Dental medicine is primarily concerned with the health of the oral cavity. The goal of the dentist is to restore the patient’s oral integrity and health, often the key to a beautiful smile.
However, with the evolution of treatment methods and the emergence of a multitude of therapeutic attitudes, patients’ demands are increasing and their idea of the ideal dentition includes aesthetic artifices.
Of these, teeth whitening and the application of dental jewelry occupy an increasing place among patients’ preferences.
Dental jewelry is, as the name suggests, a way of beautifying the smile and teeth and consists of small stones or rhinestones.
The place of choice is the upper front group of teeth, of which the lateral incisors and canines are the most popular.
As these teeth are visible in the smile, cosmetic dentistry is gaining more and more ground. Patients’ questions about this procedure are manifold, therefore, in the following, we will try to answer patients’ concerns:
The stones that are used for this maneuver are represented by quality crystals, usually Swarovski, due to their strength but also to their light reflecting power.
Applying dental jewelry is a simple, painless procedure, as the process consists of bonding the stone to the tooth or teeth, as the case may be.
The crystals can be applied to any of the teeth, of course most often the patient opts for the upper front group because of the visibility in the smile.
The application of dental jewelry is merely an artifice to enhance the beauty of the teeth, so areas with maximum visibility are preferred.
The most commonly chosen tooth is the upper lateral incisor, but there are also cases of stones bonded to the upper canines, with satisfactory aesthetic results.
Dental stones do not alter the hygiene requirements in any way, so the patient is recommended to brush at least twice a day. Brushing should be done from the gum towards the tooth for 3-5 minutes, depending on the type of toothbrush and the skill of the patient.
The tooth with an applied crystal should not be bypassed. The hygiene protocol will be carried out in the same way as for the other teeth.
Eating habits should not change with the application of crystals.
Drinks and foods consumed will not alter the color and texture of a quality crystal. This is why Swiss crystals are preferred for best results.
As with any procedure, there are risks. Compared to other therapies, the risks are minimal. The crystal can come loose and be swallowed by the patient.
In the case of most patients, the moment the crystal dislodged was perceived, they were able to retrieve the jewelry. In the unfortunate event that it is swallowed and ends up in the digestive system, there is no risk to the body.
The crystals can be replaced whenever the patient wishes. They can have a lifespan of about 1-2 years and the tooth is not affected at all by this change, as they do not remove at all from the hard tooth substance.
