Traditional dentistry focuses on oral hygiene and preventing, diagnosing and treating oral disease, cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of the teeth, mouth and smile. In other words restorative, general and/or family dental practices address dental problems that require necessary treatment, whereas cosmetic dentistry provides elective – or desired – treatments or services.
Cosmetic treatments may also provide restorative benefits. For example, dental fillings are a common procedure used to treat decayed teeth. Previously, most dental fillings were composed primarily of gold, amalgam and other materials that left visible dark spots on the teeth.
Todays dental fillings may be considered cosmetic to a certain extent because you can select fillings made of porcelain or composite materials that closely match the color of your teeth, thus maintaining the natural appearance of your teeth and smile. Many people may choose to have their older fillings replaced with newer, tooth-colored fillings to enhance their oral appearance. (Read more about dental fillings)
Cosmetic Trends
Technological advancements in natural-looking, tooth-colored dental materials make today’s cosmetic dental treatments more durable and predictable than in years past. Additionally, dentists are now using more conservative techniques to preserve as much of your natural tooth structure.
Treatment Options :
Cosmetic Dentistry treatments currently in use include
1. TOOTH WHITENING
2. SMILE MAKEOVER
3. FULL AESTHETIC CROWNS ,ZIRCONIUM CROWNS ,E-MAX CROWNS
4. DENTAL IMPLANTS
5. FULL MOUTH RECONSTRUCTION
6. HOLYWOOD SMILE
The result is a restoration that blends invisibly with the remainder of the surrounding tooth structure and the rest of your natural teeth to create a healthy, bright smile.
1.TOOTH WHIT ENING
Teeth are often stained from smoking,food,drink, (coffee,tea,or red wine) or poor oral hygiene. Most frequently caused by stres , teeth grinding (gnashing, bruxing etc.) can add to microcracking in the teeth and cause the biting edges to darken .
Trauma is another reason for discoloration of teeth.Falls and other injuries can produce sizable cracks in the teeth which collect large amounts of stains and debris .
Bleaching the teeth can enhance the apppearance of your smile. Are you looking for a quick, non –invasive way to enhance your smile? Teeth Whitening is the answer.
HOW WE DO IT?
First we clean tartars, bacterial plaque and food stains on teeth . Then we apply the whitening gel which is activated by light for about 40 minutes.The whole procedure ends in 60 minutes.It is easy and safe.After the operation coloured and acidic drinks, coloured sauces are not recommended for a few days. You may have sensitivity for a few days and sholul avoid too hot and too cold drinks.
Reasons of Tooth Discoloration:
There are two types of tooth stains .Extrinsic stainining and intrinsic staining.
Extrinsic Stains are those that appear on the surface of the teeth as a result of exposure to dark –colored beverages,foods and tobacco and routine wear and tear.Superficial extrinsic stains are minor and can be removed with brushing and prophylactic dental cleaning.Stubborn extrinsic stains can be removed with more involved efforts like teeth bleaching.Persistent extrinsic stains can penetrate into the dentin and become ingrained if they are not dealt with early.Intrinsic stains are those that form on the interior of teeth.
Intrinsic stains result from trauma , aging,exposure to minerals (like tetracycline) during tooth formation and excessive ingestion of fluoride. The solution in these cases is usually full aesthetic crowns.
2.SMILE MAKEOVER
Smile makeovers involve a comprehensive assessment of your smile aesthetics in order to improve its overall appearance. Typically one or more cosmetic procedures, such as dental veneers, dental implants, gingival sculpting and teeth whitening, will be required for several teeth in both the upper and lower arches in order to achieve the look you want.
3.FULL MOUTH RECONSTRUCTION
While consulting with you about a smile makeover to primarily improve the aesthetic appearance of your smile, your dentist may discover that there is a need to provide necessary treatment to correct functional problems with your bite, muscles, teeth and bone structure. If you need full mouth reconstruction, the materials available today make it possible for your dentist to provide you with durable, functional and clinically sound treatments that also look natural.
