Wellington:
(04) 801 6228
Lower Hutt:
(04) 570 0520
The advent of Digital Smile Design (DSD) has revolutionized the field of cosmetic dentistry. This innovative approach combines the use of cutting-edge technology with an artistic touch to create smiles that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functionally efficient. In this blog post, we'll explore what DSD is and whether it's a better option compared to traditional methods of smile design.
Digital Smile Design is a digital planning tool that allows dentists and patients to design the perfect smile together. Using photographs, videos, and 3D scans of the patient’s mouth, DSD software creates a virtual simulation of how their smile can be improved. This method is highly personalized, considering the patient’s facial aesthetics and dental needs.
Traditional methods of smile design often rely heavily on the dentist’s experience and artistic skills. While many dentists are skilled in creating beautiful smiles, these methods lack the predictability and precision of DSD. Traditional techniques do not usually allow patients to visualize the end result before the treatment, which can sometimes lead to dissatisfaction or misaligned expectations.
DSD, with its digital precision and collaborative nature, addresses these shortcomings. Combining the dentist's expertise with advanced technology allows for a more predictable and satisfying outcome.
Whether DSD is a better choice depends on individual needs and preferences. DSD is an excellent choice for those who value precision, customization, and having a significant role in their treatment planning. It's especially beneficial for complex cases requiring extensive restorative work.
However, it's important to note that the success of any dental treatment, DSD or traditional, largely depends on the skill and experience of the dentist. Therefore, choosing a dentist who is well-versed in the chosen method is crucial.
Digital Smile Design represents a significant advancement in cosmetic dentistry, offering a more personalized, precise, and patient-friendly approach to smile makeovers. While it may not be the best fit for everyone, its benefits in terms of customization, predictability, and minimally invasive treatment make it a compelling option for many looking to enhance their smile. As with any dental procedure, thorough consultation with a qualified dentist is vital to determine the best approach for your unique dental needs and aesthetic goals.
Supreme Dental Concepts is the only fully licensed Digital Smile Design Center in Wellington.
We think everyone should feel comfortable in their own skin—and smile! That being said, in the age of selfies and social media, we get lots of questions about cosmetic dentistry. There’s one “Hollywood” white smile treatment that seems to breed a lot of curiosity: porcelain veneers. Here are a few basic pointers to help determine whether veneers are right for you.
When it comes to transforming your smile, there are a number of options that range in cost, permanence and complexity. Porcelain veneers fall somewhere between professional teeth whitening and dental implants. Veneers cost more than whitening, but can also solve problems that a simple whitening can’t, such as crowded, crooked, or gapped teeth. Veneers cost less than smile reconstructions that involve dental implants, and they can’t replace teeth that are missing or severely damaged (you’ll need an implant, crown or bonding for that).
Because most veneers procedures involve removing some of the natural tooth structure in order to fit a porcelain “sleeve” on top, they are irreversible. Once you get veneers, you will always have veneers and should take future maintenance (and often replacement) into account when deciding whether to get them.
While for most of us a smile makeover is a self-confidence and health decision, for some people it is also a career decision. Certain jobs require or at the very least reward a very polished and idealized physical appearance. High standards of appearance in the entertainment industry are the reason that veneers are known as a “Hollywood” smile. But there are other people for whom a great-looking smile is a career asset, such as real estate agents, politicians and even social media brand influencers. For these people, investing in their smile may be a good long-term choice.
As with any cosmetic dentistry procedure, porcelain veneers are only recommended for people with relatively great oral health. If the dentist has identified you as being at high risk for cavities or periodontitis (gum disease), the dentist may recommend that you don’t get veneers, or at least hold off on the decision until your habits and oral health are better.
There are some people whose teeth discoloration doesn’t respond well to traditional teeth whitening products, whether they’re the professional grade kind used at the dentist or the over-the-counter kind. For example, certain antibiotics can change teeth to a grayish color from the inside out, meaning that teeth whitening treatments, which are applied to the outside of the teeth, don’t have much of an effect. Someone with this type of staining can achieve the white smile of their dreams with porcelain veneers.
Some patients may be surprised to know that many dentists consider themselves artists as much as medical professionals. And it’s no wonder: when it comes to creating beautiful and healthy smiles, dental care is a blend of art and science, especially when it comes to repairing broken or decayed teeth with a dental crown (a.k.a cap).
