What are the different smile correction procedures?

Dr.Smilez offers a complete range of cosmetic dental treatment solutions to help improve the appearance of your smile.Our experienced team of cosmetic dentists, we can correct a number of common dental concerns and help you enhance your smile with beautiful results. Smile Correction options include

• Digital Smile Design
• Immediate Smile Correction
• Tooth Whitening (Laser Whitening)
• Composite Veneers
• Porcelain Veneers
• Invisalign/Clear Aligners
• Snap-on-Smile
• Gum Contouring
• Tooth Jewelry

Digital Smile Design

With the availability of digital technology, it is now possible to predict outcomes of smile design before starting treatment. Digital Smile Design uses a simple software that allows us to use your photographs and simulate a perfect smile according to your requirement. You can co-design your own smile and compare a “Before-After” photograph of yourself with your new smile! Digital Smile Design is a wholesome concept and is based upon the analysis of your facial and dental proportions, and the relationship between teeth, gums, lips, smile with your facial features and and not just correct only the teeth alignment.

How it works:On your first appointment, a comprehensive set of digital photos will be taken of your teeth and yourface. Our cosmetic dentist will then modify the images using the DSD software based on your suggestions and display the potential outcome of suggested treatment. Together, you can decide on the ideal results and achieve your goals.

This detailed pre-treatment process will go a long way toward to ensure that the treatment results match your expectation. DSD is ultimately designed to help you more fully visualize the potential outcome and provide feedback to your doctor on what you like and don’t like before the treatment even begins. This innovative technology can be particularly beneficial if you are considering comprehensive smile corrections involving a combination of cosmetic dental procedures.

Immediate Smile Correction

The advancements in cosmetic dental procedures has now made it possible to change smiles instantly. A last minute decision to change your smile, maybe for a special occasion or a social situation is now possible with a combination of one or more cosmetic dental procedures.

Cosmetic crowns, Veneers, Tooth Whitening are the main treatment options depending on the requirement and complexity of smile correction required. They can be done in combination or standalone to change your smile instantly. Smile corrections are highly specific to each individual and there can be multiple options for the same type of problem. A Digital Smile Design is highly useful in predicting the ideal choice of procedures, and is highly recommended for comprehensive smile corrections.

Composite Veneers

Composite veneers is an immediate smile correction option. Composite Veneers are indicated

• To close mild gaps between teeth
• Change the shape of teeth
• Correct chipped or broken teeth
• To improve discolorations.

This chair side procedure involves bonding composite material directly onto the surface of the tooth. The look and feel of the completed veneer will be exactly the same as that of the natural tooth. Composite veneers have a life of 8-10 years and tend to discolor over a period of time. Composite Veneers may also chip if proper precautions are not taken. However, minor corrections can be made immediately, improving the longevity of the veneer. Composite veneers are not indicated when the position of the tooth is to be changed.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain Veneers are also an immediate smile correction option. Porcelain veneers allows us to alter the position, shape, size and color of a tooth to achieve a better blend with the rest of the teeth and the overall appearance of the face. It is indicated for anybody who is embarrassed to smile due to any problem with their teeth. The result is quickly attained, usually within a week. If differs from the composite veneers as it is lab fabricated and it is a permanent treatment option. Porcelain veneers do not stain and chip unlike composite veneers.

The procedure involves mild shaping of the tooth surface to accommodate the thickness of the veneer and requires two visits as it is fabricated by a dental lab. A veneer, when it returns from the laboratory and is tried in the mouth, looks very thin and fragile. Indeed it is brittle. But once bonded onto your teeth, these veneers are very strong and will resist most forces encountered during normal eating. The strength comes from the bonding to the underlying tooth structure, while the veneer contributes to the strength of the tooth with its hardness, color, shape, size and position.

Once your veneers have been placed and you are happy with the result, it is up to you to maintain them in this condition. Well maintained veneers should last you for a very long time.

The procedure is virtually painless and does not have any side effects. Ideally this procedure is indicated for

• To close mild gaps between teeth
• Change the shape of teeth
• Correct chipped or broken teeth
• To improve discolorations.

Lumineers

Lumineers are ultra –thin (only 0.2mm), highly translucent porcelain veneers that require minimal or practically no tooth shaping (preparation). The procedure is similar to that of porcelain veneers. When completed, Lumineers provide excellent results. Lumineers are completely reversible when there is no tooth preparation required and can be removed without damage to your tooth structure.

Aligners are clear, transparent sequential set of trays that fit snugly onto your teeth and effect tooth movement in stages. Aligners are made using CAD/CAM technology to custom design your smile. So here there is no need for any attachment on the teeth, no need for wires or rubber bands! And they are Invisible!Invisalign (USA) is the pioneer for the clear aligner system. Other brands such as K-Line (Germany) and Clearpath (Middle East) have given equally good successful treatment results.

Do Aligners really work?

They do! Aligners also provide the same results in alignment as braces.

Advantages

• Latest technology
• No brackets/wires/rubber bands/attachments on teeth
• CAD-CAM designed custom-made smile
• Ability to view the treatment outcome even before starting treatment
• Virtually invisible/Highly comfortable
• Removable; hence no food restrictions
• Easy maintenance
• Minimal appointments/fewer visits
• No dental emergencies due to broken wire/bracket
• Ideal for frequent travelers/overseas patients

Disadvantages

• The cost of treatment can be high
• The duration of treatment can be longer than self-ligating braces
• It may not be preferred in complex tooth movement
• Not indicated for children

Snap-on-Smile

Snap-On Smile is an easy and painless way to obtain a beautiful and bright smile especially for who are hesitant to commit to more involved restoration treatments. It is a form of removable and instant veneers that can be worn only when required. Ideally indicated for severely discolored teeth when repeated tooth whitening is not preferable.

Advantages

• Tooth structure is not modified nor changed
• Immediate, visible change of your smile
• Does not affect speech nor restricts food habits
• Removable and can be used only when required
• No color change once fabricated

Gum Contouring

The main focus of cosmetic dental procedures is the teeth. However, the gum visibility, color and position of the gums is a very important and integral part of smile design. Gum esthetics is the new buzzword and adds value to all cosmetic dental procedures.

Individuals who have uneven gums or gums that extend to mask a significant portion of their teeth (“Gummy Smile”) are excellent candidates gum contouring. The gum line is reshaped to lengthen the teeth, reduce the amount of gum that shows when you smile, and produce a more symmetrical gumline. The best results are provided with Lasers.

Gum depigmentation is a procedure that changes the color of the gums. Just like our skin, the gums also have the same characteristics that can cause the color of gums to range from light pink to dark black depending on the extent of pigmentation. Very dark or black gums can pose a cosmetic problem. Back gums can be easily stripped of their color with gum depigmentation procedure. Again the best results are obtained with Lasers. The results are instant and can last for 4-5 years. Touch ups may be required at intervals to maintain the color of the gums.

Tooth Jewelry

Value addition accessories to your teeth! Choose your favorite color and/or shape ranging from stars to heart-shape to tear-drop shape! Tooth Jewelry can be permanent or temporary. 22k gold, 18k gold, diamonds can also be used for a more permanent result. Temporary jewels, usually crystals, are bonded to the tooth without the requirement for any modifications of the tooth structure and can be removed very easily. They are indicated for temporary use only.

Advantages

• Enhances your smile
• It is non-invasive and painless.
• Requires no extra maintenance.
• Can be removed or replaced anytime has no effect on the tooth enamel once the jewel is removed or replaced.
• Involves a procedure that only takes about 10 – 15 minutes
• Completely reversible