Cosmetic Dentistry

An attractive smile is seen as a powerful symbol of health, happiness and success. A smile is a universal language, a message that everyone understands. Cosmetic dentistry can make an attractive smile achievable. Whether we restore damaged teeth or enhance what’s already there, cosmetic dentistry can make an attractive smile achievable.

• Cosmetic bonding:

  
  Sometimes a little reshaping can be all that is needed to create a beautiful smile.
  
  Small alterations to individual teeth can, with minimal or no removal of tooth structure, close gaps and improve symmetry using tooth-coloured materials. This may need more maintenance than using porcelain but has the benefits of being generally reversible and inexpensive. It is carried out without the need for any laboratory involvement - so results can be achieved in one visit.
  
  We can also start a smile makeover with composite bonding before moving on to a more permanent solution, giving you an idea of how any changes may look.
  
  

• Porcelain Veneers:

  
  Adding a thin layer of ceramic to the front surface of a tooth to improve its colour, shape, or alignment.
  
  This is one cosmetic treatment that is often requested by patients due to the popularity of TV makeover programmes. They’re a useful tool for improving a smile, a veneer is like a false nail added to enhance what lies beneath. But, despite what the media would have us believe, they are not the answer for everyone; sometimes another solution is more appropriate. Each case needs individual consideration.
  
  
  
  

• White or metal-free fillings:

  
  Camouflaging fillings using modern materials.
  
  We are often asked advice on “white” fillings. They are probably the most common cosmetic treatment.
  
  The traditional mercury-containing metal fillings are not popular nowadays. Some people have health concerns about dental amalgam, which are not generally accepted by the vast majority of the dental profession, while other folk just don’t like how they look. There is no doubt however that they generally work and have a long, trouble-free life expectancy.
  
  While we don’t yet have a substitute as versatile as amalgam, we can find alternative tooth-coloured materials. Small amalgam fillings can be simply and inexpensively replaced with a like-for-like tooth-coloured material in a single visit. There is a limit to the size of cavity this works for and even small white fillings do not last the decades that amalgam can. Larger fillings need to be made as inlays or onlays, which is a custom-made filling bonded into the cavity. This takes two visits to complete and costs roughly the same as a crown.
  
  Some old amalgams are so large that it is amazing that they stay where they are at all. To replace these huge amalgams a full coverage crown is the best option. Basically, if a patient wants rid of the amalgam from their mouth there are a few techniques required over a period of time.
  
  Many parents don’t want amalgam used in their children’s teeth. Unfortunately, NHS regulations restrict where we can use white materials, but parents can choose to pay for their child’s treatment. We have a specific children’s plan to help with this type of procedure.
  
  

• Cosmetic crown and bridgework:

  
  Where a tooth needs a crown, or where existing crowns are failing, we can provide state-of-the-art crown and bridgework custom-made by highly skilled dental technicians. The crowns can eliminate the dark lines which can spoil the appearance of traditional crowns. In situations where it is ill-advised to use all ceramics, we can use gold alloys to achieve a super appearance.
  
  

• Cosmetic dentures:

  
  We haven’t neglected our denture wearing patients. We work closely with a highly skilled technician to provide dentures that look completely natural. We take time to ask what your teeth used to look like and can use old photographs to help us turn back the clock. We can also blend dentures discretely where there is a mixture of artificial and natural teeth.
  
  

• Tooth whitening:

  
  Improving or restoring the colour of natural teeth
  
  This is a very simple and popular way to improve the appearance of an individual’s teeth. There are various ways of achieving the same result, all designed to suit your lifestyle, timescale and budget. An initial assessment of the teeth needs to be carried out to check for suitability; decayed or broken teeth need to be attended to before beginning a whitening treatment.
  
  Also not all mouths are straightforward, as fillings, crowns, or veneers will not change colour and can result in an inconsistent appearance. Only dental professionals are qualified to advise on, and carry out, tooth whitening. This is why we strongly recommend that the public avoid other salon or shopping mall tooth whitening offers - in return we’ll stick to our area of expertise and not try to do spray tans!
  
  

• Straightening teeth(orthodontics):

  Sometimes the best way to improve the appearance of a smile is by moving the teeth.
  
  We refer most of our young people whose teeth are coming through in a crooked way to an orthodontic specialist practice. They can advise and treat all types of twisted or crowded teeth.
  
  However, for some adults, who don’t need or desire alignment of all their teeth, we can offer a speedy and simple orthodontic appliance called the Inman aligner. It lets us straighten the front teeth without the need for lengthy treatment with ‘train tracks’. This pre-alignment along with whitening, and perhaps a little cosmetic bonding, can eliminate the need for any invasive dentistry like crowns or veneers. In addition we are happy to introduce new for 2012 another alternative for our adult patients using the  Clearstep System of invisible braces to help achieve the perfect smile – call us for further information and introductory offers.
  
  

• Implants:

  
  Replacing a missing tooth using a small titanium screw to act as a replacement root.
  
  Implant dentistry is a fast-growing area of treatment worldwide. While the headline costs appear high, the lifespan and success rate of implant treatment mean that it’s a great value option for replacing missing teeth or stabilising a denture.
  
  Implant dentistry has two distinct phases, the placement of the implant and the restoration of the implant. We work closely with colleagues locally who place implants for us while we can complete the treatment within our own practice, allowing an optimum balance of skills and experience with consistency and continuing care.