Frequently asked questions – Dr. Cléo Salustiano

Yes. The resin covers the visible surface of the tooth and allows a new color to be chosen, including on teeth that do not respond well to whitening. The color is chosen with the patient, taking skin, lips and neighboring teeth into account. Read the full article: Composite veneers before and after: what changes and how to read photos.

It is the study of how teeth, lips and face relate to each other, done with photos, video, a scan or an impression, and software. It produces a simulation that helps define shape, color and number of teeth before treatment. It is a planning tool, not a procedure. Read the full article: Digital smile design: how it works and what it does not guarantee.

In practice, yes. 'Dental contact lens' is the popular name in Brazil for the thin shell bonded to the front of the tooth, made of composite or porcelain. The composite version is made in the mouth, usually in one visit. Read the full article: Composite veneers: 10 things to know before deciding.

There is no universal answer. Composite is more conservative, faster and easier to repair; porcelain resists stains and wear better, with longer-lasting shine. The choice depends on your case, goals and routine, and is made at an assessment. Read the full article: Composite or Porcelain Veneers: Which Should You Choose?.

A dental contact lens is a type of veneer, but thinner and with minimal or no drilling of the tooth. Traditional veneers are a little thicker and may require light preparation. Both cover the front of the tooth to improve color, shape and size. Read the full article: Veneers or "Dental Contact Lenses": What Is the Difference?.

Composite veneers are thin layers of resin applied directly to the teeth to improve the look of your smile. The dentist shapes and sculpts them during the appointment, with a natural-looking result you can see right away. Read the full article: 10 Dentists for Composite Veneers in Mooca.

Because veneers sit at the gum margin, which needs to be healthy and stable. Inflamed or receding gums compromise the fit and look of veneers over time, and make the work harder. A healthy foundation makes the result last. Read the full article: Gum health before veneers and teeth whitening.

Because cosmetic work rests on a healthy foundation: you don't place a veneer on a tooth with a cavity or whiten teeth with inflamed gums. Treating your health first supports a cosmetic result that looks good, is safe and lasts. Cosmetic work that ignores health sends the bill later. Read the full article: Why does oral health come before cosmetic dentistry?.

The only difference is the light source: the gel is the same, high-concentration hydrogen peroxide, and it is what whitens. Laser concentrates more energy and demands care with temperature; LED emits less heat. The result tends to be similar. Read the full article: Laser teeth whitening: how it works, differences from LED and at-home, and what to expect.

Stains can be external (on the surface, from coffee, tea, wine, cigarettes, tartar) or internal (inside the tooth, from medications, excess fluoride, trauma or a root canal). Each type responds to a different treatment. An assessment determines which one you have. Read the full article: Stained or darkened tooth: what could it be?.

There's no universal answer: it depends on your case. In-office whitening is faster and more controlled; supervised at-home whitening is gradual and convenient. They're often combined. The assessment determines which suits your type of stain, sensitivity and goal. Read the full article: Teeth Whitening: In-Office or At-Home?.

It works best on external stains (coffee, tea, wine, smoking, tartar) and natural yellowing of the teeth. Deeper internal stains may respond differently or call for other treatments. The type of stain sets expectations, and the assessment clarifies yours. Read the full article: Teeth Whitening: Which Types of Stains Does It Fix?.

On average, from six months to two or three years, but it varies a lot with habits. There's no fixed timeframe: diet, hygiene and smoking have more influence than the technique used. With maintenance, the result lasts longer. Read the full article: How long does teeth whitening last?.

In Mooca you will find in-office whitening, supervised at-home whitening and a combination of both. In-office whitening works faster with high-concentration gels, while at-home whitening is a gradual, controlled process using custom trays. Read the full article: 10 Dentists for Teeth Whitening in Mooca: A Comparison.

No. Whitening only acts on natural teeth; veneers, "dental contact lenses," composite and crowns keep the color they were made in. So when you whiten, a difference in shade may appear between the natural tooth and the restoration. This is predictable and handled with planning. Read the full article: Teeth Whitening With Veneers or Composite Fillings: What Happens?.

Yes, but with a specific technique. Since the darkening of a treated tooth is internal, regular whitening usually does not solve it. Internal bleaching, done from inside the tooth, is used instead. Whether it is suitable depends on the condition of the tooth, as assessed by your dentist. Read the full article: Veneers or Whitening on a Root Canal Tooth: Is It Possible?.

