Improving Your Smile With Cosmetic Dentistry

If you are on a low budget but want to improve your smile there are many ways to do this without having to spend a lot of money and going through drastic changes.

Teeth whitening: Whitening your teeth can be simple as chairside whitening. You can whiten your teeth in one appointment where you’ll be able to come into the practice and have them whitened with the ZOOM laser. The dentist will protect your lips and gums with a barrier and will place a special whitening gel on your teeth. All you need to do is sit back and relax and when the treatment is complete your teeth will look several shades brighter.

There is also another option which is the home whitening. This can be done in the comfort   of your own home and has proven to be better, you’re able to see the progress each day and whiten them in your own time when convenient for you. You will have to come in to the practice so the dentist can take some impressions of your teeth in order for the whitening trays to be made.  Once you have the trays, you carry the home whitening out for 10-14 days for an hour each day.  Teeth whitening is completely pain free and the results have proven to be excellent.

Cosmetic contouring: Dental reshaping and contouring is a procedure to correct crooked teeth, chipped teeth, cracked teeth or even overlapping teeth in just one session. Contouring your teeth works wonders and the after results leave your teeth looking brand new without going through any drastic, painful treatment. It’s a quick and painless way to reshape your teeth and tidy your smile. Minor contouring and polishing can smooth small chips and fractures, reshape pointy teeth and redefine flat or worn teeth.

Cosmetic contouring involves minimal discomfort and although only a subtle procedure, sometimes the smallest changes make a big impact. When combined with tooth whitening it’s often a great way to rejuvenate your smile. Dental contouring can even be a substitute for braces under certain circumstances. A few millimetres of reduction or expansion can create a beautiful smile when performed by a cosmetic dentist, usually without the need for an anaesthetic. However, teeth may become weaker if large amounts of enamel are removed so therefore tooth reshaping should be limited to minor changes or combined with veneers or bonding for the best smile.

There is also gum contouring if your gums sit too low or too high on your teeth and you are unhappy with your smile. Also called gum reshaping or tissue sculpting, this procedure can even out an uneven gum line and give you a smile you can be proud of. Gum contouring on its own is considered a cosmetic procedure; most people have their gums reshaped to improve the appearance of their smile. However, most of the time it is not medically necessary. Some people undergo gum contouring surgery as part of other necessary periodontal procedures such as crown lengthening, pocket reduction and regenerative procedures. A local anaesthetic will be applied to numb the area and, sometimes, bone at the front of the tooth’s root must also be removed to get the best long-term results.

Cosmetic bonding: Dental bonding is a procedure in which a tooth coloured resin material (a durable plastic material) is applied and hardened with a special light, which ultimately bonds the material to the tooth to restore improve a person’s smile. Dental bonding is an option that can be considered for repairing decayed teeth where the composite resin is used to fill cavities. To repair chipped or cracked teeth, to improve the appearance of discoloured teeth. They can also work as a substitute for a brace and close spaces between teeth. They also make teeth look longer and change the shape of teeth. They are a cosmetic alternative to amalgam fillings which contain mercury and that is poisonous. Also, they protect a portion of the tooth’s root that has been exposed when gums recede.

Little preparation is needed for cosmetic bonding, an anaesthetic is often not necessary unless the bonding is being used to fill a decayed tooth. Your dentist will use a shade guide to select a composite resin colour that will closely match the colour of your tooth. Next, the surface of the tooth will be roughened and a conditioning liquid is applied. These procedures help the bonding material adhere to the tooth and create a surface area. The tooth-coloured, putty-like resin is then applied, moulded, and smoothed to the desired shape. An ultraviolet light is then used to harden the material. After the material is hardened, your dentist will further trim and shape it and polish it to match the sheen of the rest of the tooth surface.

Due to some of the limitations of dental bonding, some dentists view it as best suited for small cosmetic changes, for temporary correction of cosmetic defects and also for correction of teeth in areas of very low bite pressure such as the front teeth. Bonded teeth do not require special care. You must ensure you follow good oral hygiene and brush your teeth at least twice a day. Flossing is extremely essential and regular hygiene treatments and check-ups. It is possible for bonding material can chip, therefore it is important to avoid such habits as biting fingernails, chewing ice or other hard food objects. If you do notice any sharp edges or discomfort on a bonded tooth or if your bite feels uneven then call your dentist and arrange an appointment.

Perfect Smile Spa based in Hornchurch Essex is a Leading Cosmetic and Implant Dental practice and is dedicated to PAINLESS dentistry. We work very closely with our prosthodontist who is on the specialist register.

Call us for a free consultation on 01708 442 114 or email care@perfectsmilespa.co.ukImproving Your Smile With Cosmetic Dentistry was last modified: June 29th, 2018 by Dr Jas Sagoo