Aesthetic dentistry is a special branch of dentistry. It is dedicated to the art and science of aesthetics aimed at improving a person's smile & overall appearance to achieve better self image & higher level of self confidence.
Aesthetic dentistry encompasses several dental treatments to improve the appearance of teeth. Today, like never before your dream smile is closer than you think.
What are the indications for aesthetic dentistry?
Following are the various dental issues that demand aesthetic or cosmetic dentistry.
Tooth /teeth discoloration
Stained teeth.
Gaps b/w teeth
Protruded (teeth placed forward)teeth
Retruded (teeth that are placed behind) teeth
Rotated teeth
Small teeth
Short teeth
Broken teeth
Crowded teeth
Teeth with gum recession exhibiting root portion.
Missing teeth
Smile that is not in harmony with the facial features
Worn out teeth
High lip line
Low lip line etc.
What are the various aesthetic dental treatment procedures?
Aesthetic dentistry or cosmetic dentistry corrects several issues associated with appearance of teeth, gums, smile and overall facial appearance. Aesthetic dentistry or Cosmetic dentistry includes several dental treatments like:
Bonding
Bleaching ( Instant or at home bleaching)
Tooth colored (composite) restorations
All ceramic crowns
Ceramic/composite veneers
Tooth contouring
Gum contouring
Tooth lengthening
Gum de-pigmentation
Orthodontics
Smile designing
Instant orthodontics
Orthognathic surgery etc
What are tooth colored fillings?
Composite or Tooth colored filling materials were developed in order to create more pleasing, natural looking smile.
Composite filling materials are the material of choice for filling decayed teeth for several reasons.
They need less of the healthy part of the tooth to be removed for filling the tooth unlike other fillings like silver amalgam which demand extension of the cavity wall to hold the filling material in place.
These materials are devoid of harmful mercury thereby ensuring health for the individual.
Composite fillings look very much similar to natural teeth. Thus, patient acceptance is high. Hence these are the materials of choice in filling decayed or broken front teeth.
What are the causes of tooth discoloration?
Teeth discolorations can be extrinsic or intrinsic.
Extrinsic stains: Extrinsic stains can be due to Tooth deposits called tartar/calculus. Excess Intake of beverages like coffee, tea, cola or consuming food with artificial colorants can stain teeth.
Smoking Tobacco/betel nut chewing etc are the other reasons for extrinsic stains.
Intrinsic stains: Intrinsic stains can be due to trauma to the tooth, Fluorosis, intake of few medicines during the formative stages of teeth etc.
What is teeth cleaning and polishing? Is it a safe procedure?
Teeth cleaning or scaling procedure is done to remove deposits and stains that have been accumulated over the surfaces of teeth.
Scaling also removes stains due to smoking, betel nut or tobacco chewing, this procedure is usually done with ultra-sonic instruments which gently disturb the deposits and flush them away without affecting the tooth surface.
Contrary to the common belief that it loosens the teeth, this treatment is absolutely safe as it helps in healing of the gums and retards supporting bone loss. Scaling is the treatment needed for ailing gums and teeth
Some bleeding might be expected during the procedure. Gums that are inflamed because of the presence of deposits lead to mild bleeding. Scaling procedure reduces spontaneous bleeding or bleeding while brushing.
Teeth cleaning and polishing procedure enhances the beauty of the smile as well as the health of gum and supporting structures.
What is the treatment for gaps between teeth?
Spacing b/w teeth or gaps between teeth can be of different varieties.
Spacing or gap b/w front teeth (central incisors): This is called diastema. It is usually due to strong frenum extending b/w front teeth towards the palate.
Gaps between teeth may also be due to
Small teeth in wider arch.
Periodontal diseases
Composite or tooth colored fillings: The space can be closed with tooth colored filling materials called composites. This procedure can be completed in single visit. These fillings need to be replaced once in couple of years as composite fillings tend to absorb color from food and get stained. Maintenance is essential in such fillings.
Ceramic crowns or veneers: Permanent closure of space b/w teeth can be achieved with the help of caps/crowns and veneers. Ceramic crowns or ceramic veneers are the material of choice for bright lifelike teeth. This is a permanent solution.
Orthodontic procedure: Braces or an orthodontic procedure is a permanent solution to close the gaps in between teeth. Fixed retention is advised in teeth spacing problems
Frenectomy: Strong frenum pushing the teeth apart: In case of pressure from strong frenum, the central incisors are forced away from each other resulting in gap called diastema. The frenum is removed by a small surgical procedure called frenectomy. Then teeth can be placed close to each other with braces & the gap gets closed. Fixed retention is advisable in such situations.
What is the treatment for small upper lateral incisors or peg laterals?
Peg laterals- when the lateral incisors of the upper arch are too small and are in the shape of a peg are called peg laterals. This is a developmental deformity. As the lateral incisors are small, there will be space between them and the adjacent teeth. This spacing and small shapeless tooth can make smile unattractive.
Treatment procedures:
Treatment is aimed at improving the shape and size of these peg laterals thus to improve beauty of the smile. This can be done by multiple procedures.
Tooth bonding/composite veneers: Composite veneers immediately improve the shape and size of teeth. But the disadvantages of this procedure are the composite material may absorb food colorants and may get discolored. Since it is a brittle material the veneers might chip off.
Ceramic veneers: Ceramic veneers provide beautiful and long lasting solution to this problem. The tooth needs very little preparation and impressions are made. At the lab, ceramic veneers are prepared that suit with the adjacent teeth both in size as well as in color. Later theses veneers are fixed over the peg laterals and the smile gets brighter and beautiful.
What is the treatment for empty spaces in the jaws due to missing or un erupted teeth?
The empty spaces created due to loss of teeth or missing teeth can be restored with bridges or by tooth implants.
Bridges are used to replace missing teeth and derive their support from adjacent natural teeth.
Implants replace missing teeth and they derive their support from the alveolar bone.
What is the treatment for fractured teeth or broken teeth?
Teeth can fracture or break due to impact during accidents. Treatments vary depending on severity of damage to tooth structure.
Minimal damage: Tooth fracture involving only the outer enamel layer or part of Dentine which is the second layer of tooth can usually be filled with tooth coloured filling materials called composites.
Extensive damage: If the pulp is affected in the fractured teeth, then Root canal treatment is required for the affected tooth to avoid pain and infection of pulp. Later, the tooth should be covered with a dental crown or cap.
What is a dental jewel?
Enhance your smile, let your teeth sparkle, have dental jewels.
Dental jewels enhance your smile by multiple folds, they make the people turn around and appreciate your smile. Dental jewels can be small stones or jewels of gold or diamond.
These jewels will be attached to the tooth surface and is absolutely painless neither does it harm the tooth structure. In couple of minutes you are ready with your extra-ordinary, eye catchy smile.
What is the solution for improper teeth alignment problems?
Improper alignment of teeth makes the smile unattractive & affects the confidence level of an individual.
Orthodontic ( braces) treatment is the ideal procedure to align the teeth in proper arch form.
But due to several reasons like lack of time, lack of interest for braces due to social reasons or due to personal preferences, instant orthodontics is attempted.
Instant orthodontics: Minor aberrations in teeth alignment can be corrected with instant orthodontics . Intentional root canal treatment might be advised for selected teeth & then are covered with ceramic crowns. The procedure needs couple of appointments & one can attain their dream smile almost in no time.
