Cosmetic Dentist in Sydney
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Smile
rejuvenation can be as effortless as
a one-hour teeth whitening or as complex
as a total smile makeover. Discover the realm
of possibilities with cosmetic dentistry in
Sydney by cosmetic dentist
Dr. Phillip F. Ajaje at his Liverpool
and Mascot surgeries.
His talent, artistry, and experience
combine to produce amazing results for
patients, gaining him the reputation
of The Smiles Dr.
Dr. Phillip F. Ajaje is a cosmetic
dentist who will listen carefully to your
desires and goals, and only then does he
recommend procedures that will meet your
individual needs.
In
Australia today, there is an increasing
focus on maintaining a youthful appearance.
This, of course, extends to our mouths
because when we smile, we show our teeth.
In recent years, more people have become
concerned about having teeth that are
straight and free of stains, chips or
other obvious imperfections.
This
is encouraged by popular television
shows that provide makeovers. Advertisements
for whitening agents have become very
common on television and in newspapers
and magazines. Numerous articles are
written about bleaching agents and smile
makeovers. As a result, people often
want their teeth to be perfectly uniform
and dazzlingly white. Dental offices
have responded to consumer demand, and
offer many services such as porcelain
veneers, bleaching, replacement of amalgam
(silver) fillings with white fillings,
and bonding procedures.
No one's sure
how many cosmetic dental procedures are done each year.
More than 95% of cosmetic dentists offer bleaching
products and virtually all dentists perform some types
of cosmetic dentistry services.
 Advances
in cosmetic dentistry techniques have also made it possible for cosmetic
dentists to repair damaged teeth without using amalgam or gold.
Cosmetic Dentistry - Good as New
Dentists have been doing cosmetic restorations
for decades, but the materials that
were used, such as the early composite
resins, tended to stain, chip and change
colour over time, which limited their
use.
New composite resins (tooth-coloured
fillings) and porcelain veneers are
strong, long-lasting and resist colour
change over time. A few decades ago,
people who chipped or broke a tooth
either lived with it or had a crown
(also called a cap) installed, a time-consuming
and often expensive procedure. Crowns
still are used sometimes, but it's often
possible to "patch" minor
imperfections, chips or fractured teeth
with bonding composite resin that can
be smoothed and colour-matched to the
surrounding teeth.
A
computer imaging technique is available
that allows dentists to create "virtual
restorations" on a computer screen.
A patient who is thinking about having
work done can see what the results will
look like before he or she makes the
decision to go forward. This imaging
technique is relatively new and is not
common in dental practices.
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Many Choices
Teeth with space or chips can be corrected
with a technique called bonding. For
example, your cosmetic dentist can repair damaged
areas by applying a "paste"
made of a material called composite
resin. The resin comes in a wide variety
of shades. It is shaped by your dentist
and then hardens almost instantly when
it's exposed to a special high-intensity
blue light. It can be sanded, smoothed
and polished until it closely matches
your natural tooth shade.
The most popular cosmetic dental procedures
include bonding front teeth, whitening
the teeth and using tooth-coloured fillings,
which blend with the natural colour
of teeth.
Because
of advances in dental adhesives, many
cosmetic techniques can be done with
less preparation (cutting) of the tooth's
enamel structure. Older dental materials
were held in place by the shape of the
tooth, so dentists had to remove more
of the tooth enamel to make sure that
a filling would remain securely in place.
However, the dental adhesives used today
are very strong and can hold a filling
in place without the need to cut away
as much of the tooth surface.
There
are many cosmetic dentistry options to choose
from, depending on what you need to
have done. For example:
Stained
or discoloured teeth — The
enamel that covers the teeth isn't resistant
to stains, and the underlying tooth
structure (the dentine) often yellows
over time. Bleaching
is an option for healthy teeth.
Chips or rough spots
— These can be filled with a tooth-coloured
material called composite. The colour
of the composite can be chosen so that
it matches the colour of your teeth.
Once the material has been smoothed
and polished, it will look virtually
the same as the surrounding area.
Cavities or cracks
— Traditional amalgam fillings work
fine in the back of the mouth, but most
people don't want to reveal a "metal
mouth" when they smile.
An alternative is to use tooth-coloured fillings that match the
colour of the teeth.
These fillings are made with composite
material similar to that used to repair
chips or cracks. Some white fillings
(direct composites) are pressed into
the cavity and cured (hardened) with
a special high-intensity blue light.
Others (indirect composites or porcelain
inlays) are made in a laboratory and
then cemented in place. They cost much
more than amalgam fillings, but are
much more attractive.
Uneven teeth — It is not uncommon
for a tooth to be slightly longer or have a different
shape than its neighbours. With a procedure called
recontouring, your dentist can reshape the tooth
so that it's a better match.
Gaps between the teeth
— Small gaps can be closed by applying
composite material between the teeth.
For large gaps or other imperfections
on the surfaces of the teeth, your dentist
may recommend veneers. Veneers are among
the most expensive cosmetic procedures.
Made from ultra-thin shells of porcelain
that come in every shade of white, veneers
are permanently bonded to the fronts
of the teeth, giving them an entirely
new aesthetic appearance. Your dentist
also may refer you to an orthodontist
to correct your gaps. The approach used
to correct the gap depends on your cosmetic
concern. Some people like or don't mind
a gap. Others are very aware of it and
want it closed. You and your dentist
can determine the best treatment option.
In some cases, the best option is no
treatment. In others, it is bonding,
veneers or an orthodontic consultation.
Broken or crooked teeth
— If a tooth has been badly broken or
is structurally weak, you may need a
crown. Today, crowns on front teeth
are made of tooth-coloured porcelain
that can appear very life-like. The
crown may be a porcelain jacket (all
porcelain) or porcelain-fused-to-metal
crown, in which a very thin metal coping
supports the porcelain. Both crowns
offer excellent results. The choice
of crowns depends on your bite (occlusion),
your preferences and your dentist's
preferences.
The procedures available to correct
dental defects and cavities or to improve
your appearance vary in technique and
cost. Before starting a treatment plan,
you should consider all the options
and make an educated decision because
these procedures cannot be reversed.
"It
was worth every penny," says Mr
S. Richardson, who had his teeth capped
in 1985. "I was told that they
would probably last about 10 years,
but it's been about 15 years and I haven't
had any problems."
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Our Cosmetic Dentists create Perfect Smiles
Although there is a significant demand
for cosmetic dentistry in Australia
and many of us want to achieve an ideal,
youthful smile, be cautious about starting
an extensive and costly elective procedure
to change your appearance. If you want
to change the colour of your teeth,
be aware that teeth are rarely pure
white and you might not be satisfied
once that shade is on your smile. A
less-intense shade may be more likely
to give you the look you are seeking.
In addition, excessive or frequent use
of bleaching agents can lead to tooth
sensitivity. Whitening procedures can
be done in your dentist's office or
at home. If you are whitening your teeth
at home, it is important to follow the
directions and to consult with your
dentist.
Cosmetic
dentistry can improve your self image,
particularly for people with damaged
or discoloured teeth. Even simple procedures
such as bleaching or bonding can be
real confidence-boosters. Let us improve
your smile, we have the experience and
are always up to date with all the latest
in cosmetic dental practices, don't
ask us our successful results will show
you.
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