Aesthetic dentistry

Our dentists carry out a number of different types of treatments to improve the appearance of your teeth.

Over time, there are many conditions that can deteriorate the aesthetics of teeth. For example, they can get cavities that are repaired with fillings, they can be discolored by what we eat and drink, they can get abrasion damage from the toothbrush or cracks in the enamel that attract discoloration. If you want your teeth to look better again, this can sometimes be solved with the help of ceramic crowns.

Presentation of a crown:

To make a crown, old fillings in the tooth need to be removed and the remaining part of the tooth grinded and shaped (fig. I-II). An impression is then taken before the ground tooth is covered with a temporary crown. After about 1-2 weeks, the permanent crown is ready and can be cemented in place (fig. III-IV). The color and shape of the crown are individually adapted so that the end result is beautiful and natural.

The whole process is time-consuming and technically difficult for both the dentist and the dental technician. That’s why the price of a crown is higher than for a regular filling.

What is the crown made of?

There are several different types of crowns and these have different properties in terms of strength and aesthetics. The two most common types are 1) all-ceramic crowns and 2) crowns with an inner core of gold with porcelain fired on the outside. All-ceramic crowns (porcelain) have recently become more and more common. These crowns have superior aesthetics and are primarily used where the demand for a beautiful result is high. Very strong porcelains are now available, so this type of crown can also be used on teeth with greater chewing pressure.

How long does a penny last?

A crown is meant to last for many years. However, there are a number of factors that can shorten the life of a crown:

  • Breakage of porcelain:
    When chewing, a crown is exposed to great forces. Over time, unfortunate stresses can cause pieces of the porcelain to break off. This normally has no practical significance and can in many cases be repaired with a filling. If the function or aesthetics of the crown deteriorate significantly, it may be necessary to make a new crown.
  • Caries in the crown edge:
    There can be no cavities in the crown itself. However, there may be a hole in the tooth below the end of the crown. These holes can usually be repaired with a filling. If the hole is large, it may be necessary to make a new crown.
  • Tooth pain/ root canal:
    Some teeth with deep cavities and large fillings can eventually have reduced blood flow to the nerve. They are therefore more prone to inflammation and infections that can lead to dental pain. This also applies to teeth that have been grinded and crowned. To root-fill a tooth with a crown, an opening must be drilled through the crown and into the nerve. Even if the opening is sealed with a filling after the tooth has been completed, the crown is no longer intact and will therefore be weakened.

To take the best possible care of your crown, you should:

1. Use the toothbrush carefully but gently on the gum line so that the gums are not damaged and recede. A worn toothbrush is not very effective. Therefore, replace the brush approximately every 3 months or when the bristles crack.

2. Clean between your teeth at least once a day. If the teeth are close together, dental floss will be an effective aid. For larger gaps between teeth, interdental brushes are best. These come in different sizes and are used in a similar way to toothpicks.

3. Rinse regularly with fluoride to avoid caries at the crown edge. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and is therefore important for the prevention of caries.

What is a facet?

A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that is bonded to the outer surface of the tooth. Veneers are used, for example, to change the shape or color of teeth, or to repair a damaged tooth (for example, if a corner has been knocked off). They can also be used to reduce or close gaps between incisors.

Presentation of a facet:

The first thing the dentist does is remove any old fillings in the tooth and grind away the part of the tooth surface that will be covered by the veneer. An impression of the teeth is then taken and sent to a dental technician. The dental technician then makes the porcelain veneer with a color and shape that harmonizes as much as possible with the other teeth. This normally takes 1-2 weeks. Finally, the dentist can bond the veneer to the tooth with a suitable adhesive.

Advantages of a facet

Before treatment

After treatment

In many cases, the alternative to a veneer will be a ceramic crown. Just like a crown, veneers are a treatment associated with a high degree of aesthetics. Veneers also resemble natural teeth and do not become discolored. Both veneers and crowns can be used to correct minor malocclusions without the need for braces. Unlike a crown, which covers the entire tooth, a veneer only covers part of the tooth. In other words, the veneer requires less grinding of the tooth compared to a crown. Making a veneer is therefore a more gentle treatment, and the risk of unfortunate side effects that can cause dental pain is reduced.

What does a facet cost?

Producing a veneer is time-consuming and technically demanding, both for the dentist and the dental technician. Treatment with veneers is therefore more expensive than regular fillings, for example. You can therefore request a written cost estimate in advance of the treatment.


How long does a facet last?

A facet is meant to last for many years. However, there are a number of factors that can shorten the life of a facet:

  • Breakage of porcelain:
    When chewing, a facet can be subjected to great forces. Over time, unfortunate stresses can cause parts of the porcelain to break off. If the function or aesthetics of the facet deteriorate significantly, it may be necessary to make a new facet.
  • Caries:
    There can be no cavities in the veneer itself. However, there may be a hole in the tooth below the end of the veneer. Such a hole can often be repaired with a filling. If the hole is large, it may be necessary to fabricate a new veneer or crown.
  • Facet that comes loose:
    Even if the facet is attached with strong adhesive, it may come loose. If this happens, you can usually glue it back in place. You should therefore take the veneer to a dentist as soon as possible if it becomes loose.

To take the best possible care of the facet, you should:

1. Use the toothbrush thoroughly but gently on the gum line so that the gums are not damaged and recede. A worn toothbrush is not very effective. Therefore, replace the brush approximately every 3 months or when the bristles crack.

2. Clean between your teeth at least once a day. If the teeth are close together, dental floss will be an effective aid. If there are larger gaps between the teeth, interdental brushes are best suited. These come in different sizes and are used in a similar way to toothpicks.

3. avoid snacking between meals and reduce the amount of sugary food to avoid caries in the transition between the veneer and the tooth. Also, rinse regularly with a fluoride rinse. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and is therefore important for caries prevention.

