Get your teeth fixed, Sven

Sven-Goran Eriksson hasn't got much to smile about. He's just lost Nancy, the Football Association is talking gravely about his future, and, judging by this picture, he could be set to lose his teeth, too. Bad dentures at any age can add an extra decade to your looks, though that clearly hasn't harmed the sex appeal of England's Swedish football coach.

According to leading aesthetic dentist Dr Mervyn Druian, a few veneers, a new crown and gum-resurfacing could buy Sven a more appealing smile and make him look years younger. So what would it take to tackle his teeth?

"Sven would be a wonderful patient for a smile makeover - he could be transformed," says Dr Druian. "Not only would I replace the crown at the front, but I'd cover the other teeth with veneers, so that the shape and shade of all the teeth at the front would be harmonious.

"Ideally, I'd like to see Sven undergoing a thorough tooth-and-gum examination, X-rays and a treatment plan which would last for five to six weeks."

THE GUMS

"In this picture, Sven's gums appear swollen, a sign they could be inflamed", says Dr Druian. "If I took a probe, I wouldn't be surprised if it sank a few millimetres under his gum. Although this doesn't sound serious, it could indicate mild-tomoderate gum disease, which after a few years could corrode the bone, loosening the teeth. To get those gums healthy, I'd get him to see the hygienist for about three hour-long sessions over three weeks. After that, I'd expect to see flatter gums looking pinker and healthier, not reddish as they appear in this photograph."
Estimated cost: £390

THE CROWN

"Sven's crown, the enamel-covered part of the tooth above the gum, which appears to cover four teeth at the front of his mouth, is very obvious," says Dr Druian. "This is not only because his gums have receded to show a dark line, but because of their flat, yellowish shade. This makes his teeth look lacklustre. The unflattering colour is highlighted even more by the contrast with Sven's natural teeth further back, which are lighter.

"I'd say Sven has an amalgam filling in his premolar - the tooth third to the back on the left-hand side - which gives the tooth a greyish tone. The shape of the crown is also unflattering - his teeth are short and square which make a smile appear weak.

"I'd recommend a crown that would fit closer to the gum margins and appear longer in length. It would be about five shades lighter than his natural teeth. I'd use polychromatic porcelain, which has a translucent look, like natural teeth.

"The process would involve removing the existing crown, cleaning away any decay and replacing it with temporary, and finally permanent porcelain crowns. His teeth would then appear youthful, lustrous and alive.'
Estimated cost: £3,000

THE VENEERS

"I'd recommend Sven have porcelain veneers on the three teeth on either side of his new crown," says Dr Druian. "This would create the consistency of colour, shape and texture that you need for a convincing, natural-looking smile.

"Like the crown, his veneers would be a better shape. His existing canines - the third tooth from the centre on either side - appear to turn inwards, giving an almost fang-like look. I could change the angle on these so that they point straight down. A veneer on the grey-looking premolar would also help. Overall, the veneers, like the crown, would be longer than his current teeth and fit more closely to the gum margin. Sven would then show less gum and more tooth and his smile would appear more confident and youthful.
Estimated cost: £4,500

THE FINAL SMILE

"As you get older, you get darker shadows at the side of your mouth because tissues lose their plumpness and elasticity. Sven's lighter and deeper teeth would broaden his smile and counteract these shadows," says Dr Druian.

"I'd also recontour the edges of his gums with a laser for an even gum-line. With healthier gums, the crowns and veneers would appear to grow right out of the gums just like natural teeth.

"There would be no trace of the dark edge you can see in the photo. Overall, I am sure Sven would become more smiley. He'd easily look 10 years younger and, even if he can't imagine it now, I suspect he would feel noticeably better about himself."

TOTAL COST £7,890

For further information on aesthetic dentistry go to www.smilelift.co.uk or contact Dr Mervyn Druian on 020 7722 1235. Alternatively, contact the British Dental Association at www.bda.org