Cosmetic Dentistry

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic procedures range from smile makeovers to a simple replacement of a stained filling. Often, the cosmetic problem that is preventing you from smiling has a simple solution. Do not hesitate to ask about our services so that we can get you smiling with confidence.

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Clients often ask: “Which procedures are considered cosmetic dentistry?”

At Soho Dental, we offer the following Cosmetic Dentistry Services:

• Tooth coloured fillings
• All porcelain crowns
• Bonding
• Tooth whitening
• Bridges
• Dental implants
• Porcelain veneers
• Dentures and partial dentures

Tooth Coloured Fillings

The fillings that we place at Soho Dental are usually tooth-coloured. This is not because we believe that traditional silver fillings (amalgam) are unhealthy. It is because white fillings have several advantages. White fillings are actually bonded to tooth structure. This makes the tooth stronger than if we were to place an unbonded silver filling. White fillings are easier to repair if they chip or break. Often, we can repair the filling without having to remove all of the previous filling that was placed. For new cavities (teeth that have never had fillings in them before) we do not need to remove any healthy tooth structure in order to place a white filling. This means that only the part of the tooth that is affected by the cavity is removed. With amalgam, we sometimes have to remove healthy tooth structure in order to get the filling to stay in the tooth because the filling is not bonded to the tooth. Of course, an obvious advantage is that the filling will look natural and pleasing instead of the dark grey colour associated with amalgam fillings.

Tooth coloured fillings require a careful attention to detail if they are to be comfortable and last for a long period of time. The technique is exacting and the choice of materials used to bond and then fill the tooth is very important. Dr. Haji has been placing tooth coloured fillings successfully for many years and he is very critical about his choice of materials so that you can be assured that your fillings will be comfortable and last as long as possible.

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Replacement of a traditional amalgam filling with a tooth coloured composite resin

All Porcelain Crowns

Are you disappointed with the look of an old crown? Is there a visible dark line showing at the gum line or does the colour of the porcelain not match the other the teeth? This appearance can be quite unsettling, especially if it is a tooth that shows when you smile. Crowns are traditionally made with metal and porcelain. The metal surrounds the tooth to give it strength and then the porcelain is bonded over the metal to make it look more natural. These types of crowns work very well and we continue to use them today. For areas in the back of the mouth where the force from biting is very strong and for those who grind their teeth, these types of crowns will usually be a better choice.

However, with all porcelain crowns we can eliminate the greyness from the metal and get a more natural, life-like colour in the porcelain. Today, all porcelain crowns are much stronger than before, which gives us more flexibility in where we can place them. The result is a crown that truly matches the rest of your teeth. You will quickly be smiling with confidence once more.

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Bonding

Bonding is the application of a tooth colored filling material (composite resin) to repair chipped, fractured or decayed teeth.  Bonding, when used on the front teeth, can be a non-invasive treatment modality to solve many simple esthetic issues.  Worn teeth can be made longer,  spaces between the teeth can be closed, fractured teeth can be repaired, slightly misaligned teeth can be made to look more pleasing, in addition to many other applications.

Often, bonding does not involve local anesthetic.  The preparation is very conservative and only involves lightly abrading the tooth surface involved in order to get the bonding to adhere.  The tooth colored filling material is then applied and “bonded” to the tooth.  Once it has adhered to the tooth, it is shaped and polished to match the surrounding tooth structure. The procedure usually takes only one appointment.

The material does have a life span of about 5-10 years and it can discolor or chip overtime. Replacing the filling material is simple, especially since the tooth preparation is minimal.  Please do not hesitate to ask us more about bonding and to see if you may be a candidate for this simple procedure to improve your smile.

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Tooth Whitening

Tooth whitening products are so widely available that it is easy to get confused about what works and what is safe to use. At Soho Dental, we want to reduce the confusion and provide you with information so that you can make the best choice for your needs.

Most tooth whitening products contain either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredient. The results are dependent on the concentration of the peroxide and the duration of the treatment. The products that are dispensed at a dental office are of a higher concentration than what is available over the counter. This means that you will generally get a better result with office whitening products than with over the counter products. Most importantly, we supervise the process and do a thorough examination beforehand to make sure that you can whiten your teeth safely and with minimal discomfort.

We have different options for whitening including an in office procedure for immediate results , a take home procedure where you dispense the material using custom made whitening trays, or a combination of both procedures, which gives the best result.

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Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are a great way to change front teeth that are chipped, worn, stained, unevenly spaced or slightly crooked. Veneers are thin, porcelain facings that are bonded to teeth allowing us to change the colour and the shape of the teeth. This results in a completely new and more attractive smile.

The most important step in changing your smile with veneers is to evaluate your desires and to help you visualize the end result. We do this by having the lab create your new smile in wax on a stone model of your teeth. At this point, we can discuss and begin to customize your smile.

After that, it takes only two appointments to complete the treatment. At the first visit the teeth are prepared to receive the veneers and a mould is taken for the lab. The lab will use this mould to make your veneers. At this appointment, we also will make you a provisional set of veneers to try out for a few weeks so you can have an idea of what your new smile will feel like.

At the second appointment, we bond the veneers to the teeth and adjust your bite so that it is in harmony with your new smile. Teeth with dental veneers are taken care of just like natural teeth. You need to brush and floss and sometimes we will recommend a night-guard to prevent any damage to the veneers from excessive grinding.

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