Sunday, October 30, 2011

Thursday, October 27, 2011

CEREC crowns

To understand CEREC crowns and their pros and cons, you need a little background in the construction of a crown:

HOW CROWNS ARE MADE - Usually a crown takes two visits: on the first visit, the tooth is prepared by being shaved down somewhat. An impression is taken of your teeth, and this impression is sent to a laboratory where your crown will be made. Meanwhile, you wear a temporary crown made with some type of plastic material. On your second appointment, the temporary is removed and the durable crown is placed on your tooth.

This diagram shows the concept of a dental crown. The tooth is reduced in size to allow for complete coverage by the ceramic crown material. The cut-away ceramic covers the entire tooth, all the way around, usually down to the gumline.

CEREC ONE-VISIT CROWNS - A recent innovation available in the offices of some cosmetic dentists is the "Computer-assisted design-Computer-assisted manufacture" crown, or "CAD-CAM." The company that is foremost in this technology is CEREC. This crown is milled by a computer to fit your tooth precisely, thus eliminating the laboratory step in manufacturing the crown.

With CEREC'S CAD-CAM technology, the crown is made by a computer while you wait, thus eliminating the second appointment and the temporary crown. These CEREC crowns are milled out of pure ceramic.

CEREC technology can also be used to manufacture porcelain fillings. There are some very skilled cosmetic dentists who are also able to create CEREC porcelain veneers. Doing these well requires an exceptional amount of skill. Remember that CEREC crowns are milled out of a single block of porcelain. This creates an esthetic problem because natural teeth have a gradation of color from the gumline to the biting edge. However, there are some cosmetic dentists who have developed the technology to create beautiful life-like porcelain restorations for front teeth with the CEREC system, with color gradations in the teeth and a beautiful polish.

PROS and CONS of CEREC

Advantages:

CEREC crowns are made in one visit, saving considerable time for the patient and also saving time and cost for the dentist.
With CEREC, there is no need for a temporary crown, which eliminates a significant potential discomfort for the patient.
CEREC crowns have no metal in them, and thus are reasonably esthetic.
CEREC material and technology can also be used for fillings. Since they are made out of porcelain, they are more durable than white composite fillings.
While the initial investment in CEREC technology is expensive, it saves money over the long run because there is no extra lab technician fee for the dentist, and only one appointment is required, not two.

Disadvantages:

Since CEREC crowns are milled out of a single block of ceramic, it is difficult to incorporate the subtle color gradients of natural teeth. The blocks are created with a color gradient, but it is a standard color gradient. They look great on back teeth, but don't have the esthetic quality of laboratory-made crowns for front teeth. There are a very few highly skilled cosmetic dentists that are able to create natural-looking dentistry for the front teeth with CEREC technology, and some companies are now making ceramic blocks with a color gradient, but the cosmetic dentist needs to be highly skilled and very talented to work with these to produce a natural-looking result.
Using CEREC technology requires extra training on the part of the dentist. You need to be sure your dentist is expert in this technology.

Before and after photographs of CEREC crowns:

Before	After

Lumineers

What are Lumineers?

Lumineers are a brand of porcelain veneers that are made by Den-Mat, a dental materials company in Santa Maria, California. They aren't a lot different from most other brands. Their selling point is that they are stronger than most other brands of veneers, so they can be made thinner. It is generally recommended that porcelain veneers be made a minimum of 0.5 millimeter thick, about the thickness of a fingernail. For Lumineers, they can go a little thinner, down to 0.3 millimeter.

There are other brands of ultra-thin porcelain, and from what I have seen, the other brands are much more esthetic. If a dentist uses the Lumineers brand, because of trademark restrictions of the Den-Mat company, they have to be made in the Lumineers laboratory in California. Not only is this laboratory large and impersonal, but many expert cosmetic dentists feel that their work isn't of the highest esthetic quality. Other laboratories with other brands seem to give much nicer results. DURAthin is one of these other high-strength brands that can be made ultra-thin.

To me, the strength, while important, isn't the biggest issue in the choice of brands of porcelain. Lifelike beauty is more important. The reason is that a porcelain veneer gets its strength from being fused to the tooth with bonding technology. If it is bonded properly, it will not crack or break in function.

