It is not today that it is said that the smile is the window of the soul. Usually, it is the first characteristic that you notice when talking to a person and can leave good or bad impressions.
Therefore, teeth care has become increasingly recurrent by people, who seek the perfect smile.
Thus, dentists who work in the field of cosmetic dentistry have been highly sought after, as they take care of the appearance and presentation of the dental arch.
Keep reading and find out more about this niche and what its treatments are!
Contents
What is cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry, also known as dentistry, is the branch of dentistry that aims at dental restoration. In general, professionals in this area modify their teeth in order to harmonize and improve the appearance of the region.
Among some of the activities that make up cosmetic dentistry are: tooth whitening , restoration and orthodontic appliances.
In addition to the correction of teeth through these procedures, the face can also be treated with methods such as bichectomy – reduction in the size of the cheeks -, which can be performed by professionals in the surgical field.
Treatments: what does Aesthetic Dentistry do?
Cosmetic dentistry is responsible for treating problems in the mouth region, which often affect not only well-being, but also patients’ self-esteem .
The professional in this field works in areas such as teeth whitening in cases of stains, restoration of cracks and holes, smile alignment and even application of botox – botulinum toxin – for facial harmonization related to the dental region.
Some of the procedures performed by cosmetic dentistry are:
Whitening
Tooth whitening is a procedure that, as the name says, aims to whiten teeth, removing stains and the yellowish aspect of the region.
It has different versions, which can be done in the office (clinic) or in a homemade way, but which must always be under the guidance of a qualified professional.
In general, the process consists of applying a whitening gel through a mold and, generally, the treatment can last from 20 to 45 days, depending on the technique chosen and the dentist’s guidelines.
Restoration
Restoration is a commonly known procedure for treating cavities. It consists of restoring damage such as holes and cracks in the region of the teeth, returning the shape and natural function to the deteriorated area.
In general, the procedure involves removing the damaged area, cleaning and filling the perforation with a material that can be made of resin, porcelain, gold or amalgam – a mixture of metals.
Bichectomia
Bichectomy is a technique that aims to decrease the size of the person’s cheeks. This occurs through plastic surgery, in which part of the oral fat is removed.
This removal provides a finer aspect of the face, and this procedure is completely aesthetic.
It is worth mentioning that to perform the technique, the professional must be a dentist.
Dental contact lens
The dental contact lens is a technique used to correct the shape, color, size and alignment of the teeth. It consists of the application of porcelain fragments in the region.
The name is due to the similarity of thickness to a contact lens, each blade of porcelain is about 0.2mm and is placed on the front of the teeth.
It has a long duration and, unlike the Porcelain Veneer technique (porcelain fragments, however, thicker), there is no need for dental wear for placement, due to its fineness.
Thus, the dental contact lens is a more modern version of the porcelain veneer.
Porcelain facet
The porcelain veneer is a technique that emerged before the so-called Dental Contact Lens (thinner version of the veneer) and has the same purpose of harmonizing and correcting damage to teeth, such as shape, stains and size.
Likewise, the technique consists of applying fragments of porcelain under the front of the teeth.
The difference between the two procedures is that the porcelain veneer is thicker than the contact lens. Therefore, it is necessary to wear the teeth before carrying out the application so that it maintains a natural appearance.
In general, the facet is indicated for cases in which the teeth are very stained or with large spacing and holes, requiring major changes.
Botox
Botox is a procedure that consists of applying a substance called Botulinum Toxin to areas of the face, aiming at facial harmonization and the treatment of health problems.
Treatment can also be done by cosmetic dentistry professionals, aiming to improve the function and harmony of the bucco-maxillary region.
When applied to areas of the face, it inhibits the release of substances that cause muscle contraction in that region.
Thus, it can be used to treat cases of bruxism , in which the patient grinds his teeth during sleep, dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint, in which the movements of the jaw do not occur correctly, and even the gingival smile .
