Cosmetic Dentistry in Melbourne

Cosmetic dentistry encompasses dental work that improves the appearance of teeth and gums. It primarily focuses on the improvement of dental aesthetics by creating a brighter smile which is often associated with veneers.

Before the commencement of any cosmetic dental improvements, we must first perform a dento-facial and smile analysis. In doing so, we can identify the specific areas to be improved such as the proportion of your number of teeth displayed in relation to your gums, lips, and face.

Veneers

Veneers are thin coverings that are bonded onto a tooth’s surface made of different biocompatible materials. Composite resin veneers can be built up directly on to the tooth, while porcelain veneers are made in the laboratory and are later glued (bonded) on to the tooth.

Indications

• When there is tooth discoloration that cannot be cleaned away
• When there is an abnormal structure or texture, including chipping, fractures, or wear (erosion) of the tooth
• To aid closure of spaces between the front teeth
• To create the illusion of straight teeth with the desired colour and shape when the front teeth are slightly crowded
• To camouflage front teeth that have multiple, shallow, and unsightly fillings

Veneer Process

If veneer treatment is found to be suitable for you, our prosthodontists at White Light Prosthodontics will work with a master dental technician (ceramicist) to create a diagnostic wax-up or template of the proposed changes. This allows you to visualise your proposed teeth set up / smile using dental casts through physical mock-ups or digital mock-up photos with your facial photograph.

Based on the mockup of desired shape and size of your teeth, we will expertly remove a small amount of enamel from the tooth surface where it is required. In some cases, this can be a very conservative and painless procedure not requiring local anaesthetic.

A mould (impression) will be made of the teeth preparation. The prosthodontist may take photographs to record the colour of the new veneer or alternatively send the patient to the master dental ceramist making the veneer who can physically inspect the colour and shape of your teeth.

We will select the strongest and most aesthetically pleasing type of ceramic material to ensure high strength, durability, and an aesthetically pleasing result.

Until the veneer has been made the tooth may be more sensitive to hot and cold. In most cases a temporary veneer is not usually necessary during the period of fabrication of the final veneers.

At the subsequent insertion clinical visit, the final veneers will be checked for shape, size and colour and seal with your input. An adhesive resin cement will be used to bond the veneers into place.

There are no strong reasons against veneering a tooth. However, certain factors increase their risk of failure, such as grinding of teeth, excessively worn teeth, very large fillings, unfavourable bite (occlusion), vomiting associated with bulimia and chronic alcoholism and acid regurgitation as in hiatus hernia. They may also be unsuitable if the teeth are very discoloured.

Veneers are best avoided in situations where good home dental hygiene are not observed.

Veneer Maintenance

Routine oral hygiene procedures such as the use of a soft toothbrush and floss are a must. Electric toothbrushes may be used on veneers. If plaque removal from between the teeth is a problem, an interdental brush may be used. Use of a less abrasive toothpaste is recommended. The use of acidulated fluoride mouth rinses should be avoided as they might damage the surface finish of the veneers. Routine follow-up visits should be maintained with a dentist.

Sometimes the joint between the veneer and tooth can become discoloured with time. Veneers can occasionally become unstuck, and if they are stuck back on again the rebonding will not be as durable as the initial bond.

Habit patterns such as nail biting or pencil chewing should be avoided, as well as biting into hard food, to prevent fracture of the veneer. Use of a mouthguard at night and when involved in any form of contact sport is recommended to protect the veneers.

Although fractured veneers can be repaired, they are at best only a patchwork approach. Hence, the cosmetic outcome will be poor. If the broken and dislodged piece is preserved it could be stuck back or some composite resin material can be used to build up the defect. Although the best answer to the problem is to remake the veneer, the quality of the bond to the tooth achieved the second time around may not be as good as the first time.

At White Light Prosthodontics, we will provide you with professional advice based on your individual needs. A treatment plan with cost estimates, materials and sequence will be provided prior to commencement of treatment.