Cosmetic Dentistry

Metal-ceramic: the material is metal alloy (titanium, gold, chrome, nickel) on the inside and porcelain on the outside. In general, it has great durability and a beautiful aesthetic effect.

All-ceramic: It has a very beautiful aesthetic effect but reduced durability. In addition, its cost is quite high and it is contraindicated in patients with dysfunction in the oral cavity (e.g. bruxism)

Zirconium: it is made internally of zirconium and externally of porcelain. It has a very beautiful aesthetic effect, great durability and is now used very often.

The development of technology and machinery in dentistry has given the opportunity to develop various methods of teeth whitening. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, so before performing it, you can ask your dentist about which one is the most suitable for you. The main methods are:

• Teeth whitening with special braces: performed at home, under the guidance of the dentist. At the visit, the specialist discusses the desired result with the patient and takes impressions. In a few days, the splints will be ready and the patient takes them home along with a special whitening material. The patient at home, under the instructions of his dentist, applies the whitening material and wears the braces. This material should not reach the gum area. The review is very important and takes place after a few days, depending on the plan of the procedure.
• Teeth whitening with laser or special lamps or photopolymerization device: performed in the dental office. It has immediate results and is not painful.
• Combination of the above two methods: first the treatment is done in the dental office and then at home for a few days. This procedure combines the advantages of both methods.

With the development of technology in the field of dentistry, science is now working wonders! Our team has many years of experience in the cosmetic dentistry industry and can provide you with all the information you need. Together, we can design exactly what you want and discuss all the possible options available. Our vanguard is our laboratory, in which the materials used are of the highest quality and the staff is well trained!

In general, there are many techniques that can be used, depending on the individual’s wishes. Examples of techniques that we have used for many years and manufacture in our own laboratory are inlays and inlays, dental crowns, partial or complete dentures, dental bridges and implants.

Dental crowns or cases are a type of dental restoration that completely covers or surrounds a tooth or a dental implant.

They are used to improve the strength or appearance of teeth and to inhibit their wear.
ADVANTAGES:

• Protection of the tooth from caries
• Very beautiful aesthetic result
• Permanent and stable

DISADVANTAGES:

• Invasive method
• Grinding pain
• Frequent breaks and changes (depends on hardware)

MATERIALS:

Cases can be metal, ceramic, a combination of these two materials, and metal acrylic.

Metallic:
A number of alloys are available for making sheaths, and the choice of one particular alloy over another depends on various factors such as cost, handling, physical properties, and biocompatibility. The American Dental Association categorizes alloys into three groups: high-noble alloys, noble alloys, and base metal alloys.

High noble alloys and noble alloys are generally based on gold alloys. Gold is not used in its pure form as it is too soft and has low mechanical strength. Other metals included in gold alloys are copper, platinum, palladium, zinc, etc. Gold cases are generally used on back teeth for aesthetic reasons. They require minimal tooth preparation and are easier to place.

Base metal alloys are stronger and more durable, however they are more difficult to install and require a lot of preparation. The most basic elements used to make dental crowns are: silver-palladium, silver-palladium-copper, nickel-chromium, nickel-chromium-beryllium, cobalt-chromium and titanium.

Ceramics:
Ceramic crown cases are mainly used for aesthetic reasons. Their durability is short and their wear is very frequent. The main materials used are silicon dioxide, aluminum and zirconium

Combination of ceramic and metal:
The combination of these materials gives the case a very beautiful aesthetic effect, but also mechanical strength.

Metalloacrylates:
Internally there is a metal alloy covered externally by acrylic (plastic) material. They are an economical choice, but they have very little durability.

DESIGN AND INSTALLATION STAGES:

1. Assessment: the dentist must assess the condition of the patient’s oral cavity, with a complete history, dental examination and x-rays.
2. Choice of rehabilitation: it is done after an extensive discussion with the patient about the options available and suitable for him, the advantages and disadvantages of each method, the costs and the expectations of the individual.
3. Tooth preparation: the teeth in which the case will be integrated will undergo some processing (eg grinding).
4. Taking an impression: according to this the dental technologist will make the case specifically for his patient. If the tray is made of porcelain or ceramic material, the color should be specified to match the patient’s natural teeth.
5. Construction and placement of a temporary restoration: in order to prevent tooth wear, the patient must wear a temporary denture.
6. Take final impression
7. Application of definitive restoration
8. Re-examination: usually after about 6 weeks, the patient should visit their dentist again to have the crowns examined and any problems resolved.

A removable artificial partial or complete denture is a mobile prosthetic construction, in which we can replace all or some of the patient’s teeth. It can bring in addition to teeth and artificial tissue to achieve greater stability (e.g. palate). The person can remove it and reattach it without professional help. It is also used as a temporary solution until a permanent non-mobile restoration is placed.

