Cosmetic / Aesthetic

Our ability to mimic nature in the fabrication of esthetic restorations is a difficult process.1,2 Teeth are not monochromatic and to simply describe and subsequently prescribe a single hue or shade to the technician can readily fall short of providing the patient with a suitably matched restoration.3 Our abilities to accurately interpret what we see … Read more

In our previous paper (Oral Health, April 2007) we discussed the importance of managing the dentogingival complex during routine restorative procedures to avoid black triangles, biologic width violations and recession. Even more attention to detail is required around implants if our goal is to create ideal esthetics (Figs. 1 & 2). Unfortunately as difficult as … Read more

The replacement of missing teeth in the maxillary anterior region remains an esthetic challenge for dentists. One has to address the multiple difficulties in managing the tissue and prosthetics. In most situations, the bone and tissue in the extraction site has receded and collapsed which creates unnatural contours for a natural appearance to the pontic … Read more

When it comes to restoring the mouth with porcelain in order to improve the aesthetics, the Porcelain Laminate Veneers (PLVs) are one of the most conservative and aesthetic techniques that we can apply. The longevity of the veneers are quite long and durable especially if the right indications are chosen and the correct techniques are … Read more

After years of calling on their professional organizations to put money and energy into building awareness of cosmetic dentistry, dentists woke up one morning and found themselves in the midst of a marketing blitz they had no idea was coming, launched by a highly unlikely source — the media.”1 This quote is from Dental Products … Read more

The concept of a biologic width was first mentioned by Gargiulo, Wentz and Orban in a landmark paper in 1961.1 Understanding the biology of the dentogingival complex is still the key to creating and maintaining ideal esthetics. In Fig. 1,2 three significant measurements are demonstrated; a 1mm connective tissue attachment, a 1mm epithelial attachment and … Read more

Ceramic veneers that can be glazed on the outer surface and etched on the internal surfaces for micro-mechanical retention provide us with materials that are more durable, stain resistant and enamel-like in appearance than previous composite resin alternatives. They can be fabricate by a ceramist and bonded to place with composite resin by the dentist. … Read more

A 20-year-old male expressed displeasure with the color of his front tooth #21 (Fig. 1). The tooth was fractured in a skateboarding accident six years prior. There was a fracture of the incisal third of the tooth, into dentin with a near pulpal exposure. The treating dentist placed vitrebond on the dentin and restored the … Read more

Patient demand for aesthetic dentistry with minimally invasive procedures has resulted in the extensive use of freehand bonding of composite resin to anterior teeth.1 Preservation of remaining tooth structure and using as much enamel to bond to, has made the procedure very predictable. In order to achieve maximum esthetics, the dentist must be able to … Read more

The average practitioner takes approximately one crown or bridge impression per day, for a total of 20-30 per month. An impression is simply a process whereby the dentist can indirectly transfer information from the patient’s mouth to the lab technician’s bench. Ideally, if the transfer process is accurate the restoration will fit well, requiring little … Read more

You will never get a second chance to give someone a first impression of yourself!” In today’s society, presentation is critical. The media dictates our lifestyles: workout, hairstyles and fashion. When these alone are not enough, we look to plastic surgery to enhance and modify what nature has given us. In the last few years, … Read more

ABSTRACT The restoration of anterior teeth is a challenge in comprehensive dental restorative treatment when there is reduced vertical restorative dimension. In order to gain sufficient vertical dimension for restoration many specialized treatments are considered including: surgical, periodontal, orthodontic and restorative procedures. In this clinical case, an opportunity to provide the patient her desired dental … Read more

Another issue of Oral Health devoted entirely to esthetic dentistry. The year’s largest issue of Oral Health featuring 12 original articles by an international group of clinicians. How could it be? A Canadian Journal! This would have been anyone’s thought just several years ago but to quote Bob Dylan, “The times they are a changing.” … Read more

A while back, I read an editorial, When Did the Line Blur? (Oral Health, Feb. ’06), that when done caused me to raise a “spockian” eyebrow. What seemed to resonate through the article was that “cosmetic dentists” are over zealous practioners with little regard for the patient’s well being. As a dentist who focuses on … Read more