International Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry

cover art

Cover Date:
September 2011
Print ISSN:
1754-2766
Vol:
2
Issue:
1

The aesthetic dentist and the worn dentition

Introduction
The patient was a 35-year-old male who has been a regular attender at the practice for almost 15 years. He had previously undergone tooth bleaching, and had had veneers fitted to the lower right canine and lateral incisor teeth some five or six years previously in order to align them for cosmetic reasons. Apart from the two veneers, the patient has a restoration free mouth, with all 32 teeth present. Both courses of treatment had been instigated at the patient’s request, rather than the dentist having suggested the options to him proactively. It may be fair to say that many healthy patients, such as this man, may well become subject to rather cursory examination processes by their regular dentist with any treatment other than caries or gum disease being ignored, unless the patient raises the subject. Much traditional dental care has been provided in response to an acute problem, and with little followup care or long-term planning. This approach has left many patients with deteriorating issues both functional and aesthetic which the complacent dental practitioner eventually has to address. Many dentists are acutely aware of the reputation the profession has for over-treatment and are perhaps reluctant to proactively offer the treatment of which they feel the patient has no understanding. This case report outlines such a situation whereby a well motivated patient who attended every six months, actually brought to the attention of the dentist the fact that his front teeth appeared to be getting shorter. This was due to an ongoing occlusal issue, which the practitioner had failed to address, preferring to watch and wait. The patient sought help for cosmetic reasons rather than functional reasons but the result was still the same. his smile in recent years and wished them to be lengthened in order for them to be displayed when he smiled, as in the past. He was happy with the colour of his teeth, having undergone bleaching in the past, and the two veneers placed on the lower right canine and lateral incisor had survived well for over five years, prompting him to suggest veneers would be the ideal treatment to restore the length of his worn upper incisors.

Article Price
£15.00
Institution Article Price
£
Page Start
1
Page End
9
Authors
Ken Harris

Articles from this issue

  • Title
  • Pg. Start
  • Pg. End

  1. Editorial - Everyday dentistry to a standard of excellence
  2. 0
  3. 0

  1. The aesthetic dentist and the worn dentition
  2. 1
  3. 9

  1. Multiple veneers in areorganised occlusion
  2. 10
  3. 15

  1. Treating a discoloured tooth to match an otherwise unrestored dentition
  2. 16
  3. 18

  1. The challenge of central incisors solved by CAD-CAM
  2. 20
  3. 23

  1. Harmonising replacement veneers with the natural dentition
  2. 24
  3. 27

  1. Replacement of unsightly amalgams: direct or indirect?
  2. 28
  3. 32

  1. Direct Posterior resin restorations: everyday dentistry to accreditation standard
  2. 33
  3. 37

  1. Replacing large failing posterior restorations
  2. 38
  3. 39

  1. IJCD Sept11 Orthodontics as an adjunct pp40-44.pdf
  2. 40
  3. 44