4 Appearance Secrets the Best Cosmetic Dentists Have Mastered

Nothing will make more of a difference in your cosmetic dentistry than your choice of dentist. So if you want the best results, you need to choose your cosmetic dentist carefully. One of the main things you need to be looking at is the before and after images your dentist puts up.

You need to look for some subtle aspects of the appearance of restorations. The overall appearance is important, but you need to look closely at some of the images of porcelain veneers and dental crowns to be sure the dentist is really doing everything right to deliver top-level results.

Symmetry

Symmetry is a crucial characteristic of beauty. A symmetrical appearance looks beautiful because it hints at good genes. But it’s just as important for restorations as for your natural teeth.

When looking at before and after images, compare the two halves of the smile. They should look similar–almost identical, but not quite. An exact mirror image doesn’t quite look right, but they should be very close to one another.

Color Gradient

If you look closely at your natural teeth, you’ll notice that they aren’t uniform in color. Instead, they gradually fade from one color at the gum line to another slightly different color at the incisal edge. The color gradient is especially noticeable on your incisors, the large flat teeth at the front of your mouth.

Restorations are made as a single piece, so it can be difficult to reproduce this quality of teeth. But a good cosmetic dentist can manage to recreate the color gradient. This may be done working in-house with his own tools, or it might be done in a dental lab–as long as a dentist is able to properly communicate the desired coloration.

Intaglio

Color variations in the tooth don’t just follow a uniform shade change from one to another. Instead, there are many local impacts that can change the color of the tooth. One of these factors is intaglio.

Intaglio is a printing term, a process in which grooves are cut into a metal plate. Ink is placed on the plate and then wiped away, so that the only ink remaining is in the groove. When paper is pressed against the plate, the ink from the grooves prints on the paper.

A similar thing happens with our teeth as acid pitting can lead to small regions of discoloration on the teeth. Reproducing this adds an extra layer of realism. It shouldn’t be overdone, but a little bit can go a long way toward eliminating the overly smooth and uniform appearance of tooth restorations.

Translucency

Translucency means the amount of light that is allowed to pass through a material. Dental enamel is generally translucent, especially if it’s healthy and attractive.

But not all restoration materials have this property. To get the right match between restorations and teeth. A good cosmetic dentist understands the different properties of both enamel and the porcelain materials available for restoration so he can pick materials that closely match the translucency of your enamel.

Attention to Detail

What do all these subtle aspects of appearance have in common? These are all details that many dentists just neglect. If you are looking for the best smile makeover results, then you’re looking for a quality Tulsa cosmetic dentist like Dr. Hodges. To learn more about what sets us apart, please call (918) 528-3330 for an appointment at élan Tulsa Cosmetic Dentistry.