There are many types of artificial dentures, depending on the result we want to achieve and the existing condition of the oral cavity:

• Indirect complete dentures: first the teeth are extracted and, after the scars have healed, the impressions are taken.
• Immediate complete denture: the patient’s teeth remain in place until the denture is made. Although this method has the distinct advantage of preserving the teeth for a period of time until his dentures are made, it is less accurate.
• Classic complete denture: rests on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity
• Composite dentures: supported by 2-4 implants. It has excellent stability.

ADVANTAGES:

• Economic choice
• Restoring the functionality of the patient’s oral cavity
• Restoration of facial aesthetics
• Beautiful aesthetic result

DISADVANTAGES:

• Not so stable
• Very difficult to keep clean and can exacerbate any oral hygiene problems.
• Not as effective as other options
• They require avoiding specific foods: apples, nuts, etc.
• Difficulty adjusting
• Long time (4-6 weeks) between extraction and placement (indirect total)

DESIGN AND PLACEMENT:

Before dentures are designed, the specialist assesses the condition of the remaining teeth by clinical examination, x-rays, etc. After the patient is deemed suitable for removable dentures, the design process begins. Information from any previous dentures can be very helpful.

In the classic method, four sessions are required until the new denture is ready. At the first visit, the dentist performs the necessary tooth extractions. In the second, he takes the impression and the mold is made. In the third the patient can see the expected result in the trial wax. Finally, in the fourth, the patient gets his dentures. It may take some time for the patient to get used to his new dentures. For any problem that arises, the person must inform their dentist.

A bridge is a fixed/fixed dental structure used to replace one or more missing teeth. The main feature of this technique is that it is based either on two adjacent natural teeth (supports), which must first be ground, or on artificial teeth (implants) or a combination of the two.

ADVANTAGES:

• Restoration of esthetic deficits (especially if these are in the front teeth)
• Rehabilitation of chewing and speech
• They provide stability to the oral cavity and the jaw
• Acceptance by patients
• Stability
• They are easy to maintain
• They last up to 10-15 years
• Cleaning with the classic brushing methods
• No skill required

DISADVANTAGES:

• Requires preparation of neighboring structures
• Invasive method
• High failure rate, which depends on many factors (see below)
• High risk of tooth decay

There are many types of dental bridges. Talk to us about the pros and cons of each type and which one is the most suitable for you.

• Metallic: their material is gold alloy or palladium alloy or base metal alloy. Although they are very durable, their color is different from that of natural teeth.
• Metal-ceramic: their material is metal alloy (titanium, gold, chrome, nickel) on the inside and porcelain on the outside. In general, they have great durability and a beautiful aesthetic effect.
• All-ceramic: they are made entirely of porcelain. They have a very beautiful aesthetic effect but reduced strength, which makes them as bridges mainly used on front teeth. In addition, they are quite expensive and are contraindicated in patients with dysfunction in the oral cavity (e.g. bruxism)
• Zirconium: they are made of zirconium on the inside and porcelain on the outside. They have a very beautiful aesthetic effect, great durability and are used to replace all teeth.

There are also temporary dental bridges, which cover the teeth that will be ground.

Three visits are usually required to place and construct the dental bridge. The process steps are as follows:

• Clinical assessment of the patient’s suitability: Detailed history, assessment of the suitability of the patient’s oral environment (risk for developing caries, periodontal disease, etc.), the patient’s goals and motivations, the choice of abutment teeth and the design of the bridge.
• Preparation of the mouth and teeth: it must be done with the help of x-rays and special devices. The teeth must be ground or dental implants inserted. If there is an active disease in the oral cavity (e.g. periodontitis), the dentist must treat it.
• Λήψη αποτυπωμάτων και κατασκευή εκμαγείου: Είναι πολύ σημαντικό να ληφθούν και λεπτομέρειες που αφορούν το πρόσωπο, ώστε η γέφυρα να παρασκευαστεί άριστα και εξατομικευμένα.
• Impression taking and mold making: It is very important to take facial details as well, so that the bridge can be prepared perfectly and individually.
• Diagnostic wax: with this the patient can see what the final result will be. It can also be used as a cast for a temporary restoration.
• Temporary restoration: temporary restorations should be made, if possible, to protect and preserve the treated teeth until the final restoration is placed.
• Testing: evaluation of the bridge according to the cast and diagnostic wax-up. If there are problems, the bridge must be returned to the workshop for corrections.
• Final placement: after the dentist and dental technician are sure of the suitability of the bridge, it is fixed, integrated and welded to the patient’s mouth.
• Review: usually after about 6 weeks, the patient should visit their dentist again to examine the restorations and resolve any problems. If there are problems before this time, the patient must inform his dentist.