What are Cosmetic Dentistry Applications?

There are many different cosmetic dentistry methods offered to patients to have healthy teeth and a glamorous smile. Cosmetic dentistry applications, which are planned according to the preferences and demands of the patients, are completed with the operations performed by specialist dentists. The most preferred ones of them include veneer, implant, smile aesthetics, gum aesthetics, whitening, tooth filling, and pink aesthetics. You can find out the details of your treatment process by getting information on "How does cosmetic dentistry work?" before the operation. 

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry applications are made by covering the teeth, gums and jaw structure in accordance with the profile desired by the patients. These operations are intended to give the patient a mouth and tooth profile matching the best smile and the lines desired by them. The person tells the dentist about which procedures he/she wants or the problems he/she is uncomfortable with, and after the examination, an cosmetic dental operation is designed with the dentist. In order to perform the procedure in the most accurate and successful way, a pre-operative photo of the patient is taken. Then, the design of an envisaged cosmetic dental operation is presented visually, considering the cosmetic tooth models desired by the patient. The procedure, which is seen fit by the joint decision of the dentist and the patient, is performed on the patient. Although the expectations of the person are one of the first priorities to be considered in the examination, there are also some points that the dentist will pay attention to for the operation. These include:

• Lip structure
• Jaw size
• Alignment of gums
• Structure of teeth
• Whiteness of teeth
• Arrangement of teeth
• Smile margins
• Skin color of the person

While planning the desired application, the dentist takes the maintenance of functional chewing ability, the harmony of the treated tooth with the other teeth in the mouth, and smile aesthetics into consideration. Certain points are taken into consideration when applying aesthetic zirconium dental veneers, which are a method used for the harmony with other teeth and which are more in demand recently, to the patient. These include the patient's jaw shape, the general geometric shape of the other teeth and the alignment of the gums which are the first things dentists check during the examination.

Why is Cosmetic Dentistry Performed?

Healthy teeth and an aesthetic smile are the biggest source of self-confidence, as the first area that draws attention when communicating is the face, especially the mouth and jaw. Oral and dental health can be in play in the social life of patients. Patients may apply to dentists for cosmetic operations for an aesthetic smile structure, improved chewing functions, or due to more-than-normal visibility of gums.  Defects that occur at birth or certain aesthetic defects that occur later are the main reasons for the demand for cosmetic dentistry. In addition to these general conditions, the most common causes of cosmetic operations include:

• Tooth yellowing caused by smoking and consumption of tobacco products
• The condition of long gums called Gummysmile
• Cracks and breaks in teeth caused by impact
• Gingival recessions
• Loss of tooth
• Mismatch of teeth and jaw size
• Chewing disorders
• Crooked and impacted teeth

Fillings made with durable and natural materials are frequently used methods in dental aesthetics. The prices of the applications may vary as the quality and durability of the materials improve. There are many methods of cosmetic dentistry operations. The prices of aesthetic filling, which is one of the most frequent applications performed depending on the complaints of the patients, are determined according to the characteristics of the applications. The prices of the aesthetic dental fillings made for the teeth, which have diastema, are broken or cracked by trauma, and which are given a new appearance by cleaning the decaying areas, are determined based on the procedure. That's why, it is recommended that patients decide on the clinic and dentist they want after researching about the operations and prices.

What are Cosmetic Dentistry Applications and How Are They Performed?

Today, with the development of surgical methods and the opportunities provided by new generation technologies, cosmetic dentistry applications are more practical and success of them is guaranteed. The use of quality materials is important for the long-term maintenance of the durability of the procedures performed. The applications performed prevent the repetition at shortest intervals of the treatments of the teeth that may be most exposed to wear. The veneer materials chosen for the most preferred cosmetic porcelain dental applications endure for years. The applications that provide more aesthetic teeth to patients while preserving the existing teeth are as follows:
Implant treatment: Tooth loss can significantly damage one's self-confidence. In implant treatment, a screw is placed in the jawbone in the area of ​​tooth loss. If the tooth loss is new, a screw that serves as an artificial tooth root is placed in the formed cavity. If the tooth loss is not new, a hole is drilled in the jawbone and the implant screw is integrated with the jaw. The new tooth, which is designed to be indistinguishable from the patient's other teeth, is placed on the screw. The jawbone integrates with the implant for 2 or 6 months.
Teeth whitening (bleaching): Yellowing in the tooth structure that occurs over time or is present from birth can disturb patients. Tooth whitening is performed by specialist dentists in a few sessions. A protective liquid is applied to the teeth after they are completely cleaned and made free of tartar. Then the whitening gel is applied. The patient will have white teeth at the end of 2 to 3 sessions each of which lasts approximately 20 minutes. The durability of the procedure is 2-3 years.
Smile aesthetics: Smile designs, one of the most preferred cosmetic operations, are presented to the patient in visuals tailor-made as a result of the examination. After the patient transfers the desired appearance to the dentist and decides on the presented image, the application is completed as a result of operations involving teeth, gingival margin alignment and orthodontic corrections. Smile design is a process that requires expertise and analysis in different specialties.
Zirconium veneer: Zirconium is a silver-white, highly durable, non-oxidizing material that immediately takes form and provides convenience to the dentist. Aesthetic zirconium tooth is frequently preferred for natural-looking dental veneers.
Aesthetic dental filling: Aesthetic dental fillings, which have started to be preferred more than metal fillings due to their natural appearance, are also called composite fillings. After cleaning the caries in the tooth, the resin-containing composite material is applied so as to give a natural tooth appearance. Sensitivity pain may occur for 3 to 4 weeks after the procedure. Aesthetic filling is one of the most frequently applied procedures for the anterior teeth, which are the most visible during smiling. The anterior tooth aesthetic filling is made in accordance with the jaw structure and is one of the important steps of smile aesthetics.
Laminated teeth: It is a technique used when tooth spacing is large, a more even tooth color is desired, and a more symmetrical tooth structure is aimed. Since the laminate veneer may not require cutting the tooth as it is made with tooth-specific dimensions and special adhesives.

What are the Points to Be Considered After Cosmetic Dentistry Applications?

The way, duration and application area of each aesthetic operation differ. Naturally, recovery time and points to be considered may vary. The patient should fully do what needs to be done after the treatment for matching the expectations for before and after gingival aesthetics.  Particular attention should be paid to solid food consumption within 24 hours after cosmetic dental surgery such as implant treatment, hot foods should be avoided, cold compresses should be applied to the application area, spitting and mouth rinsing should be avoided throughout the day. In order to avoid infection during the healing process of surgical procedures, non-sterile tampons should never be used to stop the blood in the mouth. In aesthetic dental veneers, the full adaptation period may take approximately 15 days. In this process, hot foods should similarly be avoided, teeth cleaning and brushing patterns should be continued, and sticky foods should not be consumed. After cosmetic dentistry applications, pain and sensitivity may occur for a while. The patient should be aware of the possibility of this and the operation area should not be checked with a toothbrush, toothpick or tongue while there is numbness in the mouth.
Another issue that patients wonder about may be the prices for the procedures planned with the examination and experience of specialist dentists. The most decisive factors in the price are mainly the number of sessions of the procedure, the length of the session or whether it requires surgical treatment. After having cosmetic dentistry applications, you should pay attention to the conditions that your dentist finds inconvenient, and you should take care to have your check-ups on time in order to achieve the results you want.

* The Editorial Board of İsü Dent Hospital has contributed to the publication of this content.
* The contents on our website are for informational purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment. The content of this page does not include information on medicinal health care at İsü Dent Hospital.