Dr. Irwin Smigel

COSMETIC DENTIST

New York, New YorkOffice Location

212-371-4575

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“The Coveted Father
of Aesthetic Dentistry”

NewBeauty Expert since:

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Services Offered

Bonding
Crowns
Nonsurgical Rehabilitation of the “Smile Zone”
Porcelain Veneers
Tooth Whitening

Expert Insight

The Smigel Difference

A significant difference in my treatment is that I prefer that my patients stand so that I am able see them as the world sees them. This method takes the entire face into consideration and allows for greater customized shaping of each individual tooth with dental procedures such as bonding or applying crowns or veneers to achieve the maximum cosmetic benefit for the patient. Changing the size and shape of your teeth can create a softer, more youthful appearance. I am able to build out the teeth to “long-term” restore your face to its ideal proportions without surgery or filler injections. The rewards of aesthetic dentistry are perhaps the most dramatic in the profession. The results are there: a beautiful smile, a new confidence, and a more youthful appearance.

Dr. Smigel and the American Society of Dental Aesthetics

Dr. Smigel is the founder and current president of the American Society of Dental Aesthetics (ASDA), a 38-year-old international non-profit organization that provides a forum for increasing the awareness of aesthetics in dentistry and available treatment options. The ASDA provides up-to-date and comprehensive teaching programs on the art and science of aesthetics. Dr. Smigel’s commitment to increasing the awareness and visibility in the field of aesthetics does not end with the ASDA. He has been instrumental in establishing aesthetic societies around the world, including France, Japan, India, Brazil, Turkey, Korea and Israel.

Philosophy

Dr. Smigel is held in the highest regard for his lifelong contributions to aesthetic dentistry, the art and science of making your teeth and your smile more beautiful. New York University College of Dentistry celebrates him as “the father of aesthetic dentistry,” and has established the Smigel prize in Aesthetic Dentistry, which was designed by grateful patient, Calvin Klein. Dr. Smigel was recently honored with a permanent exhibit in the Smithsonian’s Museum of Dentistry that features his case histories of changing facial structure and videos of his remarkable real-life transformations in aesthetic dentistry. The museum acknowledges that aesthetic dentistry started with Dr. Smigel.

Expert Insight

The Story of SuperSmile

“More than 25 years ago, Dr. Smigel and I saw a need for a toothpaste that would safely whiten teeth and provide complete oral care,” says Lucia Smigel, who has served as President and CEO of Supersmile since its inception, in conjunction with Dr. Smigel, who provides the scientific background. “Ten years ago, our daughter Bellanca Smigel-Rutter joined as counsel and is now Executive Vice President. Together we have grown Supersmile into a comprehensive range of ‘intelligent smile care’ products.” Adds Bellanca, “Our collaborative approach has enabled Supersmile to become a true celebrity and dentist favorite, available at day spas, boutiques and luxury department stores nationwide.”

Dr. Smigel - Dental Aesthetics Innovator

Dr. Irwin Smigel is the founder and current president of the American Society for Dental Aesthetics. Dr. Smigel is a visionary dental clinician who performed the first nationally televised bonding procedure demonstrating how easily and painlessly people could beautify their smiles in as little as one visit to the dentist. Dr. Smigel’s commitment to increasing the awareness and visibility in the field of dental aesthetics reaches across the globe. He has mentored many of today’s leading aesthetic dentists and has been instrumental in the establishment of aesthetic societies around the world, in places including France, Japan, Korea, India, Brazil, Turkey and Israel.

Dr. Smigel and the American Society of Dental Aesthetics

The Smigel Difference

Philosophy

About my practice:

How does the nonsurgical dental facelift you pioneered rejuvenate youth?

Modern dentistry is like a “nonsurgical facelift.”

The teeth are the foundation of the face. If the teeth are too short, leaning in, or not supporting the lower face, nasolabial lines form, the lip corners droop and the lips lose contour as cheek bones sag. As we age, the bones shrink, the muscles of facial expression become lax and the face sags. By using veneers, crowns or even bonding—the signs of aging can be reversed. This has been my goal for the past 30 years. The “smile zone” is the area that aesthetic dentists can restore by taking the entire face into consideration and shaping each individual tooth. A significant difference at my practice is that I prefer that the patients stand, so that I’m able to see them as the world sees them. A patient lying in a prone position alters the face and does not reflect reality.

How is the nonsurgical dental facelift performed?

I begin by shaping each individual tooth and prefer patients to stand when rehabilitating the 'smile zone' so i can see patients as the world sees them. I have found this method to be very effective.

Why is at-home care so important?

Even if you undergo in-office bleaching, foods and drinks capable of staining a white shirt will also stain your teeth, so it's important to maintain a proper regimen at home to remove any discoloration that can darken your smile.

How is this possible?

By building out the molars and premolars, we can provide support to the facial muscles, filling out the lips, softening nasolabial lines and countering sagging that is a result of misaligned, worn or chipped teeth.

What makes Supersmile different from other leading oral care brands?

Unlike other toothpastes that contain abrasive silica, Supersmile products contain Calprox®, which dissolves stains and bacteria, plus calcium and phosphates to remineralize enamel. The best part is that you can continue to indulge in coffee, red wine, tea, etc... while still maintaining your white smile.

What type of results can patients expect after using Supersmile?

Our products are safe, simple and effective. You can remove stains above and below the enamel simply by brushing for deeper whitening without any sensitivity. Supersmile keeps your smile brighter, whiter and healthier every day—it’s not a quick fix that fades over time.

How can aesthetic dentistry help me look younger?

Essentially, modern dentistry can be like a nonsurgical facelift which can take years off the face simply by adjusting teeth. If the teeth are too short, leaning in, or not supporting the lower face, nasolabial lines can form, the lip corners can droop and the lips can lose contour, leaving a tired and aged appearance. Changing the size and shape of your teeth can create a more youthful appearance.

What is a quick way to enhance my smile?

Bonding can be a quick fix for minor spacing concerns, discoloration, or to lengthen and change the shape of teeth. It is a one day procedure that lets us redefine the tooth borders and hide any spaces that make a smile appear asymmetrical.

Education & Credentials

EDUCATION:

Q&A

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- Smile Makeover
- Teeth Whitening
- Veneers

Ask Dr. Smigel a question

TEETH WHITENING

What can I do to keep my smile white after teeth whitening?

We always tell patients that, for the first four days, while the bleach is really working and penetrating, to only eat things that are white. And, of course, no smoking.

SMILE MAKEOVER

What results can I expect from bonding?

There is a lot we can do with bonding. We can lengthen the edges of the teeth to correct a short smile. We can fill in the gaps between teeth, create the appearance of straightness or build out the back teeth to hold out the cheekbones. Stonger cheekbones yield the appearance of a more chiseled bone structure.

How long do the results from bonding last?

When you spend the time to isolate every area, then bonding lasts a long time. I would say the average in the U.S. is about five to 10 years, but I've had cases that have lasted much longer.

What kind of cosmetic dentistry can I get if I'm pregnant? And when should I do it?

Bonding or tooth contouring. The best time to go is in the second trimester. The baby is most vulnerable in the first trimester and procedures done in the third trimester can potentially bring on an early labor due to increased stress.

VENEERS

Can veneers make me look younger?

Veneers can be used to build out the back teeth. Building out the back teeth raises the cheeks so the face doesn't look sunken in anymore.

Are veneers natural looking?

When veneers first came out, I worked so hard to make them believable. I drove my technician crazy. Today, we have so many colors and natural looks to make them more lifelike.