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Cosmetic dentistry is the name given to a group of procedures that are performed to create a more aesthetically pleasing smile. A cosmetic dentist can whiten teeth, replace missing teeth, and repair chipped teeth through a variety of cosmetic dentistry options, including tooth bleaching, porcelain veneers, dental implants, bonding, porcelain crowns, and dental bridges.
- Materials and techniques used in cosmetic dentistry
Composite resin dental fillings were created as an alternative to traditional metal dental fillings. Tooth fillings colored to look like a natural tooth are known as Composite Resin Dental Fillings and are made of a plastic dental resin combined with porcelain and glass particles. These types of fillings are, durable and are way more natural looking than amalgam fillings.
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| Restoration of tooth decays with esthetic composite fillings |
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| Amalgam fillings changed to composite fillings |
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| Restoration of space between two front teeth with composite fillings |
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Porcelain Fillings: They are mostly applied to molar teeth which have big tissue loss. They are strong and long lasting aesthetic fillings.
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| Amalgam filling is replaced by porcelain filling |
Porcelain Laminates: Porcelain veneers, sometimes also termed dental veneers or dental porcelain laminates, are one of cosmetic dentistry's more recent developments. These wafer-thin shells of porcelain which are bonded onto the front side of teeth can be an excellent cosmetic solution for teeth that are stained, chipped, or slightly misaligned.
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| The patient had sensitivity and abrasion in front teeth |
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| The patient had gummy smile |
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| The patient had gummy smile |
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| The patient had discolored tooth due to previous root canal treatment |
- Empress Crowns
A new system in the manufacture of porcelain crowns, called "empress", allows a porcelain crown to be made without the metal understructure. Typically porcelain crowns are made by bonding the porcelain to a metal support. The drawback is that unlike a natural tooth that allows light to pass through it, the metal support underneath blocks out the light. This can give the crown an opaque and lifeless look.
The empress system, has developed a method of making a porcelain crown without metal that is both durable and strong. Since the crown is made entirely out of porcelain, light is able to pass through just like a real tooth giving a more natural look. However, the empress crown is still not as strong as a metal crown. Therefore, we use crowns with metal understructure on back teeth and for bridgework for the added strength the metal support lends. But in the front part of the mouth where esthetic view is important, and the teeth do not need to be as strong, empress crowns are very effective.
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| Porcelain crowns with metal understructure created pressure on the gum |
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| Broken front tooth is replaced with empress crown |
- Procera
The Procera Zirconia System is engineered to maximize esthetics with strong, translucent, all-ceramic teeth. A natural appearance is achieved through exceptional shade matching, color balance with subtle contrast.
- Bleaching (Tooth Whitening)
Tooth whitening is a procedure that lightens teeth and helps to remove stains and discoloration.
The most common reasons for yellowing or stained teeth are aging, tobacco, tea and coffee, which can stain the surface of the teeth.
It is also possible to have stains that are inside the tooth. These are called intrinsic stains. For example, intrinsic stains can be caused by exposure to too much fluoride as a child while teeth are developing. Other causes include tetracycline antibiotics taken during the second half of pregnancy or given to children 8 years old or younger when the teeth are still developing. Tooth whitening is most effective on surface stains caused by age, foods or drinks.
Tooth whitening can be done in the dentist's office or at home. In-office whitening usually takes between 30 and 90 minutes and can require up to three appointments with your dentist. The number of visits required will depend on the type of discoloration and how white you want your teeth to be.
A special gel will be applied to the gums to protect them from the whitening agent. Then the whitening agent will be applied. The most common substance used for chairside whitening is hydrogen peroxide.
Some whitening agents are activated by special lights or by heat. After the whitening agent is applied, the dentist will shine the light on your teeth for a short time. Some dentists have started to use lasers as a high-speed alternative to conventional whitening procedures. Consumers like the high-tech aspects of laser treatments, but the technology is still too new - and too expensive - to justify its general use. The American Dental Association states that while the technique may be safe, it has not seen published data on the safety or effectiveness of using lasers for tooth whitening.
If your teeth are badly discolored, you may need more extensive whitening than can be done in the office. Or you may decide you would prefer to whiten your teeth at home.
For in-home whitening, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and will make one or two custom mouthpieces to fit you, depending on if you are having both upper and lower teeth whitened. It is important that the mouthpiece fit well so that the whitening agent remains in contact with your teeth and doesn't irritate your gums. Over-the-counter mouthpieces are unlikely to fit correctly and can cause gum irritation if the whitening agent seeps out.
At home, you will fill each mouthpiece with a whitening gel your dentist provides, and wear the mouthpiece for several hours every day. Many people achieve the amount of whitening they want within a week or two, but you may need to wear the mouthpiece for four weeks or longer.
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