Aesthetic Dentistry
Is concerned with the improvement of the appearance of the teeth, gums and/or bite. It requires a holistic appreciation of color, position, shape, size, alignment and the overall smile appearance.
Teeth Whitening – Signature Service
The Problem
Tooth stains usually occur on the outer white surface of teeth, known as the enamel. Substances like coffee, tea, wine and even tobacco (smoking) can leave coloured residues, making the teeth appear yellow/ brown/ black, thereby masking their real beauty.
FAQs
The Solution – We recommend a combination of Air-polishing Prophyjet. In conjunction with either a Take-Home Kit or Chairside Whitening option to remove those pesky stains.
Admin matters:
Questions about the procedure:
Whitening does NOT damage or make teeth weaker, in fact, both types of whitening options use safe chemicals like hydrogen or carbamide peroxide which are absorbed into the enamel to break up stains into less visible particles.
Take-Home Kit
Pros:
- Finer control on the desired final shade of the teeth
- Can be done at your own convenience without having to be in the clinic
Cons:
- May take longer than Chairside whitening to observe an appreciable difference
- Requires compliance and diligent wearing of the trays
Chairside
Pros:
- Done in 1-2 sessions with quick results
- Usually done after Air-polishing so the teeth can better absorb the chemicals
Cons:
- You have to be physically present in the clinic
- Tooth sensitivity is a known side effect, because the chemicals are small enough to be absorbed by the tooth enamel. It is important to state that this is temporary. Toothpastes for sensitive teeth can be used to reduce discomfort.
- Gum irritation is another known side effect of whitening, if the chemicals come into contact with the gums, they can cause some degree of irritation. Fortunately, that is the advantage of doing whitening with us, we take the necessary precautions – e.g. gum barriers in the case of chairside whitening, and custom-made whitening trays which contain the chemicals on the teeth.
12 months would be a good estimate. However, this really depends on your lifestyle habits/ diet. We would recommend avoiding substances that leave stains on your teeth.
Why Dr Mike Teoh Dental Clinic?
- All our treatments are done under 5x magnification, 5 times what the human eye can see, this allows us clarity to remove even the most tenacious stains and ensure that the gums are adequately protected, before chairside whitening commences.
- Why should I see you VS a beauty salon
- Results – Only licensed dentists are allowed to use whitening products of a higher concentration1(https://www.hsa.gov.sg/consumer-safety/articles/online-diy-teeth-whitening-kit-pain), this translates to quicker, and more predictable results.
- Safety – We take necessary precautions in order to reduce side effects like gum irritation which might result from a lack of protective measures.
- Holistic approach – Is whitening the best option for me? What are the alternatives? Can whitening correct stains I have had since I was a kid? These are just some of the questions that only a trained Dentist would be able to answer.
Invisalign/ Clear aligners – Signature Service
The Problem
- Mis-aligned teeth (refer to iDental page), some examples include (not exhaustive):
- Crowding
- Spacing
- ‘Buck Teeth’ (Excessive Overjet)
- Fixed metal braces are ugly and hard to clean around
- Crowding
- Spacing
- Buck Teeth
- Fixed metal braces are ugly and hard to clean around
FAQs
Clear aligners are able to predictably correct a wide range of tooth alignment issues, whilst having the advantages of being discreet and facilitating good oral hygiene (vs fixed braces)
Admin matters:
Questions about the procedure:
Both fixed braces and removable aligners use a gentle force to gradually move teeth. While fixed braces exert more of a ‘pulling’ force, clear aligners exert a ‘push’ force. Aligners are even able to focus on moving just one tooth at a time when necessary.
Aligners can treat most cases, however for certain complex cases, we may recommend fixed braces over aligners. You will need to wear your aligners consistently for 22 hours a day (excluding meal times) to see the best results!
Generally speaking, at every aligner change there will be very mild discomfort (dull aching feeling that will go away within a few days), which is easily controlled with pain medication.
Whenever possible, we will certainly avoid extracting teeth, but in certain cases like those with severe crowding, extractions cannot be avoided. Do speak to us on the different options available.
Prior to starting, we are able to give you a simulation on how your teeth would look like after treatment* (do note that this is only a simulation and actual results may vary due to multiple factors).
All types of clear aligner treatments fundamentally use the same principles to straighten your teeth. The main differences apart from cost, are: Tray design/ materials/ thickness, resulting in differences of comfort and how noticeable the aligners are in a patient’s mouth.
These are known as attachments, think of them as ‘handlebars’ for the clear aligners to ‘push’ against. This allows for deliberate and direct forces to be applied on teeth in order to move them in a specific path.
Veneers – Signature Service
The Problem
You may be dissatisfied with the size, shape, color and alignment of your teeth, and want a quick and lasting solution
FAQs
Dental Veneers which are like ‘masks’ for teeth, are able to address these issues in a timely and predictable fashion.
Admin matters:
Questions about the procedure:
They are basically thin shells of either resin or ceramic adhered to teeth – Think something like a mask, or fake nails for the ladies.
Resin
Pros:
- Reversible
- Usually can be done in a single-visit
- Able to be repaired when damaged
- More economical option
Cons:
- Prone to staining and discoloration
- Not as durable as ceramic veneers
Ceramic
Pros:
- Resistant to staining and discoloration
- More durable than resin veneers
Cons:
- Irreversible, as the tooth would need to be given a ‘haircut’ to make space for the ceramic
- Requires at least 2 visits for fabrication
This really depends on your lifestyle habits/ diet. Generally, resin veneers would last anywhere from ~4-8 years and ceramic veneers about ~10-15 years. We recommend regular 6 monthly check-ups to ensure your veneers are in tip-top condition.
Why Dr Mike Teoh Dental Clinic?
- We use terrific technology such as digital smile design in order to translate the ideal version of your teeth into reality.
- Why should I see a Dentist VS a beauty salon?
- Results & Safety – The main advantage of doing it with a licensed Dentist is that we have been trained to be acutely aware of the aesthetic/ biological/ mechanical and material factors required to craft a beautiful and lasting smile.
