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| Veneers are tooth- coloured shells that
are placed over the tooth surfaces in order to correct
the shape, colour, or position of the teeth, tooth fructures
or gaps between the teeth. There are two types: the
direct and indirect veneers. The direct veneers are
done in one visit and are less expensive while they
last 1-2 years. The indirect veneers require two visits
and are more expensive but they are stronger and last
5- 10 years. |
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| What are the veneers? |
| The veneers are shells of tooth- colored
material that is placed over the tooth surface. |
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| What are the indications of veneers? |
- heavily discoloration- when bleaching has failed
to achieve the desirable results
- tooth fractures- in this case veneers conserve
tooth structure while the full coverage crowns result
to significant tooth reduction
- gaps between teeth- they can be closed giving
a more uniform looking smile
- malpositioned teeth- in mild to moderate cases
they align the teeth creating a Hollywood type of
makeover. However they are not indicated in severe
cases where invisalign or traditional orthodontics
offer the desirable results
- short teeth due to wear of the edges- they lengthen
the teeth offering excellent aesthetic results
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| What are the types of veneers? |
- direct veneers: they are done in one visit as
the dentist builds the teeth up with composite.
They are cheaper than the indirect veneers but they
are more prone to stains so they need to be replaced
more often
- indirect veneers: they are made by the laboratory
technician so they require two appointments. In
the first appointment the dentist prepares the teeth
and takes impressions which are sent to the laboratory.
Then temporary veneers are prepared. The permanent
veneers are cemented by the dentist at the second
appointment. The most popular material is porcelain
as it offers superior aesthetic results. Additionally
porcelain veneers are more durable and strong.
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| How long do veneers last? |
| The direct veneers last 1- 2 years but
the indirect are expected to last 5- 10 years. |
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| How are tooth veneers attached
to your tooth? |
In your first appointment,
it is advisable to initially try in your veneers,
to ensure your veneers look right in natural light
and office light. Teeth are then lightly buffed to
allow for added thickness of the veneer.
An impression is taken of the teeth,
from which the veneers are created. As with crowns
permanent veneers often take time to produce so in
the mean time temporary veneers are worn.
The tooth is then cleansed, and glue
and the veneer are applied, a light beam is then used
to harden the glue. |
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| BLEACHING |
| Our teeth are discoloured as we age or
due to the use of bacterial pigments, food, drinks,
tobacco or tetracycline. The bleaching formula that
we offer is called Dental White Artiste. It is non-
invasive, fast, very effective and pain- free for both
teeth and gums. It involves the use of pre- loaded mouth
trays with 44 % Carbamide Peroxide that is activated
with a new advanced light in only 20 minutes. The after-
care is achieved with the Quick Sticks. They are applied
on the surfaces of the teeth for 10 minutes per day
for a couple of days. The results last up to a couple
of years depending on the lifestyle of the patient.
In order to maintain the desirable shade of the teeth
the in- office and after- care treatment can be repeated
with excellent results. |
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| Why are our teeth discoloured? |
| As we age the mineral structure of our
teeth changes so our teeth become darker. Discolouration
can also be caused by bacterial pigments, food, drinks
and tobacco. Additionally antibiotics like tetracycline
can cause stains on the teeth. |
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| Which are the bleaching methods? |
| We offer the Dental White Artiste which
is a relatively new bleaching formula. The effectiveness
of this method has been established by longitudinal
clinical studies. The procedure involves the use of
pre- loaded mouth trays that contain 44 % Carbamide
Peroxide. The material is activated with a new advanced
light that accelerates the whitening process in only
20 minutes. The after- care is achieved with the Quick
Sticks. They are applied on the surfaces of the teeth
for 10 minutes per day for a couple of days. |
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| What are the advantages of this
method? |
| This method offers several advantages
over the literally hundreds of dental whitening formulas
available today. These are the following: |
- it is non- invasive and most effective than traditional
systems
- it does not cause tooth sensitivity: traditional
whitening formulas penetrate the outer surface of
the tooth causing problems to the nerves which are
expressed as sensitivity or even pain
- it does not cause burning sensation of the soft
tissues: most whitening formulas burn the gums when
they come into contact with them. With this method
gum retraction is not required
- it is a quick and simple procedure: the preparation
time is minimal reducing the chair time to ONLY
20 MINUTES in contrast to other methods which require
even 2 hours
- it is affordable: due to reduced clinical time
is costs 5 times less than traditional procedures
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| How long does bleaching last? |
| The effects can last for a couple of
years depending on the lifestyle of the patient. Smoking
and ingestion of dark coloured liquids like coffee,
tea and red wine decrease whitening. In order to maintain
the desirable shade of the teeth the in- office treatment
and the after- care can be repeated with excellent results.
