Aesthetic dentistry

Teeth whitening

To be sure that giving radiance to our smile is a matter equally important to the dentist as it is to us, we need to feel that our problems are a challenge and an inspiration to the doctor. This is exactly how we approach aesthetic dentistry at our clinic in Katowice. This branch of dentistry includes, among other things, teeth whitening, veneers and framework dentures. For us it is something far more than a simple improvement of the colour or shape of the teeth, because our dental treatments completely improve the overall appearance of the face.

Aesthetic dentistry at NL Clinic – what do we offer?

This field of dentistry sets itself the goal of improving the aesthetic qualities of the dentition. Most patients understand aesthetic dentistry mainly as teeth whitening, but the range of treatments that can make our smile more beautiful is much wider. Setting itself the goal of making the smile the most beautiful calling card of our patients, NL Clinic offers a range of dental measures that improve the current colour and shape of the teeth and the overall aesthetics of the smile.

Safe, tray-based teeth whitening with individual splints

This type of whitening is a particularly non-invasive, effective way to obtain a whiter shade of the teeth and, importantly, one that does not weaken the tooth excessively and does not cause unnecessary chemical changes within its structure.

If the decision is made in favour of at-home tray whitening, our dentists first thoroughly examine the condition of the patient's dentition and gums and carry out a thorough cleaning of the teeth. If cavities are found or old fillings exist, dentists will often apply temporary fillings before whitening and place new ones afterwards. This results from the fact that crowns, veneers, bridges and other fillings do not change their colour during whitening, and if the old fillings were left in place, contrasting marks would be visible.

The most important feature of tray-based teeth whitening is the preparation of personalised trays for the teeth, made on the basis of previously taken impressions of the dentition. In this way we can be sure that the whitening will be carried out really precisely and exclusively to the shape of our teeth. However, such whitening requires the participation and consistency of the patient themselves, who – after receiving a specialist whitening preparation – is tasked with wearing the trays filled with it overnight. This process lasts roughly about 10 days, and such multi-stage application of the whitening substance supports a gradual, controlled achievement of dental aesthetic effects. It should be remembered, however, that during the tray whitening process the tooth enamel may be somewhat more susceptible to discolouration due to slight dehydration, which is why the patient should also avoid smoking cigarettes and consuming those drinks and foods that can cause such discolouration.

What should be kept in mind during tray teeth whitening? The dentists of NL Clinic advise

Before putting on the trays, one must absolutely clean the teeth (best of all by brushing and flossing). Then it is enough to apply a small amount of whitening gel to the splint, remembering to place it on the side of the teeth we want to whiten – that is, technically speaking, on the side of their labial surface. After placing the trays on the teeth, in order to avoid irritation, we remove any excess of the preparation from the mucous membrane and leave the splints in the oral cavity overnight. This is the optimal solution, because while the tray is in the oral cavity one should not drink or eat anything. Sleep is therefore the best time for the preparation to act. The exact time of wearing the whitening tray is always precisely selected by the team of dentists at NL Clinic, because it depends on the individual course of teeth whitening and the concentration of the whitening gel.

After the desired time has elapsed and the whitening splint has been removed, we thoroughly clean the oral cavity of the remains of the preparation and rinse it carefully.

Some patients mention tooth sensitivity after the end of treatment, which is why a good and effective solution recommended in our practice in Katowice is the use of specialist desensitising toothpastes for some time before and after whitening. If, however, whitening is carried out correctly, we do not wear the trays for longer than recommended and we carefully remove the excess of the whitening preparation from the gums and mucosa, the problem of sensitivity may not affect us at all. For people with sensitivity we recommend teeth whitening with the PrevDent system.

