Although the first thing that comes to mind when oral care is mentioned is the treatment of problems such as toothache, bad breath and tooth loss, the appearance of the teeth is also of great importance today. Dental aesthetics that deteriorates due to reasons such as decayed teeth, gum diseases, crowding in tooth alignment, abnormal coloring and tooth loss can negatively affect people both health and psychologically. So much so that the lack of self-confidence caused by this situation can even cause the person to hesitate to laugh in public. In such cases, people apply for aesthetic dentistry application. Thanks to the developing technology, smile aesthetics can be digitally designed in a dental clinic. While the smile design application increases the self-confidence of the patients on the one hand, on the other hand, it ensures that the chewing function is normalized. In this article, we will try to answer the most important questions you may have about smile design.
What is Smile Design?
Smile design, one of the first concepts that comes to mind when it comes to aesthetic dentistry, is a cosmetic dental application that creates straighter, whiter, and aesthetically pleasing smiles by correcting dental defects and restoring dental health and appearance. Smile design, which is a multidisciplinary approach, involves the application of many procedures together for a more natural-looking smile.
In this procedure, the whole process is planned from the very beginning. Depending on the needs and wishes of the person, procedures such as porcelain veneers, dental implants, crowns and bridges, orthodontics, teeth whitening, gum shaping, juvederm (dermal fillings) may need to be applied. The dentist will recommend the necessary treatments based on the person’s smile goals, budget, timeline, and current oral health.
Process of Smile Design
When designing a smile, the patient’s needs and wishes always would come first. The initial consultation is critical before starting treatment. During the initial consultation, the dentist will talk to the patient in detail about their smile goals. Any oral health problems such as caries or gum disease should be treated by the dentist before starting any treatment.
Since the aesthetic requirements of each patient will be different, the procedures to be performed are determined by considering factors such as the patient’s facial features, gender, age and expectations. Firstly, existing decayed teeth and gum diseases are treated, and teeth cleaning procedures are applied. Then, planning is made according to personal aesthetic demands. Commonly applied aesthetic dentistry procedures are as follows:
1. Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening allows teeth to regain their white color that has deteriorated over time, instantly brightening, and whitening your smile. In teeth whitening, which is an optional procedure, the level of whitening varies according to the structure of the tooth and the substances applied.
2. Porcelain Veneers
Dental veneers are thin, tooth-colored veneers that are placed on the teeth to cover the front of the teeth. The use of porcelain in the production of dental veneers is called porcelain dental veneers. Porcelain veneers are often preferred by people with tooth loss or yellowing problems in their teeth and equalize the teeth in shape, size and color.
Porcelain veneers, which do not contain metals and toxic substances, not only improve the appearance of the smile, but also improve oral health and bite function, improving eating and speaking activities.
3. Laser Dentistry
The use of lasers to treat different dental and gum problems is called laser-assisted dentistry. Compared to conventional treatment methods, laser-assisted dentistry offers a more comfortable treatment for hard or soft tissue applications such as gum disease and root canal treatments.
It also has a cosmetic purpose. Laser gum contouring or reshaping, a delicate procedure, reduces bleeding and pain. If your gums show too much when you smile or you have an uneven gum line, laser-assisted dentistry is a fast and affordable option.
4. Dental Implants
Dental implants are replacement tooth roots made of titanium that are used in the treatment of missing teeth and are placed inside the jawbone to mimic tooth roots. A dental implant is a type of artificial tooth root which is surgically inserted into the mouth to provide support for dental prostheses, including dentures and bridges. Neighboring teeth are not damaged in implant treatment.
Dental implants are also a successful application recommended for replacing tooth loss and stopping jawbone resorption. With this treatment, you can eat, speak, and laugh just like natural teeth.
5. Same-Day Crowns
Same-day crowns (CEREC® crowns) are essentially the same as traditional crowns, only they can be created in less than two hours. Same-day crowns are created in an in-office procedure using computerized technology. After the teeth have been treated, prepared, and reshaped, the dentist creates a customized digital impression of the mouth using a state-of-the-art CAD/CAM system. This impression is then sent to the CEREC® milling machine, which can create a crown in less than two hours – in just one appointment.
6. Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is an aesthetic dental treatment in which composite material suitable for the natural color of the tooth is used. Dental bonding, which is an extremely simple treatment that can be applied in a single session, is the most widely used technique among cosmetic dentistry applications.
First, the dentist selects a dental bonding shade that matches the color of the patient’s teeth. Then, the surface of the front teeth is prepared by gently abrading and applying a liquid that facilitates the adhesion of the bonding material. Then the bonding application is started. The bonding material has a structure that allows the dentist to mold and shape it in the mouth. When the dentist is satisfied with the application, he uses ultraviolet light to harden the bonding. Finally, the bonding material is polished so that it does not irritate the lips, tongue or inside the cheek.
How Much does Smile Design Cost?
Smile design costs are specific for each patient and vary according to the procedures included in the treatment plan. Since it is a cosmetic procedure, it is not covered by most insurances.
Before the treatment, you can talk to your dentist about what kind of procedures will be applied and their costs and find out in detail which procedures are covered by insurance.
Why is Smile Design Important?
Smile design allows the person to look at life more positively by creating the most appropriate tooth position. Chewing, speaking, etc. in addition to its basic functions, it also positively affects the self-confidence of the person in terms of aesthetics. Since the smile is a very important factor in communication, discoloration and deformities in the teeth can even cause psychological disorders in the person.
Studies show that people who are confident in their smile are much happier and more successful in social, business, and daily life than others. Smile design works to offer you the perfect smile and is organized according to your wishes and preferences. A beautiful smile is one of the most important ways to increase self-confidence.
