Veneers
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are custom made restorations from high -grade porcelain designed to be bonded to the front teeth, most commonly the upper front teeth. The underlying teeth are minimally prepared and so the tooth structure is conserved. Porcelain veneers may be the solution of choice for discoloured teeth, small or misshapen teeth, and spaces between the teeth.
At the Southgate Dental Centre, porcelain veneers are provided through the Digital Smile Design (DSD) pathway. After the initial consultation, a digital scan is taken of the upper and lower teeth, as well as a set of digital intra-oral and extra-oral photographs. The digital scans and photographs are then sent to the DSD laboratory, where the smile is analysed further, and a 3D digital setup of the proposed aesthetic smile manufactured.
In the second appointment, the proposed aesthetic smile will be explained through a powerpoint presentation. The patient will be able to visualise the new smile. The smile can be transferred to the mouth by a motivational 3D mockup so that the proposed new smile can be assessed realistically in the mouth.
Once the new digital smile is accepted, the front teeth will be minimally trimmed and prepared according to the customised DSD guide. An impression or scan of the prepared teeth will then be sent to the laboratory for construction of the porcelain veneers, which will faithfully reproduce the DSD proposal.
Once the veneers are delivered, an appointment will be scheduled for the bonding of the veneers.
Digital Smile Design (DSD)
The excellence in functional and aesthetic dentistry will never be achieved by accident. It is consistently achieved by a systematic approach for diagnosis, communication, treatment planning, execution, and case maintenance.
Digital Smile Design (DSD) is a multipurpose conceptual protocol which provides remarkable advantages:
- The diagnostic abilities are facilitated through an extra-and-intra oral aesthetic and structural evaluation.
- Improved communication between the team members providing a better visual perception, education and motivation for patients
- Clinical efficiency and predictability through digital technology
DSD ethically involves the patients in the restorative or smile enhancement process, making them the co-designer of their own treatment by sharing objectives, expressing their desires and expectations with the restorative team. The interaction between patient and dental specialist is improved by photos and videos taken at several steps of the treatment. The experiences all over the world have been tremendous. Once the restorative technical requirements are combined with the desires and emotional needs of the patient, great results will be achieved – creating a path to a natural, confident and beautiful smile.
Nowadays having a mouth free of biological and functional issues is not satisfying for demanding patients. Their desire is to own naturally beautiful smiles that harmonise with their physical characteristics and most importantly with their personalities. DSD dentists are aware of all the contributing factors that are necessary to make patients more satisfied beyond conventional dentistry. Developing an artistic vision and a set of appropriate skills are needed in order to become a Digital Smile Designer. Each customised patient design can be clearly visualised and improved with the patient’s ideas. The DSD Concept allows dentists to implement these benefits for patients, creating a smile that reflects their own personality and greatly enhances the experience and the results for all.
The whole concept is based upon the analysis of the patient’s facial and dental proportions, utilising a predetermined series of high quality digital photographs and videos understanding the relationship between teeth, gums, lips, smile with the facial features in motion and with emotion.