In mild cases, they usually work well, as long as the planning is done properly and the trays are worn 20 to 22 hours a day. In moderate and complex cases, the system matters more, because of the planning resources and the predictability. The assessment decides that, not the brand. Read the full article: Invisalign vs. other clear aligner brands: differences, cost factors and how to choose.

There's no universal answer. Braces work around the clock and don't depend on discipline; aligners are discreet, removable and make cleaning easier, but they need to be worn many hours a day. The right option depends on the complexity of the case and your routine, and is determined at an assessment. Read the full article: Braces or Clear Aligners: Which Should You Choose?.

Yes, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) works with Invisalign in Mooca. Suitability is always determined at an individual assessment, with a digital scan, to confirm whether aligners fit your case. Read the full article: Invisalign in Mooca: How Clear Aligner Treatment Works.

With traditional braces, the wire is held to the bracket by an elastic tie (the "rubber band") or a metal tie. With self-ligating braces, the bracket itself has a clip or door that closes over the wire, with no elastic tie at all. That's the structural difference between the two systems. Read the full article: Traditional or Self-Ligating Braces: What's the Difference?.

They're worth it for people who benefit from what they really deliver: simpler cleaning (no elastic ties collecting plaque), no ties turning yellow and less wire friction. They're not worth it if you're expecting faster treatment, less pain or fewer appointments — the scientific evidence doesn't support those claims. Read the full article: Are Self-Ligating Braces Worth It?.

There's no age limit. The right time depends on the case and the stage of development. An assessment is recommended around ages 6–7, the teenage years are a classic stage for fixed braces, and adults can be treated too. The assessment determines when to start in your case. Read the full article: What Age Is Right for Braces?.

On average, from a few months to a few years, depending on the complexity of the case and your cooperation. There's no single timeline. Simple cases tend to be faster; bite corrections or crowding take longer. The estimate is made during planning. Read the full article: How long does treatment with braces take?.

Prices can't be shared here: Brazil's Dental Code of Ethics doesn't allow dental offices to advertise prices. What determines the cost is the records, the type of appliance, the estimated duration, the number of adjustment visits and the retainer at the end. Read the full article: How much do braces cost? What determines the price.

It is a fixed prosthesis that replaces all the teeth in one arch, screwed onto 4 to 6 implants. In Brazil it is known as 'protocolo'. Only the dentist removes it, and it can be made of acrylic resin with a metal bar or of zirconia. Read the full article: Full-arch implant prosthesis: acrylic or zirconia? How to choose.

In general, adults with good overall health, healthy gums and enough bone — or bone that can be prepared. Age alone doesn't rule it out. Confirmation comes from an individual assessment with imaging that looks at bone, gums and overall health. Read the full article: Who can get a dental implant?.

There's no universal answer. An implant is fixed and preserves neighboring teeth, but requires surgery and adequate bone; a prosthesis may be faster or more affordable, fixed or removable. The right option depends on your case, assessed individually. Read the full article: Dental Implant or Denture/Bridge: Which Should You Choose?.

It depends on the case: sometimes an immediate implant is placed (right after the extraction); other times the area heals for weeks to months first; and when bone is lacking, a graft comes first. An assessment with imaging determines the right time for you. Read the full article: How long should you wait for an implant after losing a tooth?.

Not in the immune sense. Titanium is biocompatible and the body doesn't reject it the way it would a transplanted organ. What happens is failure to integrate with the bone or later loss, with identifiable causes such as infection, overload or lack of bone. Read the full article: Can the Body Reject a Dental Implant? What Makes an Implant Fail.

Prices can't be shared here: Brazil's Dental Code of Ethics doesn't allow dental offices to advertise prices, and a number given before imaging would be a guess. What determines the cost is the imaging, whether preparation such as a graft is needed, the number of implants, the type of crown and upkeep. Read the full article: How much does a dental implant cost? What goes into the price.

An implant with no threads in the bone is rare today: almost all are threaded posts, because the threads provide initial stability. What does exist is a screwless crown (cement-retained), a one-piece implant with no connecting screw, a snap-on removable denture and some press-fit systems. It's worth asking what exactly has no screw. Read the full article: Is There Such a Thing as a Screwless Dental Implant? What the Term Means.

