Are you unhappy with your smile? Do you avoid smiling in a way that displays your teeth? Do you go out of your way to make sure that your teeth never appear in any selfies or professional profile photos that are taken of you? Then you might benefit from cosmetic dentistry.

How to improve your smile and confidence

At Lassus Tandartsen our cosmetic dentistry treatments focus on improving the appearance of your gums, teeth and overall smile.

While our traditional dentistry treatments focus on preventative care, such as oral health and hygiene, cosmetic dentistry is all about improving the aesthetics of your teeth and smile. It involves various procedures to correct issues such as discolouration, misalignment, gaps and other conditions in order to improve your smile and confidence.

What are the goals of cosmetic dentistry?

The goals include:

Functional Enhancements

Improving the function of the teeth and bite. This contributes to better oral health.

Restoration

If your teeth have been damaged by injury, decay or wear and tear, cosmetic dentistry can ensure that they will look natural and healthy.

Aesthetic Improvements

The primary goal is to enhance the visual appeal of your teeth and smile. This can boost self-confidence and improve social interactions.

Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

At Lassus Tandartsen, we perform numerous cosmetic dentistry procedures in-house. The first step in deciding which procedure is best for you will begin with a regular checkup from your dentist. At Lassus, we usually recommend seeing an oral hygienist and then a dentist at least twice a year.

If you’re a new client, during the first intake meeting, we’ll take x-rays of your jaws and carry out an in-depth review of the state of your teeth, gums, and jaws. We’ll also discuss any dental issues or aesthetic improvements you would like or may need to have.

The list below covers some of our most commonly performed cosmetic dentistry procedures

1. Dental Implants

Purpose: Replace missing teeth

Procedure:

  • A consultation and assessment of your health
  • Diagnosis through the use of a CBCT scan
  • Placing of the implant(s)
  • After 7-10 days removal of stitches and review of the status of the recovery process
  • After 8-12 weeks, the placing of a crown, prosthesis or bridge

You can learn more about dental implants here including information about the cost and frequently asked questions.

2. Invisible braces: Invisalign®

Purpose: Straightening crooked or misaligned teeth

Invisalign® is a virtually invisible way to straighten teeth. Based on your mouth’s current situation and desired result, a series of invisible braces is made. Each subsequent brace brings you one step closer to the desired end result. 

Procedure:

  • Intake interview to discuss your goals and requirements
  • Treatment plan
  • Impressions made of your mouth with an impression tray and modern digital scanner
  • Custom brackets are made from the impressions. Clear aligners that are virtually invisible when compared to normal braces
  • Placement of the braces. The dentist orthodontist will ensure they fit properly and show you how to how to click the invisible braces in and out and how to clean the Invisalign®.
  • Periodic checkups
  • After treatment

You can learn more about Invisalign® braces, the costs involved, and more details about the treatment and process here.

3. Teeth whitening

Purpose: To improve the colour of teeth by removing stains and discolouration caused by food, drink, smoking, or ageing.

Because we can guarantee a much better result than in-office whitening, we only offer at-home whitening treatments.

Procedure:

  • Extensive cleaning of your teeth to ensure the best possible results for teeth whitening
  • Imprints will be made of your mouth, and a dental technician will make bleaching trays for your upper and lower jaws
  • An appointment will be made for you to collect the trays, and you’ll receive instructions on using the cleaning gel for four to ten nights at home
  • You’ll also receive advice on which foods and drinks to avoid during the usage of the bleaching trays

More details on teeth whitening can be found here.

4. Bridges

Purpose: It is used to replace a missing tooth. It uses teeth on either side of the missing tooth for support.

Procedure:

  • The teeth on either side of the missing tooth are prepared
  • The prepared teeth are scanned, and the creation of the bridge begins
  • It is then fabricated while you wait
  • When the bridge is ready, final adjustments are made, and it is cemented into place.

5. Crown lengthening

Purpose: To improve the aesthetic appearance of teeth by exposing more tooth material than is available under the gum line. This procedure has both cosmetic and functional uses.

Cosmetic Use

Gummy smile

When excessive gum tissue covers the teeth, making them appear short, this is known as a gummy smile. Crown lengthening removes excess tissue, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing smile that boosts confidence.

Functional Use

Tooth Decay or Fractures Below the Gum Line:

If decay or fractures extend below the gum line, crown lengthening can expose more of the tooth, allowing proper restoration with a crown or filling.

Procedure:

  • Local anaesthetics are applied
  • Incision and Gum Tissue Removal
  • Increase the amount of tooth material by modifying the surrounding bone and tissue
  • The area is then sutured and allowed to heal
  • Follow-up appointment ten days after the procedure to remove the sutures and check the healing process

Orthodontics

Purpose: Orthodontics focus on correcting teeth that are crooked, misaligned, or too far forward. They can also correct teeth when there’s not enough room in the jaw, and braces can be a good solution for such problems if the teeth and molars don’t fit well together.

Procedure:

  • Intake and discussion of the individual treatment plan
  • Investigation (Xrays, mouth examination, and creation of jaw and teeth models)
  • Placing of the braces
  • Check-ups (every 4 to 8 weeks) during the treatment period

You can learn more about the procedures, options and cost of orthodontics here.

Cosmetic dentistry offers various treatments to address aesthetic and functional concerns. Whether through teeth whitening, dental implants, bridges, or orthodontic solutions such as invisible braces, cosmetic dentistry can provide transformative results that enhance appearance and boost confidence. If you’re considering improving your smile, make an appointment with one of our specialists to explore the best options for your needs.