Aesthetic Dentistry
Aesthetic dentistry aims to bring the colour, shape and alignment of the teeth into harmony with the face. But the foundation on which this work rests is always oral health. If there is active decay, gum inflammation, an untreated root problem or an unbalanced bite, aesthetic work is not carried out on top of it; those problems are addressed first.
The reason is not simply that this is the rule. The margin of a restoration placed at the edge of inflamed gum tissue may become exposed over time, and if a clenching habit is overlooked, newly placed ceramic may be damaged earlier than expected. Aesthetic planning therefore begins with an examination.
No single method suits everyone
Two people presenting with the same complaint may not be offered the same treatment. For a tooth that has darkened, whitening is sometimes enough; at other times there is an underlying cause and a restorative solution is needed. Bonding may be sufficient for a small irregularity in shape, whereas a crown comes into question where there has been extensive loss of tooth substance. For problems of alignment, orthodontic assessment may be more conservative than a restorative procedure.
The following are assessed together when deciding: the remaining sound tooth structure, the amount of enamel, the position of the tooth in the mouth, the underlying colour, gum levels, bite forces, any clenching or grinding habit, and the person's expectations. The aim is to reach the result by the most conservative means available.
How is a natural appearance planned?
A natural result comes from the harmony of the whole, not from individual teeth. Tooth proportions, surface texture, translucency, the course of the gum margin, the smile line and the relationship between lips and teeth are all considered together. Simply whitening the teeth, or making them all the same size, does not produce a natural appearance; what is decisive is the relationship established with the neighbouring teeth and with the face.
The gums are part of this whole. How much gum shows when you smile, the symmetry of the levels and the health of the tissue are as influential as the teeth in whether the result is perceived as natural.
Expectations and limits are discussed openly
One of the most important stages in aesthetic treatment is sharing expectations before the work begins. In suitable cases, digital planning and a preview can give an idea of the possible outcome. A preview is a planning tool; it is not a commitment to an identical result.
Ceramic and composite materials behave differently from natural teeth in terms of colour: a natural tooth changes colour over time while a restoration may stay the same. For this reason, if whitening and restorative work are planned together, the order matters. Equally, no fixed lifespan can be given for any restoration; the outcome is determined as much by care, the bite and check-ups as by the choice of material.
The order changes the result
In aesthetic treatment, the order in which procedures are carried out is as important as which procedures are carried out. The general approach is as follows: oral health problems are resolved first, alignment is corrected if needed, colour work is then carried out, and restorative procedures are completed last.
The reason for this order is practical. If the teeth are to be corrected orthodontically, crowns placed before that may not fit the new position. If whitening is planned, restorations in the visible area should be chosen according to the shade achieved, because ceramic and composite are not affected by whitening.
When is less better?
In aesthetic dentistry the best result does not always come from the most extensive procedure. Once sound enamel has been removed it does not grow back; so if the same result can be reached by a more conservative route, that route is preferred.
For example: bonding may be considered instead of a crown for a small fracture in a single tooth; whitening may be sufficient instead of a restoration for a mild colour complaint; a gap between teeth can in some cases be closed orthodontically. Not every one of these options is appropriate in every case, but they should be considered together at the examination. If you are offered only one option, you are entitled to ask why the alternatives are not suitable.
Pages in this section
Planning
- Personalised Smile Design — The planning process in which teeth, gums, lips and facial proportions are assessed together.
- Proportion in Smile Design — Where the rules of proportion are useful. (in preparation)
- Pink Aesthetics and Gum Contouring — Gum levels and symmetry. (in preparation)
Crowns and veneers
- Zirconia Crowns — Where they are used, the digital workflow, material options and care.
- E.max and Laminate Veneers — Suitability for lithium disilicate and laminate work. (in preparation)
- Veneer or Zirconia? — A comparison of the two options. (in preparation)
More conservative options
- Bonding and Aesthetic Composite Fillings — A conservative approach for limited changes in shape and colour. (in preparation)
- Teeth Whitening — In-office, home and combined methods; managing sensitivity.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I start, and which treatment do I need?
The starting point is a smile design assessment. Once your expectations, the oral health findings and the bite have been examined together, we explain which procedures are appropriate and whether a more conservative alternative exists.
Do my teeth have to be prepared?
No. In some cases options that require no preparation, such as whitening or bonding, may be sufficient. The amount of preparation depends on the existing structure of the tooth and the restoration chosen.
Whitening first, or crowns first?
If the natural teeth are to be whitened, restorations in the visible area are usually made after whitening and matched to the shade achieved. Restorative materials do not change colour in the way natural teeth do.
How long will the result last?
No fixed period can be given. The choice of material, the remaining tooth structure, the bite load, any clenching or grinding habit, oral hygiene and regular check-ups all affect the outcome.
I grind my teeth — can aesthetic work still be done?
A clenching or grinding habit affects the planning and is assessed first. Where necessary, a protective night guard becomes part of the plan.
Local assessment
At our clinic at the Beylikdüzü–Esenyurt junction, aesthetic treatment options are assessed together with oral health, preservation of tooth structure, the bite relationship and the goal of a natural appearance.