Cosmetic Dentistry to Improve Your Smile
Sponsored by Turó Park Clinics.
Photo courtesy of Turó Park Dental and Medical Center.
We've been looking for ways to improve our oral hygiene for thousands of years. From the first “chew sticks” used by the ancient Babylonians as far back as 3500 BCE and the Tang Dynasty’s hog’s-hair toothbrushes of the late 15th century to the first mass produced toothbrush in 1780 and the the first electric toothbrush in 1954, we’ve come a long way.
Here in Barcelona, the team of multinational professionals at Turó Park Clinics uses the latest modern equipment and tools—such as the 3D intraoral scanner, direct simulation try-ins for smile design and 3D radiography—to address all of your dentistry needs.
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Aesthetic or cosmetic dentistry includes each and every dental treatment that aims to improve the patient’s quality of life by providing solutions for discolorations, crowded teeth and/or missing teeth, gummy smiles or irregular tooth shape.
Some of the cosmetic dentistry treatments offered at Turó Park Clinics include teeth whitening, smile design, veneers and crowns.
Teeth Whitening
Anyone who would like to have a brighter smile, or a slightly clearer tooth color can opt for teeth whitening. Teeth whitening is an option for almost everyone, but it is especially indicated as a complementary treatment to veneers.
Teeth whitening or teeth bleaching allows you to achieve a uniform tooth color, so that all of your teeth have the same color, and it can even brighten your original tooth color. The most common procedure to get a brighter smile is through teeth whitening, followed by the placement of veneers.
There are two types of teeth whitening:
- Instant bleaching is fast and immediately gives you the shade you desire. However, over time your teeth may get darker again. Additionally, the nerve may get temporarily swollen.
- At home bleaching is a more gradual process. The dentist gives you the materials so that you can apply the product at home every night for three to four weeks. The lightning achieved through this process lasts longer and the nerve doesn’t get as sensitive.
The whitening product works by chemically brightening the tooth surface, so it is recommended to first perform a full dental cleaning to remove all stains or food remains that may interfere with the process.
Photo courtesy of Turó Park Dental and Medical Center.
Smile Design
Smile design is a unique approach to modern dentistry that consists of making a digital simulation of the mouth so that you can see the final result before the treatment even begins.
This is an excellent communication tool because it allows your dentist to analyze the areas to be improved in the new, designed smile and decide which treatments are appropriate to reach the desired goal. This approach is recommended for patients who want to perfect their smile but don’t know where to start.
Veneers
Made of porcelain, lumineers or composite resin, veneers are slim covers that the dentist adheres to your teeth. Veneers are used for teeth that are:
- unevenly spaced
- permanently stained
- crooked or misshaped
- damaged
Veneers can perfect the appearance of your teeth without affecting your dental health. It’s a great solution to improve many teeth at once, they are affordable, comfortable and preserve the tooth enamel.
Being minimally invasive and respecting the tooth’s sensitivity, the treatment is usually short, and it lasts for a long period of time. It consists of four appointments with your dentist; the first two are a simulation and the treatment itself is done in only two appointments. Depending on your dental hygiene, dental veneers usually last at least 12 years.
Crowns
Made from ceramic materials or a combination of metal and ceramic materials, crowns are indicated when only a small portion of the visible part of a tooth remains. Often the starting point is a fractured tooth or one that has had many or large fillings in the past. Crowns cover the remaining portion of the tooth to restore the shape and/or the size of the tooth and strengthen the bite. They are commonly used when teeth have a large cavity, are severely worn or weakened or are misshapen.
Crowns can also be used to improve the alignment of your teeth, cover a dental implant, help harmonize the color of your teeth, support a weakened tooth and protect a tooth after a root canal treatment.
Your dentist will first design a temporary crown, make a mold for the permanent crown and then place it. The whole treatment only takes two to three appointments with the dentist. A crown can last from five to 15 years but the better you take care of it, the longer it lasts.
Remember, just as your teeth, crowns and veneers are strong but can break or get damaged if not taken care of properly. Maintaining a beautiful, healthy smile requires daily tooth brushing and flossing as well as visiting the dentist every six months for your dental hygiene appointment.
You can get more information about dental treatments and pricing at Turó Park Clinics online here.
You can book your appointment seven days a week online or via WhatsApp: +34 651 130 683.
You can find out more about all the clinic’s services and book an appointment via the website at turoparkmedical.com and follow on Twitter: @park_turo, Facebook: @turoparkmedical, Instagram @turoparkdental and LinkedIn.
Sponsored by Turó Park Dental and Medical Center.
