Smile Design
Smile design is the improvement of the aesthetic problems that arise depending on the ratio of the appearance of the teeth and gums when the person is talking and laughing, with various arrangements in the tissue. In order to provide an ideal aesthetic smile, the arrangement of the lip position, teeth and gingival tissue should be planned individually. The face shape, character and gender of the patient are very important in determining the design features. With the treatments performed in this context, the person can reach a smile profile that is suitable for his/her expectation in a very short time.
In Which Situations Can Smile Design Applications Be Done?
Smile design applications can be planned in cases where it is desired to regulate the shape, color and asymmetric stance of the teeth. With these applications, it is possible to regulate the appearance of healthy tooth tissue, as well as to regulate aesthetic problems that occur due to diseases or genetic disorders. If it is planned to change only the color characteristics of the teeth, the most appropriate tooth whitening method can be preferred and the treatment can be applied. In cases where permanent color change is desired or when tooth shape changes are needed, porcelain laminate applications or full ceramic coating treatments can be planned depending on the necessary conditions to provide the ideal treatment. Treatments of patients who want to change the amount of appearance of their gums can be carried out within the scope of smile design. In this context, gingival level can be regulated or lip positioning can be performed by arranging or removing the gingiva. Treatment applications within the scope of smile design can be preferred alone or in combination when necessary.
In How Many Sessions Are Smile Design Applications Completed?
In cases where teeth whitening or gum adjustment procedures are planned, the treatment can usually be completed in a single session. However, the duration of treatment may vary depending on the preferred method of treatment, the desired effect and the size of the area to be treated. In cases where prosthesis applications are planned, 2 sessions are usually sufficient to prepare the design in digital environment, present it to the patient and rehearse it on the patient. After the definitive design plan is determined, the treatment process is usually completed within 3 sessions. However, the type of procedure to be performed and the condition of the teeth may cause differences in the treatment period.
How Does the Design Process Proceed in Creating Smile Aesthetics?
In the first session to create the smile design, the patient’s intraoral size and profile images are recorded. While the recording is evaluated in the digital environment, the face shape of the patient, the form and position of the chin, nose, eyes and ears are taken into consideration. The details of the design prepared in order to adapt to these tissues are shaped in accordance with the patient’s character and aesthetic expectation. The process of creating the smile design in the computer environment is usually completed in 3 to 5 days.
How to Decide on the Features of Smile Design?
In determining the smile design, first of all, care should be taken to preserve the health and functions of the tissues and to restore them when necessary. The dentist presents the treatment alternatives that allow these conditions to be met by explaining in detail to the patient. If necessary, dental implant applications, orthodontic procedures and gingival treatments can be included in the plan to support the application.
In Which Situations Can Design Features Be Changed?
After the design plan is created in the digital environment, it is shared with the patient and it is very easy to make any changes in the design at this stage. Design changes can also be made during the rehearsal session before the treatment. Minimal changes can be completed in the same session, while larger changes may require a new appointment. If the design fully meets the expectations of the patient, an appointment can be made to proceed to the treatment process.
How does the application process of treatments progress in smile design?
If only the pink aesthetic application is planned for the creation of the smile design, the gingival regulation is performed after the local anesthesia application and the treatment can be completed in a short time and comfortably. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to create more than one treatment session, depending on the number of teeth to be treated and the condition of the gums.
In cases where teeth whitening is applied, the treatment process varies depending on the procedure to be applied. More detailed information about the treatments applied in this context can be found in our article “Tooth Bleaching”.
In cases where permanent color or form changes are planned in the teeth, firstly, the inside of the mouth is measured in order to make the rehearsal application. A silicone key is prepared so that the design can be applied to the teeth based on the measurement taken. When necessary arrangements are made on the rehearsal and the final design is reached, the planned arrangements are made on the teeth and gums. In order to adapt the arrangements made to the design, the inside of the mouth is measured again and the process of preparing the permanent prostheses in the laboratory is started. During this process, temporary prostheses are applied so that the patient can continue their daily routines comfortably without experiencing aesthetic and functional loss. After the permanent dentures are prepared, a new appointment is made to rehearse their compatibility with the teeth. If the ideal fit can be achieved, the prosthesis is permanently attached to the tooth with the help of a special adhesive.
How is the Pre-treatment Rehearsal Practice Performed in Smile Design?
First of all, a model is created in the laboratory environment based on the measurement taken from the patient’s mouth. After adapting the appearance of the planned prosthesis to this created model, a silicone key is prepared to apply the design to the teeth. With the help of the prepared silicone key, the proof material can be applied on the teeth and the design can be examined in the mouth. In this way, it is ensured that the patient has clear information about the treatment result in the period before the start of the treatment. These applications can be examined with mirrors and video recordings. After the end of the proofing process, the proofing material can be easily removed from the teeth.
What are the Conditions that Prevent the Rehearsal Process?
If one or more teeth in the area where the application is planned are located further than the position where the prosthesis will be located, it is not possible to accurately convey the result of the treatment to be performed with the rehearsal process. Since the teeth in front of the line cannot be displayed at a different point than their current position, the rehearsal process will not yield healthy results. In the presence of these teeth, arrangements must be made on the relevant teeth in order to perform the rehearsal process.