A smile can become one of the most noticeable details on the stage of a beauty pageant. Outfits, makeup, hair, and physical preparation are part of the process, but before the cameras, there are elements that are hard to conceal.
Cuban models Yramsi Bárcena and Lizlauren Mosquera, contenders for Miss Cuba Universe, have decided to prepare their smiles before competing for the crown. Both have entrusted their care to Dra. Vivian Menéndez from Art Dental Studio, following in the footsteps of Lina Luaces and Marianela Ancheta.
They are four beautiful Cuban women with different needs, but with the same philosophy: to perfect specific details of their facial expression without losing their naturalness.
Yramsi and Lizlauren: two smiles, two treatments
The preparation of Yramsi and Lizlauren demonstrates that the so-called smile design does not follow a single formula.
In the case of Yramsi Bárcena, Dr. Menéndez performed a crown lengthening, accompanied by a smile design on the upper teeth and teeth whitening on the lower ones. The goal was to enhance proportions and symmetry while maintaining a natural appearance.
Lizlauren Mosquera received a crown lengthening procedure and a smile design for both the upper and lower arches to achieve greater balance and harmony.
"Each patient has a unique smile, and that’s why I don't believe in one-size-fits-all treatments. Our goal is to respect their facial harmony and work on those details that can elevate their smile to another level while still looking natural," explains Dr. Menéndez.
From Lina Luaces and Marianela Ancheta to the new candidates
The relationship between Art Dental Studio and Cuban beauties did not begin with Yramsi and Lizlauren. Lina Luaces and Marianela Ancheta also previously sought the specialist's expertise to enhance their smiles.
Lina underwent a dental alignment using Invisalign and completed the treatment with just two veneers. Marianela followed a process with Invisalign, professional teeth whitening, and also two veneers.
Their cases help to dismantle a widely held idea: that a smile design necessarily means covering numerous teeth with veneers or undergoing a radical transformation.
Small changes can transform a smile
The cosmetic dentistry of today allows for the combination of different options based on the needs of each patient: invisible braces, whitening, gum modifications, veneers, or specific restorative treatments.
"There is a common misconception that a smile design means placing veneers throughout the entire mouth. The reality is that each smile should be tailored to the patient's needs. In many cases, small changes can make a significant difference," notes Menéndez.
This approach also brings these treatments closer to those who see them as something exclusive to celebrities or beauty queens. Improving a smile does not always require extensive intervention: the starting point, the goals, and the professional assessment determine which procedures are truly necessary.
Beyond a crown
The candidates for Miss Cuba Universo know that a smile has exceptional visibility among runways, interviews, and photo shoots. However, wanting to feel more comfortable while smiling is not a concern exclusive to those who live in front of the cameras.
Dr. Vivian Menéndez has over two decades of experience in dentistry and is at the helm of Art Dental Studio.
His work with Yramsi, Lizlauren, Lina, and Marianela reflects a trend that focuses on personalized results and seeks to preserve, whenever possible, the natural characteristics of each person's smile.
While Yramsi and Lizlauren finalize their preparations for Miss Cuba Universo, their stories also convey a message beyond the runway: the smile one desires doesn’t have to be unattainable or completely different from the one they already have. Sometimes, a few well-chosen changes can be enough to shine.
Filed under: