Tooth facets: the secret of a perfect sleep

The dental facets are an increasingly popular treatment, because they allow to achieve a spectacular and long-lasting dream sleep. And moreover, in a very simple way. Do Hollywood’s white and perfect dreams come to your mind? Well, yes, they are achieved with facets. But with these we also achieve more natural shadows, which are in harmony with the facial features of the person. Because, for us, a natural smile is a perfect smile.

The facets, although they have become popular in recent years, have been used in the Hollywood industry since the 1930’s. At that time they were temporary, they didn’t last, and Hollywood actors and actresses only wore them when they needed to get a good night’s sleep. This is how the legendary Hollywood sleep was born. In the 1980s the methods of joining teeth and facet were perfected and made more permanent. In recent years it has gone from being a “star” treatment to one of the most demanded in dental esthetics, both by patients who want to achieve the ‘Hollywood smile’ and by those who want to improve their smile and have it look both beautiful and natural.

What are the dental facets?

The facets are, to put it very simply, fine porcelain slivers that attach to the natural teeth, and recover and imitate the dental enamel.

They can be made of porcelain or composite. We now prefer to use porcelain veneers, as they last longer and are more resistant and aesthetic than composite veneers. In fact, porcelain has a strength and resistance comparable to that of natural dental enamel. However, depending on the case, composite veneers can also be a very good solution.

This means that, although the facets are not as durable as a dental implant, in the case of porcelain ones, they usually last for six years or more, depending on how we take care of them. Composite ones are more susceptible to flaking, braiding, discoloration and loss of natural appearance.

The normal facets are applied after the tooth enamel has been lightly reduced, but there is also the option of applying porcelain microfacets. With the microfacets it is not necessary to reduce the tooth, since they are thinner, between 0.3 and 0.5 mm. This alternative is only recommended when there are slight changes in volume.

Can any person be faceted?

The first thing to keep in mind is that possible health issues must be controlled. They are an esthetic treatment, but they do not solve, and cannot be applied to cavities or when there are problems of gingivitis or periodontitis, for example. Our dentist will carry out a preliminary check-up to assess the facts.

For the rest, they are used for any case in which we want to modify the visual aspect of the teeth, as for example:

• If the tooth is fractured or worn.
• To cover spaces between separate teeth, called diastema.
• To cover deformations or slight malpositions of the teeth.
• To make the small teeth bigger, and that make it look visually too big.
• To cover gray, gray or grey teeth, and to make them look whiter.

In cases where the malposition of the teeth is very pronounced it is not possible to put braces, we would have to opt for other treatments, such as an aesthetic orthodontics.

It is applied to the front teeth; to the molars and premolars it is possible to opt for caps, since due to its position it is a more resistant option. Each case should be studied in detail.

How is the treatment done?

It is very easy. It depends on each case, but in general a first session is carried out, in which the health status of the patient’s mouth is evaluated and a digital study of the smile(Digital Smile Design) is made. After this study, the patient will be able to evaluate how the new smile will look through a photographic reproduction. Sometimes, and if the case allows it, we can make a mock-up, that is to say, a test directly in the mouth of how it would look like, before touching any teeth and in a completely reversible way.

In one or two subsequent sessions the facets are applied with the designed color and shape, so the results are immediate and spectacular. In addition, it is quick and painless.

Why has it become such a popular treatment?

A good sleep is very important in the daily life of any person. And not only to feel physically more attractive, but because sleeping with security and confidence helps to improve our self-esteem.

To be able to sleep, laugh, talk, and in general communicate without worrying about the appearance of our sleep makes us gain not only in aesthetics, but also in health and quality of life.