What should you know about aesthetic dental procedures in general?
When you think about it, most dental treatments have aesthetic benefits.
When planning and carrying out dental interventions, it is no longer enough to consider health and function; aesthetic considerations are at least as important.
Personalisation is of paramount importance: even if a dental solution is technically flawless, the final result cannot be perfect if it is not in harmony with the patient's face, character and personality.
Functionality, beauty, naturalness, harmony, uniqueness - these are the pillars of aesthetic dentistry.
If we want to define the meaning of aesthetic dentistry as a field, we can establish two categories:
- correcting purely aesthetic problems that are not a health problem. These include the removal of discolouration of the tooth structure, the correction of excessive gaps between teeth, the restoration of accidental injuries, fractures, etc.
- repair of lesions that may cause health problems or functional disturbances. For example, the regulation of tangled dentures, the creation of aesthetic, lifelike and durable dental prostheses and fillings, and the removal of tartar.
Our aesthetic dental procedures
Aesthetic fillings: unchanged function, completely different aesthetic effect
Corunk the patient also has aesthetic expectations and demands for dental fillings, that the filling should be beautiful and unobtrusive. Of course, aesthetic fillings serve the same purpose as their grey amalgam predecessors, i.e. restoration of tooth loss caused by caries. The function is therefore the same, but but everything else has changed thanks to technological advances in recent decades.
What you need to know about aesthetic fillings:
- modern fillings consist of several layers and mimic the translucency of a natural tooth.
- come in a range of shades, so the finished filling can match the colour of the tooth perfectly. That's why it is also a popular choice for front teeth!
- advanced filling materials have a hardness close to that of tooth enamel, resulting in a durable, long-lasting and dimensionally stable filling.
- the special composite material bonds immediately to UV light, so the filling can be used immediately after the procedure, without having to wait hours to eat, as was the case with amalgam fillings in the past.
The procedure of the intervention
- Local anaesthesia is applied, and then the cavities are removed by drilling (the old amalgam filling in case of a filling replacement).
- After the cavity is formed and cleaned, the tooth surface is prepared for the filling material to bond to it. A light-curing sealant is used.
- We make sure that the filling does not prevent the teeth from closing.
- The last step is to polish the surface of the filling. This will make it look the same as the rest of the tooth and make it harder for plaque to adhere to the smooth surface.
Inlay and onlay: an aesthetic solution for extensive caries
It is not uncommon for the material to be so deficient, or for the old amalgam filling to be so extensive that the tooth structure can no longer be restored with a filling. In such cases, we make an inlay or - in the case of even more serious deficiencies - an onlay, which is produced by our dental laboratory on the basis of an impression.
What you need to know about inlay and onlay inserts:
- the inserts can be made of hard plastic, ceramic, precious metal. The combination of precious metal and ceramic is particularly durable and beautiful.
- the types of inserts available can meet all aesthetic and functional needs, as well as financial possibilities.
- the remaining teeth can be saved and kept.
- you can faithfully reproduce the individual shade of any tooth, so your smile remains natural and harmonious.
- the quality and precision of the aesthetic inlays available in our practice are outstanding, with good chewing stability, guaranteeing a long service life.
The procedure
Two encounters are required to make the insert.
- The first time, the preparation and impression taking is done in the surgery. The filling itself is made in the dental laboratory on the basis of the impression. In the meantime - about 1 week - a temporary filling is placed in the tooth.
- At the second meeting, the finished inserts are fixed in the prepared cavity with a special adhesive.
Types of inlays by material
Gold inlay
Gold has countless advantages. It can be machined with precision and, because it can be laid on wafer-thin, the sealing edges provide a perfect seal. It is tissue-friendly and tolerated by our body, so it can only cause allergies in extremely rare cases. In fact, clinical experience has even shown it to have a mild antibacterial effect! It is a timelessly elegant material that stands the test of time, making it a very durable solution.
Because it is made by casting, it has been somewhat overshadowed in the age of digital dentistry.
Ceramic (porcelain) inlay
Ceramic inlays are the most aesthetically pleasing alternative to other fillings. Ceramic inlay is a powder which, when mixed with a liquid, becomes a paste and then fired in a special kiln to become porcelain. This porcelain gives a beautiful finish due to its colour and translucency.
Belle-Glass inlay
The procedure involves bonding a hard plastic inlay, made in a dental laboratory, to a previously prepared tooth. The plastic inlay is made to achieve a natural tooth colour and aesthetic result.