Thinness, however, makes it feasible to place Lumineers with a "no-prep" technique. In other words, Den-Mat is saying that the dentist doesn't have to shave away any tooth structure in order to place them.

So is that a good idea - to not prepare the teeth before placing porcelain veneers?

Lumineers are a compromise

Placing extra-thin porcelain veneers without any tooth preparation makes the artistry of a new smile makeover more difficult. Adding 0.3 millimeter to the thickness of the teeth can easily make them look bulky. They also have to be made about 2 millimeters longer. And they will end up with a rounded look, because they have to be feathered out on the sides. I haven't seen a case where that was the best look for the patient. So the question becomes, is the tradeoff worth it? Is the idea of not having your teeth prepared attractive enough to you that you will sacrifice the beauty of the smile design?

Below is a case that was posted on the Lumineers website in late December 2008 as a "case of the week:"


Before	After

Yes, her teeth are whiter in the "after" picture. But is her smile really improved? Frankly, I like her "before" smile better. A little bleaching wouldn't have hurt. But in her "after" smile, the teeth look a little too long, too bulky, and too rounded.

One patient wrote to me and complained that her lip was catching on her Lumineers. This can be a problem when the teeth are made a little thicker.

Another problem with a no-preparation technique is that you will likely end up with a slight ridge at the edge of the veneer. This ridge could attract stains and plaque. Or, it could irritate the gums.

One selling point is that, since the teeth aren't prepared beforehand, you could supposedly have the Lumineers removed if you decided you didn't like them. I understand the appeal of that reasoning. But I think the best insurance isn't whether or not you could have them removed afterwards, but choosing the right cosmetic dentist to place them in the first place. In twenty years of doing porcelain veneers, I never had a patient come back regretting their new smile or asking about having them removed. And I am not too sure that if they are indeed removed that they will be done so without damaging the teeth.

Should you get Lumineers?

Whether or not you should get Lumineers is a judgment call, and it depends on your personal preferences. If you want the most beautiful, stunning smile makeover possible, I would say no. If it's important to you not to have your teeth shaved at all, then you may want to consider them.

But have them done by an expert cosmetic dentist. The manufacturer, Den-Mat, is promoting them as easy to place, and they offer a two-day course after which the dentist is certified to place Lumineers and they get to be on Den-Mat's referral list. But two days is no where near enough time to turn a general dentist into a cosmetic dentist. Many cosmetic dentists feel that it takes three to five years, attending numerous continuing education classes and working to apply the principles learned, to become a good cosmetic dentist. And even then, the dentist needs to be artistically inclined to start with and passionate about esthetics.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Flossing

Brushing and flossing regularly ensures that you'll keep your teeth and gums healthy and protects you from gum disease and tooth decay. There's also a number of other products on the market which may be of use including mouthwashes and tongue cleaners. Your oral health can also be helped by maintaining a healthy diet and limiting the amount of sugary drinks and foods you consume. Similarly, if you r a smoker, quitting will greatly improve your oral hygiene. On top of this it's important to have regular check ups with your dentist so that any problems with your oral health can be spotted and dealt with before they become serious.

The reason that we brush and floss our teeth is to reduce the number of bacteria which live in our mouths. There's literally millions of bacteria inhabiting every part of your mouth and feeding on the remainders of food debris left on your teeth. As they feed these bacteria produce an acid as a byproduct and this acid attacks tooth enamel which in turn creates cavitites. Bacteria also create byproducts such as sulfur compounds which can lead to halitosis. As you brush your teeth a number of bacteria escape by living in the spaces between your teeth so brushing without flossing means you could be missing out on cleaning 40% of your teeth.

Without flossing the plaque which remains in your teeth can harden into tartar which can't be easily removed by brushing alone. Tartar can allow dangerous levels of bacteria to grow and they can go on to inflame or irritate your gums by producing toxins, a condition called gingivitis. If this condition isn't treated properly it may become a fully blown periodontal disease meaning bacteria will affect the supporting structures of the teeth and even bones. This can lead to a range of problems such as loose teeth, teeth that fall out and even bone loss.

