Indication · Aligner finishing / shape correction

Lengthen teeth — no grinding, no crowns

When orthodontics has moved, we shape. You are not a spectator, you co-design your smile. We give your front teeth the length and proportion that suit your face — additively, with on-screen preview and a Test Drive in advance.

What does "lengthen teeth" mean — and when does Scan ’n’ Smile help?

You have just finished your aligner therapy — the position now fits, but the shape doesn't. Four weeks after the last aligner tray, your smile feels "neutralised": front teeth look short, all the same length, without natural incisal edges. This is exactly where we step in. Other patients have genetically short front teeth with no orthodontic history, or incisal edges that have become shorter through years of wear.

Often this wear is not just a length consequence, but also a position consequence — the teeth previously stood crooked or crowded and have worn down at unphysiological contact points over the years. If your aligner therapy has only just brought the teeth into the correct position, an additive composite build-up can often reconstruct the lost shape even more beautifully and harmoniously than the starting situation before the orthodontic treatment. Aligners move — we shape.

At Scan ’n’ Smile we lengthen front teeth additively — we add substance instead of taking it away. We scan digitally with our intraoral scanner and plan the new shape with SmileCloud based on facial proportions, lip position and the golden ratio (RED proportion 0.618 — the harmonious length ratio of the front teeth according to Phidias). You see the planned shape as an on-screen preview, then we apply it as a trial directly in the mouth (Test Drive, reversible) and only place the definitive restoration after your approval — using the Two-Layer Technique. No grinding. Fully repairable if needed.

When did you last think about your front teeth?

Probably right now. You take out the last aligner tray, look in the mirror — the position fits, the shape feels disappointingly uniform. Refinement from the orthodontist won't help any further — the tooth shape is fixed by genetics or by wear. Aligners can move, but they can't add substance. This is exactly where we come in.

Imagine your front teeth had the length that suits your face — not too long, not artificial, simply in the right proportion. Visible when you laugh, harmonious when you speak, in the mirror what you actually hoped for after aligner therapy. This is exactly where we take you.

Symptom checklist — you'll recognise yourself if:

If you recognise yourself in two or more points: let's talk. In the free initial consultation we clarify whether additive lengthening is right for you.
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The three pillars of a smile: position, colour, shape

A complete smile rests on three disciplines — and none can replace another.

Position — orthodontics

Aligners and fixed braces move teeth into the correct position. The job of your orthodontic practice. What aligners cannot do: add substance.

Colour — bleaching

Whitening changes the shade, but it does not add or remove anything. Shape and position remain unchanged.

Shape — Scan ’n’ Smile

We give substance back, additively, without grinding, in the Two-Layer Technique. Shape is the final third of the smile.

Orthodontics moves — we shape. Bleaching colours — we give substance back. Three disciplines, one smile. We are the third pillar.

On request we coordinate directly with your orthodontic practice — handover of the final position, alignment of the mock-up, timing after retainer placement. Orthodontic practices from the south of Munich are particularly welcome — a short call is enough for the coordination.

How we determine the right length — form follows function

"Form follows function" — the classic Bauhaus principle: the form arises from the function, not the other way around. That is exactly how we think about reconstructing the length of your front teeth. We do not determine the right length "by eye", but according to three measurable references:

Bauhaus for the dental mouth: a smile is beautiful when the form follows the function, not the other way around. We do not build "Hollywood veneers from a fashion show", but length proportions that suit your face, your chewing function and the mathematical harmony of your front-tooth row. That is Scan ’n’ Smile as a designer discipline — objectively measurable, aesthetically precise.

How we lengthen front teeth

This is how we lengthen front teeth with Scan ’n’ Smile — additively, as a rule in four weeks from the first scan to the definitive restoration, with a Test Drive before every decision. Four steps: digital scan and shape planning on screen → Test Drive of the new front-tooth length directly in your mouth → definitive build-up in our Two-Layer Technique → optional coordination with your orthodontist.

Step 1 — Scan and digital shape planning

In the Scan ’n’ Smile process we scan your current tooth shape with our Trios 4 by 3Shape — even right after completed aligner therapy. With SmileCloud and 3Shape Smile Design we digitally design your new front-tooth length — based on facial proportions, lip position and smile line. You see on screen how much longer and in which shape. Adjustable before anything happens to the tooth.

Step 2 — Test Drive (smile fitting directly in the mouth)

We apply the planned length provisionally onto your front teeth — reversible, no removal of substance. You feel the new length, you speak, you smile, you go to the mirror. If something should be different: we adjust before we treat definitively. The Test Drive is exactly the point that DrSmile and the like do not offer — with us you see your result before curing, not afterwards.

Step 3 — Definitive build-up (Two-Layer Technique)

Only when you agree do we apply composite additively — layer by layer. The Two-Layer Technique is a two-layer build-up like the natural tooth: inside Ivoclar Tetric, outside Ivoclar IPS Empress Direct for light play and natural shine. We decide on anaesthesia individually — usually not needed, because we don't grind.

For aligner patients

Ideal time: 2–4 weeks after the last aligner tray, when the position has settled as "final" and the retainer is in place. On request we coordinate with your orthodontist — even if your aligner therapy ran via DrSmile, Impress or a partner practice.