Porcelain veneer: a breath-thin solution for small aesthetic flaws
The veneer is a a thin porcelain shell that is bonded to the front surface of the teeth, so that the tooth shape, restoring the tooth colour, repair minor injuries and lesions.
What to know about aesthetic shells:
- This aesthetic solution is above all an option for healthy teeth, i.e. teeth that are not filled and not root canal treated.
- The first step in the consultation is to assess the bite situation, as the use of shells is not recommended for certain bite disorders, such as deep biting or clenching, grinding teeth at night.
- It is mostly used for the aesthetic treatment of front teeth, for example in cases of caries, enamel chips, small gaps between teeth, or when the patient is not satisfied with the size and shape of his teeth. The veneer can also be used to cover discolouration.
- Thin shells are fragile, easily cracked or chipped by mechanical or thermal stress, so wearing them requires serious awareness, care and caution.
- During the procedure, a minimal amount of the tooth has to be grinded, so the process is irreversible!
The procedure of the intervention
- Consultation:
We will assess the condition of your teeth and whether the problem can be solved with shells or if it can be solved with a pressed ceramic crown or tooth adjustment. - Tooth cleaning:
Before the procedure, our dental hygienist will perform a professional cleaning of the teeth. Professional teeth whitening is also worthwhile, as the shade of the veneers can be selected to match the whitened tooth colour. - Preparing the tooth, temporary shells
The shells are usually made in two sessions. In the first session, under local anaesthesia, the visible front surface of the tooth is ground down to a minimum (remaining within the enamel layer). An impression is taken of the prepared tooth and we will choose the desired shade and shape together with you. The final shells are made by the dental technician in laboratory conditions, in a few days. During this time, temporary veneers will be placed on the prepared teeth. - Gluing the final shells
The second time, if all is found to be in order during the test, the small porcelain plates are glued on one by one using a special adhesive. We polish the treated teeth and provide you with information on how to care for the shells.
Zirconium (zirconia) crowns: the uncompromising solution
This is already is undoubtedly the technique of the 21st century, as it offers the highest aesthetic and functional requirements! No need to use compromises, you get the best in all areas!
What you need to know about zirconia crowns:
- crowns and bridges are made from zirconium using so-called CAD/CAM high-tech technology, which means that both the design and the machining and manufacturing are done by computer, so the finished tooth is as accurate as possible and perfectly fitted.
- this frame, manufactured using the most advanced techniques, is the perfect solution for those seeking high aesthetics, as its colour and translucent properties give an aesthetic result similar to natural teeth. It is perfect for filling in gaps in the smile area.
- the frame is lightweight, yet extremely stable.
- its incredible strength makes it ideal for replacing grinding teeth, bridges of various lengths and even complete circular bridges.
- non-allergenic due to its tissue-friendly properties.
- recommended for: replacement of old metal-ceramic crowns with greyed edges; root canal treated, crowded, discoloured teeth; root filled, destructed teeth built up with zirconium; implants.
Pressed ceramic (e.max) crowns: the most aesthetically pleasing option
The IPS e.max press ceramic is developed by Ivoclar Vivadent, based in Liechtenstein. Other manufacturers also produce pressed ceramics, but they are neither beautiful nor durable. IPS e.max in terms of durability and longevity. It is no wonder that we have chosen this brand for this brand! Pressed ceramics are mostly used to make shells, but also inlays, and crowns.
What you need to know about the pressed ceramic crown:
- Its strength is much lower than that of metal-ceramic or zirconium, so it is not suitable for replacing chewing teeth.
- as the metal-free ceramic corona has no frame structure, it is made purely of porcelain and is therefore suitable for bridges with up to 3 members.
- the pressed ceramic material has excellent light-transmitting properties, which is one of the keys to a natural effect. Pressed ceramic products are manufactured in an extensive range of colours to ensure a wide range of applications: this allows them to be used to create uniquely aesthetic, lifelike solutions. Pressed ceramic shell, inlay and crown are the perfect choice for the smile zone!
Aesthetic dental intervention:
because you deserve the best!
Take advantage of progress, take advantage of the modern methods available in our practice! Whether you opt for the simplest and most cost-effective solution or the most innovative, we guarantee that the final result will satisfy both your aesthetic and functional needs!
Say yes to beautiful, lifelike solutions that work well, say yes to a renewed look, to confidence, to a better quality of life, to recognition from the outside world: choose the high quality aesthetic dental procedures available at Profident!
