Dental bonding is one of the most flexible forms of cosmetic dentistry available in central London today. It has a myriad of uses inside the mouth, correcting all manner of small problems that may turn up in the mouth- it’s a touch-up procedure and the greatest attractions of this treatment is that it’s painless, fast and cheaper compared to it’s other counterparts in cosmetic dentistry. Bonding uses resins that can be color coded to match the rest of your teeth, repairing minor cracks, discoloration, gaps and chips. It’s also used for teeth reshaping, the restoration of decayed teeth and for replacing those grey fillings with more natural looking ones. The process involves building up layers of the resin on the surface of the tooth, each layer being individually cured and then sculptured for the desired affect. However, for all its versatility, dental bonding has one drawback-longevity. Whilst it lasts longer than traditional fillings, anywhere up to 15 years, it’s longevity with other applications around the mouth, fall a lot shorter than other cosmetic treatments. A good bonding will last anywhere from 2-5 years, depending on how it’s treated, but this is offset by it’s price and how easy it is to do.

In the past, the role of the dentist was solely one of treating and repairing damaged or decayed teeth and gums but in recent years they have also become to be seen as cosmetic practitioners, offering a multitude of different treatments to improve the appearance of the teeth.

One of the most common and affordable cosmetic dentistry procedures is teeth whitening, this involves bleaching the teeth with a substance called hydrogen peroxide. This removes stained areas and lightens the shade of the tooth enamel by as much as ten shades. Teeth whitening treatments start from as little as sixty pounds but do become more expensive the more comprehensive the treatment you choose. Whiter teeth can have a dramatic affect on the smile and make you look years younger.

There are many more cosmetic procedures that can be used. For teeth that are badly worn, uneven or discoloured there is the option of having a whole set of porcelain veneers fitted. This is one of the most dramatic improvements that can be made to the teeth and even the most unattractive teeth can be completely transformed. Porcelain veneers will also offer a greater degree of protection to the natural teeth that remain underneath and will last upwards of twenty years if properly maintained.

More comprehensive cosmetic dentistry work carried out simultaneously is often called a smile makeover. This is when the City of London dentist attempts to completely remodel the smile using a variety of different cosmetic dentistry techniques. You may be familiar with the smile makeover as they are commonly used on TV transformation shows where the contestants undergo a radical overhaul of their appearance.

Tooth sensitivity is tooth pain that can be caused by the following sensations on your tooth or teeth, these are; excessive heat, cold, sweets or sour foods and drinks. Even breathing cold air or touching your tooth or teeth in the wrong area, may produce this sensitivity. The ache felt in the tooth may be sharp and abrupt, and penetrate deep into your tooth’s nerve endings. The causes of tooth sensitivity and its treatment can both be explained to you, and treated, in our  London Clinic.
The causes of tooth sensitivity happens when the tooth’s dentin layer is exposed due to receding gum tissues, or when the tooth is not properly covered all the way around by enamel on the crown portion of the tooth, and cementum on the root portion of the tooth. When this occurs, exposed minute dentinal tubules, which make up the dentin layer of the tooth, are exposed to the environment. These dentinal tubules communicate with the pulp of the tooth. The pulp contains nerves, a blood supply, and other tissues. When exposed, these dentinal tubules (or channels) allow the external stimulus to create a situation where the nerve cells endings are triggered, leading to pain.
There are many reasons why people have tooth sensitivity. These include, but are not limited to: using a hard bristle brush and being overzealous with your brushing, thus wearing down enamel over time; gum recession; gum disease; cracked, chipped, or decayed teeth; teeth grinding; overuse of whitening products, abrasive toothpastes, plaque accumulation (as end-products of bacteria are acidic), several over-the-counter mouthwashes that are acidic, and acidic drinks and foods. Also, individuals between the ages of 25-30 years olds are at increased risk of tooth sensitivity. Regular dental therapies may also leave your tooth or teeth sensitivity however this is usually a temporary situation.
There are several things that you can do to reduce or eliminate tooth sensitivity. These include but are not limited to: maintaining good oral hygiene; using a soft- bristled toothbrush; using fluoride-based toothpastes for sensitive teeth (e.g., smear it on your tooth with your finger and let it penetrate for a few minutes and then brush); pay attention to what you eat and drink; try to avoid grinding your teeth, use fluoridated dental products, and visit your dentist regularly. If you cannot manage tooth sensitivity by yourself using the above methods, speak with your dentist. Your dentist may recommend the placement of tooth bonding materials, fluoride based polishes or dentin sealers.