Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic Dentistry Toronto
The last decade has seen a significant surge in the demand for cosmetic dentistry. A healthy and beautiful smile not only gives one confidence but also uplifts overall personality. With the help of advanced, painless, and reasonable modern cosmetic dentistry techniques, we can enhance your smile in no time.
Cosmetic Dental Treatments Can:
- Change the size, shape, and alignment of certain teeth.
- Fill in the spaces between teeth.
- Improve or correct bites.
- Lighten or brighten teeth color.
- Repair decayed, broken, cracked, or chipped teeth.
- Replace missing teeth.
- Replace old, unattractive dental treatments.
Remember, your smile speaks before you even say a word!
Composite Fillings
Composite fillings are used for decayed, cracked, or fractured teeth. During the process, the decayed or damaged portion of the tooth is removed and then filled with a composite (tooth-colored) filling. There are multiple types of filling materials available and each filling has its advantages and disadvantages. After evaluating the tooth, your dentist will discuss the best suitable option for you before proceeding. You don’t have to worry about the colour mismatch as the fillings are tooth coloured and can be closely matched to the colour of your existing teeth. Composite fillings are generally used for the visible areas of the teeth. These fillings are not permanent but they are very durable, giving you a beautiful and long-lasting smile.
Reasons for Composite Fillings
- Chipped tooth
- Closing space between two teeth
- Cracked or broken tooth
- Decayed tooth
- Worn teeth
Process of Getting Composite Fillings
The dentist first numbs the tooth and then removes the decay before placing the composite filling in one appointment. During the process, the dentist will clean, evaluate the affected area, and apply necessary medication, if required before placing the composite filling. Once the evaluation and other steps are completed, the filling is placed, shaped, and polished to restore your tooth to its original shape and function.
You may feel sensitivity to hot and cold things initially; however, it will go away once your tooth adapts to the new filling. A set of instructions will be provided to you once the treatment is over. Maintaining good oral hygiene and eating a balanced diet will contribute to a healthy life of the new fillings.
Porcelain Crowns (Caps)
Porcelain crowns are dental restorations designed to cover and protect damaged or weakened teeth. They are made from high-quality porcelain, which closely mimics the natural appearance of tooth enamel, making them an excellent choice for restoring teeth in visible areas.
A crown (or cap) covers your entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown will protect and strengthen your tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or any other types of restorations.
Porcelain (tooth-colored) crowns are the most popular crowns out of the other types of crowns available as they resemble your natural teeth. They are well-made and long-lasting, however, they may eventually need replacement.
Reasons for Porcelain Crowns
- Cosmetically, to create a uniform, white, beautiful smile
- Crooked teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Severely discoloured or stained teeth
- Teeth which are too small or too large
- Unwanted or uneven spaces
- Worn or chipped teeth
Getting a Porcelain Crowns
Getting a crown requires two dental appointments. In the first appointment, your dentist will clean any plaque or decay and then check your tooth surface to take an impression or moulds for your custom crown. This impression will also be used to create a temporary crown that will stay on your tooth for almost two weeks until you get a newly fabricated crown.
Placement of a temporary crown is done by placing temporary cement; after that, the dentist checks biting movements to ensure you are biting properly.
At the second appointment, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and clean the tooth. Once this process is complete, your new crown will be placed carefully and gently so that the spacing and bite are correct.
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Porcelain Fixed Bridges
If you have missing teeth, a dental bridge (non-removable fixed appliance) is a perfect way to replace it. Out of the various bridges available, your dentist will suggest an optimal option according to your needs. A porcelain-fused-to-metal bridge is the most popular one today as it resembles our natural teeth. During the process, to fill the gap created by one or more teeth, two crowns that go over two anchoring teeth (abutment teeth) are attached to pontics (artificial teeth). Dental bridges can last for many years if you take proper care of them. However, they may need replacement due to normal wear and tear.
Reasons for a Fixed Bridge:
- Fill space of missing teeth.
- Maintain facial shape.
- Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position.
- Restore chewing and speaking ability.