Matching the color of teeth may sound tricky and it certainly is. After all, compared to the entire color spectrum of the natural world, human teeth occupy a pretty narrow range of yellowish off-white color. Luckily, there are a lot of time-tested techniques, science and modern technology to help the dentist make aesthetic decisions.
Dentists and dental technicians refer to teeth has having a shade, not a just a color. A shade includes hue, chroma and value. Hue is the same thing as color. The hues found naturally in teeth are yellow, red, or gray. Chroma is the saturation or intensity of the hue. Value is how light or dark the shade is.
The most common tool for color matching is a shade guide, a metal or plastic card with fake porcelain teeth of many shades arranged in a particular order. The dentist will hold the guide by your teeth and compare the natural shade to the examples until a similar shade is found. The dentist usually starts by determining the value of the tooth, and then finds the hue and chroma.
While the choice of a shade is somewhat subjective, there is some science that can help. Color decisions should be made under natural light conditions (such as near a window) or under fluorescent lights that mimic natural light. Regular incandescent lights tend to be too yellow and can make colors appear differently. Patients may be asked to remove any bright lipstick or other makeup, as this can affect the perception of tooth shade.
If you are wearing bright colors, the dentist may drape you with a gray bib. This has two purposes: it reduces the any color contrast that may come from bright clothing, and it gives the dentist’s eyes a neutral place to rest between looks at your teeth and the shade guide. The eyes need to rest because the rod cells in your eyes, which perceive color, can get tired quickly. The dentist will only look at your teeth for seven seconds at the most before looking away at something neutral or gray to reset the rods.
Next, the dentist may ask you or a colleague for a second opinion. Because color perception can vary slightly from person to person, having more than one opinion can reduce the chance for inaccuracy. Technology also offers a less subjective way to test color. Dentists can use a small electronic device called a spectrometer, which uses sensors to interpret the color of teeth.
Finally, the dentist will carefully note the shade of your teeth, often including drawings and digital photos of both your existing teeth and the one that is being prepared for a dental crown. This information then goes to a dental laboratory, where an expert ceramist creates the crown. It should be noted that an absolutely perfect match between two teeth is nearly impossible. However, very good matches with nearly imperceptible differences are common. If there is a problem with the color of the crown, the dentist can send it back to the lab for another try, but we always strive to get it right the first time!
Having a great-looking smile can change how you feel and act, and one of the easiest ways to make a big difference in your smile is with professional teeth whitening at the dentist. If you’re planning to have your teeth whitened, talk to the dentist at your next visit. We’ve noticed that there’s a pattern to when and why our patients get their teeth whitened, so here are a few suggestions so you can plan ahead.
This may sound obvious for a bride-to-be who’s planning to wear a white dress, but it’s also a great time of year for teeth whitening for those not headed for the altar. If you’ve been invited to a wedding, chances are there will be a lot of photos taken of you too, often with someone in bright white by your side.
If you’ve got a few weddings on your calendar this coming summer, we suggest getting a professional teeth whitening at the dentist then maintaining between events using over-the-counter teeth whitening products. Dentists know how to whiten teeth safely with more potent bleaching chemicals and can give you more predictable results, but store-bought products use the same chemicals in much lower concentrations and can help maintain the look of your smile after an initial whitening at our office.
Young people love returning from summer break with a tan and stories of adventure. They also want to look their best for their peers, especially with school portraits and Homecoming right around the corner. To be clear, we’re not recommending teeth whitening for little ones! Teenagers over the age of 14 generally can be treated as adults when it comes to teeth whitening because their teeth are usually fully developed. As always, however, please talk to the dentist about you or your child’s goals for their smile and whether whitening is right for them.
The holiday season is full of sparkle and shine, and we think some of that glamour should come from your smile! With Thanksgiving, the holiday office party, Christmas, and New Year’s, chances are you’ll be seeing a lot of relatives and friends you don’t see very often so you should look your best. And once again, you’re likely to be posing for a lot more photos than at other times of the year. We know you’ll want to look back on those images fondly and see your happiness, not the color of your smile!
Teeth whitening is a fantastic investment in the appearance of your smile. White teeth are associated with youth and health, and can make a big difference in your self-esteem. If you’re going to put time and money into getting whiter teeth, make sure you make the most of it with these tips!