When to floss

It's vital that you floss your teeth once a day at a minimum and prefereably after brushing. If you have any questions about flossing or oral hygiene in general be sure to ask your hygienist or dentist. In short however flossing is performed by wrapping the ends of the floss around your fingers before grabbing it tightly and scraping it in between the teeth outwards from the gums. This can help to clean those hard to reach places where you won't have access with a normal toothbrush, it's also important to use a fresh piece of floss for each space.

There's a number of alternative products to traditional types of floss including; flavoured flosses, waxed or unwaxed floss, floss 'tape' which can slide between the teeth easily, disposable 'forks' which contain a length of floss and even an electric flosser (also called an interdental cleaner). If you've not flossed for some time a small tinge of blodd may appear on your floss after use and this may indicate that your gums could be slightly inflamed. However by following a good oral health regieme this should disappear.

Flossing

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Electric Toothbrush

An electric toothbrush is a relatively recent development in dental equipment which uses electric power to move the head of the brush. It usually does this in an oscillating pattern which is a system of repetitive variations. Electric toothbrushes are also known as 'rotary' toothbrushes.

The Development of the Electric Toothbrush

Although a product from the late 1800's exists known as an 'electric toothbrush' the first proper electric toothbrush as we understand it (where the head of the brush moves by electric power) was invented in Switzerland in 1954 by Dr Philippe-Guy Woog. In 1956 the first clinical study which demonstrated the electric toothbrush was superior to manual brushing was published by Arthur Jean Held. The original electric toothbrushes were intended for patients without the motor skills to brush manually and patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Due to various problems with power supplies the mainstay of the American electric toothbrush market, during the 1990's the Broxo range of brushes was gradually overtaken by low-voltage models from large companies such as Braun and Philips.

The Benefits

Electric toothbrushes were for a long time believed to be superior to manual brushing by leaving the user less room to brush incorrectly. However recent studies into the effectiveness of electric toothbrushes have found that the majority of models on the market are no more effective than brushing manually. Some models, which use a 'rotation oscillation' system were found to be more effective than manual brushing, but only by a slight margin. Current research indicates that the manner in which brushing is performed is much more important than what kind of brush is used. However for certain patients with limited dexterity or who have difficulty reaching rear teeth, most dental organisations agree that electric toothbrushes can provide benefits.

Enlighten

As time goes by your teeth have a tendency to develop stains or discolouration. Tooth whitening is an excellent development in dental technology which can help to lighten the natural colour of your teeth without having to remove or replace any of them. In the past the only option available to patients was to have the whitening performed at a clinic, however there's now home kits available such as the Enlighten tooth whitening kit which provides convenient and effective treatment.

The structure of your teeth

Your teeth are made up of two main layers. The layer deep inside is made from a material called dentin. Dentin is a calcified body tissue which is made up of microscopic channels which range from the innermost part of the tooth all the way to the outer layer, the enamel. The enamel is the hard outer layer which shields your teeth. As you eat and drink another layer is gradually formed over the top of your enamel (which is called pellicle film) and certain foods and drinks such as red wine, tea and coffee have been shown to increase the rate at which stains and discolourations appear. It's possible for this layer to be cleaned by brushing your teeth, scraping or certain chemical procedures. Stains are usually broken into two categories, Extrinsic stains appear mostly on the surface of teeth and can usually be brushed away initially. Intrinsic stains are stains which form inside the tooth and gradually appear on the outside. However the main problem is that the materials in your food and drink which cause the staining can penetrate through the porous enamel to where they can't be scraped or scoured off meaning that tooth whitening is the only option to treat stains.

