DENTAL AESTHETICS

Smiling is one of the most important facial expressions that differentiate humans from the rest of living beings; as such, cosmetic or aesthetic dentistry is a specialty that solves problems related to the harmony of the teeth and mouth as a whole.

The most common aesthetic treatments are:

Veneers

These are very thin sheets of porcelain made in a lab with a highly durable and natural looking product that adheres directly to your own teeth.

Purpose of veneers

By placing veneers we are able to return to the teeth their natural form and original quality, thereby achieving a natural visual and aesthetic appearance.

Veneers can be used to modify visual aspects of the teeth such as:

• Covering fractures or dental wear caused by trauma.
• Cover gaps between teeth: when two teeth are very separated, veneers can be used to cover the space.
• Correct the form of the teeth: if a tooth is very short, or crooked, it is possible to build veneers to cover the tooth and adjust it to the desired form.
• Enlarge teeth: occasionally we encounter teeth that are very small in comparison with the others.
• Whiten teeth: return a natural quality to your teeth when whitening alone isn’t offering the desired result.

Types of dental veneers:

Resin Veneers

These kinds of veneers are done in the dentist's office, and adhere directly to the teeth using something called resin to achieve the desired form, color, and size.

Advantages:

• Can be done in one appointment in the dental office
• Less costly than porcelain veneers
• Good aesthetic results
• Easy to repair

Disadvantages:

• Less duration. Do not last as long in comparison with porcelain veneers
• Less resistance
• Discoloring over time

Carillas de porcelana

Porcelain veneers are an excellent treatment option to obtain the natural, aesthetic results desired by the patient. They are done in a lab, and as a result the product is of higher quality.

Advantages:

• Better resistance
• Better durability
• No discoloring over time

Disadvantages:

• Higher cost

The specialist should conduct a thorough clinical diagnosis to determine the best choice to be made per the specific case of each patient, as according to their needs.

How are veneers placed?

The procedure depends on the type of veneers

In the first visit you should explain to the specialist the results you would like to achieve; it's very important that the dentist knows your doubts and concerns; next they will examine your teeth to evaluate the most adequate treatment option to achieve what it is you desire. If you are going to use resin veneers, it's possible that they may be placed and the process finished in the same visit. On the other hand, if you choose porcelain veneers, it's more likely that you will need two or three appointments

In the second visit, two things may occur in regards to the veneer chosen: if resin veneers are going to be placed, it's possible that they will be done in this visit and you will not need another one, as the placement process is more simple. In the event that you are getting porcelain veneers, in this session the preparation of the teeth will be finished and measurements will be taken. Afterwards, they will send the information to the lab to build the completely personalized veneers that fit perfectly to every tooth.

In the third appointment, the porcelain veneers will be placed. The teeth are prepared and a special adhesive is applied so that after the veneers are placed, they remain in place.

This procedure is not the same for every patient.

Preparing the teeth for the placement of porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers require that the teeth be prepared. Even though the preparation is minimal and limited to the enamel, enough enamel must be removed to provide sufficient space to obtain a restoration with the correct contour. Preparing the teeth reduces the front surface of the tooth by approximately 0,5mm, and which afterwards the porcelain veneer will be placed.

DENTAL WHITENING

This is an aesthetic procedure that aims to reduce the color of the teeth by one or two tones, eliminating the majority of stains and evening the color.

Whitening can be done at the clinic or at home. Results might vary as the active ingredients and concentrations are different. In either respect, the procedure should be monitored by a dental specialist.

Dental whiting allows for the elimination of the majority of stains produced by such things as medications (tetracycline) or extrinsic causes like tea, coffee, red wine, or cigarettes , amongst other food and drinks. That said, not all stains or dental discoloration are easy to eliminate or fix via dental whitening and may require other types of cosmetic dentistry, such as the use of porcelain veneers or caps.

This treatment, done by a dentist, doesn't cause any pain or wear, and will not weaken teeth if done correctly; they simply use gels that act chemically through the oxygen they contain, reducing the color of the dentin.

These gels do not have any adverse effect on restorations, like amalgams, resins, scales, crowns, or bridges. Areas of prior restorative work sometimes require a second treatment.