If you’ve noticed your teeth starting to get yellow, chances are you know the culprits: the food you eat. (You should know by now that tobacco also stains your teeth, but if you’re a tobacco-user, we’ve got other things to talk about before we talk about whitening your teeth!) The most obvious tooth-staining foods are coffee, tea and red wine, but berries, soda and chocolate can also cause stains. Pretty much, if it would stain your favorite white shirt, it can stain your teeth. So don’t go right back to eating these foods after your teeth whitening treatment! Teeth can actually be slightly more vulnerable to staining right after whitening than they were before. That’s why many recommend eating only “white” foods afterward (think white bread, pasta, cauliflower, potatoes, etc.).
The biggest concern that most people have when getting their teeth whitened is sensitivity. Indeed, tooth sensitivity is the main side effect of whitening, but this sensation is temporary and usually goes away in a few hours or days. A bigger source of disappointment may be how white your teeth end up. Outside of bad habits, the biggest factor in tooth color is actually genetics. If your mom, dad, grandmother, and uncle all have bright white teeth, chances are you can too. But if the rest of your family has yellowish teeth despite never touching tobacco or coffee, the affects you can expect will certainly be whiter, but maybe not as white as a more genetically fortunate friend.
You should also know that there are certain types of tooth discoloration that whitening can’t really fix, such as fluorosis spots or internal staining that can happen as a result of taking certain antibiotics. That’s one of the reasons it’s a good idea to have a professional teeth whitening at the dentist. The dentist will be able to tell you what to expect and whether you’re a good candidate for the treatment.
After teeth whitening treatment, you may be sent home with custom whitening trays and several tubes of whitening gel. This is to provide you with an opportunity to keep your pearly whites just as white over the next few weeks and months. If your teeth whitening treatment didn’t include custom whitening trays from the dentist, you can still maintain your white smile using over-the-counter treatments. However, keep in mind that these are less powerful, require more diligence and patience, and are not as good at getting around the sides of your teeth.
Every few years a new dental care fad pops up and we dentists and hygienists start hearing tons of questions about whether the latest dental home remedy or DIY tooth care product really works. One of the most popular ones we’ve seen lately is using activated charcoal paste to whiten teeth. Some video bloggers are claiming amazing teeth whitening effects, but many patients are wondering whether this technique really works, and more importantly, whether it is safe.
The quick answer to both questions is: we don’t know yet. Viable studies have not been completed yet on whether charcoal can remove stains from teeth or whether charcoal can damage teeth.
In case you aren’t familiar with it, charcoal teeth whitening involves adding water to a fine powder of charcoal to make a paste. You then use this paste to brush your teeth with a regular toothbrush for three to five minutes. Supposedly, after you rinse the ghoulish-looking black paste from your mouth, you’re left with an ultra-white, megawatt smile.
The idea behind the trend is reasonable enough. Charcoal has been used for centuries as a purifying agent. Activated charcoal is very porous, and all the tiny little holes on its surface grab on to toxins and particles. That’s why charcoal is used in water filters and by as poison control in emergency rooms. However, whether this purifying effect works on teeth is not known, though in theory the concept does make sense.
Regardless of whether charcoal can be effective for teeth whitening, the more important question is if it is safe. It is possible that charcoal is too abrasive for your teeth, meaning that if the charcoal is too rough, it can damage and strip away the outer layer of your teeth (the enamel). This may not cause a problem after just one use, however, if a patient uses charcoal on their teeth repeatedly over time, they may wear out their teeth, leaving them vulnerable to sensitivity and decay.
Given that we don’t really have any evidence or studies to prove either the effectiveness or safety of charcoal teeth whitening, we can’t say that we recommend it. There are plenty of reasonably priced tooth whitening products at the drugstore that are known to be effective and safe that we’d rather patients use. And remember, the best person to ask for advice about whitening your smile is your dentist, your smile-care professional!
When people think of a smile makeover, many people think of braces. And it’s true that braces can create a very powerful before and after image. However, not every smile makeover involves braces. There are quite a few ways to re-shape your smile that don’t involve as much time or investment as braces.
