dr. Kralj, we discussed my goals. He told me that he wanted to design a natural-looking smile, tailored to my features and cosmetic objectives. It was reassuring to know that we were on the same page. Dr. Kralj examined my teeth and took pictures of my smile from a variety of angles to evaluate my facial structure. At my follow-up appointment, Dr. Kralj simulated some results on his computer and showed me what I could expect to look like after my makeover. He reviewed the treatment plan with me in detail, which consisted of Invisalign, veneers and tooth whitening. As an executive of a large marketing and advertising agency, I appreciated how he was able to accommodate my lifestyle, making over my smile without the use of traditional braces.

What Dr. Kralj says:  “For Scott, a ‘less is more’ approach was ideal. His dentition was in good health, and needed only minor aesthetic enhancements to achieve the smile he desired.”

MY SMILE MAKEOVER   Dr. Kralj began by custom-making Invisalign trays for my upper and lower teeth. Every few weeks I returned to his office for new aligners. To speed up the whitening process, I was instructed to put bleach inside the trays. It took about seven months to straighten my upper teeth and about 12 months for the lower teeth. Once my teeth were straight, it was time for my veneers. We discussed different color options before temporary veneers were made for my upper four front teeth. About two weeks later, the final restorations were bonded on. He shaped and polished them a bit to further perfect my smile. The same day, I underwent Zoom! whitening, completing the finishing touches of my new smile.

What Dr. Kralj says: “ We designed Scott’s veneers with the goal of accomplishing two things—improving tooth proportions and smile symmetry, and lifting his upper lip to show more teeth when he smiled.”

MY NEW SMILE    It’s been about eight months since my makeover, and I cannot stop smiling. It felt so amazing to have a beautiful, new white smile in time for my wedding. Dr. Kralj was there and got to see me beaming with pride! I truly couldn’t be happier.

What Dr. Kralj says: “Scott is a perfect example of how minimally invasive aesthetic treatment can greatly transform not only a person’s smile, but their overall appearance and self-confidence as well.”

ABOUT THE EXPERT With two practice locations in downtown Chicago, cosmetic dentist Mladen Kralj, DMD, spends a great deal of time creating naturally beautiful smiles. Whether patients seek porcelain veneers, crowns, Invisalign, or Zoom! whitening, Dr. Kralj possesses the advanced training, state-of-the-art technology and years of experience to accommodate a variety of aesthetic concerns. A member of multiple affiliations, including the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics, Dr. Kralj is dedicated to his patients and his field with the goal of delivering the highest caliber of reliable aesthetic and restorative care in the privacy of a modern, relaxed environment.