R.M., 42 years old, came to Wonders Dentistry Centers seeking a solution to her main concern: the dark color of her teeth, which, according to her, affected her confidence in smiling and speaking with others.
Upon detailed examination, we found that the discoloration was due to internal stains in the dentin layer. We presented her with all available solutions, which we will discuss below.
Cosmetic Dentistry and Hollywood Smile in General
Cosmetic dentistry did not emerge overnight but evolved through the diligent efforts of dentists and intensive studies in the field of dentistry, drawing inspiration from ancient civilizations. The first cosmetic dental procedures appeared over 1,000 years BC, as evidenced by discoveries of ancient Egyptian mummies with attempts to replace teeth for aesthetic purposes.
There are also indications in Greek and Etruscan civilizations of early attempts at orthodontics.
For example, after World War I, many soldiers suffered from jaw and dental defects due to the war. This inspired doctors, particularly the British dentist Harold Gillies, to replace lost teeth for soldiers and address various defects. He laid the foundation for cosmetic dental surgery after performing approximately 11,000 surgical cosmetic procedures on over 5,000 soldiers at the time.
What Is the Famous Hollywood Smile?
In short, it is a set of medical procedures aimed at giving the patient naturally beautiful teeth. This is achieved through collaboration across all branches of dentistry, including root canal treatment, dental fillings, dental implants, orthodontics, gum treatment, fixed prosthetics, and removable prosthetics. Each case has its own diagnosis and appropriate solution, chosen from several options presented by the dentist.
- Treating any dental issues and achieving a Hollywood Smile, for example: Tooth decay, Root injuries, Tooth erosion, Dental misalignment (orthodontics), Dental abscesses, Missing teeth, Gum inflammation, etc.
- Cleaning teeth and removing accumulated tartar.
- Installing dental veneers, known as veneers, to achieve the desired tooth appearance and create a Hollywood Smile.
When visiting a specialized dentist and requesting a Hollywood Smile, the dentist will examine the case and conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the dental condition. The dentist will then create a treatment plan, including a timeline of necessary procedures.
In the best-case scenario, the dentist can install veneers immediately after confirming there are no issues preventing their placement. However, in some cases where the dental condition is poor, it may require time and multiple sessions to address dental problems before proceeding with veneer placement.
Veneers (Dental Veneers):
People also refer to them as Hollywood Smile, but as explained, a Hollywood Smile involves a set of medical interventions tailored to the case, and veneers are one of them. Veneers are very thin layers of dental material placed on the front surface of the teeth after reshaping. Achieving a specific beautiful color is not their only purpose.
They also aim to improve the shape, size, and length of the teeth to match the patient’s facial and oral structure.
These veneers are made of porcelain (ceramic), a material resistant to stains and discoloration. When properly prepared, they provide a natural-looking color and appearance, making them an ideal solution for patients with various dental issues.
A Hollywood Smile is sought for one of the following complaints:
- Teeth that have discolored or developed stains.
- Teeth with large cosmetic fillings that have lost their color and no longer match the adjacent teeth.
- Teeth that are chipped or broken.
- Teeth that are misaligned, uneven in size or length, or do not harmonize with the rest of the teeth.
- Teeth with gaps between them.
Case Details: Dark Tooth Color
Dark tooth color is one of the aesthetic issues that can lead to a lack of confidence during conversations, important events, or even job interviews. This problem is more commonly felt by women than men.
For Ms. R.M., it was essential to find a solution to this issue, especially after she assumed an important position at work. It was time for her to undergo a teeth whitening procedure using fixed dental veneers. Since Wonders Dentistry Centers strive to provide the highest quality care for our patients, she immediately turned to us in search of a solution.
What Generally Causes Dark Tooth Color?
- External Causes: These refer to any external factors affecting tooth color.
- Internal Causes: These refer to factors originating from within the tooth or the body.
- Age-Related Causes: As teeth age, they tend to yellow.
The Causes May Include One of the Following:
- Foods and Drinks that stain teeth, such as coffee, tea, and cola.
- Smoking.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Neglecting dental hygiene allows plaque to build up, along with staining substances that deposit on the teeth. Plaque has a greater chance of forming with inadequate dental care.
- Diseases: Certain diseases affect the enamel, the non-living outer layer of the tooth, which is usually transparent with a white tint and gives teeth their beautiful appearance.
- Other diseases affect the dentin, the layer beneath the enamel, which plays a significant role in dental health. Damage to the dentin due to a specific disease can not only cause discoloration but also affect the health and survival of the tooth.
- Medical Treatments: Some treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, can affect tooth color.
- Infections During Pregnancy: Certain infections during pregnancy can affect the color of a child’s teeth by impacting the development of enamel, as tooth development begins in the womb.
- Certain Antibiotics: Medications like tetracycline and doxycycline, if given to children under 8 years old, can affect tooth color.
- Some Antihistamines and High Blood Pressure Medications: In rare cases, these can cause tooth discoloration.
- Silver Amalgam Fillings: These can cause dentin discoloration over time, giving teeth a grayish appearance.
- Aging: As people age, enamel wears away, revealing the yellowish dentin underneath, which explains the yellowing of teeth in older individuals.
- Genetics: Some people have genes that allow them to have whiter teeth and thicker enamel, while others do not.
- Fluoride Toxicity: Fluoride is essential for dental health, as it combines with teeth to create harder, more decay-resistant structures. However, in some cases, especially in areas relying on well water, fluoride levels can exceed the recommended limits set by global health organizations, leading to tooth discoloration.
- Excessive fluoride can also come from overusing mouthwash or toothpaste daily.
- Trauma: Injuries can cause tooth discoloration, requiring a dental visit to check the tooth’s vitality and ensure there are no fractures after the injury to preserve the tooth.
Available Solutions for the Case:
- Laser or Chemical Teeth Whitening at Wonders Dentistry Centers.
- Dental Veneers Without Tooth Reshaping: Composite Veneers.
- Dental Veneers with Minimal Tooth Reshaping: Fixed Veneers.
The Best Solution: Hollywood Smile
The dentist works with the patient to solve the puzzle, choosing the most suitable option based on the patient’s complaints, preferences, social status, and financial ability, as explained by the patient.
Therefore, the best solution we reached with Ms. R.M. was fixed veneers (dental veneers), commonly known as Hollywood Smile, because her complaint included the need to change the color of her teeth and, if possible, their shape as well.
She had two options: fixed veneers or composite veneers. When she asked us about the difference in terms of lifespan and durability, we explained that composite veneers last up to 5 years, while fixed veneers can last over 10 years, though they are slightly more expensive than composite veneers.
In the end, she chose composite veneers.
Steps to Achieve the Desired Result
After consulting with her on the best solution, her visits included the following:
Diagnosis and Treatment Planning:
This step involves discussing with the doctor the results the patient expects. The doctor also examines the teeth to ensure veneers are suitable for the patient and explains the procedure to be followed.
Preparation:
Preparing the teeth for veneers involves removing 0.5 millimeters of enamel from the tooth surface, which is approximately the thickness of the veneers to be placed. The doctor then creates a model of the veneers by sending impressions to the lab. This process takes about a week.
Trial and Completion:
Before the final placement of the veneers to achieve a Hollywood Smile, the doctor will temporarily place the veneers on the patient’s teeth to check the color and size. Adjustments can be made if necessary.
The teeth are cleaned for the final placement of the veneers using a specialized adhesive. Once the fit is confirmed, the veneers are secured using light waves designed for this purpose.
The doctor may ask the patient to return after a few weeks to check the gums and ensure they are reacting well to the new veneers, as well as to verify the placement of the veneers.
Final Result
