Everyone desires a perfect smile, but issues like a chipped tooth, an uneven set of teeth, or yellow-colored teeth can hinder people from displaying their warm smiles. Such concerns often lead individuals to become self-conscious, prompting them to reach out to our highly skilled dental department for assistance.
We address common cosmetic dentistry problems through the following procedures:
The process of teeth whitening is required when the enamel of the tooth is stained or when the dentin (which is the inner surface of teeth) stains and yellows the teeth. The causes of tooth discolouration are many and diverse.
Most discolourations can be prevented but there are some causes which are difficult to control.
They are as follows:
The process of teeth whitening removes the stain and makes teeth look much whiter thus enabling the individual to smile without feeling awkward. However, the results may vary from person to person.
We follow a systematic procedure. First, a photograph of the individual’s teeth is taken to assess the degree of stains and refer to later to measure the progress of the treatment.
We then clean the teeth after which we begin the whitening process. This usually takes around 30-90 minutes depending on the severity of the stains.
The next step is to cover the gums and apply the whitening agent on the teeth. Some whitening agents require light activation on them. If we feel that the teeth are badly stained, we suggest that the process be continued at home for a few days.
Individuals also have the liberty to opt for a home whitening treatment. For this approach, we take an impression of the teeth and make a custom-made mouthpiece which helps the whitening agent stay intact on the individual’s teeth.
Not at all. However, some people may feel sensitivity for a few days or can experience a mild feeling of irritation in the gums for a few days.
With our expertise and professional approach, a teeth whitening treatment should last a whole year. Undergoing a teeth whitening process after one year is considered healthy for overall oral health and a lasting smile.
We wouldn’t advise it. Individuals must wait for a few hours to pass before brushing their teeth for the first time after treatment.
Today’s constantly advancing world offers many types of teeth whitening treatment. But its effect can last only for a few months or up to 3 years. And individuals who consume a lot of tea, coffee and tobacco or smoke, will not be able to enjoy the results for a longer period of time.
We can best describe dental veneers as thin, tooth-coloured shells that are attached to the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. They’re often made from porcelain or resin-composite materials and are permanently bonded to your teeth.
We treat a variety of cosmetic concerns with veneers. These include chipped, broken, discoloured, or smaller-than-average teeth.
We’ve known cases where some people may get only one veneer in the case of a broken or chipped tooth, but many get between six to eight veneers in order to create an even, symmetrical smile. Usually, the top front eight teeth are the most commonly applied veneers.
We apply both traditional and no-prep veneers. Traditional dental veneers require more intensive prep work compared to no-prep veneers which take less time and are less invasive.
Traditional application typically involves grinding down the tooth structure, sometimes removing some of the tooth even past the enamel. This allows for proper placement, but it’s also an irreversible procedure that can be painful to go through and often requires a local anaesthetic.
Alternatively, no-prep veneers may require some tooth preparation or alteration, but these alterations are minimal. Instead of removing layers of tooth under the enamel, no-prep veneers only affect the enamel. In many cases, no-prep veneers don’t require local anaesthetics.
We want to educate people that veneers are not similar to tooth implants or crowns. The difference being, veneers cover the front surface of the tooth while implants replace the entire tooth. Crowns also encase the entire tooth, while veneers only cover the front surface of the tooth making smiles more aesthetic.
Veneers are a big boon to people who want to significantly improve the appearance of their teeth and beautify their smile. The biggest benefit of veneers is undoubtedly the big and bright smile that everyone wants.
Dental veneers are often used to treat the following cosmetic occurrences:
The individual needs to fix a preliminary appointment with us to discuss which options are suitable and how many veneers are required. In some cases, if teeth are crooked or uneven, we recommend braces before placing the veneers.
X-rays will be taken at this stage to assess the health of the individual’s teeth. We look for signs of teeth decay, gum disease, or the need for root canals. Unfortunately, any of these conditions make the candidate unsuitable for veneers.
The next step is to obtain an accurate size of the veneers. We move on to the next appointment where we trim down about a half a millimetre of the tooth and take a mould (impression) of the teeth. This mould is then promptly dispatched to our lab to begin the creation of the veneers.
After our expert dentists create the mould, it usually takes one or two weeks to get the veneers back from the lab.
The next thing to do is schedule an appointment to have them placed. At this appointment, we evaluate the fit, shape, and colouration of the veneers to make sure they’re a perfect fit. This process doesn’t last longer than 2 hours, though it might be an extra 30 minutes if a local anaesthetic is used.
Then we clean the teeth thoroughly. This is extremely important as it gets rid of the decay-causing bacteria trapped under the veneer. After this, we use our grinding tool to create a rougher texture on each tooth on which a veneer is to be applied. This makes it easier for the veneer to stick to the tooth.
We then use a dental cement to bind the veneer to the tooth. An ultraviolet light hardens this cement quickly. The individual is now ready to step out of our clinic and dazzle the world with their new smile!
Let’s talk about the recovery process first. Unlike other dental procedures, the individual can resume their normal routine in a few days after the process. Once the veneers are cemented on and any anaesthetics wear off, the person can eat and chew as they normally would. But while the anaesthetic is wearing off, they need to consciously avoid chewing on their cheeks or tongue.
In some cases, immediately after the veneers are applied, they may feel a little rough. These rough spots (usually from extra cement that can adhere to the veneer) wear down after several days of normal eating and teeth brushing. If they don’t, don’t worry, we can easily smooth them out.
We advise our patients to take certain precautions if they want to prolong the lifespan of their veneers.
These precautions include:
