The Only Valid Endorsement of American Training in Dentistry is a License to Practise in America
AESTHETIC & COSMETIC DENTISTRY - PROSTHODONTICS
WRIGHTSMILE: Each restored dentition should look unique never generic
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Three most commonly asked questions about cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry.
1. What is the difference between cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry?
Aesthetic dentistry is beautiful but kept within the realms of reality.
Cosmetic dentistry is beautiful but exceeding the realms of reality.
Dr. Wright provides both aspects of dentistry. Some patients prefer the
surreal or glamorous look and not infrequently this is actually the better service for that patient. The challenge is to make the teeth and smile fit the face.
2. It seems like hundreds of dentists nationwide are now claiming to "specialise" in cosmetic and implant dentistry so how can I differentiate between them?
There is only one specialty in "Aesthetic, Implant & Reconstructive Dentistry" recognised by the American Dental Association. That is PROSTHODONTICS. This is a group description of the specialty rather than three individual specialisms. Prosthodontics is the exclusive branch of dentistry concerned with the restoration or replacement of teeth with laboratory-fabricated prosthetic restorations those being crowns, veneers, inlays, implants or dentures. Prosthodontists with similar credentials to Dr. Wright will have undergone a combined four-year ADA residency/masters degree program in the USA. General dentists may declare that they have a special interest in cosmetic dentistry. Neither cosmetic dentistry nor implant dentistry are registered specialties in the UK.
3. Some dentists claim to be able to design my new smile on a computer with cosmetic imaging software. Is that possible?
We have all seen the special effects in Hollywood films where a beautiful face is transformed into a monster and back again in seconds.
All you require is a mouse and the right software to put Shania Twain's beautiful teeth for example into the mouth of Sylvester Stallone.
There is no dental cosmetic imaging software that allows for three dimensional FUNCTIONAL projections. 3D enhancement imaging would require scanning your head and neck and inputing personalised recordings of data about your teeth, musculature, jaw and joint movements. Current cosmetic imaging programs only project static two-dimensional changes onto a flat screen monitor. These cosmetic enhancements can rarely be produced clinically and are usually deceptive, claiming unrealistic results.
The American Dental Association have cautioned its members about the hazards of using such software imaging problems as they have resulted in many
subsequent lawsuits.
The most reliable way of of testing the limits of aesthetic restorative dentistry is for the dentist to prepare the "teeth" on casts accurately mounted on a fully adjustable articulator and fabricating
wax replicas of the proposed ceramic veneers, inlays or crowns.
This allows the dentist to simulate the functional movements of the restorations in the mouth. Such a procedure takes time and technical skills on part of the dentist. Usually only a prosthodontist will go to such lengths. Sometimes a dentist will send the case out to a commercial laboratory for a diagnostic wax-up. Such a case will only be valid if the dentist has prepared the teeth himself.
It is unwise to gamble with your upper front teeth!
Aesthetically and phonetically, these are your most valuable teeth. Re-treatment of a poorly executed case is not always possible and implants are frequently still a compromise.
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The secret to success in Aesthetic Dentistry is in diagnosis and treatment planning. Each case is analysed for form and function on articulator mounted casts. The teeth are prepared on the plaster casts and wax replicas are fabricated for the patient to view. Your new teeth must look beautiful, but don't forget, you must also be able to speak and eat with them. A computer simulation will not provide you with such assurance.