Smile design is a kind of cosmetic dental procedure that involves the correction of teeth imperfections and general reshaping of teeth. It focuses on the teeth, gum, jaw, and the area surrounding the smile.
A smile design procedure can be a combination of two or more cosmetic dental procedures. Dental bonding, dental veneers, crowns, braces, Invisalign, etc. These procedures have a great impact on the patient’s appearance.
A smile design makeover has many benefits along with cosmetic ones. It can improve the oral health of the patient, it can fix uneven teeth, can give the patient a rise in self-esteem, etc.
Let us understand more about smile design and how it can improve your smile.
Smile Design Procedure
Understanding the procedure is a crucial step before actually receiving it. The initial step of the procedure includes a consultation with your dentist. The patient should clearly explain the requirements and changes they would like to see in their teeth. The patient can also bring a sample photograph of the desired smile.
The second step of the smile design procedure is the treatment of any underlying issues or diseases. Just like any other dental treatment, smile design also focuses on dental health before beginning any procedure. If the patient has cavities or tooth decay or if the teeth require cleaning, they are first suggested to receive proper treatment for such conditions.
After underlying conditions are addressed, the actual procedure may begin. The procedure may be a combination of any of the cosmetic dental procedures like porcelain veneers, crowns, orthodontics, teeth whitening, etc.
Whiter and brighter smile design
A smile design can include a combination of various procedures such as teeth whitening, dental veneers, etc. These procedures come under the category of cosmetic dental procedures which are mainly performed to improve the patient’s appearance.
Many cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening can give the patient a bright and beautiful smile which can add greatly to the appearance. In-office teeth whitening procedures begin with the application of a whitening gel containing a bleaching agent, on the teeth. Then, this whitening solution is left on the teeth surface for a few minutes after which, laser light is shown on the teeth which helps in the activation of the bleaching agent and helps achieve bright teeth. The teeth are carefully observed when under this light. When the desired shade is achieved, the light is removed and the teeth are thoroughly rinsed.
Evenly shaped teeth
A smile design procedure can also help evenly shape the teeth and make them appear similar. Various procedures like braces and Invisalign are recommended for this purpose. Invisalign is the more popular choice among patients as it is invisible and hard to detect.
Invisalign is a set of clear aligners used for aligning teeth back into their designated line. This Invisalign is made of a flexible plastic material. It is very comfortable to wear and doesn’t cause any harm to the teeth and gums if there is any injury to the mouth. Invisalign works by gently applying pressure to teeth and pushing them back. It is also supposed to be maintained and cleaned on a regular basis. Also, Invisalign has to be removed during night time and during meals. As for storage, Invisalign comes with a specific container designed for it, when not in use, the Invisalign can be stored in its container.
Also, dental bonding is another cosmetic dental procedure that can give even teeth. It involves the application of composite resin over the surface of teeth so they appear even and equal. Dental bonding is a painless procedure and can be completed within one visit. Along with even teeth, dental bonding can also be used to correct discoloration in teeth, gaps or diastema, and misaligned teeth.
Facial aesthetics
Along with correcting the smile, a smile design procedure also focuses on the facial structure and its aesthetics. The facial structure can be modified a little bit according to the patient’s requirement. This is done by evaluation of facial aesthetics.
A smile design procedure also involves observing the asymmetries of the face so they can be corrected. Skeletal growth that can affect the patient’s smile is also observed for correction. After all the observations are made, jawbone grafting may be performed to lift and correct the area around the smile according to the patient’s requirements.
Missing teeth replacement
If the patient has one or more teeth missing, it can seriously affect the appearance negatively. Even if the lost tooth is on the backside, then also it is necessary to treat it because missing teeth cause trouble in chewing food. A smile design makeover can help correct this condition. Procedures like dental implants, crowns, etc. are recommended to make up for missing teeth.
Dental implants are implanted in the jawbone and they act as roots for the missing teeth. The implants are made from titanium and are deeply embedded in the jawbone tissue, so there is no chance of shifting of the implants. Before beginning the dental implant procedure, it is necessary to undergo a physical examination of teeth and an analysis of the patient’s medical dental history. The patient should inform the dentist about any previous dental procedure he or she has undergone. Also, the patient should let the dentists know about any other health conditions he or she is going through. Doing so ensures that the procedure is safe and no complications arise.
The dental implant procedure begins with the removal of the danged teeth it is still lingering on the socket. Then the jawbone is grafted using a little piece of tissue from the mouth. The dental implant is then settled upon the grafted jawbone and then it is left alone for some time, undisturbed. This is don’t to promote healing of the jawbone tissue and the successful embedding of the implant with the jawbone. Then abutment placement takes place and after some time, an artificial tooth is placed over it.
