Cosmetic dentistry
Whitening, tooth-coloured fillings and veneers in Palafrugell, for a natural result that suits your face.
Cosmetic dentistry
Some patients come in because something hurts; others come because they do not like how their teeth look — the yellowish shade they have picked up over the years, a dark filling that shows when they laugh, a chipped edge, a tooth that sits at an angle. Cosmetic dentistry deals with all of that, often with simpler treatment than people expect.
Before any cosmetic work we check that your mouth is healthy: there is no point whitening teeth that have decay or inflamed gums. Once that is sorted, we look at exactly what bothers you and find the least invasive way to put it right, because improving how a tooth looks does not always mean cutting into it.
The aim is a result that still looks like you. We choose the shade in natural light, keep the tooth shape that suits your face and, where possible, show you a simulation before anything permanent is done. A smile that is too white, or where every tooth is identical, gives itself away immediately; what we are after is people noticing that you look well without quite knowing what has changed.
What it includes: Cosmetic dentistry
- In-practice whitening. We apply the whitening gel with your gums protected and you gain several shades in a single session. This is the option when time is short or you want to see the change straight away.
- Home whitening with trays. We make you custom trays to wear at home with the gel we prescribe, a few hours a day for one or two weeks. It works more gradually and usually causes less sensitivity.
- Tooth-coloured fillings. Composite fillings matched to the colour of your tooth, bonded to the healthy tissue so more of the tooth is preserved than with older materials.
- Replacing old fillings. We swap metal or darkened fillings for composite in your tooth shade, especially when they show as you laugh or have started to leak.
- Rebuilding edges and shapes. Composite can close small gaps between teeth, lengthen a worn edge or repair a chip without touching the rest of the tooth.
- Veneers. Thin shells fitted over the visible face of the tooth to change its colour, shape or position when whitening and composite are not enough.
How we do it
Every treatment begins with an examination and a detailed quote. This is how it usually works:
- 01
First appointment
You tell us what you would like to change, we examine your mouth and check there is no untreated decay or gum problem. We take photographs so we can compare later.
- 02
Proposal and quote
We set out the options, from the most conservative to the most definitive, explain what each involves and give you a written quote to take home.
- 03
Treatment
Depending on the case it takes one session (whitening, composite) or two or three when veneers are involved and the laboratory stage and a try-in are needed.
- 04
Review and upkeep
We book you in to see how it has settled and explain how to keep it that way: hygiene, check-ups and, if needed, a whitening top-up further down the line.
No cosmetic treatment lasts for ever without upkeep. Whitening fades with coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco, and composite stains over the years, so it needs polishing or replacing from time to time. Veneers often mean reducing the tooth in a way that cannot be undone, which is why we only suggest them when they achieve something the other options cannot.
Accepted by most dental insurers. Give us a call and we'll tell you whether we work with yours.
Panoramic X-rays and dental CT scans are taken at Centre Mèdic Palafrugell, part of the same group, at Plaça de Catalunya, 5.
Frequently asked questions about Cosmetic dentistry
Does whitening hurt or damage the enamel?
Done in the practice on a healthy mouth, it neither hurts nor wears down the enamel. Short-lived sensitivity to cold for a day or two is common; a desensitising toothpaste handles it and it settles on its own. If you already have very sensitive teeth we will say so beforehand and adjust the protocol.
How long does whitening last?
Between one and three years, depending on what you drink and whether you smoke. Daily coffee, tea or red wine brings the shade down sooner. It lasts far longer if you keep your home trays and do a short top-up now and then.
Can it be done at any age?
Whitening is not done under sixteen, or during pregnancy or breastfeeding. There is no upper limit for adults, but with heavily worn teeth, many fillings or receded gums the result is more limited and we will tell you beforehand. Remember too that fillings, crowns and veneers do not change colour with whitening.
Does health insurance cover cosmetic dentistry?
Usually not: insurers class this work as cosmetic and do not cover it, though some offer it at a reduced rate. Fillings are different, as they treat decay, and are normally included. Check your policy, and if you like we can go through it together when you ring 972 30 65 64.
Call or write to us
The quickest way is the phone: we'll answer straight away and find you a time. If you'd rather write, send the contact form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.