Orthodontic appliance
The orthodontic appliance is a treatment that aims to repair the alignment and position of the teeth, whether for aesthetic or functional reasons, such as to correct crooked teeth or the bite, for example.
There are different types of devices to suit the taste of all patients.
Some of them are:
Fixed
The fixed orthodontic appliance is the most common and consists of fixing parts on the teeth, usually made of stainless steel, the so-called “brackets”. A metal arch is placed around these pieces.
Through this mechanism, tensions are carried out under the tooth, allowing its movement to the correct place designated by the dentist.
Fixed Aesthetic
The aesthetic fixed appliance has the same purpose and effectiveness as the normal fixed appliance. The only difference is that the aesthetic is made with light colored materials, similar to the natural color of the tooth.
In this way, its use becomes more discreet than the metal device, without the famous “metallic smile”.
Invisible
The invisible device, unlike the fixed one, is mobile and can be removed at any time by the patient.
It has the same objective of aligning the teeth, however, instead of using separate parts on each tooth, it is formed by an entire piece of plastic, like a mold.
Its main advantage is discretion, since it is almost imperceptible.
In general, the device should be used for 22 hours a day, removing when eating and drinking hot food.
Gengopoplasty
Gingivoplasty is a plastic surgery that aims to remove excess gingival tissue, aiming to correct the patient’s smile.
It is for people who, when smiling, have a large exposure of the gingival area. There are cases where the gum can even cover part of the teeth.
The process consists of removing the excess tissue and reshaping the contour around the teeth. During the procedure, there is the possibility of correcting other problems such as crooked gums, for example.
How long does a treatment last?
It depends . Each patient has specific needs, according to the characteristics of their teeth, which varies the period of each treatment.
Whitening, for example, takes about 30 to 45 days when done at home. If done in the office, between 2 to 3 sessions with 1 week intervals, the number of sessions may vary to achieve the expected result.
As for other treatments, such as fixed orthodontic appliances, it is necessary to use the device in a period of 2 to 3 years to obtain a positive result, which may vary according to the patient’s clinical condition and professional guidance.
In order to know the treatment time, as well as which option is the most appropriate to correct or harmonize the bucco-maxillary region, it is necessary to undergo a professional dental evaluation.
It hurts?
It depends . Each procedure has its own characteristics and each person reacts differently to the treatment.
Despite this, there is no reason to be afraid to go to the dentist, who will take the necessary care to provide greater comfort to the patient.
In general, for surgical procedures and, in some cases, restorations, local anesthesia is used. This way, the patient will not feel any pain, only the twinge when receiving anesthesia.
On the other hand, there are treatments that can cause mild to moderate pain. For example, the placement of the fixed appliance that can cause pain in the muscles and teeth. This is due to the pressure exerted by the device. Throughout the treatment, in general, the pain tends to decrease.
Procedures such as whitening, in general, do not hurt. Despite this, the teeth can become more sensitive than normal.
How much does a consultation cost?
The prices of consultations and treatments may vary depending on the city and the chosen professional.
In general, an initial evaluation consultation costs about R $ 120.00.
Specific procedures, on the other hand, cost, on average:
- Whitening in the office – between R $ 700 and R $ 1,000;
- Homemade whitening – between R $ 300 and R $ 500;
- Restoration – R $ 135 (per tooth);
- Gingivoplasty – R $ 290 (per tooth);
- Bichectomia — R$1.500 a R$10.000.
Some of the procedures, such as gingivoplasty and restoration, are on the list of dental procedures from ANS (National Supplementary Health Agency), a list of services that are mandatory for health plans.
Thus, some cosmetic dentistry procedures can also be funded by the dental plan.
It is worth mentioning that in order to obtain positive results in the procedures, it is always important to perform them with qualified professionals.
Aesthetic oral care has been increasingly present in people’s daily lives, contributing to the construction of perfect smiles.
Techniques of the most varied have been applied with the objective of harmonizing and keeping the teeth aligned and elegant.
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