Esthetic and Minimally Invasive Dentistry

Esthetic Dentistry

Esthetic dentistry represents the clinical application of scientifically proven techniques and knowledge that can give a natural appearance to dental restorations.

Its main applications concern the improvement of the position, shape and color of the teeth, providing our patients with a beautiful smile. The modern dental materials used resemble the ones of natural teeth to such an extent, that are hardly noticeable, and they include composite resin fillings, porcelain and resin veneers and all-ceramic restorations (crowns or bridges).

Porcelain veneers are very thin pieces of porcelain cemented permanently to the front of the teeth in order to improve their appearance. Porcelain veneers can be used to close gaps, improve the color of the teeth and change their shape or position.

In some cases, achieving an aesthetically pleasing smile requires the application of the above in combination with plastic surgery techniques, as described in the section of Esthetic Periodontal Surgery services of our clinic.

Minimally Invasive Dentistry

The philosophy of our clinic is in line with “minimally invasive dentistry”. Since teeth have not the ability to regenerate, we are, therefore, responsible for respecting them trying to preserve their integrity.

Inlays and onlays are a typical example of this philosophy. If the missing tooth structure is more than half of the tooth and the restoration covers a cusp, it is called an “onlay”.

In the past, following endodontic treatment, crowns were placed on most teeth, something that required removing more than 65% of the volume of tooth structure. Nowadays, however, with the use of onlays, no more than 30% of the remaining tooth structure is removed. The materials used can be composite resins or porcelain. With the application of inlays and onlays, the use of crowns is limited only to severely damaged teeth.

Similarly, amalgam fillings have been replaced with composite resin ones. The modern resins used have excellent durability, while their appearance is no different from that of natural teeth.

Lastly, one of the most important services of minimal intervention offered by our clinic is changing the shape of anterior teeth only by adding material, without the use of cutting instruments, thus giving shine to our patients’ smile with completely non-traumatic tools.