[imagesource: Dental Care]

Now that wearing a face mask in public indoor spaces is no longer mandated, avoiding chit-chat with acquaintances when out and about just became a tad more difficult.

Look, I don’t really care how your child is doing at school, Janet – I just came here to buy my dinner and get out.

Also, am I the only person walking around that gets the feeling everyone is staring at my teeth? I feel like a dog that has just returned from a big haircut at the groomer, and strangers at the checkout or in the elevator lift are looking at me a little weirdly.

It is no secret that people are becoming increasingly self-conscious about the way their teeth look. In fact, according to a recent survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, over 50% of people surveyed said that they feel that an unattractive smile can hurt their career prospects.

With so much riding on our smiles, people are turning to cosmetic dentistry to help them achieve a confident smile. But with so many different treatments available, how do you know which one is right for you?

Have you heard about Injection moulded composite bonding? Scary, injections, not for me, I hear you say. The good news is there are no injections, and it will keep your virgin teeth safe from the drill.

Our last article discussed a dentist needing to drill away healthy tooth Enamel to place veneers, and thankfully minimally invasive options are now available (read about virgin teeth here).

Do you suffer from one or more of the following dental afflictions?

• Teeth that are stained or discoloured
• Teeth that are chipped or cracked 
• Eroded teeth that have been affected by food acids or grinding
• White fillings on front teeth that keep falling out
• Teeth that are misshapen or irregularly shaped
• Gaps between teeth. 

Relax. Deep breath. Do not despair. Injection moulded composite bonding can give you that smile without drilling and injections in your gums (unless you already have old fillings that need replacement).

This new technique which has taken the dental world by storm over the last three years will improve the look and function of your teeth. So, how does it work?

First, it is important to find a qualified and experienced dentist who offers this type of treatment. You must find a ‘Digital Dentist‘ who uses a 3D scanner for their dental treatments.

The 3D scanner is a video camera wand that your dentist moves around over your teeth to capture the finest details in a three-dimensional model called a STL. Digital dentists don’t use any of that gaggy, gloopy old-fashioned impression putty that runs down your throat. 

Your new smile is then digitally designed on special digital smile design software (often abbreviated generically as DSD) such as Smile Designer Pro, 3Shape Smile Design, or Cerec SW.

Your aesthetic dentist works with a smile designer to create a three-dimensional model of your new smile. A crystal-clear rubbery silicon mould is made over the model and small holes are made over each tooth to be restored.

At your next visit, your teeth are polished and prepared with plumbers’ tape used to make sure your teeth are not glued together. A clear bonding resin is then painted on the tooth and hardened with a blue light. Now for the not-so-scary injection.

The clear mould is placed over your tooth and the latest and greatest liquid ceramic resin composite compound is injected to fill the gap and restore your smile. The blue light hardens it and once the mould is removed, the new teeth are polished to an amazing natural shine. Easy, peasy if you know what you are doing.

 

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The time cost is lower because the appointments are shorter and usually completed in one visit.

The financial cost is also lower and far more affordable. At OptiSmile Digital Dentists in Cape Town, they are R4 400 per tooth versus R15 000 per porcelain veneer.

The main consideration is the biological cost. Your smile is rejuvenated and restored without drilling away any Virgin Enamel.

If you want a way to improve your smile and feel more confident in 2022, injection-moulded composite restoration should be at the top of your list.