Cosmetic Dentistry: Everything You Need to Know

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

While traditional dentistry focuses on the health of teeth and gums, cosmetic dentistry concentrates on the appearance of the mouth, teeth, and smile. With the rapid advancements in technology, especially in the last decade, cosmetic dentistry has become increasingly popular, encompassing procedures ranging from smile design to teeth whitening and porcelain laminates. The materials used in these procedures offer various alternatives, catering to many patients and providing natural-looking results.

What Are the Treatments in Cosmetic Dentistry?

• Teeth Whitening: Among cosmetic dentistry procedures, teeth whitening is the most popular. Teeth whitening stands out due to its relatively economical nature compared to other procedures. Teeth whitening is carried out in two forms: at-home and in-office. In-office teeth whitening is performed by a dentist in their clinic. In at-home teeth whitening, special trays provided by the dentist are used. After the whitening treatment, patients should take care of their oral hygiene and avoid consuming beverages such as tea, coffee, and cola, as well as smoking, to maintain long-lasting results.
• Porcelain Veneers: Porcelain veneers, also known as dental veneers or porcelain laminates, are thin shells placed on the front surface of teeth to correct various imperfections such as discoloration, staining, chips, cracks, and discrepancies in size. The color of porcelain veneers resembles natural tooth color and has a semi-transparent quality, providing a highly natural appearance. Unlike other dental restorations, porcelain veneers require minimal to no enamel removal.
• Zirconium Crowns: Zirconium crowns are dental crowns made from zirconium, a highly durable and white material found in nature. These crowns are advantageous due to their strength, durability, and highly white appearance.
• Bonding: Bonding is a technique used to correct minor shape irregularities, slight misalignments, and small gaps between teeth. It involves applying a tooth-colored composite material to the tooth surface, which is then sculpted, shaped, and polished to achieve the desired appearance.
• Smile Design: Smile design, also known as a Hollywood smile, is a comprehensive procedure that evaluates the mouth, teeth, gums, and even the jaw and cheekbones to achieve the most ideal smile for an individual. Procedures such as teeth whitening, bonding, or crowns can be combined in smile design. It is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures.

How Are Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures Performed?

• Teeth Whitening: In at-home teeth whitening, custom trays are prepared based on the patient's mouth measurements. After the trays are ready, whitening gel is added, and instructions on how to use them are provided to the patient. These trays should be worn for at least 6 hours daily. Generally, it takes about 10-15 days to achieve the desired results with at-home teeth whitening. In-office teeth whitening, also known as laser teeth whitening, is performed by a dentist in a single session, providing a more efficient result.
• Porcelain Veneers: After taking impressions of the patient's teeth and mouth, porcelain veneers are fabricated. If the patient approves the prepared veneer models, the application process begins immediately. Veneers are attached to the teeth using a special adhesive material. Minimal tooth preparation, if any, is required, making the process comfortable for patients.
• Zirconium Crowns: During zirconium crown application, minimal alteration to the natural tooth structure is necessary. These crowns are thin and translucent, requiring only minor preparation compared to traditional crowns.
• Bonding: Bonding starts with color selection and surface roughening of the tooth. A tooth-colored composite material is then applied to the tooth surface, shaped, and hardened using a curing light. After shaping and polishing, patients can return to their daily activities.

What Is the Recovery Time After Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures?

Since cosmetic dentistry procedures are non-surgical, there is no recovery time. Patients can resume their daily activities immediately after the procedure.

What Should Be Considered After Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures?

After cosmetic dentistry procedures, it is generally advisable to:

Avoid consuming hard and crunchy foods during the first few days, Stay away from very hot or cold beverages and foods, Avoid caffeine and acidic beverages, Maintain meticulous oral hygiene, including regular brushing, mouthwash, and flossing, Consume only liquid and soft foods if recommended by the dentist until the treatment fully settles.

Are There Any Risks Associated with Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures?

When performed correctly, cosmetic dentistry procedures pose no risks and are entirely safe. The key points here are choosing the right dentist and ensuring any existing dental issues are addressed before starting the treatment. For example, if a patient with gum disease wants to undergo smile design, necessary gum treatment should be completed before proceeding with the smile design. When the doctor and clinic are chosen correctly, cosmetic dentistry procedures are highly advantageous and safe.