Laser teeth whitening procedure at Family Dentistry. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
Cosmetic dentistry treatments are becoming a common thing in the Kenyan setting, something that was not the case a few years back.
Without a doubt, a radiant smile is a sure way of boosting one’s self-confidence.
Discoloured, chipped or missing teeth can all deny one the confidence to smile and maintain a conversation confidently.
Some people were born with sparsely spaced teeth, yet others have misaligned teeth with some sticking out….. things that adversely affect their self-esteem.
One could also survive a car crash but suffer a disfigured jaw and this might require some restorative surgery. With improvements in technology in the medical field, one need not wallow in self-pity simply because their teeth or jawline are not ideal.
Cosmetic dentistry treatments are becoming a common thing in the Kenyan setting, something that was not the case a few years back. For a long time, such treatments were only popular in the US, where most people have had some sort of cosmetic dental surgery done.
Dr Joyce Gitangu of Dental Smiles for Kid says to avoid the necessity of future costly dental procedures, children should be taught the value of dental hygiene early.
At her clinic located at Nairobi’s Yaya Centre, children are taught oral health in a fun environment, making it easier for them to remember lessons taught,” Dr Gitangu said in an earlier interview with the BDLife.
Cosmetic dentistry exists for people who, for various reasons, are not happy with their teeth and would go to any legnth to improve their smiles.
Whether you are seeking subtle changes or major repairs, it is always important to ask the dentist to show you before and after photos that he’s worked on before to be sure his work fits your dental needs.
Below are examples of dental procedures people undergo;
Bleaching
This is a common and popular chemical process with the sole intention of whitening the teeth.
Teeth discolouration does not necessarily occur due to intake of coffee, tea, cigarettes smoking or medication. It may also be as a result of high levels of fluorine in drinking water.
Generally, tooth whitening is successful in at least 90 per cent of patients. Usually, yellow-coloured teeth respond well to whitening, while brownish-coloured ones do not respond as well.
Teeth bleaching or whitening can be performed in two ways; at the dentist’s office or at home under supervision of the dentist.
In the case of bleaching at the dentist’s office, a chemically-activated power whitening gel is used by the dentist. This procedure can last 45 minutes after which desired results can be attained. While this option gives faster results, the downside is that the procedure can numb the nerves.
Whitening at home takes two to four weeks, depending on the desired shade one wishes to achieve.
“Treatment begins when the dentist creates a custom mouthpiece to ensure the correct amount of whitening solution is used and that your teeth are properly exposed,” says Dr Bwire Barasa, Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
A patient can wear the mouthpiece for two hours at a time or sleep with it. The beauty with it is that it is less sensitive and has no side-effects.
Veneers
Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells of tooth-coloured materials especially made to cover the front surface of teeth to improve appearance.
They can be made of different materials including porcelain, resin composite material or plastic. These are ideal for people with chipped, discoloured, oddly shaped or unevenly spaced teeth.
Normally, an orthodontist would first bleach the affected tooth/teeth before introducing veneers. The bleaching is intended to reduce the depth of colour thereby making the contrast less noticeable.
“This is what makes the contrast less obvious between the affected tooth and the veneer layer placed on top of it,” says Dr Barasa.
Porcelain veneers are relatively expensive owing to their ability to resist stains better than resin veneers. They also better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth.
It would cost you around Sh40,000 to get a veneer per tooth in most private hospitals in Nairobi.
Crowns
These are also known as caps. Usually, they cover the tooth in order for it to restore its normal shape size, strength and appearance.
A dentist can use various types of crowns including ceramic, porcelain, resin, and stainless steel. Cosmetic crowns are usually made of porcelain or ceramic. While crowns last longer than all the other cosmetic operations, they are the most time consuming.
At KNH, getting a crown goes for Sh10,000 a tooth. The cost is relatively higher in private clinics with most ranging between Sh25,000 and Sh40,000 depending on the material used during the procedure.
Porcelain is more expensive and is the one that could cost around Sh40,000. Metal could range between Sh25,000 and Sh30,000.
Realignment of teeth
Misaligned teeth are often inherited. The good news is that this dental problem can be fixed with orthodontic treatment or braces.
Teeth alignment can be performed at any age. Regular braces used, in most cases, are made of metal, are very reliable but compromise on the aesthetics. One can instead opt for clear braces which are not easily visible.
For those who are self-conscious, there exists the option of lingual braces. In such a case, the braces are placed behind the teeth (between the tongue and palate), rather than infront.
This offers a great cosmetic alternative for those who want their teeth straightened, without the braces showing. Realigning teeth can cost up to Sh200,000 in most private clinics.
Contouring and reshaping (smoothing the tips)
This procedure is used on people with crooked, chipped or irregularly-shaped teeth. It is ideal for those who want subtle changes to their smile. Tooth reshaping and contouring, is commonly used to alter the length, shape or position of your teeth to give an even look.
Contouring teeth may also help correct small problems with bite. It is common for bonding to be combined with tooth reshaping.