Because the implant has to be fully surrounded by bone and stable when placed. When the bone has lost height or width, usually from time without the tooth, a graft restores that volume. Without it, the implant could end up poorly positioned, partly exposed or without enough stability. Read the full article: Bone Graft for a Dental Implant: When It Is Needed and How It Is Done.

When the tooth's pulp is irreversibly inflamed or infected, or has already died, usually due to deep decay, trauma or cracks. Signs such as severe pain, lingering sensitivity and infection point to it, but only an assessment with imaging confirms it. Read the full article: When do you need a root canal?.

When the tooth can be saved well, keeping the natural tooth is usually preferable, since nothing replaces it perfectly. Extraction is recommended when the tooth is badly compromised or the prognosis is poor. Only an assessment can determine the right path for your case. Read the full article: Save the tooth or extract it: which is better?.

Not during the procedure: it's done under local anesthesia, so the area is numb. The purpose of a root canal is precisely to end the toothache that usually brings people to the dentist. The painful reputation comes from the past and from that earlier pain, not from today's treatment. Read the full article: Does a root canal hurt? The truth explained.

It can be a single visit or more, depending on the case. Simple teeth with no infection are often done in one; molars or infected cases usually need two or more. The estimate is made during the assessment and may be adjusted as the tooth responds. Read the full article: How many visits does a root canal take?.

It has risks, like any procedure — and no dentist can promise otherwise. Predictability is high, and most complications can be managed when caught early. Read the full article: Is root canal treatment risky? What can go wrong.

Prices can't be shared here: Brazil's Dental Code of Ethics doesn't allow dental offices to advertise prices. What determines the cost is which tooth, how many canals it has, its condition, whether it's a first treatment or a retreatment and the rebuilding needed afterward. Read the full article: How much does a root canal cost? What determines the price.

Don't squeeze or pop it, don't put heat on your face, rinse gently with warm salt water, take only the pain reliever you normally use and see a dentist within 24 hours. If you have facial swelling with fever or trouble swallowing, breathing or opening your mouth, go to the emergency room. Read the full article: Swollen Gum With Pus (Dental Abscess): What to Do Now.

Because removing the pulp and the damaged part leaves the tooth with less structure, more fragile and prone to fractures. The crown "hugs" the tooth, distributes biting force and protects it. It's what helps the treated tooth last instead of fracturing. Read the full article: Why does a tooth need a crown after a root canal?.

Most of the time, because of inflammation (gingivitis) caused by plaque buildup along the gumline. Inflamed gums swell and bleed when touched. It's a sign that the area needs more cleaning, not that you brushed too much. An assessment confirms the cause. Read the full article: Gums Bleed When Brushing: What Could It Be?.

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums only, milder and reversible. Periodontitis is the advanced stage, where inflammation reaches the bone that holds the teeth, causing bone loss. In short: gingivitis stays in the gums; periodontitis reaches the bone. Read the full article: Gingivitis or Periodontitis: What's the Difference?.

It's when the gum margin pulls back toward the root, exposing part of the tooth that is normally covered. It often makes the tooth look 'longer', causes sensitivity and raises the risk of root cavities. It can affect one tooth or several. Read the full article: Receding Gums: Causes and What to Do.

Yes, strongly. Most bad breath has an oral source, and gum disease (gingivitis, periodontitis) is one of the main causes: inflammation and tartar harbor bacteria that produce foul-smelling compounds. Treating the gums usually improves breath. Read the full article: Bad breath and your gums: what's the connection?.

Bleeding subsides, the gums return to a pink color and firmness, swelling goes away, gum-related bad breath improves and pockets tend to shrink. On top of that, bone loss is halted. Read the full article: What to expect from gum disease treatment: what improves and what doesn't come back.

It depends on the stage. Gingivitis usually clears up with one cleaning visit and a few weeks of careful home care. Periodontitis involves scaling over more than one visit, a few weeks of healing and a re-evaluation, followed by regular maintenance. Read the full article: How long does gum disease treatment take?.

There is no single number, but a gummy smile is generally described when more than 3 to 4 millimeters of gum show in a full smile. More important than the measurement is how much it bothers you and how it fits your face. Read the full article: Gummy smile: what it is, causes and treatment options.

The procedure is done under local anesthesia, so you should not feel pain during it. In the following days there may be mild discomfort, usually managed with the medication your dentist recommends. Read the full article: Gingivoplasty: what it is, who it suits, recovery and limits.

