Cosmetic Dentistry

The search for beauty can be traced to the earliest civilizations. Dental art has been a part of this quest to enhance the aesthetics of teeth and mouth.

In this day and age, when everybody wants to look good and beautiful and have a charming smile, cosmetic dentistry has acquired a new importance.

Advances made in the fields of both materials and methods for dental work has led to dental science becoming able to provide spectacular improvement in a patient's appearance and smile. This enhances the person's self-confidence.

Cosmetic dental science involves a number of procedures which can be done to provide a million dollar smile. These are

• Veneers
• Crowns
• Bleaching (which is very popular these days)
• Dental jewellery

Almost any dental imperfection can be corrected with today's dental technology, often with little or no tooth adjustment.

Veneers

Veneers are paper thin custom made coverings that conceal the front and side surfaces of teeth, much like false fingernails. They are made of durable material which can strengthen the teeth and correct strains, breaks and odd shapes with little or no drilling. It takes 2-3 stages to restore the teeth. First, an accurate mould of teeth is taken. A laboratory then constructs the false teeth or the veneers, which are tested for colour and shape. Then after trying, they are polished and fitted with a very strong cement.

Crowns

Crowns are full covers for the remains of a tooth. They are shaped like a thimble and can be constructed in white metal (Nickel chromium) or porcelain (which is a tooth coloured material).

Apart from giving tooth a natural colour and shape, crowns provide needed strength to the tooth.

Bleaching

Your face has 15 muscles that work together to make a smile. Some people though, may avoid using these muscles because they are embarrassed by discoloured teeth. A simple procedure called bleaching whitens teeth and allows the real person to shine through.

Why are my teeth discoloured

As different people have different hair colour, skin colour, so do they have different teeth colour. Some teeth are more yellow and some become yellow with age. Natural teeth can be discoloured by numerous factors. The tooth surface can be stained by tobacco use, tea, coffee, berries and deposits of calculus or tartar. Discolouration of the tooth internally can result from aging, injury, excessive flouride, certain illnesses and antibiotics like tetracyclines taken during early childhood. Although bleaching successfully lightens most discolouration, certain types such as tetracycline staining are most difficult to remove. The advantage of bleaching is that it is a very conservative and economical corrective method of tooth colour enhancement.

Results

To get the best results, teeth may be bleached a shade lighter than desired since they tend to darken slightly with time. Anywhere from two to ten visits may be required to complete the process of chair-side bleaching. Nightguard bleaching is normally intended to be completed in two weeks. Most bleaching lasts one to three years, although in some situations it may be longer.

Your dentist will monitor the entire process of nightguard bleaching to assure its effectiveness and safety.

There are new power bleaching methods available which can lighten the teeth in the clinic setting in one hour.

Over-the-counter products which are self­administered are not recommended. Although they may appear to cost less, bleaching treatments should only be done under the supervision of a dentist following a proper examination and diagnosis of the discoloured teeth. Whiteners with the ADA Seal of Acceptance have been proven to be safe and effective.

With some chair-side techniques, you should avoid stain-causing beverages (such as tea and coffee) for several days after the procedure, because your teeth may more readily absorb stains at that time. Twice­daily brushing, daily flossing and regular professional cleaning, along with occasional touch-up treatments, will keep your teeth white so that you can once again feel confident in exercising your smile.