Full mouth reconstruction, rehabilitation and restoration are terms often used interchangeably to describe the process of rebuilding or simultaneously restoring all of the teeth in both the upper and lower jaws.
Full mouth reconstruction typically involves general or restorative dentists (performing procedures like crowns, bridges and veneers), and can incorporate dental specialists like periodontists (specializing in the gums), oral surgeons, orthodontists (specializing in tooth movements and positions) and endodontists (specializing in the tooth pulp).
The need for full mouth reconstruction may result from:
- Teeth that have been lost due to decay or trauma.
- Teeth that have been injured or fractured.
- Teeth that have become severely worn as a result of long-term acid erosion (foods, beverages, acid reflux) or tooth grinding.
- Ongoing complaints of jaw, muscle and headache pain requiring adjustments to the bite (occlusion).
PORCELAIN CROWNS
WHY DO WE MAKE CROWNS ?
Crowns are an ideal way to rebuild teeth which have been broken, or which have been weakened by decay or a very large filling. The crown fits over the remaining part of the tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape and the contour of a natural tooth.
IS IT PAINFUL TO GET A DENTAL CROWN?
This requires a shot in the gums of lidocaine or another local anesthetic. After the procedure is over and the anesthesia has worn off, the patient may feel some sensitivity with the temporary crown or some soreness in the gums around the tooth. The pain is very minimal though and shouldn’t last long.
HOW LONG IS A CROWN SUPPOSED TO LAST ?
What is the the average lifespan of dental crowns. Generally, dental crowns last between 5 -15 years. We’ve seen some crowns last even longer, up to 25 or 30 years. Because crowns should last at least five years.Of course it depends how YOU use it. You shouldn’t do extreme things which you shoulndn’t already do with your own teeth.For example cracking or crumbling nuts.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DENTAL CROWNS ?
We use two different types of materials used for dental crowns:
Full Ceramic Crowns (E-max and Zirconia ).
Porcelain Fused to Metal Crowns.
Full Porcelain E- max Crowns and Zirconium Crowns are the most modern fixed dental restoration work in aesthetic dentistry.There is no metal alloy base with full ceramic crowns which means no unsightly looking grey around the gum line.
HOW DO WE MAKE FULL PORCELAIN CROWNS?
Full Porcelain Crown treatment is arranged in the following steps according to the results of the consultation :
• Preparation of the teeth
• Taking the impression
• Insertion of the temporary Crown
• Construction of the Full Porcelain Crown
• Insertion of the final Full Porcelain Crown
During your first visit the dentist will prepare the teeth to provide an easy fit for the crowns. An impression of your teeth is taken and used to construct your Full Porcelain crowns. Temporary crowns is then fitted onto the teeth. On your next visit the dentist removes the temporary crowns and fits the permanent Full Porcelain crowns onto the teeth.
TREATMENT FINISHES USUALLY 5-7 DAYS .
ARE FULL CERAMIC CROWNS BETTER THAN PORCELAIN CROWNS ?
All-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns provide the best natural color of all the crowns. They are not as strong as PFM or gold crowns, and they may wear down opposing teeth more than metal or resin crowns. Because they are the most cosmetically pleasing, they are usually used for the front teeth.
WHAT IS AN E- MAX CROWN ?
This a type of full ceramic crown with an appealing translucent colour which is combined with extra strength and durability . It is considered to be the match with your own natural teeth.This crown is made from a single block of lithium disilicate ceramic this is a top grade material which has been harvested for its toughness , durability which makes it a highly prized crown.
WHAT IS A ZIRCONIA CROWN ?
Zirconia (Zirconium Oxide) is a white powdered metal used to create dental frameworks for crowns, bridges and other dental substructures. It replaces gold or stainless steel used in the past, creates the appearance of a whiter more translucent tooth, and is transparent in xrays.