Veneers were originally invented as a quick fix for the teeth of Hollywood stars, and they’re still a great way to re-shape your smile quickly and easily. Veneers are thin porcelain sleeves that are slipped over your natural teeth and permanently cemented in place. Veneers can be designed to fix gaps between teeth, make them more uniform in shape and size, or cover teeth that are stained or discolored in a way that cosmetic whitening can’t fix. Placing porcelain veneers is a fairly fast process that mostly involves preparing your natural teeth so the veneers fit securely. Getting veneers is painless and doesn’t require any healing time.
A gummy smile, where the gums cover more of the tooth than normal, can make teeth look small and make a person’s smile look more juvenile that they’d like. Luckily, cosmetic gum contouring (also called a gum lift) can re-shape gums, revealing more of the tooth crown to make teeth appear longer without actually having to change the shape or position of your teeth. Gum contouring can also make a gumline more uniform, for example, if gum tissue covers more of one of your front teeth than the others, making your teeth appear to be different sizes. Because gum contouring involves removing gum tissue (usually with a special dental laser), the dentist will use local anesthetic to numb your mouth during the procedure. There is some healing time after gum contouring during which your gums may be sore or sensitive, but this usually subsides within a few days. Like veneers, a gum lift is a fast way to dramatically change the appearance of your smile.
Aesthetic bonding is the process of adding composite resin or porcelain to a tooth in order to change its shape. Bonding is most commonly used as a way to repair chipped teeth, but this treatment can also be applied for aesthetic purposes. For example, if you have a large gap between your front teeth, instead of shifting the teeth using braces, the dentist can used bonding to make the teeth a little wider so there isn’t as big of a gap. Bonding can also be used to make an usually small tooth (sometimes called a peg tooth) that didn’t develop properly the same size as your other teeth. Best of all, bonding is not an invasive procedure so it requires no anesthetic and no healing time afterward. Bonding usually only takes one visit and is very affordable compared to some other smile makeover treatments.
If you’re thinking of changing the appearance of your smile, it’s best to talk to the dentist about your options. While many people get their teeth straightened with braces for cosmetic purposes, braces are primarily used to treat poor alignment, which can lead to other oral problems or jaw problems. If in addition to crooked teeth you have a bad bite (your top and bottom teeth don’t like up correctly), the dentist may recommend that you get braces after all.
Whether you’re a good candidate for veneers, gum contouring or bonding may also depend on other aspects of your oral health. Ask us today for a cosmetic consultation to discuss which smile makeover treatment is right for your oral health situation and your goals for your smile!
The most effective and best teeth whitening treatment you can receive is a professional teeth whitening session at the dentist. The dentist has access to specialized whitening products and knows how to whiten teeth quickly and effectively. However, if you aren’t ready to invest in a professional teeth whitening, you may be tempted to buy an at-home whitening kit at your local drugstore or pharmacy. But do these kits really work?
The quick answer is yes. Over-the-counter teeth whitening products use the same chemicals as professional teeth whitening products at the dentist. The difference is the store-bought kits have these chemicals in much lower concentrations, so they are less powerful.
The bleaching agent in most kits is peroxide, which can remove both surface stains and deeper stains. Professional whitening technology also relies on peroxide-based bleaching agents. The difference is that the dentist uses a high concentration of bleaching chemicals over a brief amount of time, and the at-home kit uses a low concentration of bleaching chemicals over a longer period of time. Bleaching at the dentist usually lasts less than an hour and is often accelerated by a shining a special light on your teeth. Bleaching at home usually involves wearing strips, trays filled with gel, or a painted-on gel for a few hours per day, over the course of several days or weeks.
One common problem that makes at-home whitening less effective than professional teeth whitening from the dentist is inconsistency in applying the treatments. Many people start the treatments and repeat them on a regular basis for a while, then forget or stop when they don’t see an immediate difference. The key to ensuring the whitening treatments work is following the directions and doing the treatments as frequently as you’re supposed to.
A good way to ensure you actually complete your at-home teeth whitening process is to set a white teeth goal on your calendar. By this we mean: pick a special event coming up in the near future and make yourself a promise to have whiter teeth by then. Choosing an event where you’re likely to get your photo taken a lot is a good idea, such as a birthday, anniversary, or a wedding. For brides especially, we recommend whitening your teeth before the big day. Nothing will make yellow teeth stand out quite like a white dress!
