Science Inspired by Smiles

Art and Soul at Arch Dental

Dental work needs to be clinical, precise and calculated. But for us, there is more to it than that. It is sculpted perfection driven by an appreciation for the form of the tooth and enhancing its function. 

Our dedicated precision is an outworking of this passion which we consider our creative outlet - much like an artist expresses themselves with a paintbrush.

The tooth is a piece of art

Even as professionals, we are ever in awe at these pearl-like tools that erupt from our gums as babies, comprising of dentin, cementum, pulp and enamel. This is where our art starts. Using cutting-edge technology with a caring dedication to creating beautiful, natural-looking smiles, we sculpt confidence and joy. 

To truly appreciate the structure of the tooth and its many layers, you need to take a deeper look:

• Enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body and forms the outer layer of our teeth. It’s job is to protect against bacteria and temperature changes, but because enamel is made out of minerals and not living cells, it can't repair damage from decay or wear.

• Dentin is a softer, yellowish substance that makes up most of the tooth and surrounds the pulp. Dentin is made of living cells that secrete a hard mineral substance.

• Cementum is a hard connective tissue that covers the tooth's root and holds it in place in the jawbone.

• Pulp forms the innermost layer of the tooth, containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue that nourish the tooth. The pulp has two parts: 

• the pulp chamber in the crown and 

• the root canal in the root. 

Balancing Art and Science

The adornment of teeth in early dentistry is testament to its place as an art form. Modern dentistry requires a strong artistic and creative element with the clinical precision of science. We always say you need an artist’s eye and a doctor’s hand to craft a transformative smile into a work of art - while restoring oral health and function.

What makes a dentist an artist?

1. Technical expertise

2. Insight of facial proportions

3. Artistic vision

4. Design programing 

5. Designing your smile with personal consideration for each patient

6. Crafting natural tooth prosthetics

7. Recreating texture, translucency, and shade variations found in natural teeth

We carefully consider factors such as tooth shape, color, alignment, and symmetry to achieve natural-looking results that complement each individual’s unique features. A dental restoration cannot merely mimic the appearance of a natural tooth, it also needs to perfectly mimic its function. 

The balance between art and science is evident in orthodontics and prosthetics, where you need a precise understanding of tooth movement in order to seamlessly blend and align. With advanced materials and techniques, we can create restorations that even enhance facial aesthetics. 

The preparation and restoration of a tooth is like creating a functional sculpture, using an individual blueprint to capture the perfect smile. We rely on our scientific aptitude when creating the optimum material to replicate our patients’ teeth. The benchmark for success is measured by the balance we achieve between comfort, aesthetics and function.

This balance is about the lasting implications of any work done, considering all aspects of dental condition including gums, teeth, and jaw health. It’s an evidence-based approach combining an eye for perfection to achieve overall oral health.

At Arch Dentistry, we view dentistry as a refined art form grounded in precision. Using our skill and passion, we sculpt teeth for form, function and aesthetics. To learn more about why we do what we do, have a look at archdentistry.co.za.