The treatment

The most commonly used form of tooth whitening is bleaching. This is where chemicals are applied which can penetrate into your enamel and create a chemical reaction which works to dissolve the materials which cause the discolouration. The most popular chemicals used in tooth whitening include hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. The active ingredient in the Enlighten gel is hydrogen peroxide which has seen lots of use in dentistry over the years and has an excellent safety record. Enlighten home whitening involves applying these chemicals through a specially designed tray, optimised to give a complete seal. You'll need to wear the tray for a couple of hours each day or overnight for about two weeks. Enlighten gel is specifically designed so that it has a low sensitivity which lessens the risk of developing sensitive teeth during the whitening process. If you carefully follow the kit instructions then Enlighten has been shown to be highly effective with some users getting up to ten shades whiter teeth.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Treatment of Apical Periodontitis - a new approach

Periodontal Disease 3D animation

At home teeth whitening

Some people are born with a darker shade of teeth than others and some people have teeth which turn yellow with age. There's a number of things which can affect your natural tooth colour including surface or 'extrinsic' stains and discolouration. Stains such as these can be traced back to tobacco products (like cigarettes, snuff and chewing tobacco), drinking red wine, coffee and tea and eating foods which are very pigmented like certain berries. There's also stains which occur internally (known as intrinsic stains) which commonly occur due to an excess of fluoride when your teeth are developing, trauma or damage to the teeth which kills the nerve of the tooth and discolouration due to aging.

What causes stains?

The things you eat play a big role in the colour of your teeth and research has shown certain types of food can contribute to staining more than others. Examples include red wine, coffee, tea, soft drinks, oranges and some acidic foods like citrus fruits or vinegar can also contribute. Research shows that smoking can play a major role in the staining of teeth as the nicotine leaves brown deposits which are gradually absorbed by the tooth causing intrinsic stains. If you grind your teeth can add to cracks in the teeth which can potentially cause a darkening in the edges of your teeth. Also accidents or damage to the teeth can also produce cracks which are susceptible to a build up of stains and debris.

Whitening

The most common form of tooth whitening is bleaching, this is where chemicals are applied which can penetrate into your enamel and create a chemical reaction which works to dissolve the materials which cause the discolouration. The most popular chemicals used in tooth whitening include hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. Tooth whitening can be performed either by your dentist or at home using a specialised kit and in both methods an oxidating tooth gel is used to filter out the stains. At home whitening as become an increasingly popular option due to its ease and simplicity. Your dentist will first take an impression of your teeth in specialised dental putty. Using this impression your dentist creates a custom made tray which will be the main tool for home whitening. This tray will be filled with a specialised whitening gel containing carbamide peroxide and you'll need to wear it for about two hours a day or overnight for around two weeks. If you carefully follow the instructions given to you by your dentist, then at home whitening is usually very effective. It's important to note that your newly whitened teeth will still be vulnerable to staining so to prevent stains returning avoid smoking, drinking tea and coffee and make sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

6 Month Smiles

One of the main put-off's for those considering orthodontic treatment is the length of time you're required to wear a brace during treatment. This can range from one to three years depending on the brace you opt for and until recently there wasn't a great deal of alternatives available. Fortunately, there have been rapid innovations in dental technology and patients who are looking for a quick fix for their dental issues can now benefit from the 6-Month Smiles method.

What is the 6-Month Smiles treatment?

6-Month Smiles are a type of discreet brace which makes use of very thin wires which are coloured to the same shade as your teeth. In the 6-Months Smiles method the teeth are moved very gradually with low amounts of force, this means that effective results are delivered and the patient experiences minimal discomfort throughout the treatment period. The 6-Months method uses cutting edge dental technology to maneuver your teeth quickly and effectively. Nickel titanium wires are used to focus on the teeth that show when you smile rather than concentrating only on the position of your bite. 6-Month smiles can be used to treat a number of orthodontic issues such as over or underbite, teeth which stick out, gaps or crowding.

How does the 6-Months Smiles treatment work?

At your initial visit your dentist will perform a thorough examination by taking some photographs and X-rays of your teeth and looking at your smile in detail. You will then be fitted with the 6-Month braces, whilst not as discreet as the Invisalign system, these braces are hard to see unless up close and perform the correction in a fraction of the time. After you have been fitted with the 6-months braces you'll need to have follow up visits every month or so in order to monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed. Although patients often experience some discomfort at the beginning of the treatment, as time progresses your teeth will adapt to the pressure and there should be very little pain. Over-the-counter medicines such as Ibuprofen or paracetamol should be sufficient to deal with any discomfort you experience in the early stages of treatment. You may find that your speech is affected for a few days after your braces are fitted. You may also experience an excess of salivating but these symptoms are only temporary and you should return to normal quickly. Following treatment you will need to wear a retainer in order to prevent your teeth moving back to their former position. Your dentist will assign you a removable retainer to wear at night or you can opt to have a permanent bond fitted on the back surface of your teeth.

