Cosmetic Dentistry in Spain


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Cosmetic dentistry comprises an increasingly popular series of treatments to enhance the aesthetics of a person’s teeth, mouth and in some cases even the surrounding area of the face. There are a range of treatments available in Spanish cosmetic dental practices, which English patients often find themselves drawn to due to the excellent price and reliable quality. Cosmetic dentistry is one of the most commonly sought treatments in Spain by patients coming from abroad because of this.

Teeth whitening in Spain

The aim of teeth whitening is to remove discolouration and stains from the patient’s teeth. This is usually done by bleaching the teeth, but a basic scale and polish procedure can also be used to achieve some improvement in appearance. If you are going to make the journey to Spain for teeth whitening, you must be certain that the overall cost makes the trip worth it. Because it can be a very cheap procedure, especially when done in Spain, the additional costs of travel and accommodation may take the price above that of a UK treatment.  Any professional cosmetic dentist who is appropriately qualified will perform the treatment to a high standard. Fortunately there are few risks associated with teeth whitening, and generally any irritation of the gums or teeth will last for only a few days. If problems persist you may need to get in touch with the Spanish dentist, but it is likely that your UK dentist will be able to discern the problem, as methods for teeth whitening do not greatly differ. One of the benefits of having your teeth whitened in Spain is that, you can combine the treatment with a holiday. This is a great way to save some money and treat yourself, whilst on holiday.


Porcelain veneers in Spain

Porcelain veneers are laminates (also known as shells) of material that resembles the exterior appearance of teeth. They are a popular choice among people whose teeth are externally crooked, damaged or stained, although of course your dentist can advise you on whether this is the right cosmetic treatment for your teeth. A porcelain veneer procedure takes place over several appointments; consequently if you are intending to undergo this treatment in Spain you must consider any additional accommodation costs that will arise as you will be advised to remain in the country until the entire process is completed. After the initial consultation, you may have to undergo gum treatment to ensure that your gums are in a good condition, as this is a crucial factor in the effectiveness of the veneer treatment. At your next appointment, a small amount will be removed from the front surface of your teeth. This creates room for the porcelain, as one of the aims of the treatment is to end up with teeth of roughly the same size to prevent any discomfort or complications. Once this layer has been removed, the cosmetic dentist will take an impression of your teeth so the veneers can be accurately shaped. At this stage you will have the option of a temporary veneer to protect the newly exposed layers of teeth, as well as to reduce the new heightened sensitivity that comes as a result of this removal, but this will come at an additional cost so you may elect simply to take extra care over brushing. You will be advised on how best to take care of your teeth until the next appointment by the dentist or via your interpreter. At this next appointment the veneers will have been produced, and the dentist will try them on your teeth to make sure they fit and are suitable, and if you or the dentist finds anything amiss then modifications will be made, either to improve the aesthetics or the fit. Once both parties are satisfied, you will likely be asked to return for a final appointment (unless your particular cosmetic dentist chooses to perform the testing and final appointments in one session), although if problems with the veneers abound then you may have to come back for one or more minor appointments to revise the shape and appearance of the veneers. At your final appointment the veneers will be bonded to your teeth. Once this has been done your veneers should be set to last for some time, and should have the appearance of natural, healthy teeth. It is important for cosmetic dentists to make so many appointments with a patient for a porcelain veneer treatment precisely because it is very difficult (as well as very expensive!) to modify veneers once they have been bonded to the teeth. After the treatment you will be free to return to the UK, but you must make sure you arrange check-ups and maintenance with your UK dentist and this is where any contact you have established between your UK dentist and your Spanish dentist is crucial. If this contact is insufficient then you must try, via an interpreter if necessary, to make sure the UK dentist is fully aware of the details of the treatment. It is not advisable to have to make the trip to Spain for each of the subsequent check-ups that are required. The main risk of porcelain veneers is that they are irreversible. This means that if a problem arises a dentist cannot simply backtrack the treatment and must perform other, probably expensive and potentially risky procedures to rectify the issue. There is a chance that the veneers can shatter on any sort of impact, and they will gradually deteriorate, even with check-ups, and eventually will need to be replaced.

Gum contouring in Spain

For those patients who are afflicted with what is commonly known as a ‘gummy smile’, gum contouring may well prove to be the way forward. Many can find that an excess of gum covering the teeth is non-aesthetic, and may damage self-confidence. There can be a number of reasons why a patient suffers from the condition, including genetics, health problems and blood pressure, but gum contouring is an often painless treatment that can solve any instance of the problem. In the procedure a local anaesthetic is applied to the area of gum to be operated on. Once this is done, the dentist will either use a scalpel or a laser (as you will arrange beforehand) to trim and reshape the gum to the aesthetic standard you desire. Lasers are now more typical as they help to reduce bleeding by sealing blood vessels as it operates. In some cases you may have to undergo additional treatment to remove some bone and make sure the procedure is effective, and this will come at an additional cost. It may be worth discussing this with a UK dentist before seeking treatment in Spain, as you may find a trip to the continent is only cost-effective if you are to receive this extra bone treatment. There are relatively few risks and you should not have to remain in Spain for a long time after the procedure; it is imperative that you make sure the dentist is qualified, as an excess of gum removal can prove problematic, and will be costly to remedy.

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