Aesthetic Dentistry

Veneers are wafer-thin (approx. 0,5 mm) translucent porcelain (=ceramic) facings made in the laboratory after an impression. They are fixed permanently to the tooth’s front surface using a special adhesive method. The porcelain facing covers the visible surface of the tooth completely.

What advantages do ceramic veneers offer?

In comparison with traditional crowns, veneering is much more conservative, and only minimal substance is removed from the tooth. In addition, veneers are robust and long-lasting.

The main advantage, however, lies in the veneers’ outstanding aesthetics, which are by far superior to that of metal core crowns. In comparison to a crown, the transitional area of the wafer-thin porcelain facing is almost invisible and needs not be placed under the gums. Gingivitis, receding gums, and exposed crown margins are problems often associated with crowns, but not with veneers. Before veneering treatment, we recommend whitening discoloured teeth using a gentle bleaching process. This avoids the risk of unsightly shade effects.

Veneers are the first choice when correcting the form of anterior teeth. They allow successful correction of tooth misalignment, gaps, form and shade, with superb aesthetics.

• Ideal aesthetics
• Form and alignment correction possible
• Gentle to teeth and gums
• Long-lasting

• Fairly expensive
• Require two treatment sessions

Our dental office has been an “amalgam-free zone” for a while, and so the search for possible alternatives to amalgam began years ago. Modern tooth-shaded filling resins (also known as “composites”, made from an acrylic base with inorganic fillers) are of a high-quality standard. Above all, these composite fillings are the best choice for front teeth (incisors, canines), as well as smaller posterior fillings.

The adhesive bond between acrylic and enamel is achieved through etching and application of primer to the tooth’s surface. In this way, even fragile teeth are strengthened. For almost every tooth shade there is a similarly shaded composite available, almost always allowing perfect aesthetic adaptation of the filling.

Our dental office has been an “amalgam-free zone” for a while, and so the search for possible alternatives to amalgam began years ago. Modern tooth-shaded filling resins (also known as “composites”, made from an acrylic base with inorganic fillers) are of a high-quality standard. Above all, these composite fillings are the best choice for front teeth (incisors, canines), as well as smaller posterior fillings.

The adhesive bond between acrylic and enamel is achieved through etching and application of primer to the tooth’s surface. In this way, even fragile teeth are strengthened. For almost every tooth shade there is a similarly shaded composite available, almost always allowing perfect aesthetic adaptation of the filling.

While acrylic resin is a marvellous material for anterior use and for repairing smaller defects surrounded by enamel substance, its use in large posterior fillings, where the cavity reaches deep into the interdental space, can be problematic. Occasionally this may result in persistent bite sensitivity. Even now, there is no reasonable explanation for this. Another problem is the formation of micro-gapsbetween tooth and filling, due to the shrinking of composite materials during the polymerization. After several years, this could lead to bacterial infiltration and caries. In addition, the filling can become discoloured and, after a time, be worn down by chewing (abrasion).

• Fairly inexpensive
• Strengthening of the tooth
• Good aesthetics
• Treatment in only one session
• No long-term stability of larger fillings
• Occasional bite sensitivity
• Possibility of discolouration and abrasion
• Problems with defects reaching deep under the gums

Ceramic inlays have no metal core and are therefore translucent. They are bonded to the tooth using a special adhesive method, leaving no marginal gaps. A chemical bond is created between tooth and ceramic, restoring weakened teeth to their original strength. The high translucency yields an exceptional aesthetic quality.

Inlays are indirect fillings applied in back teeth (premolars, molars). After removal of the old, defect filling or caries, an impression is made of the cavity (that is the drilled out defect). A filling is then made in the laboratory from gold or ceramic, which fits the cavity with the utmost precision and restores the original form of the tooth. In the second session, the inlay is cemented into place. Large inlays which cover the cusps are referred to as onlays.

For many years, gold inlays have been the tried and tested solution and have a long lifespan. Today, aesthetic awareness has led to a decline in their use.

Ceramic inlays have no metal core and are therefore translucent. They are bonded to the tooth using a special adhesive method, leaving no marginal gaps. A chemical bond is created between tooth and ceramic, restoring weakened teeth to their original strength. The high translucency yields an exceptional aesthetic quality.

Ceramic is exceedingly biocompatible. For example, allergies such as to certain alloys are unknown.

Ceramic inlays are long-lasting. The following diagram shows the longevity comparison between composite fillings and ceramic inlays

In principle, all back teeth (molars and premolars) can be fitted with porcelain inlays. Front teeth (incisors and canines), on the other hand, are treated with composites. Only in cases where the defect (caries or filling) reaches deep under the gum, or where the remaining tooth substance is weak and brittle (for example root-canal-treated teeth), is a crown the better and lasting alternative.

