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Magazine
Crafting a smile
DR. SANDESH MAYEKAR
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Growing image consciousness in our metros means that more people are getting their smiles beautified.
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Photo: Sandeep Saxena
Rare gift: That stress-buster smile.
Smile beautification is no longer an alien concept in the ever-more aesthetically-inclined Indian metros. The image conscious urban creature has taken to smile rectification in a big way, setting up a relatively new branch of dentistry — Aesthetic Dentistry.
Ever wondered what goes into the making of a beautiful smile? The crafters of the smile, experienced dentists, use a variety of modern techniques like resin bonding, gap closure (diastema), enamel reshaping, cosmetic repositioning, to craft that million dollar smile. One of the first steps is smile analysis, which helps dentists determine the proper aesthetics of the smile to be achieved based on the person’s facial symmetry, lip line, and other features. It is imperative for a dentist to understand the intricacies of smile design so that composite resin bonding restorations can achieve the desired result. An FAQ of the common issues and solutions…
What causes dulling and discoloration of teeth?
Discolorations can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Tooth dullness or staining is an indication that whitening should be considered. Smokers and those who drink coffee and/or tea on a regular basis accelerate the discoloration and require cleaning more often. Tooth whitening is usually the first solution to try due to its lower cost.
What is cosmetic filling and where is it typically used?
Cosmetic filling is a tooth-coloured composite resin (similar to an enamel) that is bonded to the tooth surface to repair and/or change the colour or shape of a tooth, then sculpted into shape, hardened, and polished. When teeth are chipped or slightly decayed, bonded composite resins may be the material of choice. It can also be used to close spaces between teeth.
What can be done for missing teeth?
Bridges are designed to replace missing teeth. Not only do they fill the unsightly spaces left by lost teeth, but they also help support the teeth adjacent to, and directly opposite, the missing teeth. Often a dentist will recommend an Implant to fill in the space as well. One can also have removable partial denture for replacing the number of lost teeth.
How can jagged teeth be corrected?
In some instances, simple reshaping of the front teeth, even without anaesthesia, may produce a dramatic result. The cosmetic dentist simply utilises sanding discs and creativity, to create a natural look with existing teeth. One of the best methods for major deformation is to go in for orthodontic treatment involving braces.
What are Porcelain and Ceramic Inlays?
When the cavity is big and where normal filling material like composite is not going to last, porcelain inlays are considered. Porcelain inlays bind onto the tooth and increase the overall strength of the tooth. These inlays may cost more than other types of filling procedures. Glued into place with special adhesives, they hold the damaged parts of the tooth together and look exactly like a tooth in every way.
Why is Orthodontics a specialty in dentistry?
Orthodontics is the specialty of dentistry that addresses misaligned teeth/occlusal problems, or the mouth’s ability to close with the teeth in the proper position. Orthodontics brings the teeth, jaw bones, and facial profile into proper alignment.
What are Porcelain Laminate/ Veneers, why are they so special?
Laminates are done where no colour change is required but shape and alignment has to be corrected. Veneers are done in cases where colour change is demanded. Many times, the demands of cosmetic changes in the mouth are too great for simple bonding. This is when porcelain laminate veneers may be used. They can be used as an alternative for orthodontic treatment. It has its own advantages and disadvantages. Please check with an aesthetic or your dentist before going for veneers.
When are All Ceramic Porcelain caps recommended?
When there is not enough tooth structure left, or the chewing demands in the mouth are too great for laminates, a stronger, more extensive restoration is needed. They are the most life-like of all full crown type restorations.
What if All Ceramic Porcelain caps/crowns are not enough?
When biting pressure is too great for porcelain jackets, teeth are loose due to periodontal disease, or gaps from missing teeth must be filled in, metal alloy must be placed under the porcelain for strength. This is the porcelain fused to metal crown technique. More tooth structure is removed to accommodate both metal and porcelain. Porcelain fused to metal crowns do not have the translucency of pure porcelain crowns. However, a talented ceramist with experience in custom staining can usually overcome this limitation.
Today, beautiful teeth are important to feel and look good and give ourselves a sense of well being. People desire aesthetically pleasing and natural looking dental restorations that are biocompatible and long lasting.
Do I need a smile correction?
You may need a correction if:
You see spaces between your teeth
You have crooked and mal-positioned teeth
Some of your teeth are shorter/ longer than the rest
Your canine teeth are too prominent
Your smile looks gummy
Your gums are pigmented
The gum line is receding and they look swollen
The crowns and bridges in your mouth are too old and they do not match the shade
The teeth look dark, paled, discoloured or stained
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