Cosmetic Dentistry vs. Regular Dental Treatments: Dental cosmetics focus on improving the appearance of teeth and enhancing smiles, whereas regular dental treatments primarily address oral health issues, such as cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay.
Crowns
In cosmetic dentistry, crowns are tooth-shaped caps made of materials like porcelain or ceramic. They cover a damaged or discolored tooth, restoring its shape, size, and appearance. Crowns improve tooth aesthetics and offer strength and protection.
Veneers
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells typically made of porcelain. We bond these restorations to the front surface of teeth to mask imperfections like stains, chips, or gaps, providing a natural and attractive smile makeover.
Benefits and Limitations of Crowns and Veneers
Cosmetic crowns and veneers offer durable and aesthetically pleasing results, but they require tooth preparation, and the process is irreversible. Additionally, they may not be suitable for severely compromised teeth.
Customization of Crowns and Veneers
Each patient’s teeth are unique, so cosmetic dentistry crowns and veneers are customized in shape, size, and color to blend seamlessly with the natural teeth, providing a personalized and natural appearance.
Longevity and Reversibility
With proper care, cosmetic dentistry crowns and veneers can last 10-15 years or longer. While we do considered these permanent solutions, they may need replacement over time due to wear or damage.
Getting Crowns or Veneers
The process involves an initial consultation, a wax-up model (see below for more info), tooth preparation, impressions, and fabrication of the restoration. We typically use temporary restorations during the fabrication process. The final placement does not typically cause discomfort.
Addressing Aesthetic and Functional Issues
Cosmetic dentistry crowns and veneers can improve both the appearance and function of teeth, addressing aesthetic concerns like discoloration or shape irregularities and restoring teeth with structural damage.
Post-Treatment Care
Maintain good oral hygiene with regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups. Avoid biting on hard objects or using teeth as tools to prevent damage to the crowns or veneers.
Dental Wax-Up Model
A dental wax-up model, is also known as a diagnostic wax-up or a wax mock-up. We use this as a physical replica of a patient’s teeth made from dental wax or a similar material. Our dentist does this to plan and visualize the desired changes in a patient’s smile before undergoing cosmetic or restorative dental treatments.
The dental wax-up model serves as a valuable tool for dentists and patients to communicate and understand the proposed changes to the teeth’ shape, size, and alignment. It allows the dentist to demonstrate potential outcomes. Furthermore, it helps the patient visualize how their smile will look after the proposed treatments.
During the wax-up process, the dentist uses dental wax to reshape the patient’s teeth based on the treatment plan. We then send patient’s dental casts to our lab. This is where our lab tech sculpts wax directly on the dental casts or impressions. We may also utilize digital technology to create virtual wax-ups, allowing for more precise planning and visualization.
We use dental wax-up models in various cosmetic and restorative dental procedures, such as porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges, and dental implants. They enable the dentist to fine-tune the treatment plan and ensure that the final result meets the patient’s expectations and requirements before starting the actual treatment process.