It was yet another cold Ankara morning. I had been researching for a short while and on the advice of a close friend of mine, I called Dental Estetik Center. It rang for a few seconds, to be answered by the sweet, soft, pleasant voice of a woman. “Dental Estetik Center, this is Yasemin, how may I help you?” The voice had subsided my fears to an extent, instantly. After all, I was getting an appointment to see a dentist, I couldn’t help but feel tense. Deciding on the fate of my teeth and having to sit on a dental chair was making me somewhat anxious. Yet, I was able to get my appointment in a flash, thanks to the sweet demeanor of Yasemin; in addition to the relaxing way in which she spoke to me.

 

At this point, I believe that I should tell you about myself; I am Yeliz Tepe, I am a Pilates instructor. I have received orthodontic treatment due to the visual irregularity of my teeth. The treatment had left spaces between my teeth, which was upsetting, as well as keeping me from smiling and laughing however I wished. In addition, my teeth looked fairly yellow.

 

As I have a job that is primarily based on health and secondarily on appearance; I thought that I had to have these problems resolved. So, I decided to pay a visit to Dental Estetik Center as I was impressed with the success of their both clinical and cosmetic treatments on a myriad of patients.

 

When I arrived, I was welcomed debonairly. The tension that I had was subsiding, to an extent. They immediately took care of me; offering me refreshments. Believe it or not, the clinic felt like home! We then we proceeded with the examination; they made an effort to communicate with me in the best way possible and, more importantly, to prioritize my needs as they created a treatment plan.

 

As my gum health constituted the basis for all other treatments that would follow, they removed my tartar. With effective oral hygiene training and motivation; my gums had become healthy. Then, they bleached my teeth. Initially, they took measurements and prepared transparent plaques. I was given these plaques, along with some bleaching gel. I was told to apply the gel on the plaques in the size of a grain of wheat for eight of my incisors; leaving it on for, respectively; two, four and six hours on days one, two and three. On the fourth day, I returned to the clinic and they continued with my bleaching process; using a special device called “Zoom”. Except for the day on which I had to visit the clinic, I was told to repeat the plaque-gel procedure at home, for the following three days.

 

On my next appointment, I was exceptionally satisfied with how white my teeth looked. Actually, I didn’t think that they would look that white. In fact, I was excited about future treatments; my teeth were lily white. A treatment to close the gaps between my teeth would follow.

 

My dentist told me that the gum on my upper jaw had to be readjusted to create an aesthetically-appealing smile. They did so, using the water-lase iplus hard tissue laser, a cutting-edge technology. My gums were healed in as short as one week following the laser treatment and I did not feel any discomfort, or sensitivity. It was nothing like I had anticipated.

On the same day; they had plans to laminate my teeth. They slightly chiseled my teeth and mounted my temporary teeth; the sight of which was quite exhilarating.

I could not contain myself when I returned to the clinic one week later. The process of change was nearing the end and I had grown impatient. The clinic staff with whom I had become well-acquainted due to my numerous visits was at least as excited as I was. I was looking forward to seeing myself on a mirror with a wide grin.

 

I tried on the porcelain laminates that had been prepared; they were then adjusted in line with my face, my smile and my facial features. They were not porcelain laminates anymore, they had become Yeliz’s teeth! Just like the delicate brushstrokes of an artist; Güzin Kırsaçlıoğlu, MD, turned the porcelain laminates that I had tried on into a puzzle piece that had been long missing from me. After the trials and as a result of a technician’s touch that lasted just a few hours, the porcelain laminates were mounted; through a diligent operation.

 

After my porcelain laminates had been mounted, when Mrs. Kırsaçlıoğlu told me that I could then take a look in the mirror; I felt extreme excitement. I held my breath and closed my eyes. When I opened them again, I could not believe my eyes! It felt like a different person in the mirror. All the spaces that I had hated were gone; my white teeth were literally flashing with each smile. This Yeliz felt right. She looked just like I did, in my dreams. I felt glued to the mirror, glancing to the new me again and again. I took a good look at myself. I knew that this phase would not be coming to an end soon.

