“Smile, it’s free therapy”, said Douglas Adams, an English author and dramatist. We have all heard about how a smile can change things around. That it will add years to our life and spread positivity and kindness. A smile is like the warmest welcome anyone could give and receive. For a heartfelt smile to be one’s persona, you also need to be confident about your smile. If you do not have well-kept teeth that isn’t sparkling clean, you would think twice before a smile. Not everyone is blessed to naturally have a carefully crafted and neatly aligned set of tooth. For many problems relating to the teeth and to help people smile without a thought, cosmetic dentistry has helped immensely.
Cosmetic dentistry treatments aim at improving the look/aesthetics of the teeth or gum. It involves procedures to reshape, resize and reposition the teeth, along with improving the colour and alignment. Cosmetic dentistry is carried for more of aesthetic reasons than functional ones. A crooked or broken teeth can be hard for almost all. Cosmetic dentistry procedures such as reshaping and filling the teeth with enamel helps in not only improving the appearance but confidence to the patients.
Cosmetic dentistry often involves any of the below techniques
This is one of the most common in-office dental procedure that many consider. Teeth bleaching or whitening is the process to improve the colour of the teeth and getting rid of stained or yellowish deposits on the teeth. The dentist will use bleaching products along with laser light for a teeth whitening procedure. There can also be plenty of other options for teeth whitening that a dentist could prescribe. This includes toothpastes, rinses, gels, whitening strips and others. The treatment that is known to give remarkable results is laser teeth whitening.
This procedure is used to fill broken teeth or reshape it. Chipped, cracked and decayed teeth can be restored to good form with dental bonding. A dentist will apply a resin (a tooth coloured plastic or ceramic material) that is applied on the teeth and is made to bond using ultraviolet light or laser. One could avoid expensive teeth filling materials (such as silver or gold) by opting for the resin.
Veneers for the teeth is used to treat a lot of conditions such as discolouration, broken teeth, reshaping and resizing. Discolouration that does not seem to reduce even with teeth whitening treatments can be resolved with dental veneers. A porcelain based thin layer is made to stick to the teeth, giving it a pleasant colour and appearance. Even broken and chipped teeth can be fixed with this dental treatment. Cosmetic dentistry veneers can last upto 10 years or more and are a good investment for dental concerns.
A dental crown is used to fill a broken part of the teeth and is often referred to as dental cap. This is made of porcelain or ceramic substances and can last upto 15 years with appropriate oral hygiene. Getting a dental crown is a painless procedure, done after numbing the region. Patient can get good results and can avoid removal of the complete teeth.
Dental implants are pretty much like the prosthetic that helps to keep artificial teeth in its place with the help of a root. These implants are often made of a substance called titanium which gels well with the natural bosy without identifying it as a foreign object. Implants have been in use since the year 1952 and has a success rate of 98%. Implants can be of two types – endosteal, which goes to the jawbone and subperiosteal, which stays on the jawbone.
Today, there are a plenty of affordable and advanced cosmetic dentistry options for patients to choose from. Some of the most pronounced benefits of cosmetic dentistry include:
Cosmetic dentistry in India is widely recognized and dental tourism is expected to grow exponentially. The higher disposable income of the urban Indians also is said to contribute to the growth of the field. The cost of cosmetic dentistry services in India is considered to be between INR 3000 to 50000. The exact cost will depend on various factors such as the type of procedure, the city and clinic, the doctor’s experience and follow up treatments required. The cost of cosmetic dentistry in Chennai can be start at INR 8000 for procedures such as whitening and go up to INR 20000 - 50000 for procedures such as dental implants. Cosmetic dentistry services in Chennai is widely available. Most aesthetic clinics cater to the cosmetic needs of the teeth as well.
The cost of cosmetic dentistry in India can be between INR 5k to 1 lakh, depending on the procedure that is needed. Whitening treatments often come in the lower price range while an implant would cost way higher.
A cosmetic dentist specializes in cosmetic dentistry. He/she will deal with improving the appearance or aesthetics of one’s teeth. From fixing broken or crooked teeth to whitening the teeth are all performed by a cosmetic dentist with a keen eye on offering better looks.
Cosmetic dentistry offers a wide range of treatment such as dental veneers, crowns, bonding, whitening and implants. Most crowns and veneers are made of ceramic, porcelain and similar type of substances.
A teeth or smile makeover costs between INR 28k to 50k. The type of treatments or procedures for teeth makeover is decided by the doctor based on the patient’s dental needs.
A full mouth of veneers can be on the expensive side, coming to over INR 8 lakhs. For a single tooth of veneer, it would cost INR 40k.
A person with improper jaw bone structure might not have a great result with dental implants. It is important for the jawbone to be in good shape to support an implant. A person who has undergone a bone removal / grafting might not be a good candidate as well. A person who follows regular oral hygiene can be a better candidate for dental implants.
It is not painful to get dental implants. During the procedure, the doctor would numb the region of the mouth which will prevent the patient from experiencing pain. A slight discomfort after the procedure is expected but this would subside on its own.
Dental dentures are the most preferred alternatives to dental implants. Dentures can be easily placed and removed by the patient. A good structure of the gum is essential for dentures to stay in place and function like a normal tooth.
Dental implants are worth it since it is a permanent solution to tooth loss. The life of each dental implant is over 15 years which makes it a long term solution.
Dental veneers are often placed on the top front teeth. Anywhere between 4 to 8 veneers are sufficient for the full mouth. Some people would need all 8 veneers for the upper teeth. While for others only 4 would be sufficient.
Yes, veneers can be a good solution to crooked or broken teeth. Porcelain based veneers are often used to fill broken teeth, reshape a crooked or chipped teeth. They can give a good shape and structure to your teeth and can last for close to 10 years. If an individual suffers from oral health issues such as gum diseases or tooth decay, then veneers would not be the right solution.
Veneers are not often needed on every tooth. Only the affected teeth can be fixed using dental veneers. Most commonly, veneers are used for the front teeth and the sides. For an even smile and better shape, it is commonly used in the front teeth. Anywhere between 4 to 8 veneers is used to fix the teeth.
Crowns help improve one’s appearance and yes it can be used on the front teeth. When dental crowns are used to fix the front teeth, light coloured porcelain based ones are used. Crowns are cemented to fix broken or chipped teeth.
Porcelain based dental crowns do not usually stain. If the natural teeth is not kept clean and given appropriate care, it can change colour. As the natural teeth stains, the crown will become more prominent because of the difference in colour. Hence, it is very important to maintain good oral hygiene. Moreover, unlike natural teeth, a dental crown does not have any impact with teeth whitening. Even if the crown gets stained, it will be extremely less compared to the natural teeth.