Prophylaxis is the technical name for a routine (preventive) cleaning, which removes plaque and tartar above the gums. "Cleaning" is the everyday word for it. Scaling is a deeper procedure, below the gums, recommended to treat periodontal disease. Read the full article: Cleaning, prophylaxis or scaling: what's the difference?.

Regular cleanings help prevent cavities, gingivitis and periodontitis, and they remove surface stains and help with bad breath. They remove the tartar and plaque that brushing cannot reach. Read the full article: 10 Dentists for Dental Cleaning in Mooca in 2026.

Not in the sense of changing the tooth's base color. A cleaning removes plaque, tartar and surface stains (coffee, wine, cigarettes), revealing your natural color and leaving your smile looking cleaner and often lighter. Changing the base color is teeth whitening, a different procedure. Read the full article: Does a dental cleaning whiten your teeth?.

Yes, and it's usually recommended. Hormonal changes make the gums more prone to inflammation and bleeding (pregnancy gingivitis), and a cleaning helps control that. It's a simple, safe procedure during this period, done with the precautions pregnancy calls for. Read the full article: Dental cleaning during pregnancy: is it safe?.

Usually not. Most people feel only the vibration of the instruments and, at times, some mild, localized sensitivity, especially if the gums are inflamed or there's a lot of tartar. It's generally well tolerated, and the dentist can adjust the procedure for your comfort. Read the full article: Does a dental cleaning hurt or weaken your teeth?.

It's plaque that has mineralized and hardened on the tooth, forming a crust stuck mainly along the gumline. Unlike soft plaque, tartar is hard and attached — that's why it doesn't come off with a toothbrush or floss, only with a professional. Read the full article: Tartar on your teeth: what it is and how to remove it.

In stages: assessment of the gums and teeth, tartar removal with an ultrasonic scaler, finishing with hand instruments, polishing, flossing, fluoride when indicated, and hygiene guidance with a set return date. Read the full article: How a dental cleaning is done, step by step.

The general recommendation is every six months, but it doesn't apply to everyone. People who tend to build up tartar, have gum disease, smoke, have diabetes or wear braces may need one every three or four months. The right interval is set individually at your assessment. Read the full article: How often should you get a dental cleaning?.

It's usually an assessment: your dentist talks about your history and goals, examines your mouth and proposes a treatment plan. In general, it's not a procedure visit but a diagnostic one, the starting point for any care. Read the full article: What happens at your first dental appointment?.

Yes, it's very common and legitimate, ranging from mild unease to dental phobia (intense fear). It isn't "being dramatic." Acknowledging the fear is the first step to overcoming it. Gentle care that respects your pace makes a big difference in the experience. Read the full article: Afraid of the dentist? What gentle, patient-centered care looks like.

It's care that puts the person first: it listens, explains in plain language, respects each person's pace and limits, supports people who are afraid and builds a relationship of trust. It means treating the patient as an individual, not as just another procedure on the schedule. Read the full article: Patient-Centered Dental Care in Mooca.

To choose a dentist in Mooca, consider training, patient reviews, location and facilities. Also check that the dentist has an active CRO-SP registration and that the office follows infection control protocols. Read the full article: 10 Dentists in Mooca: The Complete 2026 Guide.

Yes. Dr. Cléo Salustiano's office at Rua Hipódromo, 1141 (Mooca) is open Monday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., by appointment via WhatsApp — including Saturdays. Read the full article: Dentist on Saturdays, Sundays and evenings in Mooca.

Cosmetic dentistry is the field that cares for how your smile looks — the color, shape, size and alignment of your teeth — always integrated with oral health. The goal is a natural, harmonious smile, not just a "whiter" or "straighter" one, respecting each person's features. Read the full article: Cosmetic dentistry in Mooca: what it is and how to choose.

The general guidance is for the first visit to happen within the first year of life, around the time the first baby teeth come in. It's a simple visit, focused on an exam and guidance for parents, not on procedures. Read the full article: Children's dental care in Mooca: a guide for parents.

Because half of what defines the plan doesn't come through in a description: cavities between teeth, gum pocket depth, bone loss, how your bite fits and the condition of old dental work. Without that data, any plan is a guess. Read the full article: Why your treatment plan only comes after the assessment.