What is smile design?

The first area that attracts attention in people is the face. And the most noticeable area of the face is the mouth and the teeth. Colour differences in the teeth, the size of the teeth, that is, the tooth structure, the gaps between the teeth and the correct alignment of the teeth affect every aspect of aesthetics, from a person’s appearance to their smile. The dental treatment method that corrects the tooth and mouth structure so that they are in harmony with each other is called smile design, smile aesthetics or, as it is known worldwide, Hollywood smile design.

Is smile design permanent?

Smile design is a multidisciplinary form of treatment created by combining many treatment methods. Each patient’s smile design treatment is different, and the patient’s wishes are also taken into account; in other words, it is made specifically for the patient. The materials used in dental treatments have a certain lifespan. The permanence of smile design is equivalent to that of the materials used in the treatment. For example, while the lifespan of brand X implant is 2 years, the lifespan of brand Y implant is 10 years. For instance, a zirconia crown lasts longer, while a composite covering has a shorter lifespan. The permanence of smile design depends on the dentist’s experience and the materials used in the treatment. That is why the most important factor for a patient who wants smile design is to choose the right dental hospital.

How is smile design done?

There are some details that allow a person to look good while smiling. For a correct smile design, certain structures need to be appropriate. For example, the virtual line formed by the inner corners of the person’s eyes and the exact middle of the lower and upper teeth must be parallel. While smiling, the point where the teeth meet the gums must be on the same line as the upper lip line. According to the concept of the golden ratio, the teeth, especially the front teeth, must be symmetrical with the cheekbones, forehead and eye structure. Smile design treatment is carried out to bring the tooth and mouth structure into line with the criteria listed above. Sometimes teeth whitening alone may be enough for smile design. At other times, it is completed with a combination of treatments such as implants, laminate veneers, dental prostheses and root canal treatment. For patients who have no condition in their teeth and mouth structure that would affect smile design, smile design is performed in the following stages:

1. With our iTero 3D intraoral scanner, the patient’s entire intraoral structure, gums and teeth are imaged.
2. Photographs of the patient’s mouth are taken from different angles in our in-house photo studio.
3. Sample tooth structures suitable for the patient’s golden ratio are shown, and the tooth structure that suits the patient is selected.
4. With the 3D scanner, the tooth design the patient will have after treatment is shown to the patient on screen.
5. In the next session, the necessary treatments on the teeth and gums are performed.
6. Impressions of the teeth to be crowned are taken digitally with the scanning device.
7. Temporary teeth are fitted, and the patient is allowed to experience them for a certain period so that their decisions can be finalised.
8. At the last appointment, the crowns produced specifically for the person are tried in.
9. In agreement with the patient, the crowns are permanently bonded as the final step.
10. The smile design is completed, and the patient leaves the clinic happy.

Smile design prices

The shape of a person’s smile can leave a positive or negative impression in their life and can make them self-confident or insecure. That is why having a beautiful smile can bring many advantages. There is no fixed price for smile design. Smile design prices depend on which treatments the person needs and form a price range that can vary from dentist to dentist. Please contact us to reach the right dentist and the right prices.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is also known as bleaching in some sources. In its most basic definition, teeth whitening is known as a dental aesthetic procedure that aims to make the teeth one or several shades lighter and to remove stains and discolouration on them. Among the most popular cosmetic dental procedures, teeth whitening creates a visible aesthetic difference with its effect.

Why do teeth turn yellow?

Most people who have their teeth whitened turn to this method as soon as they notice an obvious yellowing or colour change in their teeth. At this point, before discussing teeth whitening methods, it is necessary to look in detail at why teeth turn yellow. So why do our teeth turn yellow? There can be many different reasons for this, but among the most basic factors that cause teeth to yellow are, of course, excessive consumption of tea, coffee and cigarettes. Another basic reason behind our teeth starting to yellow is actually ageing. Just as hair turns white with age, teeth also give in to time and begin to lose their colour and turn yellow. The part of the teeth that turns yellow with age is actually not the enamel but the dentine, located further inside the tooth. Sugary and acidic foods can pave the way for teeth to yellow at an earlier age, so the foods consumed have an undeniable effect on tooth discolouration. Excessive exposure to fluoride, trauma to the tooth, the use of silver-coloured fillings and genetic factors are other elements that affect the yellowing of teeth.