What results can I expect?

The 6-months Smile system focuses on the teeth which show when you smile rather than trying to correct the position of all your teeth. So as long as you don't need a major bite alteration and are over the age of 15 then treatment with 6-months braces should be highly effective. And you should see a noticeable difference in the aesthetics of your teeth at the end of treatment.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers

This article provides information about dental veneers, what they are used for, the procedure of how they are fitted and the different types of veneers available including hand crafted veneers, DaVinci veneers, same day Cerec veneers and the minimal preparation Lumineers veneers.
Dental veneers are a very popular treatment in cosmetic dentistry today and are used for either aesthetic purposes or when front teeth are damaged, chipped or broken. A Veneer custom fabricated shell of ceramic material that has the appearance and translucency natural teeth. Dental veneers are bonded over the front surface of a tooth to cover up worn down tooth enamel, slightly crooked teeth (instant orthodontics), gaps between teeth and chips or cracked teeth. Veneers can be fabricated to any shape or colour enabling you to sit down with your dentist and design your smile just the way you want. Dental veneers are the classic treatment used to create the much-publicized Hollywood smile or celebrity smile makeover. They can give you a perfectly aligned symmetrical white smile and with the translucent quality of ceramic materials available today they provides a totally natural look.

What situations are dental veneers used for?

Worn down and damaged teeth

with age and over time, the thin, tough outer surface that coats your teeth called enamel can wear and look, dulled, stained and discolored. This process can occur naturally with age or as a result of certain medications however it is more often due to habits such as tooth grinding, poor oral hygiene and the consumption of carbonated and sugary soft drinks such as coke. Tea coffee and smoking can all contribute to the staining of your teeth.

Natural wear and Tear

Over time as you grow older your teeth will naturally wear down just like wear and tear on a car tire or shoes. As your teeth are used in everyday activities such as biting, eating and chewing they also wear away and can become cracked and chipped.

Genetic predisposition

Many people have genetically crooked teeth or have large gaps between their teeth (diastimas). A large gap between the two front teeth is a common problem that is solved with veneers.

Crooked teeth

teeth can naturally be crooked or can become crooked over time with age or through loosing neighboring teeth and gum disease. Crooked teeth can be treated using orthodontic braces or clear aligners such as invisalign but treatment times can be up to 2 years before any results are seen. Veneers are often called “instant orthodontics” as they cover up the imperfections of slightly crooked teeth. Veneers are not recommended for teeth that are very crooked.

Accidental damage

A common problem is that patients can chip or damage their teeth and trauma such as sports or just simply falling and banging your front tooth can cause a small part of the tooth to become chipped or broken. Composite resin can be used to build the tooth back up and this technique is sometimes referred to as bonding or composite veneers. This is a much quicker fix than porcelain veneers but it does not last as long and is much more prone to staining.

Protective role for veneers

As well as making your teeth “look good” veneers can also serve a functional purpose as they can provide a protective cover for damaged teeth in a similar maner to the way dental crowns can protect damaged teeth. The advantage of veneers over crowns is that is that because they are thin very little tooth structure needs to be removed or drilled away. Veneers can often help with tooth sensitivity where the enamel has worn away.

Porcelain Veneers Vs Composite Resin Bonding / Composite Veneers

Composite veneers are made from a special bonding material and require the artistic skill of the dentist to shape and mould the composite resin to the desired shape of your tooth. Once this has been done a special light is used to “cure” or “set” the resin. Composite bonding is a much quicker and less expensive alternative to porcelain veneers but they do not last as long and are more susceptible to staining with foodstuffs and drinks and so may need replacing every couple of years.
Composite is an ideal solution for teeth with small chips and cracks in them or to fill a tiny gap bu for more severe cases with large gaps or for a smile makeover porcelain veneers provide the ideal solution.