PrevDent regenerative whitening

PrevDent is a system for teeth whitening and enamel repair – a combination of an active whitening substance (6% hydrogen peroxide, 6% H₂O₂) with nano-hydroxyapatite, which remineralises the enamel. The PrevDent whitening treatment consists of three stages:

Whitening of dead teeth after root canal treatment

In some cases after root canal treatment, as a result of insufficient preparation of the tooth chamber, haemolysis of the blood left in its recesses may occur. The consequence of this is the darkening or bluing of the tooth, which very seriously disturbs the aesthetics of the smile. However, even an already dead tooth can still be whitened, and such a procedure can also be carried out in our dental practice on the Witosa estate in Katowice. To this end, our dentists again open the crown of such a discoloured tooth, prepare it anew and introduce into it a special preparation for whitening dead teeth. This procedure can be performed under a microscope in order to ensure high effectiveness with currently available methods. After several replacements of such a whitening insert and achieving the desired effect, the tooth chamber is closed again with a composite filling.

Veneers

Almost all Hollywood stars and front-page figures admit to using veneers. What is the secret of the popularity of these prosthetic restorations? Well, these very thin porcelain, ceramic or composite overlays are able to clearly improve the aesthetics of our smile.

What types of veneers are used at the NL Clinic dental practice? Today we distinguish many types of veneers: acrylic, composite, porcelain, ceramic and all-ceramic veneers. NL Clinic offers porcelain and zirconia veneers. The price of such a veneer depends on the material it is made of, and the current price list is available at the premises of our facility.

• Composite veneers are a cheaper alternative to porcelain or ceramic veneers, but their more affordable price does not mean at all that they are without advantages. Veneers of this type are made of the composite used for filling cavities, and although this affects their colour (it is fairly uniform), it also makes it possible to place the veneer during just one visit. Such veneers are durable, hard and very decisively correct discolouration. It should be remembered, however, that after a long time from placement they may themselves become discoloured. This is why replacement of composite veneers is recommended.
• Porcelain veneers are currently the most widespread type of veneer. Because they are distinguished by particular mechanical strength, are resistant to tartar build-up and look very natural, the price of a porcelain veneer is higher than that of a composite one. In addition, porcelain veneers are characterised by a longer lifespan – with proper care they last in very good condition for even up to 10 years. The dentist fixes them mainly on the surfaces of the teeth visible when opening the mouth and speaking.
• Zirconia veneers used at NL Clinic are among the modern solutions in aesthetic dentistry. Firstly, with this type of veneer it is not necessary to grind the surfaces of the teeth. Secondly, zirconia-based veneers are free of any metals, are well tolerated and biocompatible, friendly to human tissue and electrically neutral. As with porcelain veneers, they hinder the build-up of tartar, bacteria or plaque, are extraordinarily durable and resistant to the action of acids, and in terms of colour are indistinguishable from real teeth. The price of a zirconia veneer naturally takes all these advantages into account.

Framework dentures

A solution recommended by us for people who have this type of significant gaps in the dentition that cannot be made up for with bridges. This form of metal-acrylic dentures, matched to the shape of the base of the oral cavity, is held on the dental arches thanks to flexible metal clasps that provide stability to the remaining teeth. This type of reconstruction of the masticatory organs often requires prior periodontal, surgical or even orthodontic treatment, because the role of dentures is not limited only to aesthetic qualities but above all to health ones. Framework dentures make it possible to avoid the loosening of adjacent teeth, as well as irregularities in the temporomandibular joints, the protrusion of opposing teeth or other disorders. In aesthetic terms, on the other hand, the framework dentures we use help to achieve the effect of a full, natural dentition.

At the NL Clinic Dental Centre we offer a wide range of dentures (framework, acetal, acrylic 1–4-tooth, acrylic 5–14-tooth, immediate and others), and because they belong to the borderland of aesthetic dentistry and prosthetics, more information about dentures can be read in the prosthetics section.

If you are interested in modern aesthetic dentistry in Katowice, we warmly invite you to a consultation at our centre on the Witosa estate in Katowice.

Dental implants

Under appropriate conditions, using dental implants of the appropriate structure and surface, they can be placed and loaded with a prosthetic restoration on the same day. Sometimes the process of reconstructing teeth on implants can last up to nine months – respectively, for the upper jaw 4–6 months after placing the implant, and for the lower jaw 1–3 months. It is worth being patient – the success rate of implantology procedures is about 97%, and the comfort and aesthetics achieved cannot be compared to any other solution for eliminating missing teeth.