- Restore your smile.
- Upgrade from a removable partial denture to a permanent dental appliance.
Process of Getting a Bridge
The treatment for bridge requires two visits. On the first visit, the dentist will make your teeth numb and remove a portion of the enamel from the anchor teeth for a crown. In the next step, an impression from your teeth will be sent to a dental laboratory to fabricate a bridge. The dentist will place a remporaty bridge for a few week, before you get your custom permanent bridge. On your second visit, your dentist will take out the temporary bridge and will place your permanent bridge after checking the calibration. The dentist may place temporary cement to make your teeth and tissue comfortable with the bridge and will be permanently cemented at a later stage. Your dentist will also provide complete care instructions once the treatment is over. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups will increase the life of your new permanent bridge.
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. When porcelain is crafted into thin, durable pieces, it becomes veneers. They are made to adjust for the colour and shape of your tooth in such a way that they are easily bonded onto the front teeth to create a confident and beautiful smile.
Veneers are mostly used as an alternative to crowns and they can give a new shape to your teeth and a beautiful new smile. Like the other dental fixtures, veneers are also long-lasting giving you a confident smile; however, they are not permanent and may need a replacement someday.
Reasons for Porcelain Veneers:
- Cosmetically, to create a uniform, white, beautiful smile.
- Crooked teeth.
- Misshapen teeth.
- Severely discoloured or stained teeth.
- Teeth which are too small or too large.
- Unwanted or uneven spaces.
- Worn or chipped teeth.
Process of getting Porcelain Veneers
It usually takes two visits to complete the process of getting veneers. You may or may not require a little anesthesia during the treatment. The dentist applies light buffing and teeth shaping in order to prepare your teeth for the veneers. Next, an impression of your teeth is taken followed by the shade selection.
During the second appointment, your teeth will be cleansed with special liquids to achieve a durable bond and then the bonding cement will be placed between the tooth and veneer. Once the cement is placed a special light beam is used to harden and set the bond. A set of instructions will be provided to take care of your veneers which include proper brushing, flossing, and periodic check-ups.
Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
Teeth Whitening
Having white and healthy teeth is everyone’s dream. A bright, sparkling smile reflects both your personality and overall well-being. To achieve that, teeth whitening is a perfect solution that you can either do at home or at a dental clinic (results may vary). During the process, the colour of your tooth enamel is whitened to achieve the desired results.
Over-the-Counter Whitening Products, whitening kits, whitening toothpaste, and whitening pens are a few options allowing you to whiten teeth at home. Although these provide favourable results, they are best for short-tem teeth whitening.
Other than that, there are various ways to whiten your teeth, one of them is in-office bleaching suitable for patients looking for a one-time bleaching session. During the bleaching process, the accumulated stains are removed to get the original colour of the teeth. You must note that bleaching only works if you have natural tooth enamel and your dentist will evaluate your oral history before going ahead with the process. Teeth whitening is not a permanent solution and if you smoke, drink coffee or tea you might need a touch up after whitening.
Teeth whitening is not a permanent solution and if you smoke, drink coffee or tea you might need a touch up after whitening.
Reasons for Teeth Whitening
- Fluorosis (excessive fluoridation during tooth development)
- Normal wear of outer tooth layer
- Stained teeth due to medications (tetracycline, etc.)
- Yellow, brown stained teeth
Teeth Whitening Process
In-office teeth whitening process typically requires just one appointment, which lasts about 60 to 90 minutes. During the appointment, your dentist will run a teeth examination to identify if any plaque, tartar, or areas need attention. The dentist later starts the process with scaling, where specialized instruments are used to remove built-up plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth and below the gumline. This is followed by polishing, which involves using gritty toothpaste and a high-speed brush to smooth and shine the enamel, helping to remove any remaining stains and make the teeth feel smooth.
The cleaning session usually ends with a fluoride treatment, which strengthens the enamel and provides additional protection against cavities. Dentists usually recommends regular professional cleanings every six to twelve months to maintain optimal oral health or prevent other dental issues.