The transition from aesthetic dentistry to purely cosmetic procedures is fluid. The latter are not medically necessary and are therefore not part of the normal range of services covered by health insurance. One example is bleaching, with which the dentist gently whitens the teeth.
Bleaching includes all methods used to whiten teeth @ pvl0707 /AdobeStock
As the dentition is a very complex system in which the correction of one tooth can have an impact on the whole person (interfering contacts, misaligned teeth, etc.), a detailed assessment and diagnosis are essential.
In addition to the assessment of functional findings (chewing, biting, speaking, etc.), aesthetic dentistry also takes into account aspects of the patient's appearance in particular. These can include, for example
- Misaligned teeth,
- discoloration,
- above-average wear of the tooth structure or
- recession of the gums(periodontal disease)
can be.
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory oral disease that gradually destroys the tooth-supporting apparatus @ leriostereo /AdobeStock
All findings are recorded either conventionally or digitally, e.g. using special apps. The patient's current situation is then modified using plaster/resin models or by means of an app as imagined by the patient and dentist. This before-and-after simulation is an important part of esthetic dentistry and an essential decision-making aid for the patient.
If the patient likes the reshaping, the dentist creates the exact treatment plan that leads to the desired result. The range of treatments can include, among other things