Instead of taking an impression, the cavity is scanned by laser. The data is then transferred to a computer-controlled 3D milling machine, which mills the inlay from a block of ceramic. The inlay is fitted in the same session.

At our dental office, we prefer inlays made in the laboratory after an impression. These are far superior to the computer inlays in form (marginal fit), occlusal function (intercuspidation), and shade.

The only argument for Cerec^® inlays is the saving made on laboratory costs, as well as the ability to fit a restoration in only one session (although a very long session).

The actual case:

Fig. 1

Three defective amalgam fillings (premolar and two molars).

Fig. 2

The teeth are isolated from the rest of the oral cavity by a rubber dam. Following the painless anesthesia using the Peripress-method, the amalgam is removed using a water-cooled drill and suctioned away. This method eliminates any chance of contamination with heavy metals or quicksilver.

Fig. 3

As the premolar’s defect is not too deep, the restoration is made with tooth-shaded composite. Both molars are prepared for ceramic inlays.

Fig. 4

The impression is made with a small, single-sided tray, which does not cover the entire palate. Upper and lower teeth are precisely registered at the same time, cutting out the need for additional bite registration. There is no nausea or choking as with normal impression trays.

Fig. 5

The finished ceramic inlays before fitting.

Fig. 6

After adhesive cementation of the inlays. Aesthetic, functionality and stability of the treated teeth are fully restored.

• Long-term durability
• Strengthening of the teeth
• Fairly expensive
• Ideal biocompatibility
• Time-consuming, two sessions required
• Defects reaching under the gums can be problematic

Actually, dental crowns are the visible portion of a natural tooth protruding into the oral cavity. However, when one speaks of “crown”, one often means the crowning of a tooth: the dentist grinds (prepares) the tooth, an impression of the tooth stump is taken. The dental laboratory then produces a tooth-shaped coating that fits exactly onto the tooth stump and completely encloses and encloses the ground natural tooth. This coating restores the original tooth shape and can be adapted in shape and color exactly to the neighboring teeth. The dentist checks the fit and aesthetics of the crown and finally cement it on the tooth stump.

The indication for a crown is when a tooth is damaged extensively and reconstruction with a filling, an inlay, or a veneer is no longer possible. This is the case when

• the defect is subgingival
• the tooth has been root-canal-treated (devitalized)
• the tooth is broken off (fractured) in a deep lying area
• caries or old fillings are widespread throughout the tooth

All-porcelain (=ceramic) crowns without metal core

are distinguished by their excellent aesthetics. Light is not only reflected, there is also real transparency as seen in natural teeth. This effect makes the all-porcelain crown perfect for use in anterior areas, whereby minor form and alignment corrections are also possible.

A further advantage of the metal-free ceramic crown is the tooth-shaded margin, which need not be placed under the gum line. Thus, the crown margin does not irritate the gingival tissue and prevents gum recession.

Porcelain (ceramic) is an extremely biocompatible material with no allergenic potential. This can be a real advantage to predisposed (allergic) patients.

With smaller defects, limited to the outer surface, we prefer treatment using porcelain facings (veneers), allowing more of the natural tooth to be preserved during preparation.

Progressive development in ceramics brings forth ever stronger materials, such as zirconium ceramic. Therefore, it is now possible to fit metal-free porcelain crowns in the posterior area.

An attractive smile is created when teeth and gum are in harmony. If the gum tissue recedes, e.g. due to periodontal disease, this can severely impair the overall cosmetic appearance. Modern microsurgical techniques can help in many cases. This is an example:

An attractive smile is created when teeth and gum are in harmony. If the gum tissue recedes, e.g. due to periodontal disease, this can severely impair the overall cosmetic appearance. Modern microsurgical techniques can help in many cases. Sometimes the opposite effect can impair the appearance: the gum tissue covers too much of the tooth crown and makes it appear too short. This is known as a “gummy smile”

 

Cosmetic periodontal surgery can also help in these cases. The excess tissue is gently and painlessly removed using a laser and a harmonious tooth shape restored. Periodontitis and bone resorption are sometimes so far advanced that surgical reconstruction of the gingival tissue is no longer possible. The defect often not only spoils the aesthetics but also impairs the phonetics (affects pronunciation). Often the only solution for this type of large defect is a gingival prosthesis (artificial gum or gingival mask). After taking an impression, a very thin gum-coloured mask that fits very accurately onto the teeth is fabricated in the dental laboratory. This removable prosthesis is very comfortable for the patient. The aesthetics and phonetics are also greatly improved.