What we use

Four points that set us apart from a classic veneer treatment and from aligner partner practices

When ceramic is the higher-quality choice (premium upgrade)

Scan ’n’ Smile with composite is our fast, additive, enamel-sparing and repairable variant for front-tooth lengthening — fair pricing, fully reversible. If top optical quality and maximum longevity (15–25 years) matter more to you — for example because you appear in front of the camera professionally, a wedding is coming up, or you want a premium treatment — we offer minimally invasive ceramic veneers as a second pillar.

Plain words on grinding: our composite variant remains entirely No-Prep. With ceramic, an ultra-minimal grinding portion is normally needed (typically 0.3–0.5 mm) to ensure stability and adhesion — significantly more enamel-sparing than classic veneer preparation, but not true No-Prep. We say this honestly. Anyone who promises you premium ceramic veneers as complete No-Prep across the board is, as a rule, still grinding.

Hybrid restoration possible — for example the two central incisors in ceramic (full aesthetic effect), the lateral incisors in composite (shape adjustment, finely tunable).

Scientific background

What the science says

Show studies, figures & sources

Methodological foundation of our Two-Layer Technique: Bazos P, Magne P. Bio-Emulation: a step toward biology-based esthetic dentistry. Eur J Esthet Dent 2011;6:8-19. PMID 21403924. For more than ten years a standard for aesthetic composite restorations in which light play and the naturalness of the incisal edge are decisive. The combination of aligner therapy and additive composite build-up is documented in the specialist literature as a standard use case.

Own research of the clinician team

Dr. Sebastian Zwinge himself published at LMU Munich under Prof. Edelhoff on the optical properties of dental polymers — that is, exactly the material properties that today determine the aesthetic outcome of composite lengthening:

Güth JF, Zuch T, Zwinge S, Engels J, Stimmelmayr M, Edelhoff D: Optical properties of manually and CAD/CAM-fabricated polymers. Dental Materials Journal 2013; 32(6): 865–871. PMID 24240888.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost?

Statutory health-insurance treatment is possible — the prices below refer to the Scan ’n’ Smile private treatment as an aesthetic aligner finishing:

  • 2 teeth (central incisors): €900–€1,600
  • 4 teeth (front-tooth refresh): €2,000–€3,500
  • 6–8 teeth (full Smile Makeover): €3,200–€5,500

We agree the additional cost for the higher-quality adhesive treatment (Two-Layer layering, on-screen preview + Test Drive, RED proportion / Shimbashi measurement points) individually with you via a private cost agreement (MKV). All prices are non-binding ranges. Binding treatment and cost plan after clinical assessment. Private share transparent before treatment.

My orthodontist does bonding themselves — why come to you?
Many orthodontic practices offer small incisal-edge corrections as a service to round off therapy. That is legitimate and often sufficient for minimal edge corrections. What we do differently: on-screen preview with SmileCloud, Test Drive as a reversible smile fitting before the definitive build-up, Two-Layer Technique as a published layering technique (instead of standard single-layer bonding) and a four-eyes concept by Dr. Sebastian Zwinge and Dr. Daniela Zwinge together. For more than 2 front teeth or a refined incisal-edge light play, the trip to us is worthwhile.
I had my aligners with DrSmile / Impress — can I still come to you?
Yes, any time. Aligner therapy and shape build-up are two independent treatment steps. We do not need a file from the aligner provider — a new digital scan is enough. With us you sit throughout with the same clinician — no partner-practice lottery, no clinician change between the initial consultation and the definitive build-up.
What is the ideal time after aligner therapy?
Right after the end of therapy, when the position has settled as "final" and a retainer is in place. We are happy to coordinate with your orthodontist. Some patients wait 2–4 weeks so that the position fully settles — this does no harm, on the contrary.
Does statutory health insurance cover anything?
Statutory health-insurance treatment is possible — Scan ’n’ Smile is our premium treatment with on-screen preview, Test Drive and Two-Layer Technique. We agree the additional cost for the higher-quality adhesive treatment individually with you via a private cost agreement (MKV). We clarify the private share transparently before treatment. Where there are existing carious lesions or insufficient existing restorations, or clinically justified loss of substance, a statutory dental fee schedule (BEMA) share may arise after clinical assessment.
Why now — can't I wait?
After completed aligner therapy the aesthetic window is open: the position is final, the retainer holds, the incisal edges are cleanly accessible. If you wait months or years, typical late effects come on top — micro-abrasion, slight position drift despite the retainer, getting used to the "short" shape. The ideal time is 2–8 weeks after the last tray.
Will I see later where the composite ends and the natural tooth begins?
With proper layering technique, no. We work in the Two-Layer Technique with a translucent outer layer that picks up the light play of your natural tooth. The transitions are polished so that they are not visible even under direct light.

Ready for your first step?

Free initial consultation · On-screen preview + Test Drive in advance · Coordination with your orthodontist on request · One clinician from start to finish

zwinge zwinge zahnmedizin
Gewerbestr. 17 · 82064 Straßlach-Dingharting · Munich South

For orthodontic practices: we are the aesthetic finish to your aligner therapy

Are you coming from an orthodontic practice? We coordinate with your clinician. Aligner therapy moves — Scan ’n’ Smile shapes. We understand the orthodontic workflow and align our mock-up to your final position.

For orthodontists from the south of Munich we are the complementary partner for the aesthetic completion of aligner therapy:

A short call is enough for coordination — ☎ 08170 9969031.

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Become part of our team

We're looking for Smile Designers!

Do you like to co-design, think additively and enjoy visible results? Become part of our team in Straßlach-Dingharting.

Apply now → zwinge-zahnmedizin-karriere.de
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