Cosmetic Dentistry

Aesthetic dentistry is a specialized branch of dentistry aimed at improving the appearance of teeth and smile aesthetics. Dentists specializing in this field use various treatment methods to correct tooth color, close gaps between teeth, address shape irregularities, and create aesthetically pleasing smiles. Through methods such as teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, aesthetic fillings, and crowns, they enhance patients' smiles, making them more attractive and aesthetically pleasing.

Cosmetic Dentistry

1. What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
2. Which Treatment Methods Are Practiced in the Cosmetic Dentistry?

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic Dentistry is a branch of dentistry, through which oral and dental area is improved in terms of health and embellished in term of aesthetic. The Cosmetic Dentistry aims to create natural, healthy and aesthetically flawless teeth and gingiva for a perfect smile. So, process of cosmetic dentistry may require various applications and treatments.

In the Cosmetic Dentistry, various procedures and treatments are performed to improve color, shape, size, position and ratio of the teeth. These include the methods such as teeth whitening, porcelain zirconia or composite laminates, porcelain or composite fillings, dental implants, orthodontic treatments, scaling and gingival aesthetics. In addition, other treatments can be performed if there are different needs for conditions threatening oral and dental health.

The Cosmetic Dentistry is customized depending on individual needs and desires of patients. Thus, collaboration is needed between the patient and dentist for treatment planning and the treatment itself. Combining aesthetic principles and dental health standards, the aesthetic dentists intend to provide the best outcomes with their patients. The Cosmetic Dentistry aims at increasing self-confidence of patients by making their smiles more attractive and aesthetic. It also helps provide better oral health by correcting tooth decays, fractures, stains or other imperfections.

Which Methods Are Practiced in the Cosmetic Dentistry?

• Hollywood Smile

Hollywood smile refers to the white, straight and attractive smile that celebrities usually have. This smile design is planned individually. It is created considering factors such as the shape, size, color and alignment of the teeth. The Hollywood smile is achieved practicing teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, dental implants and other aesthetical dental treatments. It is aimed to achieve a perfect smile with this customized application.

There are certain standards for the Hollywood smile. These include having a deep smile line, properly aligned teeth, prominent upper incisors, harmonious tooth color and skin tone, and symmetrical lips. The success of the application depends on the experience, knowledge and artistic skills of the team.

• Digital Smile Design

Digital smile design is a method in which advanced digital technologies are used. The dentist evaluates the patient's existing dental structure and simulates the desired smile design with special software and digital imaging tools. In this way, the patients are shown what kind of result they can expect, and treatment is then planned.

• Dental Veneers

Laminate Veneers: The laminate veneers are also known as thin porcelain veneers. They are applied on front surface of teeth to correct shape, color and size of the teeth. It requires minimal preparation and provides a natural appearance. Laminate veneers are frequently preferred to improve aesthetic appearance of the teeth.

No-Prep Laminate: No-prep laminate is a thin veneer effecting natural structure of teeth minimally. It is applied on surface of the teeth to improve color, shape and size of the teeth. An aesthetic smile can be provided with patients in this method requiring minimal intervention for the teeth.

eMax Veneers: eMax veneers are an aesthetic and durable type of porcelain veneers. It is made up of high-strength ceramic material and provides a natural appearance. eMax veneers are preferred for patients who want to get an aesthetically beautiful and durable outcomes.

Zirconia Crown and Bridges: Zirconium is a durable and aesthetic material. Zirconia crowns and bridges are used to replace missing teeth temporarily or permanently. They enable an appearance consistent with natural teeth and are long-lasting. Zirconia crowns and bridges are used to perform a strong and aesthetic dental restoration.

• Bonding Method

Dental bonding is a method that helps improve the shape, color and size of the teeth by applying the composite resin on surface of the teeth. Small fractures, stains or gaps in the teeth can be corrected with dental bonding. During the dental bonding procedure, a special material is applied on the teeth, which is fixed with an adhesive binding material.

Next, roughening process is performed with a special curing light.

Following this procedure, the composite material becomes integrated with the teeth and presents an aesthetic appearance.

The bonding method is generally preferred when porcelain laminate is not required.

This method can be applied by the dentist in the office and is usually a minimally invasive treatment option.

• Cosmetic Dental Filling

Aesthetic tooth filling is a method in which composite resins consistent with natural tooth color are used. It is used to treat decays and correct shapes of the teeth. It provides a harmonious tooth appearance and is preferred to get aesthetically satisfactory outcomes.

• Inlay and Onlay Filling

Inlay and onlay fillings are applied on inner parts of the teeth. The filling material prepared specially is placed on the teeth after decay, fractured or damaged area is cleaned from the teeth. These fillings protect natural structure of the teeth and provide an aesthetic appearance. Inlay fillings are applied for inner parts of the teeth whereas onlay fillings are used for front parts. Inlay and onlay restorations are the fillings prepared in laboratories to be used for restoration of the teeth that need root canal therapy or a major filling application. This filling material includes composite materials reinforced with porcelain or fiber. The material that will be used for the application also differs in terms of giving the teeth a natural appearance. One of the main reasons why inlay and onlay restorations are preferred is that the loss of the tooth is minimal. Only the cleaning of the carious tissue is performed as part of this dental process and no further carving is carried out. These fillings are beneficial for gingival health as they protect the remaining healthy dental tissue.

• Teeth Bleaching

Teeth whitening or bleaching is an aesthetic dentistry method performed to remove stains, discoloration and yellowing on the tooth surface. This process is usually performed using hydrogen peroxide-based teeth whitening gels or laser beams. Teeth whitening enables stained or yellowed teeth to have a whiter and more attractive appearance. The teeth whitening process performed by the dentist helps to get a color closer to the natural color of the teeth and provides a more aesthetic appearance. The process takes a few hours to a few days, depending on the number of sessions and the method of application, and the results are usually long-lasting.

• Pink Aesthetic/Gingival Aesthetic

Pink aesthetic or gingival aesthetic aims to correct the gingiva aesthetically. It includes treatments such as correcting of the gingival margins, lightening the gingival color or correcting the irregular gingival line. In this way, the teeth are given a more aesthetic structure. Additionally, the integrity and aesthetic of the smile are improved. Gingival aesthetic or pink aesthetic aims to achieve a standard appearance of teeth and gums during smiling. This procedure is performed to correct the gums that appear too much while smiling. Gums are restored to their ideal line with laser treatment. At the same time, a natural color can be given to the gums that have lost their color due to trauma. Gingival aesthetic is a procedure performed to beautify the smile and protect dental health.

• Dental Implants

Dental implants are the artificial roots that are temporarily or permanently placed in areas of missing teeth. A dental implant is usually made of titanium and shaped like a screw, which is placed in the jawbone. This implant knits together with the jawbone. It then forms a solid and durable basis. It also allows the treatment of missing teeth as there is no need to cut or discolor the adjacent teeth. Providing restoration in shape, size and color similar to natural teeth, dental implants make it possible to get an aesthetic smile. It also restores chewing function and supports the jaw structure. The dental implants are generally long-lasting.

• Dental Crowns

Dental crowning is a dental treatment method performed by reconstructing the tooth after removing the decayed, fractured or aesthetically problematic parts. In this process, the crowning material prepared measuredly is then attached on the tooth. Dental crowns can be used to protect the structure and function of the teeth, increase their durability, improve the aesthetic of the teeth or close the gaps. The dental crowns are usually be made of porcelain, ceramic, metal alloys or metal-ceramic combinations.