Teeth whitening methods

Teeth whitening methods can vary according to the patient’s needs and can be carried out in different ways. The best teeth whitening method is the one that best suits the person’s tooth structure and the needs of their discoloured teeth. The most commonly used teeth whitening methods can be listed as follows:

At-home teeth whitening

At-home teeth whitening, as the name suggests, is a teeth whitening method carried out entirely by the patient. During this method, the patient comes to the dentist’s office only once and, after obtaining the necessary materials, continues the whitening application at home. Before starting at-home whitening, impressions of the mouth are taken at the dental clinic. The reason for taking impressions is that a whitening tray suited to these measurements will be produced. A certain amount of whitening gel is placed inside the whitening trays produced in clinical laboratory settings. After the tray is prepared, it is given to the patient, and it is recommended to use it for at least 4–6 hours a day. When this use is carried out regularly, it will whiten the teeth and allow the person to have whiter teeth at the end of the treatment. At-home whitening takes about 2 weeks on average. The patient stops using the tray after the 2-week period. It is recommended to wear this tray while sleeping so that the patient is not deprived of eating and speaking; that is why in some sources the at-home whitening tray is also known as a night tray. The advantages of at-home whitening include not having to come to the dental clinic constantly and being able to use the tray at night.

Laser teeth whitening

Another teeth whitening method is in-office teeth whitening, that is, laser teeth whitening. Unlike at-home whitening, in-office whitening, as its name suggests, takes place entirely at the dental clinic. The main agent used in whitening the teeth is the laser. While at-home whitening is a method that people who have plenty of time and are in no hurry to whiten their teeth may prefer, in-office whitening, on the contrary, is a procedure preferred by those who want to whiten their teeth as soon as possible. For example, brides-to-be who want to have whiter teeth before their wedding and shine on their big day can have laser teeth whitening a few days before the wedding.

How is laser teeth whitening done?

During in-office whitening, a whitening gel similar to the one used at home but more effective is applied to the tooth surface. A laser is used to increase the activation of this gel. The gel, applied in the amount determined by your dentist, becomes more active with the laser and creates a certain reaction on the teeth, whitening them. At this point, it is very important that the dentist performing the whitening is an expert and experienced in the field; because using the wrong amount of gel or insufficient laser application can cause the teeth not to reach the desired level of whiteness and can damage the gums and periodontal tissues.

The whitening gel applied to the surface of the enamel is activated by the coloured, single-phase monochromatic rays emitted by the laser. The gel particles interacting with the laser have a rapid whitening effect on the enamel, whitening the teeth in as little as about 1 hour. One of the biggest advantages of laser-assisted, in-office whitening is that it gives the patient lighter-toned teeth in as little as 1 hour. Of course, it is very important that the treatment is carried out in safe hands and in a professional setting.

Combined teeth whitening

Another method used when it comes to teeth whitening is combined teeth whitening. In combined whitening, at-home and in-office whitening procedures are combined. Part of the treatment takes place at the dental clinic, while part of it is completed at home using a tray.

Single tooth whitening

This method, applied to teeth that have discoloured after extensive decay or long-term root canal treatment, is used for teeth that differ noticeably in colour from the other teeth. The aim here is to give that single tooth, which the patient is conscious of and which bothers them aesthetically, a more natural colour that is more in harmony with the other teeth.

After teeth whitening

It is quite normal to feel slight sensitivity in your teeth after whitening. During the procedure, the teeth lose water for a short time. This affects the sensitivity of the nerves in the teeth to temperature changes. The slight twinges and discomfort you feel after whitening will disappear within a few hours after the procedure. If you are continuing whitening at home, it is very important that you follow your dentist’s instructions exactly and use your night tray neither less nor more than recommended. The only way to achieve teeth as white as you want is to follow your dentist’s instructions to the letter.

Teeth whitening price

By law, we cannot publish prices on our website. Please contact us to learn about our teeth whitening prices.