Before you go out and buy an at-home whitening kit, it’s a good idea to have a chat with the dentist. Only a dental professional will be able to tell you whether teeth whitening, whether professional or from the drugstore, will work the way you want it to.
If your teeth are cracked, stained, or otherwise damaged, cosmetic dentistry can greatly improve the appearance of your smile. Dentists use crowns, bridges, implants, onlays and veneers for smile makeovers, and many of these techniques have been used for hundreds of years. But compared to other procedures, like crowns, which have been used since as early as 200 AD, veneers are a relatively new procedure. But how did this relatively affordable option develop amongst so many other techniques?
Cosmetic dentistry has been practiced for thousands of years. Before veneers, to fix damaged teeth, people either had them filled or left them alone. Some civilizations had techniques for cosmetic dentistry. Around 700 BC, Etruscans used ivory, bone, and teeth from humans or animals for dentures, and by 200 AD, they used gold for crowns. Egyptians used to scrub stains from their teeth with pumice stones and vinegar. Later, in the 1400s, barbers were performing dental hygiene and cosmetic services, like teeth whitening with acid (which eventually destroyed the tooth enamel!).
Around 1770, the first porcelain dentures were made, and people began to focus on making prosthetic teeth look natural. Porcelain teeth gained popularity in the 1800s, and in 1903, Charles Land created a porcelain substitute for metal fillings called a “porcelain jacket crown.”
And finally, in 1928, a Californian dentist named Charles Pincus created the first dental veneers after getting a request to change the appearance of an actor’s teeth. These veneers may be the true origin of the famous “Hollywood Smile.” Pincus went on to invent veneers that were held in place by a denture adhesive, but they didn’t last very long and could only be secured temporarily.
Since they had the potential to help the general public, dentists worked on making veneers more long-lasting, and in 1959, Dr. Michael Buonocore first used etching to bond porcelain veneers to teeth more permanently. In 1982, Drs. Simonsen and Calamia found a way to increase the bond strength by using hydrofluoric acid in etching and composite resins to bond porcelain to teeth permanently. These small advances in materials and technology led to the very refined and high-quality veneers we have available now.
Today, veneers are mainly made from porcelain and can be expected to last between 10 and 30 years, depending on care and wear. The history of veneers is a perfect representation of the history of cosmetic dentistry and all of its advances—it’s a history of people innovating to help others’ smiles shine brighter!
Most patients, especially those in suburban areas near cities, have two choices for the types of dental practices they can go to. There are classic privately-owned practices, which are small businesses where the supervising dentist is also the owner. There are also corporate dental offices (also called DSOs) which are owned and run by corporations, and the dentists that practice within them are employees of the corporation.
Clinically speaking, the quality of care at a corporate dental center versus privately-owned dental practices will be roughly the same. Both types of dental practices are staffed by dentists and hygienists who were held to the same standards in order to earn their DDS/DMD degrees or RDH certifications. That being said, some dentists working in corporate dental practices have complained that they’ve felt pressured by their corporate employers to offer expensive care that the patient might not need, instead of basing treatment decisions on their patients’ individual health, insurance and financial situation (source).
While we hesitate to make generalizations for all such practices, the ethics of care at a corporate dental practice may be clouded by the pursuit of profits. After all, the owner of the practice is a distant corporation, not a dentist who lives down the street, shops at the same grocery store as you and whose children go to the same school as yours!
At dentist-owned dental practices, treatment decisions are between you and your dentist, with no outside influence. Your dentist knows you personally and has the chance to get to know your goals for your health and your appearance, and can take your financial situation into account when helping you weigh your choices. Dentist-owned offices can help you maximize your insurance in a way that’s best for your health and your wallet, as opposed to what’s best for a corporation’s bottom line.
Just because a dental practice has more than one location in your area doesn’t mean it’s corporately owned. Just like your favorite mom and pop sandwich place might have locations on both ends of town, so too can a local dentist have multiple dental practices. One of our aspirations as dental professionals is to provide accessible, compassionate dental care to as much of the local community as we can, and having multiple locations is a way to do that.
While corporate offices have traditionally had the buying power to acquire all the latest equipment, as technology has advanced, the most leading-edge equipment is also increasingly available to privately-owned practices. With all other aspects of your care being equal, would you rather have your smile cared for by local people that you know and trust, or a corporation?