The Procedure

Usually dental veneers are fitted over a period of 2 visits to the dentist but in some cases it can take up to 3-4 attempts. New CAD CAM technology utilizing CEREC enables some dentists to design and fit your veneer within a single visit inside the space of an hour.

The consultation

Before having any treatment it is important that the dentists understand what you want from the treatment and to discuss if he or she can meet your expectations and whether they are realistic. At this stage you could discuss tooth shape and colour as well as any anxieties and concerns you may have about the treatment. Some dentists offer a digital smile preview where you can preview how your smile might look before you go ahead with any treatment. It is always advisable o ask your dentist to see examples of previous work that they have carried out similar to yours. Many dentists keep digital records of before and after shots which can be useful to judge the quality of the dentists work.

The Examination

The dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth to first of all ensure that your teeth are clean, healthy and that your gums are free from any sighs of periodontal disease. It is very important that your teeth and gums are healthy before undergoing any major dental treatment. Once your dentist has had a good look at your teeth he or she can begin to design your new smile ready for the preparation of your existing teeth to accommodate the veneers.

The treatment

A local anesthetic will first be administered and some patients may wish to be sedated during the procedure if they are anxious. Once you are fully numb your teeth or tooth will be prepared for the veneer – a small portion of your natural tooth structure is removed using a burr (a small handheld tooth shaping devise) equivalent to the thickness of the veneer that will sit on top of it. Once your teeth have been prepared an impression or mould of your teeth are taken using a special alginate or “dental putty”. This impression is then left to set and solidify and the mould of your mouth is sent off to a dental laboratory that will fabricate your new veneers to the dentist’s exact specification. It usually takes 2-3 weeks for your new teeth to be fabricated and during this time your dentist will fit some temporary veneers over your prepared teeth, which will also give you an opportunity to assess what the shape, fit and look of your new teeth will be like.
Approximately 2-3 weeks later on your second visit your temporary veneers will be removed your teeth thoroughly cleaned. Your new veneers will first be placed on your teeth and adjusted to give the perfect look before they are “glued” onto the front surface of your teeth. The veneers are attached to your teeth with a special strong dental cement, despite this veneers have been know to come loose and fall off. If this happens be sure to contact your dentist immediately and keep the veneer in a safe place.

How will I feel after my treatment ?

After the anesthetic from the procedure has worn off you should feel fine and be able to go back to your everyday activities. You may have a little soreness around your gums and possibly some temporary sensitivity around your teeth which should disappear quite quickly. Should you experience any discomfort after the procedure you should discuss this with your dentist immediately. Since they are essentially new coverings for your own teeth it may take a while to adjust to your veneers. Immediately after the treatment it is best to avoid very hot and very cold drinks.

CEREC Veneers

With advances in modern technology some dentists are able to offer single visit CEREC veneers. What does this mean? Well you can have the entire veneer procedure in one visit to your dentist – from tooth preparation and fabrication of the veneer to fitting it in your mouth!. Once your teeth have been prepared in the usual way for a veneer procedure a 3D computerized imaging system is then used to design your new tooth, once you are both happy with the design your tooth is milled onsite from a block of high quality ceramic in less than 30 minutes with pinpoint accuracy. Following this the veneer is then stained and characterised by you dentist to give it the precise look and colour that you want and the it is tried and fitted into your mouth. The entire procedure for a CEREC veneer can be completed within an hour.

What are Lumineers Veneers ?

There are just like standard laboratory made veneers except they are much thinner (0.2 mm) and made from a patented Cerinate porcelain. The boast to be as thin as a contact lens and so very little if any tooth reduction is needed compared to standard veneers. Lumineers thus have the advantage of preserving more of your own natural tooth structure. Your Lumineers dentist will usually be certified to place them and will have undertaken additional training to be able to offer this type of veneer. The benefit of Lumineers is that they offer a five year warranty subject to certain restrictions that you can ask your dentist about. Since little or no tooth structure is removed the procedure can often be carried out without the need for anesthetic and is also reversible unlike traditional veneering techniques.

How long do veneers last ?

Dental veneers are do not last a lifetime and will eventually need to be replaced however, they can last for many years (upto 15 years !) depending on the quality of material used for the veneers and how well you look after them. Just like normal teeth veneers require regular cleaning flossing and checkups with the hygienist.

