January 08, 2009

Dr Sabiha Essa Khan discusses the immense progress made in the field of cosmetic or aesthetic dentistry

One’s smile is undoubtedly the most attractive feature of one’s face as it brightens up even a plain countenance. Apart from being an important aspect of one’s overall looks, it’s also an indicator of one’s personality; a pleasant smile is often the biggest help in making friends and influencing people. However, there is a strong correlation between a beautiful smile and exquisite teeth.

While there was a time when one born with a gap-toothed smile or yellowing teeth just had to keep one’s mouth shut, things have come a far way. Today, one has a world of dental treatment options available for almost any tooth-related problem. Of late cosmetic or aesthetic dentistry has progressed very rapidly offering numerous state-of-the-art treatments. In fact, the growth in the cosmetic dentistry segment and the number of treatment options being developed every day is matched only by the number of people who want to avail them at any cost.

There are many dental conditions that require treatment both for medical as well as cosmetic or aesthetic reasons. There are many circumstances when a tooth is lost, displaced, chipped off, decayed, misaligned or is stained due to decay, trauma, hereditary disorders or as an indirect effect of some process. In all these conditions, after the underlying cause has been treated and pain relief provided, the patient often wishes to get the best aesthetic results out of the treatment process.

Following are some of the commonly practised and popular cosmetic dental treatment options available these days:

TOOTH WHITENING

It is one of the most popular treatment options available for discoloured, stained or dull looking teeth. Also known as bleaching, it is a rather expensive type of cosmetic treatment and can be performed either at the dental clinic by a trained dentist or can be taught to the patient to be used at home.

Tooth bleaching is performed with the help of oxidising agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which help in enhancing the whiteness of the enamel and, consequently, giving one a dazzling bright smile.

It can be performed in one or a number of sittings, depending on the extent and intensity of stains and discolouration. The result of bleaching can last for several months; however, with the regular intake of fizzy drinks, tea, coffee, smoking, etc., the effects can come to an end before the estimated time. There are certain side effects of teeth whitening as well, for instance, sensitivity of teeth as well as the mild to moderate irritation of soft tissues, particularly gums.

BONDING OR FILLINGS

Cosmetic filling materials can be used for repairing chipped, broken, cracked, stained and spaced teeth. For such teeth, usually for the front ones, the dentist uses white filling materials, like composites and glass ionomer cements.

Both these materials are very useful in the cosmetic treatment of the front teeth due to their near to natural look and shades available. Unlike in the past, when silver was used for its strength and durability, white fillings are now preferred.

ENAMEL CONTOURING

Enamel shaping and contouring is done in situations where there is a discrepancy in the tooth/teeth sizes. It’s also done to alter and modify the shapes of teeth in order to improve their look, by carefully trimming off the enamel or the outermost layer of the tooth structure. It gives quick results and is accompanied with the application of small layer of a bonding agent to prevent any sensitivity.

VENEERS

Use of dental veneers is quiet common in teeth with congenital stains, dark shades or minor local abnormalities, etc. and is mostly used for the front teeth for aesthetic reasons. Veneer is a thin (0.5 mm) layer of restorative material, made up of either composite (filling material) or porcelain. It can be made directly in the clinic with composite or made in a dental lab with porcelain. Minor trimming of tooth/teeth is required to create space for the veneer material.

CROWNS AND BRIDGES

Crowns or dental caps are used to cover teeth with gross problems of tooth substance/tooth loss due to decay, trauma or after root canal treatment. In many cases they are used as the preferred option over veneers. Crowning of teeth require trimming of the natural tooth substance (enamel) according to the required size and shape of the crown which completely covers the tooth.

The crowns can be made up of gold, metal, porcelain or metal fused to porcelain. Metal fused to porcelain is used for both aesthetic and durability reasons. These crowns are fabricated in the dental lab using the impression of the tooth that needs to crowned. When there is more than one tooth, which requires a crown, a dental bridge is made which includes multiple crowns joined together as a unit.

BRACES

Orthodontic braces are one of the most common treatment options in dentistry, as they not only fulfil aesthetic requirements but also functional ones. Dental braces are used for aligning or adjusting the teeth in order to make them cosmetically acceptable and to correct premature contacts between the upper and lower jaw teeth. They are more effective during the growing ages.

With advancements in almost every field of medical sciences, cosmetic dentistry is also growing by leap and bounds. So the next time you visit your dentist for your dental issues, don’t forget to inquire what all they can do for your teeth cosmetically, as a perfect smile is no more just a dream now.