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Aesthetic treatments in dentistry, also known as cosmetic dentistry, are procedures designed to improve the appearance of teeth and gums. Aesthetic treatments can range from simple tooth whitening to more complex alignment and restoration of misshapen or severely damaged teeth. Depending on the desired outcome, treatment may involve a single procedure or multiple steps involving multiple providers. Treatment plans are customized for each patient depending on their individual needs and goals for improving their smile. Common aesthetic treatments include veneers, tooth whitening, dental implants, crowns, bridges, bonding and reshaping teeth. Each one provides unique benefits that help you achieve the beautiful smile you desire. With the right combination of treatments, you can achieve a stunning smile that looks both natural and attractive. Aesthetic dentistry is a great way to restore confidence in your smile and feel more comfortable with your appearance.
No matter which aesthetic treatments are chosen, the result will be an improved smile that looks completely natural, allowing you to maintain good oral health for years to come. By investing in aesthetic treatments, you can enjoy a beautiful smile for many years to come.
How do modern dentures work?
Nowadays, there are numerous options for replacing lost teeth with high-quality dentures. A brief overview of current treatment methods.
Beautiful teeth are an important factor in one’s well-being. For those who know the feeling of involuntarily wanting to put their hand in front of their mouth when they smile, aesthetic dentures can be life-changing.
You smile openly again, approach people differently and can even gain advantages in your professional life. The smile is the shortest distance between two people, and this smile is maintained by competent dentists.
Dentistry is changing
The world of dentistry has changed in recent years
On the one hand, there is an ever-increasing emphasis on preserving teeth, with new techniques and treatments that can delay the extraction of a tooth far longer than was ever possible. On the other hand, the appearance of their teeth is playing a major role for more and more people.
Dentures can become necessary at any age. As a general rule, treatments accumulate with age.
As a result, aesthetic dentures are becoming increasingly important. New materials are constantly being developed that enable more beautiful and longer-lasting dentures that feel like the patient’s own teeth.
Aesthetic dentures are usually fixed
When it comes to dentures, a basic distinction is made between two types: fixed and removable.
Crowns, implants and bridges are fixed like the patient’s own teeth, partial or complete dentures can and should be removed to be able to care for them. When we talk about esthetic dentures, we generally assume fixed dentures.
In addition, there are also veneers that can be attached to the patient’s own teeth.
Fixed implants, bridges, or dentures offer more security when chewing and feel more comfortable.
Removable dentures, while less expensive than the other methods, come with disadvantages for many patients:
The denture can wobble or press, and it interferes with eating or kissing. In addition, it does not meet modern aesthetic requirements. This method is used less and less often at the dentist Essen.
When individual teeth need to be replaced
If it is a matter of planning the replacement of a single tooth, the dentist will create a crown, bridge or implant.
This depends on the personal circumstances, which are discussed beforehand. Of course, the tooth should match the other teeth perfectly in terms of color, so that a seamless picture is created.
First, the discolorations are removed from the teeth, then the tooth color is determined using a standardized color scale.
In most cases, (expensive) implants are the best solution for individual teeth.
The laboratory makes the denture individually for the patient. Visually, it blends inconspicuously and harmoniously into the overall appearance and cannot be distinguished from a real tooth. Functionality also plays an important role. Aesthetic dentures are durable and stable.
The health insurance companies participate in the aesthetic dentures in the front area
If the denture is in the front area, the statutory health insurance participates in the aesthetic design, usually in the form of a fixed allowance. The difference must be borne by the patient himself.
- Frequently, in such a case, veneers are attached to the denture, which are located on the outside.
- They are made of several layers of ceramic and are treated to look like a real tooth.
In the area of the molars, the aesthetic dentures are often not covered by the insurance. Who wants a veneer here, must pay for it themselves. When laughing or singing, however, the molars are visible, so many patients opt for these measures.
The choice of materials is discussed with the patient
A trusting relationship between doctor and patient also means that the patient is informed about his options and the doctor justifies his decisions. This also applies to the choice of the appropriate material for esthetic dentures.
Tip: Discuss different treatment options and their costs with your dentist. You can often save a lot of money.
While (veneered) metal was often the material of choice in the past, ceramic materials are increasingly being used as a base today. They are non-allergenic and therefore very suitable for sensitive patients. Modern high-performance ceramics are in no way inferior to classic materials in terms of load-bearing capacity and durability.
However, there is also a co-payment here, because the health insurance companies only cover part of the costs. It is important to remember that you have to be satisfied with the dentures for the next decades. Financial aspects should therefore not be the decisive reason for a decision.
If several or all teeth need to be replaced
If several or all teeth in the upper or lower jaw need to be replaced, then bridges or various types of dentures are used.
Aesthetic requirements are also paramount here, along with functionality, especially if the patient is still in the middle of his or her working life.
Some types of prostheses require good fine motor skills, such as the bar prosthesis. Their suitability depends on the patient’s personal circumstances.
Veneers for an aesthetic result
If the patient’s own teeth are available but do not meet the aesthetic requirements because they are prone to discoloration due to lifestyle or a hereditary disposition, veneers can be used
These are also known as veneers and are the beauty secret of many stars who wow their audiences with their radiant smiles.
- are wafer-thin shells that are bonded to the surface of the teeth.
- They fit perfectly to the existing tooth, but give it an aesthetic appearance.
It can also be used to conceal misaligned teeth and small gaps between teeth.
With the classic veneers, the tooth must be ground so that the veneer holds. From the USA comes a new method, the Lumineers. They do not require any grinding at all, making them even more compatible.
Like many other services in aesthetic dentistry, veneers and Lumineers are not included in the catalog of services provided by statutory health insurance companies. Patients must dig into their own pockets to benefit from this service.
