Smile Makeovers
Cosmetic Dentistry
A renewed public perception is allowing cosmetic dentistry to take its place alongside cosmetic procedures such as face lifts and nose jobs. It is becoming less acceptable to have discolured, uneven or missing teeth. Career oportunities can be increased with the right appearance and enhance confidence a perfect smile can bring to you.
Using the most modern technology in a comfortable and pleasant environment means that you can completely relax whilst having your treatment, whether it is routine or advanced cosmetic work.
VENEERS
If your front teeth are stained, chipped, or malaligned, veneers will give you a good life-like appearance with minimum tooth adjustment.
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A veneer is a facing on the front of your teeth usually your top teeth, it is just like a false finger nail. Veneers are made out of porcelain and are used mainly for aesthetic reasons.
Veneers make teeth look natural and healthy, and because they are very thin and are held in place by a special strong bond (rather like super-glue) very little preparation of the tooth is needed.
Porcelain veneers can improve the colour, shape and position of teeth.
A precise shade of porcelain can be chosen to give the right colour to improve a single discoloured or stained tooth or to lighten front teeth (usually the upper ones) generally.
Veneers can also be used to close small gaps, when orthodontics (braces) are not suitable.
If one tooth is slightly out of position, a veneer can sometimes be fitted to bring it into line with the others.
WHITE FILLINGS
Dental decay happens when the enamel and dentine of a tooth become softened by acid attack, producing a cavity (hole). If the decay is not too serious, our cosmetic dentist will remove all the decay and restore the tooth with a white (tooth coloured) filling. We can also safely replace silver (amalgam) fillings.
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CHIPPED OR BROKEN TEETH
A veneer can make a chipped tooth look intact again. The porcelain covers the whole of the front of the tooth with a thicker section replacing the broken part.
Bonding: sometimes instead of a porcelain veneer, a natural colour ‘composite’ material is used instead of porcelain. A natural-coloured filling material can be used for minor repairs to front teeth like chipped or broken tooth corners.
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CROWNS & BRIDGES TO REPLACE MISSING TEETH
A crown is an artificial restoration that fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape of a natural tooth.
A crown is sometimes known as a ‘cap’. Crowns are an ideal restoration for teeth that have been broken, or have been weakened by decay or a very large filling.
A crown could be used for a number of other reasons, for instance:
you may have discoloured fillings and would like to improve the appearance of the tooth
you may have had a root filling which will need a crown to protect it
it may help hold a bridge or denture firmly in place.
Besides having a dental implant, there are two main ways to replace missing teeth. The first is with a removable false tooth or teeth – a partial denture. The second is with a fixed bridge.
A bridge is usually used where there are fewer teeth to replace, or when the missing teeth are only on one side of the mouth. Bridges are usually made of a precious metal base.
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If the bridge will show, porcelain is then bonded to the base. Sometimes, there are other non-precious metals used in the base to reduce the cost.
You should replace missing teeth for a number of reasons. Your appearance is one reason.
Another is that the gap left by a missing tooth can mean greater strain is put on the teeth at either side.
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A gap can also mean your ‘bite’ is affected, because the teeth next to the space can lean into the gap and alter the way the upper and lower teeth bite together.
This can then lead to food getting packed into the gap, which causes both decay and gum disease.
Online Leaflets
Want general information on a condition or treatment?
Visit the British Dental Health Foundation where they have over 40 online leaflets.
Online Resource
Want to find out about dental treatment? Want to know how to look after your teeth better?
Visit the new BDA Smile web site.
3D Education
Want to learn about dental anatomy, conditions, treatments and good oral health?
Visit the BDA's cutting edge 3D Educational web site.
18 Whippendell Road
Watford, Hertfordshire WD18 7LU