Cosmetic Dentistry

Your smile may appear imperfect due to various reasons. Teeth may be stained from lifestyle or personal factors. They may not be aligned ideally and restorations may be ageing. Your dentist at mp dental can offer a variety of options to improve your smile.

Why do my teeth look unsightly?

The appearance of teeth may be affected due to

inherited traits (blemishes, abnormal shape, etc.)
Food and beverage related staining especially coffee and tea
Smoking
Use of certain antibiotics during childhood
Chips or cracks from trauma
Aging restorations

What cosmetic dental options do I have?

Depending on the nature of the dental imperfection appearance can be improved using Veneers (Ceramic or Composite), Teeth Whitening and Partial Crowns (Inlays or Onlays).

Veneers

Veneers are thin tooth coloured ceramic shells that cover the front of teeth to significantly improve the appearance of your teeth and smile. They are similar in concept to a false nail.

Veneers are more conservative treatment than a crown. They are excellent for treating chipped, discoloured, slightly misaligned or misshapen teeth or gaps between teeth, especially if these teeth affect the front teeth. Veneers are preferred over crowns when the underlying tooth is strong and healthy.

Teeth are prepared for veneers by removing a thin layer which is only about the thickness of a fingernail. This space allows room for the veneer to be glued on. In some cases, it may be possible to make veneers without any cutting into the teeth.

Care and precaution will ensure that your veneers will last longer. Regular checks with the dentist are recommended. Excessive chewing or bitting, especially on food like hard lollies, ice & bone may break the porcelain. Also avoid holding other hard objects in your teeth such as nails or bottle tops.

Good dental hygiene is important to extend the life of Veneers. Regular brushing and flossing with a proper technique after meals will help prevent decay.

Yes, if they are struck by sharp objects porcelain Veneers can fracture, just like normal teeth. Wearing a custom-made mouth guard during sport is strongly recommended.

The tooth will be examined, and an x-ray may be taken to confirm its health. Tooth will be prepared to make room for the Veneer. A mould will be made and sent to the lab. A temporary veneer may be placed until the permanent replacement arrives from the lab. At the second visit the permanent Veneer is cemented. It is important to mention any changes you would like prior to cementation of the Veneer.

Some considerations with Veneers

Veneers cannot be repaired and will require replacement if they break or if the gum recedes exposing the margin
Teeth may feel rough, sensitive and can stain between the preparation and cementation appointments
Veneers cannot be used to correct overcrowded teeth or in teeth that have gum problems

https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-25204556-dental-veneers-porcelain-veneer-installation-procedure-3d

Bleaching (Teeth Whitening)

Bleaching can whiten stained or discoloured teeth. This technique is not appropriate for people with certain oral symptoms or conditions. It is important that a qualified dentist examines your teeth prior to commencing teeth whitening.

What is the procedure involved with Teeth Whitening?

Teeth can be whitened in several ways depending on the cause of discoloration

Internal Bleaching – This is done for Non-Vital teeth that have discoloured following a root canal treatment. A bleaching gel is placed inside the tooth for a few days. This procedure may have to be repeated depending on the severity of discoloration
External Bleaching can be done for stains or external discoloration. This can be done in chair by the dentist or at home with special trays and bleaching gel provided by one of our dentists.

In Chair Whitening

A stronger bleaching gel is applied to your teeth while protecting the gums with a dam. The process is repeated a few times over 90 minutes. Light or laser may be used to enhance the activity of the bleaching gel.

This process can cause sensitivity in some people as the gel is a higher concentration of acid. It is also recommended to still use the take home whitening kit for best results.

Take Home Whitening

Special trays are made from an impression by your dentist. These trays hold the gel close to the teeth and prevent contact with gums. These trays with the gel must be worn 30 mins to 2 hours during the day.

Alternately, some gels can be used in the trays overnight. A lower concentration of gel is used for home whitening reducing the chances of sensitivity. Good results are usually achieved in two weeks.

Considerations

Highly sensitive teeth may not be suitable for whitening
Whitening works best for teeth with a Yellow, Brown or Orange stains. Grey coloured teeth may not whiten to a similar extent
Some white fillings maybe need to be replaced after whitening
Some teeth may not whiten evenly

Digital Smile Designing

This process involves designing smile by analyzing a person’s facial and dental proportions. A predetermined series of high-quality facial and dental photographs help understand the relationship between teeth, gums, lips and smile with the facial features.

Using the clinical photographs measurements are made between the facial features and an ideal size of the front teeth is calculated. The shape of the teeth are then designed to match the age and gender of the patient.

Mild corrections of rotated or abnormally positioned teeth can be performed with smile designing. However, for severely mal-aligned teeth it is best to undergo Orthodontic treatment prior to further enhancing the smile.

The Digital Smile Design is materialised using 3D printing technology. A model of the computer designed smile is printed and used as a template to transfer the planned changes onto the teeth. Shape of teeth may then be altered using either composite resin restorations or ceramic restorations such as veneers or crowns.