Cosmetic
Cosmetic dentistry: veneers, crowns, whitening
Discoloured, worn or uneven front teeth can be corrected with veneers, ceramic crowns or whitening. Which route is right depends on what we start from, and it is discussed before anything begins.
What is possible and what is not
Cosmetic dentistry does not mean giving everyone the same white teeth. It means correcting shape and colour so that the result suits your face and does not announce itself.
What is realistically achievable depends on the starting point. That is discussed before anything begins, with the digital images in front of us.
The three usual routes
Whitening. When the shape and the position are fine and only the colour bothers you, this is the smallest intervention. One session of about an hour, with no loss of tooth structure.
Veneers. Thin ceramic shells for the front surface of the front teeth. They correct colour, shape and small gaps in a single step.
Ceramic crowns. When a tooth is heavily worn, broken or extensively filled, a crown carries it completely and restores the function at the same time.
How the colour is decided
The shade is chosen in daylight and matched against the neighbouring teeth, not on a screen. A shade that looks right under clinic lighting can read as noticeably too bright outside.
The timeline
For veneers and crowns, the first step is digital measurement. The laboratory work takes about a week, and then they are fitted. If you are travelling from abroad, this can be completed in one stay, provided the appointment was arranged beforehand.
Whitening is done in a day.
What matters afterwards
Ceramic does not stain; the natural enamel beside it does. Coffee, tea, red wine and smoking keep acting on the natural teeth, and after some years the difference can become visible.
Crowns and bridges carry a five-year guarantee.
Questions and answers
What people ask most often
Do healthy teeth get ground down for veneers?
Veneers need only a thin layer from the front of the tooth. Exactly how much is removed depends on the starting point, and you are shown that before treatment rather than told about it afterwards.
How long do veneers and crowns last?
With good hygiene and regular check-ups, many years. What puts the most strain on them is grinding your teeth at night. If that applies to you, a night guard is made.
Will whitening damage my teeth?
Whitening carried out professionally does not damage the enamel. Temporary sensitivity for a day or two does happen and settles on its own.
Do crowns and veneers whiten too?
No. Ceramic does not change colour. If both are planned, the whitening comes first and the restoration is then matched to the new shade. The order matters and is agreed in advance.
Related treatments
Crowns and bridges
Crowns, bridges and dentures
When a tooth is too badly broken down to fill, or missing altogether, prosthetic work restores the function. Which solution fits depends on how many teeth are missing and how much bone is there.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics: fixed braces and clear aligners
Crooked teeth, gaps and an uneven bite can be corrected with fixed braces or with clear aligners. Which route suits you depends on how far the teeth have to move.
The first consultation is free
An examination, a clear explanation of your options and a treatment plan, with no obligation. Message us on WhatsApp or give us a call.