How much do dental veneers cost?

The answer to this question depends on numerous factors such as the skill of the dentist offering them and their individual fee structure. A dentist with vast experience in smile design and cosmetic dentistry with a lasrge portfolio of smile makeovers will charge more than a general dentist who only places veneers occasionally. The type of veneering technology used, the quality of material used the skill of the laboratory technician if lab made veneers are offered are all factors that affect the cost of your treatment. Composite veneers are much cheaper than porcelain veneers but as discussed earlier they will not last as long and are prone to discoloration.
Veneer prices can vary from as little as £300.00 per tooth upto in excess of £2500.00 per tooth with the average cost being around £450.00 per unit. Many dental practices offer finance plans to help spread the costs of your treatment.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Dental Tattoos

By Megan Gallagher

Published on May 03, 2011

In recent weeks, the world has been abuzz with news of what has been deemed the wedding of the decade - the union of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. The frenzy has drawn impassioned reactions of both excitement and criticism, and fans of the royal couple have made news with their unique tributes to the wedding. One British man took his love for the royal couple to a new level, however, when he had images of Will and Kate tattooed on his front teeth.

"I love the royal family and this way my way of lending support for their big day," Barmy Baz Franks said.

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It is estimated that Franks spent nearly $2,000 on the procedure, which took a total of six hours to complete. His dentist, Dr. Neil Gerrard, used stencils to paint the intricate images onto Franks' teeth.

While most people were shocked that anyone would actually brand their teeth, the truth is that dental tattoos have been a trend for quite some time. Decorating teeth is actually an ancient practice. For example, Chinese and Japanese women used to color their teeth as part of a beauty routine. Today, dental tattoos are the latest way for people to express their individuality.

For Franks, the images of the royal couple were painted directly onto his natural teeth, and will be visible for a few short months. In most cases, however, dental tattoos are crafted on dental restorations including porcelain veneers, dental crowns, bridges, or implants. Many individuals who would like a tattoo but do not want it to be visible see dental tattoos as a welcome alternative because they can be placed on the back teeth.

While there are clearly limitations on the size of a dental tattoo, there are still a number of designs that can be placed onto the teeth. When it comes to choosing the design of your dental tattoo, most labs advise simplicity. Because the image is so small, a simple design looks best and will be most recognizable. One company, Heward Dental Lab, prides themselves on bringing artistry to dental restorations. According to their website, "technicians were trained first to be artists and then taught how to construct teeth." The designs that the lab have previously created range from depictions of Simon Cowell's face to Mickey Mouse ears and musical notes. The creative possibilities are endless.

The process for receiving dental tattoos on synthetic teeth is relatively similar to a typical dental restoration process. After your initial visit, the impressions of your teeth will be sent to a dental lab that specializes in dental tattoos. The lab will craft a strong restoration and paint the image onto the tooth. The crown, veneer, bridge, or implant is then sent back to your dentist where it will be fitted and placed. The price of the procedure varies greatly, depending on complexity of the tattoo design, as well as the nature of the dental work being completed.

For tattoo enthusiasts, dental art has undeniable benefits. Unlike other tattoos, dental tattoos do not have to be permanent. Individuals who receive tattoos on crowns or implants can easily have the image removed by grinding down a small part of the top layer of the tooth. In addition, dental tattoos are a welcome-alternative for those whose profession frowns upon visible tattoos. While there is no telling if Franks' royal couple tattoo will ignite the popularity of dental tattoos, it certainly highlights this unique facet of the tattoo world.

Celebrity Cosmetic Dentistry

Many celebrities undergo cosmetic dentistry treatments that leave them with natural-looking, beautiful teeth. Movie stars, rock stars, supermodels, and television personalities work hard to maintain their appearance, and for many of them, this includes undergoing smile makeover procedures.

At DocShop, we have detailed smile makeover information and before and after photos of some of our favorite celebrities that have undergone cosmetic dentistry treatments such as the placement of porcelain veneers or dental crowns, invisalign® teeth straightening, gum recontouring, and professional teeth whitening. Choose a celebrity from our list to find out - and see - how they improved the appearance of their smiles.

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