Cosmetic Dentistry
A smile is an integral part of our lives. But what if you suddenly notice a chip, or a flaw in the enamel? What if you're unhappy with the color of one of your teeth? Or if the shape of a tooth catches your eye? This is where cosmetic dental restorations come in.
Restoring the natural shape of a tooth using composite materials is called composite restoration.
There are direct and indirect methods of restoration.
The direct method involves using composite filling materials. The indirect method involves making veneers or lumineers, crowns, bridge prostheses, and even implantation (if teeth are missing).
Let's talk about composite restorations. What steps does the restoration process involve?
- Professional oral cleaning;
- Diagnosis of the damage and selection of materials;
- Conducting anesthesia for deep damages to avoid discomfort;
- Removal of tissues damaged by caries (if present), forming a cavity, treating the edges of the chip;
- Preparing the cavity according to the adhesive protocol;
- Applying the material to the area being restored – recreating the tooth's anatomy and the irregularities of the natural enamel;
- Adjustment of the restoration;
- Grinding and polishing of the restoration;
It's important to remember that a composite restoration requires care and will not replace your natural tooth.
You should avoid biting into very hard food. It's also essential to know that composite materials tend to stain from strong food dyes and other coloring agents (like turmeric, long-lasting lipsticks). Maintain a high level of hygiene, follow recommendations, and your composite restoration will serve you for many years.
