One of the first concepts that comes to mind when it comes to aesthetic dentistry is "smile design". Smile design is the process of making teeth and gums that have deteriorated aesthetically due to various reasons as natural and beautiful as possible, taking into account the face shapes and needs of the patients. Smile design, which is a multidisciplinary approach, is carried out by applying many processes together.

 

 

What processes does smile design involve?

Since the aesthetic requirements of each patient will be different, the procedures to be performed are determined individually. When determining these procedures, factors such as the patient's facial features, gender, age and expectations are taken into account.

Procedures are determined according to the needs of the patients. These procedures can be names as as gingival aesthetic interventions called gingivectomy, teeth whitening methods, compensation of tooth deficiencies with implant and prosthesis applications, porcelain laminates and veneers, zirconium veneers and orthodontic treatments.

 

 

How to design a smile?

First of all, it is very important to understand the aesthetic expectations of the patient correctly and to determine the needs correctly in smile design. Problems are determined and plans are made on the models prepared by the measurements taken from the patient's mouth. Then, measurements are made using special programs in the computer environment with intraoral and facial photographs of the patients and calculated according to the face shape.

 

After the planning is completed, if orthodontic treatment is not needed, first of all, the level disorders in the gums are regulated. In cases where tooth deficiencies are found, planned implant procedures and other surgical applications deemed necessary are performed. After the healing periods of surgical applications are completed, teeth whitening processes are applied if needed. Following this stage, the visual and formal defects in the teeth are sometimes removed by means of aesthetic composite fillings. In cases where this method is not sufficient, porcelain laminates and veneers and zirconium veneers come into play. For porcelain laminate applications, either no or minimal abrasions are performed on the teeth. If porcelain or zirconium applications are deemed appropriate, some changes can be made by taking the patient's ideas again in the rehearsals made during the stages. During all these gingival and dental applications and rehearsals, lip shape and contour are also taken into consideration and the targeted design is finalized.