Much of what we consume on a daily basis can discolor our teeth. For example, coffee, tea, smoke, snus and red wine. Such discolorations form a dark coating on the surface of the teeth and can be difficult to remove yourself. The dentist or dental hygienist can remove superficial discolorations by brushing and polishing the teeth. A special brushing paste with extra abrasive is usually used. Alternatively, salt blasting can be used to remove discoloration. It is also normal to remove tartar at the same time, as discoloration also settles here. Although teeth may appear lighter after brushing and polishing, it is not the actual color of the teeth that has changed. If you want brighter teeth, this must be done with teeth whitening.


Do you want less discoloration on your teeth?

The most obvious thing you can do to reduce tooth discoloration is to reduce your intake of foods that discolor, coffee, tea, smoke, snuff, etc. In addition, thorough cleaning will reduce the formation of new discoloration – here an electric toothbrush will be particularly effective. There are also special toothpastes that contain extra abrasives. These toothpastes should be used with caution, as excessive use can cause wear and tear on the teeth.

External discoloration on the teeth can be brushed and polished away by a dentist or dental hygienist. This does not change the actual tooth color, but can in many cases give a good result.

Teeth whitening

If you want brighter teeth, however, teeth whitening is necessary. This can be done at home. Bleaching agents are used to penetrate the tooth and remove dyes and internal discoloration. If you are going to use at-home whitening, you must first take a cast of the teeth and make a plaster model. The plaster model is used to make a whitening tray. The whitening tray fits perfectly over the teeth and is therefore not uncomfortable to wear in the mouth.


There are different types of home bleaching:
Night bleaching:

The bleach is used while you sleep. It is recommended that you bleach for 6-8 hours per night. The number of days varies – either until you have achieved the desired result, or until you have used up the bleaching agent provided by the dentist. Day bleaching:
The bleach is used during the day, normally between 2-4 hours. The number of days varies – either until you have achieved the desired result, or until you have used up the bleach given by the dentist.

Procedure for home bleaching:

 

  1. Brush your teeth carefully and clean with dental floss if necessary. Rinse your mouth with fluoride.
  2. Apply a small drop of gel to the front part of the tray. The amount of gel should be adapted to the size of the respective teeth (small teeth = less gel, large teeth = more gel).
  3. Replace the cap on the spray tip.
  4. Wipe away saliva from the teeth to be whitened.
  5. Place the splint over the teeth and make sure it is firmly in place.
  6. Wipe away excess gel from the gums.
  7. When you have finished, remove the bleaching tray. It is then important to remove any bleach residue from the teeth and gums.
  8. Carefully clean the rail in cold water using the toothbrush. It is important not to use hot water, as this can deform/destroy the rail.

 

Important to know when to bleach:

It is difficult to predict whitening results in advance. The result varies from person to person, but most people get whiter teeth after whitening. To achieve the best possible results, you should follow a few tips:

  • It is recommended that a dentist or dental hygienist has assessed your teeth and gums before bleaching is started. If you have cavities in your teeth, you should not bleach them until they have been repaired.
  • Do not use bleaching agents other than those purchased from a dentist or dental hygienist.
  • Fillings and ceramic crowns are not affected by the bleaching agent and will therefore not be bleached. It may therefore be necessary to replace visible fillings after bleaching.
  • As far as possible, avoid products that can discolor teeth during the whitening period – wine, tea, coffee and tobacco. Your teeth will be more susceptible to colorants during this period. The use of these products can therefore make the whitening result worse. It is also recommended to keep the use of these products to a minimum until 2-3 weeks after the end of the whitening period.

Other important advice to follow when whitening your teeth:

  • It is useful to rinse your mouth with fluoride during the whitening period and the first few weeks after whitening. This is to avoid any icing of the teeth. Special anti-icing toothpaste can also be a good help for many people. If you experience pain, you should stop bleaching and contact your dentist.
  • Too much bleach in the tray can lead to sore gums. Wait a few days and try again.
  • Pregnant women should not whiten during pregnancy. It is also not recommended that breastfeeding women whiten their teeth.
  • The bleach must be used and stored according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
  • Do not use tobacco products while the tray is in your mouth.
  • Do not eat food while the tray is in your mouth.

Replacement of amalgam fillings:

In the past, it was common to use amalgam as a filling material. Amalgam fillings are grayish-black in color and therefore stand out in the tooth row. In addition, you can often see that the tooth substance around the filling takes on a bluish tinge. If you wish, you can replace visible amalgam fillings with more aesthetic alternatives. In many cases, a tooth-colored plastic (composite) filling can be a good solution.

If the amalgam filling is large, a porcelain inlay or ceramic crown can be used as an alternative. These are stronger and more attractive than plastic fillings, but also significantly more expensive.

Replacement of tooth-colored fillings:

When it comes to plastic fillings, these can change color over time so that they stand out in relation to the tooth. If the fillings are placed on easily visible tooth surfaces, this can make an otherwise attractive smile look unsightly. The transition between tooth and filling is particularly prone to discoloration. Dyes from coffee, tea, smoke etc. can penetrate here over time and make the fillings more visible. If this cannot be corrected by brushing and polishing, the fillings can be replaced instead. The new fillings are then placed with a color that is as similar as possible to the tooth color.

Replacement of fillings after teeth whitening:

Most people who try teeth whitening get brighter teeth. How much brighter the teeth become varies from person to person. It is important to know that fillings do not change color with teeth whitening. If the teeth respond well to the whitening and become noticeably lighter, the plastic fillings on the front of the teeth will therefore stand out more clearly. In order to achieve a good end result, it may therefore be necessary to replace visible plastic fillings after whitening has been completed.

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