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| Implants |
| Implants are screws that are placed in
the jaws in order to replace the roots of the teeth.
They support a number of dental prosthesis like crowns,
implant- supported bridges or over dentures and their
success rate is 95%. The drilling of adjacent teeth
involved in conventional bridges is avoided and they
conserve the gums and the bone. The pre- surgical evaluation
consists of the clinical and radiographival examination
of the area of implant placement. During the surgical
procedure the gums are elevated, holes are prepared
in the bone with special drills, the implants are inserted
and the gums are sutured to allow osteointegration.
This is completed in 4- 6 months and the permanent prosthesis
is placed over the implants. |
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| What is an implant? |
| The dental implant is a screw made of
titanium. It is placed in the jaws in order to replace
the roots of teeth. It can be used to support a number
of dental prosthesis like crowns, implant- supported
bridges or over dentures. |
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| What are the benefits of the implants? |
| The implants are regarded as the most
efficient tools to replace missing teeth. Conventional
bridges involve drilling of adjacent teeth which leads
to excessive tooth loss. Implants conserve the gums
and the bone which is usually worn with bridges or dentures.
Furthermore the implants blend naturally with the natural
dentition offering excellent aesthetic results. |
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| Pre-surgical evaluation |
| The pre-surgical evaluation includes
the clinical and radio graphical examination of the
area. Orthopantomographs, periapical x-rays and CT scans
are taken in order to estimate the dimensions and the
shape of the bone and to locate vital structures such
as the sinus and alveolar nerve. |
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| Surgical procedure |
| It involves the lift of the gums followed
by the preparation of holes in the bones with special
drills. Then the implant is inserted and the gums are
put back with sutures to allow osteointegration. |
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| Restorative phase |
| The osteointegration varies between 4-
6 months depending on the case. When it is completed
the second stage is done. The gums are elevated and
a healing abutment is placed over the implant. The permanent
prosthesis can be made after the complete healing of
the tissues which takes approximately one month. |
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| Success |
| Nowadays the success rate of the implants
is around 95%. It depends on the patient` s general
health and compliance with post- surgical care. |
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| Invisalign |
| Invisalign or "invisible braces"
is a series of clear aligners that adjust to a patient’s
teeth. They are used to correct misaligned teeth, teeth
with gaps or teeth that have moved after the removal
of braces. They are invisible, easily removed and require
half treatment time compared to conventional braces.
They aligners are replaced every 2 weeks and the dentists
should monitor the progress of the treatment every 6-
8 weeks. |
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| What is the invisalign? |
| Invisalign is a series of clear aligners
that adjust to the patient` s teeth in order to align
them. In other words they are called the "invisible
braces". |
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| When is the invisalign indicated? |
| If your teeth are misaligned, have gaps
or have moved since you have removed the braces invisalign
can give you the confidence of a nice smile. |
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| What are the benefits of invisalign? |
- they are almost like wearing no braces at all.
The unpleasant appearance of metal wires and brackets
is avoided so hardly anyone will notice that you
are wearing braces
- they are removable so you can take them out when
you eat, brush or floss. So no longer wearing braces
will make you feeling self- conscious about smiling
- the time needed for treatment is half as long
as treatment with traditional braces
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| What is the procedure? |
| The invisalign aligners are replaced
every two weeks and regular visits to your dentist every
6- 8 weeks are needed to monitor the progress of your
treatment. |
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