At Geelong West Dental, we are dedicated to providing personalised dental care services in a welcoming environment. Patients often address their dental concerns for better overall dental health, or for important social events such as weddings, anniversaries, and birthdays. Our experienced dentists have completed hundreds of personalised smile design cases over the years, using state-of-the-art dental technology, including digital smile design (DSD) for our patients. We present below some information regarding the steps involved in your digital smile design journey.
1. Digital Smile Design Consultation in Geelong
A digital smile design journey starts with a consultation with our experienced dentists, who take time to listen to and understand your dental concerns. Some common dental concerns include gaps between teeth, discolouration, crowded teeth, misshaped teeth, or missing teeth. Our smile dentists will examine your dentition to have a better understanding of your oral health condition, including the health of present teeth, gums, jaw muscles and many more.
2. Digital Smile Design
After the initial consultation, we often collect more information including dental radiographs, which will be discussed prior with you. The next step will be photos and digital scans of your teeth as part of your smile design treatment planning. We work closely with our ceramist, using state-of-the-art technology to provide bespoke smile design tailored to each patient. This smile design can also be mapped onto your face digitally to create simulation of the smile we plan to achieve.
In general, dental concerns such as gaps between teeth, discolouration, worn and misshaped teeth can be improved with porcelain veneers or crowns. Veneers are thin layers of porcelain bonded to the front surface of your teeth. Crowns, on the other hand, are bonded to the entire surface of your teeth. These porcelain materials are customised in terms of shape, width, height and shade (colour) as a way to close spaces between teeth, and mask the discolouration as well as shape of the teeth underneath.
Below are some examples of digital smile design involving porcelain crowns and veneers. Please note that the images are simulations of results which may vary between patients. Consultation is required for further assessments:
Digital smile design involving porcelain veneers and crowns to alter function and appearance of worn lower front teeth due to grinding and deep bite
Digital smile design utilising porcelain veneers to change the appearance of chipped and pegged (naturally small) upper front teeth
Digital smile design with porcelain veneers to close natural gaps and improve appearance of upper front teeth.
Digital smile design with a combination of porcelain veneers, crowns and bridges to mask discolouration and protection of upper teeth
3. Finalising Treatment Planning and Printing of Digital Smile Design Model
After the digital smile design is completed, we organise a follow-up appointment to discuss with you any modifications you may wish to make to the design. We also discuss the number of appointments required and an estimated timeframe to complete the case. Once approved by you, a 3D model of the digital smile design is printed.
4. Commencing Treatment
We then organise further dental appointments to initiate the journey of your personalised smile design. In the case of porcelain veneers and crowns, the teeth involved in the smile design are carefully prepared and digitally scanned. After that, a set of veneers and crowns made with temporary materials are fabricated based on the printed 3D model and transferred onto your teeth. The timeframe of which the temporary veneers or crowns stay on your teeth depends on the complexity of your case, which will be communicated with you during the treatment planning stage. There are also cases where we proceed straight to the fitting of the final sets of porcelain crowns and veneers.
5. Completing Your Smile Design in Geelong
Once the final sets of porcelain veneers and crowns are fabricated, we remove the temporary veneers or crowns on your teeth and try in the final sets. We then cement the final sets of the porcelain veneers and crowns permanently and organise a review appointment as needed.
Recovery process and aftercare instructions
Temporary veneers/crowns
The material for temporary veneers or crowns are not as strong and durable as the permanent crowns. You should avoid chewy, hard or sticky food as these can debond or break the restorations. Please avoid food rich in colour including turmeric and spices as these can stain the temporary veneers or crowns. As much as possible, we encourage chewing on the opposite side of the mouth from where the temporary material is placed. Brush the restorations gently. We do not recommend flossing directly around the temporary material.
Depending on cases, the temporary veneers and crowns may be worn for a few weeks before the final veneers and crowns are inserted. There are many cases where we may proceed straight to the final porcelain veneers and crowns.
Permanent crowns
Avoid eating hard, chewy or sticky foods during the first 24 hours after the permanent porcelain veneers and crowns are cemented. Brush your teeth and floss more gently during the healing period.
Recovery
The recovery period after the placement of porcelain veneers and crowns is approximately a week. Some inflammation, sensitivity and irritation following the dental procedure are common and should subside within a week or two. We recommend warm salt water rinses to help reduce swelling of the gums. If there is persistence in discomfort, soreness or pain on biting after the recovery period, please call the dental clinic.
Risks and complications
Porcelain veneers and crowns are some of the common ways to protect, and restore the function as well as form of a tooth. Like any other dental procedure, risk and complications may include:
Infection Around the Crown
In some cases, there may be an infection under a dental crown. Symptoms may include sharp pain in the affected area, swelling or redness. Our experienced dentists will assess the tooth and discuss suitable options, which may involve removal of the crown or root canal treatment.
Loose Crowns
If a dental crown becomes loose, it can debond and needs replacement. Please call us as soon as possible when this happens so that we can assess the problem. The crown may be re-cemented or replaced if needed.
Sensitivity
It is common to experience sensitivity after the porcelain veneers or crowns are cemented. This should resolve in one to two weeks. Prolonged sensitivity will need further assessment.
Chipped or Fractured Crowns
Crowns are very durable, however chipping or fracture can occasionally happen due to various factors, including habitual grinding or lack of underlying tooth structure. Our experienced dentists will assess and determine suitable treatment options, which may include replacing the crowns and recommending a nightguard for grinding management.
Cavities
Decay can still happen between the interface of the porcelain veneers or crowns and the tooth surface. Good oral hygiene is important to minimise this risk.
Below are some examples of digital smile design cases involving porcelain crowns and veneers. Please note that the images are indicative of results which may vary between patients. Consultation is required for further assessments:
Smile Design 1: This patient had porcelain crowns and bridges to alter the shape, colour, size and protect her upper worn front teeth. Photos were taken at baseline and one week after bonding.
Smile Design 2: This patient had porcelain crowns to protect his worn upper teeth from grinding, as well as a porcelain crown and bridge to replace an unsalvageable front tooth. Photos were taken at baseline and one week after bonding.
Smile Design 3: This patient had upper porcelain veneers and crowns to alter the discolouration of her existing porcelain crowns on her upper front teeth, as well as broaden her overall smile. Photos were taken at baseline and one week after bonding.
Smile Design 4: This patient had upper porcelain crown and bridge to replace unsalvageable teeth due to gum disease. Photos were taken at baseline and one week after bonding.
Are you experiencing any of the following dental concerns? (Photos below are stock images only)
I Have Crowded Teeth
I Have Gaps Between My Teeth
I Have Discoloured Teeth
I Am Concerned About The Shape Of My Teeth
I Have Worn Teeth
I Have Missing Teeth
I Have Lost All My Teeth
I am Concerned about My Dentures
Veneers And Crowns
Teeth Whitening
Why Choose Digital Smile Design at Geelong West Dental?
At Geelong West Dental, our highly experienced and skilled team are here to help you understand suitable options for your smile design. Our treatment philosophy is based on a patient-centred approach, whereby treatment is guided by understanding your concerns and goals. Contact us today at (03) 5200 9137 for a complimentary smile design consultation to start your journey. (https://www.geelongwestdental.com.au/terms-and-conditions/)