Aesthetic Dentistry

Aesthetic Dentistry

What is Aesthetic Dentistry?

During the 1950’s, lead by famous prosthodontist specialists such as Dr. Boucher, Earl Pound, Frush and Dr. Fisher among others; cosmetic or aesthetic dentistry’s philosophy was born in different universities of United States.

Since then, various approaches for a dental treatment towards the issue of Bio-Aesthetics started being developed. Before this the rehabilitators considered primarily the function and focused mainly on the patient’s bite

Patients requests increased and this led to seeing teeth not only for chew and speak but to look pleasant and beautiful.

Aesthetics and function began to be taken into account, and in order to reach balance among both yielded to further research. Scientific studies then, developed to determine the subjective art of a pleasant smile, to establish objectively the esthetic parameters of a beautiful smile.

Scientific studies in Dental Aesthetics establish parameters such as: size of the teeth, the position of teeth in relation to lips, how much gum must be shown while smiling and further more norms to follow and achieve predictable results in our patients. This is the cornerstone of oral rehabilitation and Dr. Oscar Vargas specialty: prosthodontics.

What is the difference between cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry?

The main and most important difference is that cosmetic dentistry is a superficial change or “make up” in the smile.

While aesthetic dentistry is a philosophy of treatment based on scientific studies, which seeks a wholesome change in the person’s smile. It analyses teeth and face to reach safely and predictably the best result.

In aesthetic dentistry there is a diagnostic protocol established to ensure the expected results in all cases. It rationalizes art, making a dentofacial analysis according to researched pre set parameters.

This is the cornerstone of Prosthodontics, Dr. Vargas specialty. To interiorize this concept is necessary the process of at least three year of post-graduate program, as well as continuing education.   In pursuing the latest treatments and technological advances to his patients, Dr. Oscar Vargas, maintains constant education in programs in the United States and the most prestigious academies.

How has aesthetic dentistry evolved?

Aesthetic dentistry is the branch of odontology that has developed more in the last twenty years.

Starting in the 1990s in the University of Seattle, Washington, the beginning of modern scientific principles of aesthetic dentistry as we know today was driven by two great Dr. Frank Spear and Dr. John Kois.

They break many dogmas and paradigms of the classical dentistry creating a turning point towards the birth of a modern era and better understanding of behavioral problems of the teeth in the oral rehabilitation.

Moreover Dr. Pascal Magne, father of Biomimetics, brings aesthetic dentistry to a higher level aiming for perfection imitating nature. This led him to create highly esthetic adhesive restorations and preservation of tooth structure, known today as minimally invasive dentistry, hence not excessively wearing teeth of our patients.

What treatments are used in aesthetic dentistry?

Thanks to this new trend, odontology has evolved to minimally invasive and metal-free dentistry. In order to preserve as much healthy tooth possible, the wearing of it minimally and thus veneers and porcelain inlays arise as modern treatment options.

These procedures are the first choice of treatment when we want to recreate the shape, position and color of a tooth.

From the biomimetic procedures, fragments of porcelain are adhered to the tooth preserving it as much possible. This treatment prevents total loss of tooth and tries to stop the process of continuous treatment thereof.

When a tooth has been lost completely, the first option now is a dental implant.   The traditional model was to place a bridge. The subsequent problem caused with the bridge is the significant wearing of the neighboring teeth, which in the future would require more treatments. While the dental implant replaces satisfactorily the lost tooth without touching healthy teeth.
In short, the repertoire of options now, evolved to benefit dental health, prevention and control in case of possible complications.

What has all this change to the dentist?

Digital technology and computer design have strongly influenced all fields nowadays and dentistry is no exception.

The “CAD-CAM” or computer-aided designs, have made the production of restorations such as veneers, crowns, inlays… more efficient and fast.

Therefore, this demands constant training of professionals as well as continued investment in specialized equipment.

More so, Dr. Oscar Vargas, remains in constant learning and promoting fresh knowledge among colleagues in his pursue of state of the art dental practices.

What can we expect for the future?

The continuous progress of scientific studies, the innovation in digital technology and constant training in prosthodontics by Dr. Vargas unfolds in benefit of his patients’ dental experience.

Dentistry promises to be a more pleasant and motivating adventure for the patient; contrary to what happened in the past. Hopes of stimulating the development of better care and prevention of dental diseases.

 Costa Rica Dental Services