Digital Smile Design

After the initial consultation, we often collect more information including dental radiographs, which will be discussed prior with you. The next step will be photos and digital scans of your teeth as part of your smile design treatment planning. We work closely with our ceramist, using state-of-the-art technology to provide bespoke smile design tailored to each patient. This smile design can also be mapped onto your face digitally to create simulation of the smile we plan to achieve.

In general, dental concerns such as gaps between teeth, discolouration, worn and misshaped teeth can be improved with porcelain veneers or crowns. Veneers are  thin layers of porcelain bonded to the front surface of your teeth. Crowns, on the other hand, are bonded to the entire surface of your teeth. These porcelain materials are customised in terms of shape, width, height and shade (colour) as a way to close spaces between teeth, and mask the discolouration as well as shape of the teeth underneath.

We then organise further dental appointments to initiate the journey of your personalised smile design. In the case of porcelain veneers and crowns, the teeth involved in the smile design are carefully prepared and digitally scanned. After that, a set of veneers and crowns made with temporary materials are fabricated based on the printed 3D model and transferred onto your teeth. The timeframe of which the temporary veneers or crowns stay on your teeth depends on the complexity of your case, which will be communicated with you during the treatment planning stage. There are also cases where we proceed straight to the fitting of the final sets of porcelain crowns and veneers.

Once the final sets of porcelain veneers and crowns are fabricated, we remove the temporary veneers or crowns on your teeth and try in the final sets. We then cement the final sets of the porcelain veneers and crowns permanently and organise a review appointment as needed. 

Avoid eating hard, chewy or sticky foods during the first 24 hours after the permanent porcelain veneers and crowns are cemented. Brush your teeth and floss more gently during the healing period.

The recovery period after the placement of porcelain veneers and crowns  is approximately a week. Some inflammation, sensitivity and irritation following the dental procedure are common and should subside within a week or two. We recommend warm salt water rinses to help reduce swelling of the gums. If there is persistence in discomfort, soreness or pain on biting after the recovery period, please call the dental clinic.

If a dental crown becomes loose, it can debond and needs replacement. Please call us as soon as possible when this happens so that we can assess the problem. The crown may be re-cemented or replaced if needed.

It is common to experience sensitivity after the porcelain veneers or crowns are cemented. This should resolve in one to two weeks. Prolonged sensitivity will need further assessment.

Crowns are very durable, however chipping or fracture can occasionally happen due to various factors, including habitual grinding or lack of underlying tooth structure. Our experienced dentists will assess and determine suitable treatment options, which may include replacing the crowns and recommending a nightguard for grinding management.

Decay can still happen between the interface of the porcelain veneers or crowns and the tooth surface. Good oral hygiene is important to minimise this risk.