How is a deep teeth cleaning different from a regular cleaning?
Regular dental cleanings focus on the teeth above the gum line. These simple cleanings are recommended for most patients every six months and play a critical role in maintaining good oral health. However, there is a subset of patients with more severe inflammation or that has extended to the bone beneath the gums who require a deep cleaning.

Deep cleaning involves special techniques to get rid of plaque, tartar, and bacteria from below the gum line to the roots of your teeth. This prevents gum disease from progressing and causing tooth loss. In summary, the goal of a regular cleaning is preventative maintenance, while the goal of a deep cleaning is to stop the progression of gum disease and periodontal disease.

How do I know if I need a deep dental cleaning?
Deep cleaning is not necessary for every patient. However, for patients with a more severe case of advanced gingivitis, a local deep cleaning may be required, i.e. not the entire mouth but only the areas of concern to prevent future tooth loss and stop further damage.

Periodontal disease does not always cause pain or show visible symptoms, so it can be difficult for the patient to realize on their own that a deep cleaning is needed.

What does a deep cleaning at the dentist entail?
Deep cleaning of teeth is recommended for patients with periodontitis, where tartar has accumulated in the pockets between the teeth and gums and sometimes up to the roots of the teeth. Periodontal disease, if not treated in time, can lead to tooth loss or serious infections.

The cleaning process involves removing plaque and tartar from the areas of the teeth below the gum line to reduce the gap between the teeth and bone caused by periodontitis.

Why would someone bleach?
A bright, white smile can significantly improve your overall appearance and boost your confidence levels. Many people have low self-confidence due to the color of their teeth, especially if they have visible stains or discoloration. Teeth whitening provides a non-invasive solution to improve the aesthetic appearance of teeth, resulting in a more attractive smile.

How does teeth whitening work?
Teeth whitening solutions work by using bleaching agents, such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, to break down stains and discoloration on the surface of teeth. These bleaching agents penetrate the enamel (the outer layer of the tooth) and react with the discolored molecules, causing them to break down and become less visible. This process effectively lightens the overall color of the teeth, resulting in a brighter smile. Depending on the method used, teeth whitening solutions can be applied directly to the teeth as a gel or administered using specially designed trays.

How long does the process take?
The duration of teeth whitening results can vary depending on a number of factors, including an individual’s oral hygiene habits, dietary choices, and lifestyle factors. In general, the results of teeth whitening solutions are not permanent, and whitening results may gradually diminish over time. However, with proper maintenance, teeth whitening results can be prolonged. Many individuals choose periodic solutions to maintain the brightness of their smile, typically every 6 to 12 months. Practicing good oral hygiene habits, such as regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleaning, can help maintain the results of teeth whitening solutions for longer periods.

What are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers (also called ceramic veneers) are thin caps placed on the surface of the tooth to correct aesthetic and structural defects. They are made of a durable and thin layer of porcelain for a strong, beautiful and natural smile.

Veneers are a good option if your teeth are permanently discolored, do not respond to whitening solutions, are cracked, or misshapen. Veneers can also minimize gaps between your teeth or adjust minor bite-related problems.

In some cases, when teeth are severely damaged or worn, other treatment options such as ceramic crowns (cabinets) or dental bridges may be required.

The specialized dentists at The Antiagers offer porcelain veneers to patients who want to close gaps in their teeth, treat any discolored teeth, or restore their natural smile.

How do aspects work?
Veneers are custom-made porcelain shells made to fit over the surface of your teeth. Even if minimal tooth surface reduction is required, a very shallow grinding (the thickness of a contact lens) is usually done first to ensure proper adhesion of the veneers. Each set of veneers is custom-made to fit your teeth precisely, requiring an appointment for both fabrication and placement.

Contrary to popular belief, veneers do not always require extensive tooth surface reduction. While some cases, such as severe tooth misalignment or a desire to reduce tooth size, may require significant grinding, many patients may choose to have a minimal amount of enamel removed, usually around 0.3-0.7 millimeters.

The process
The porcelain veneers procedure typically takes three appointments over approximately 2-3 weeks. The initial session includes an examination of your teeth by the dentist of The Antiagers team, taking initial intraoral and extraoral photos and discussing your goals, while the second appointment involves a 3D visualization inside your mouth to see LIVE exactly what the final result will be like. This way, the aesthetic result is fully predictable and each patient is aware in advance of what their smile will look like once the porcelain veneers are attached.
Finally, the veneers are applied and permanently bonded during the third appointment.

Why resin veneers?
Resin veneers are an excellent option for those who wish to correct various cosmetic problems with their teeth, without the need for more demanding and invasive procedures. One of the main reasons resin veneers are preferred is their ability to improve the appearance of teeth without removing a significant portion of the natural tooth substance, as is the case with other methods such as crowns (cases) or bridges.

Veneers offer an excellent natural appearance, as they can perfectly match the color and morphology of the remaining teeth. They are easy to clean and last a long time.

Benefits
Resin veneers are used in a variety of situations, such as sparse teeth, replacing old fillings, correcting discolored teeth, changing the shape of teeth. However, there are also cases where the placement of resin veneers is avoided, such as in the case of patients who smoke a lot or suffer from certain gum diseases, as well as cases where the gaps to be restored in the teeth are quite large (in this case, restoration will be done with porcelain veneers).

How many teeth can we place veneers on?
Generally, placing 6-10 veneers in the upper jaw and the same number in the lower jaw leads to satisfactory aesthetic results. However, in cases where the jaw arches are wide and unsightly spots appear on the back teeth on the right and left of the cheeks, surgery on more teeth may be necessary to achieve the desired coverage.

Are there any disadvantages?
-They are not suitable for the restoration of large unsupported structures at a distance greater than 1-1.5 millimeters, such as large sparse teeth. In such cases, the use of porcelain veneers is usually preferred.

-Over time, the resin surface may become "dull" and therefore polishing is recommended every 6-9 months.

-A prerequisite for choosing resin veneers is good periodontal tissue health (gums and bone), atraumatic occlusion, and the absence of the need for individual special solutions.