 

 

 

Dental Veneers, Composite Laminates And The Adhesive Bonding System

By: Güzin Kırsaçlıoğlu, Md

Nowadays, everyone wishes to look perfect. To achieve the perfect appearance and get rid of their “imperfections”, people turn to cosmetic treatments.

It is possible to alter a person’s teeth cosmetically, elements that have a great role in a person’s appearance.

The need to have a pearly white smile brings along fast-paced developments in the sector of dentistry. One of the most popular methods developed in this aspect is dental veneers. They are applied just onto the outer, visible surfaces of a person’s teeth.

Just like coating furniture with a thin layer of varnish onto the inner parts of furnitures to achieve a desired look, or a particular color, a person’s appearance may be altered by porcelain, or composite, veneers that are applied onto the outer surfaces of their teeth. While keeping their actual teeth intact behind the veneers, veneers in desired colors or features may be applied onto them.

 

WHAT TYPES OF TEETH ARE APPROPRIATE FOR VENEERS?

They are especially used to close the gaps between spaced teeth.

*They are also used for the teeth that have lost their appeal in time and with the coming of age, to give them back their young appearance. If the teeth are shaky due to a periodontal destruction, composites are supported with material of fiber content and teeth are thus tied together.

*Severe discolorations that remain even after bleaching procedures.

*If the patient with (lightly) crooked teeth does not wish to receive an orthodontic treatment,

*They are used for patients that are not happy with how their teeth look and wish to have a different image. In people that wish their incisors to be slightly longer, or those who believe that their canines are too sharp and want to have them straightened out, it is possible to meet their demands and keep their actual teeth intact with veneers.

*For people who wish to convert their negative smile line into a positive one,

*For people over 18 that wish to have a better smile without getting their teeth destroyed in the process, if they have appropriate oral and dental structures.

*As a quick fix for people whose teeth broke due to falling, crashes or traffic accidents.

HOW COMPOSITE LAMINATES ADHERE TO YOUR TEETH

The tooth enamel layer is just like a honeycomb. Your dentist empties these honeycombs with a special solution at a microscopic level and inserts an adhesive that resembles the laminates in nature into these honeycombs.

You know how a floor tile is fragile by itself, until it is glued onto the floor with a heavy glue, then it becomes unbreakable, even when the wheels of a truck stomp it.

When stuck onto your teeth with correct adhesives, composites act like teeth. Though, their resistance can never match that of your actual teeth. They are easily harmed when you consume shelled nuts, or push them beyond their limits.

WHY VENEERS ARE AESTHETIC

When your dental tissues reflect light, each tooth does so, depending on the density of their layers (enamel, dentin, pulpa). Veneers imitate the refraction of your actual teeth. As they do not include metals and are designed based on your own face, they are visually pleasing.

DO VENEERS HARM YOUR TEETH?

The principles of their dental adherence is like that of orthodontic apparatus. As your teeth remain intact when they are applied, your enamel will be unchanged when they are removed. In addition, considering that they end sensitivity issues in the gaps between shifted teeth after a tooth or two is removed, it might be agreed that they are actually beneficial. Another advantage of their application is the ability to ensure a visually pleasing appearance, without altering your actual teeth.

Unlike the common belief, composite laminates do not harm your teeth, nor cause tooth decays. They are renewed when it is due without any problems if the person exercises good oral care and brushes properly.

Can Composite Veneers Last a Lifetime?

As is the case with every other restoration, composite veneers may become worn out. Generally, they last 5-10 years. 6-month dentist checks make them last longer. Abrasive toothpastes may harm your veneers. Brushing regularly and dentist controls, on the other hand, make them last longer.

What Procedures Follow the Application of Composite Veneers?

Composite veneer applications may be followed with porcelain veneers or crown bridges, depending on a patient’s demands. They will not cause a problem.