As each patient has problems that may vary, a combination of treatments is often necessary to return or restore the smile. As this is a joint effort — patient and dentist — it is important that both talk about the goals to be achieved and the treatments needed to provide the expected result. There are many procedures that would fall under the category of cosmetic dentistry. Please read below to discover some of them and make sure you speak to your dentist about your particular concerns, and they will be able to recommend one or several of the below treatments or even something we haven’t mentioned!
Dental contact lenses or porcelain veneers
This type of treatment is one of the most sought-after dental aesthetic procedures by patients when it comes to total smile renewal. Dental contact lenses are used to modify the shape and/or color, and even can get rid of unsightly spaces between teeth. One of the main characteristics of porcelain veneers or dental lenses is their smooth surface and natural color. The optical properties of these solutions are similar to natural tooth enamel and are generally resistant to stains, in addition to being long-lasting. Because the veneer is a thin layer of porcelain or composite material, with a thickness similar to a contact lens, it allows you to restore teeth in a non-invasive way in several situations, such as:
- discoloration and staining from antibiotics and fluorosis;
- teeth that have undergone root canal treatment;
- teeth darkened by age;
- teeth with small cracks and defects in the enamel surface, caused by aging or trauma;
- old restorations that show wear and tear;
- closing gaps between natural teeth.
Dental whitening
Bleaching is the most sought-after dental aesthetic procedure among patients. A good diagnosis of the actual color of the teeth and the degree of staining, together with case planning and attention to the technique, make whitening a simpler and less invasive treatment to whiten darkened teeth and reduce many stains.
Porcelain restorations
The growing demand for aesthetic dental procedures is, in large part, due to advances in all-porcelain restorations. Porcelain is biologically compatible and well tolerated by both the hard tissues (teeth) and the soft tissues (gums) of the mouth. Currently, metal-free porcelain restorations are considered more pleasant and with better aesthetic results. Translucency, color stability and gloss allow a longer duration in most cases. Porcelain can be chosen for the application of:
- laminated veneer;
- porcelain crown on tooth;
- porcelain crown under the implant;
- Porcelain multi-tooth fixed bridge.
A tooth made of this material, correctly prepared with a color and shape consistent with the teeth present, often cannot be visually differentiated.
Composite resins
Composite resins have been one of the greatest advances in dentistry and in the development of aesthetic dental procedures. They are available with different degrees of translucency and their ease of manipulation and color combination make them an alternative for the aesthetic treatment of carious lesions of anterior and posterior teeth. Composite resin restorations are placed directly on the teeth. Many patients ask about the durability of restorations with this material. The service life of an esthetic resin restoration depends on many factors, including:
- the nature and extent of the carious lesion;
- the procedure chosen for the treatment;
- the quality of the restorative material used;
- mainly, the skill of the dental surgeon.
Other factors such as the patient's oral hygiene, occlusion and adverse habits must also be taken into account. Composite resins are the aesthetic alternative to old metallic amalgam restorations. Traditionally, these restorations were known as metallic inlays. Today, new materials such as ceramics, laboratory resins, and ceramic composites replace metal, providing incredible and long-lasting aesthetic results.
Gingival plastic surgery
Gingival (gum) plastic surgery is used to correct what is commonly referred to as a gummy smile, but can also help other issues. A gummy smile occurs when the gum line appears to be covering the teeth excessively, making them appear short. This procedure aims to remove excess bone and gum tissue, exposing a greater amount of natural teeth and providing a more pleasant smile. This can be done on one tooth, to match the others, or on several. After removing the excess gum tissue, a refinement must be made, thinning the remaining gingival tissue so that it looks natural. A new alternative to the scalpel for this procedure is the laser, which can reduce the amount of dental anesthesia required, decrease the amount of bleeding and swelling and, consequently, offer a better postoperative process to the patient.