|
Cosmetic dentistry involves dental procedures with the aim of improving the overall aesthetics of your smile. Doing this requires special materials unavailable to general dentistry. Ceramic and composite technology has advanced to the point where beautiful AND durable dental work can be provided to each patient. But there is so much extra training involved in learning how to use these highly advanced materials properly, that only those dentists who are truly passionate about the appearance of their work take the time away from the office and spend the money required. These are the procedures currently offered by Contours Medical Tourism: Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is the process of removing stains and discoloration from teeth and improving their color through a bleaching process to make them look “whiter”.
For heavily stained teeth a significant improvement in their appearance can be achieved following a procedure as simple as a scale and polish from a dental hygienist. Bonding
Dental bonding is a technique that has been used in cosmetic dentistry for many years and can transform your smile in just a single visit. The process involves the skillful / artistic use of the correct amount and color of "dental composite" which is a moldable material with a paste like consistency made from acrylic resins and a variety of fillers depending on the type used. Dental composite bonding is a popular choice for fillings because the material can match the shade and translucency and even the texture of your own natural teeth and provides a much better aesthetic result than old amalgam / silver fillings , which can be unsightly when you smile. Porcelain Veneeres
Dental veneers have long been used to create the ultimate smile makeover, with this treatment it is possible to transform crooked, stained, damaged and badly worn teeth into a brand new straight white smile.
Veneers are wafer thin laminates or shells of tooth colored material (which can be either porcelain, ceramic or composite bonding material) that are “cemented” to the front surface of teeth to improve their cosmetic appearance. Many dentists use the analogy that dental veneers are for your teeth what false finger nails are for your hands. In a similar manner to how false finger nails are placed or glued to your existing fingernails, veneers are bonded to the front of your existing teeth.
The most popular type of veneers are porcelain, which offer a stronger and more durable alternative to its composite counterpart. Composite veneers are also more prone to staining and do not last as long as porcelain veneers which also offer more a natural looking, translucent tooth-like appearance. Composite veneers are much cheaper than porcelain veneers in general, but considering that they do not last as long and need replacing more often they could end up costing more in the long run. Composite work is ideal for small chips as this treatment preserves more of your natual tooth structure. Porcelain Crowns & Bridges
Dental crowns are restorations that protect damaged, cracked or broken down teeth. A crown strengthens your existing damaged tooth so as to preserve its functionality. Dental crowns are also commonly known as caps because a crown sits over your existing tooth covering the entire outer surface analagous to how a baseball cap would cover your head. Crowns are required when the strength of the tooth supporting the restoration is compromised since veneers and dental bonding restorations are only as strong as the supporting tooth.
Bridges
Dental bridges are false teeth anchored on neighbouring teeth in order to replace one or more missing teeth. The false tooth is known as a pontic and is fused in between two crowns that serve as anchors by attaching to the teeth on each side of the false tooth and thereby bridging them together.
Tooth Colored Fillings and Onlays
To treat a cavity your dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and then "fill" the area on the tooth where the decayed material once lived. Fillings are also used to repair cracked or broken teeth and teeth that have been worn down from misuse (such as from nail-biting or tooth grinding). The fillings can be made from resin, ceramic, or porcelain, and are strongly bonded to your teeth. When a tooth has extensive damage due to injury or decay, we can use an inlay or onlay to add strength and stability. Dental inlays treat decay or damage within the cusps (top projections of a tooth), while dental onlays treat decay or damage that includes one or more of the cusps. Tooth-colored fillings, inlays, and onlays not only look more natural, they also feel more natural than their metal counterparts.
Inlays are similar to fillings but the entire work lies within the cusps (bumps) on the chewing surface of the tooth.
Onlays are more extensive than inlays, covering one or more cusps. Onlays are sometimes called partial crowns. Dental Contouring
For individuals who have chipped, cracked or irregularly shaped teeth, dental contouring and reshaping can be just the ticket for a more beautiful smile.
Tooth reshaping, or contouring, is one of few instant treatments now available in cosmetic dentistry. Dental reshaping and contouring is a procedure to correct crooked teeth, chipped teeth, cracked teeth or even overlapping teeth in just one session.
Tooth reshaping, or tooth sculpting, is a safe and conservative way to improve your smile. But, teeth may become weaker if large amounts of enamel are removed. Tooth reshaping should be limited to minor changes or combined with veneers or bonding for the best smile.
Smile Lifts
The aim with a smile lift procedure is to carefully increase the dimension (height) of the lower one third of the face by making the teeth longer and replacing any missing teeth. The process needs very careful planning, and great care is taken not to make the changed facial appearance too dramatic. The aim is to get the patient to look younger and to protect the joints of the lower jaw.
By manipulating tooth width and size with porcelain veneers placed can take years off someone's face. A smile lift can change a person's whole lower face, making them look younger and happier. Between eight and 10 porcelain veneers are placed over front and side teeth. This lightens up the side of the mouth, making the smile look broader and whiter. The veneers are cut slightly wider than natural teeth so they also have the effect of lifting the lips and widening the smile. Finally, a special laser is used to trim the gumline, which makes teeth look more in proportion.
|
