London cosmetic dentistry

Posts Tagged ‘dental bonding’

Affordable dental bonding from London dentist

Sunday, June 6th, 2010

Cosmetic bonding is one of the most versatile and useful of all the dental treatments, both for offering protection and for cosmetic purposes. In fact, it forms such a big part of modern dentistry that there are even dentists who specialise solely in the application and mixing of composite resin used for bonding.

Dental bonding is perhaps best known for its use in filling dental cavities. In the past, most filings were made of silver amalgam but in recent years this has cause some controversy due to the presence of mercury vapours. Silver fillings were also quite unseemly because of the metallic appearance they produced in the mouth. Dental bonding, although not quite as strong as silver filings, is perfectly safe and can also be mixed to closely match the colour of the existing teeth, meaning the aesthetic quality of the teeth is preserved.

Dental bonding is also used to attach crowns and veneers. The resin is mixed up and acts as a bonding cement between the porcelain and the tooth enamel. Once happy with the desired appearance, the dentist will set the bonding hard with a dental laser. Once set, dental bonding is very tough and durable and provides an extra layer of protection to the teeth.

Dental bonding can be used on its own to restore the appearance of chipped, cracked and discoloured teeth. The resin is applied to the area in question and shaped to the desired affect. Again it is then set hard using a dental laser restoring the appearance of the teeth. It is a very popular treatment, not just because of its versatility but also because it is very affordable.

London dentists offer dental boding to repair and improve the appearance of teeth effectively and cheaply. If you require any dental work but are unable to afford expensive porcelain veneers or teeth whitening, ask your dentist about dental bonding.

Brand new smile with porcelain veneers from City of London dentist

Saturday, April 17th, 2010

Many people are embarrassed by the condition of their teeth. This can have very detrimental effects on their self-esteem and self-confidence, which can affect all areas of their life. However, whatever the condition of your teeth, there are many cosmetic dentistry treatments that could help. This could involve a teeth whitening treatment, dental bonding or for a more complete overhaul, porcelain veneers.

Porcelain veneers are very thin tooth caps that are placed over existing teeth to restore their appearance. They are suitable for use on patients with discoloured, worn or uneven teeth. They are manufactured to fit your individual teeth and cemented using dental bonding. The whole fitting procedure can take as little as one afternoon, meaning that you could have a brand new, beautiful smile in only one day. New technology has also greatly reduced manufacturing time and improved the accuracy of treatment.

Modern veneers are also incredibly thin, some only as wide as a contact lens, meaning that minimal or no enamel removal is needed before treatment. It also means that treatment is reversible; although it is very unlikely once you have seen your new teeth that you would ever want your old ones back.

The results achievable with porcelain veneers are incredible. You may have seen on one of the latest TV makeover shows how even the most damaged teeth can be completely restored by a set of veneers. Make an appointment with a Central London dentist to learn more about the possibilities of porcelain veneers.

Improve appearance of stained teeth with cosmetic bonding from Central London dentist

Monday, April 5th, 2010

Of all the cosmetic dentistry procedures, cosmetic bonding is the most versatile. It can be used to improve the appearance of a number of dental conditions such as chipped teeth and discolouration. It is also used as a bonding agent in a number of other cosmetic treatments such as porcelain veneers and crowns.

Dental bonding is made up of composite resin, which is skilfully mixed to closely resemble the colour of the existing tooth enamel. Cosmetic bonding is such a large part of modern cosmetic dentistry that there are dentists who specialise in the process. Once satisfied with the colour, the Central London dentist will then apply the mixture to the necessary area of the teeth. When treating discolouration and stained teeth, the dentists will evenly spread the bonding thinly across the surface of the teeth to create the impression of cleaner, whiter teeth. The bonding will then be set hard using a dental laser before being buffed and polished to appear like smooth tooth enamel.

In treatments where bonding is used to repair chipped or cracked teeth, the bonding will be applied to teeth that have already been treated with an etching agent for added grip. The bonding is then carefully shaped into the desired shape before being hardened.

Cosmetic bonding is also widely used as a material for fillings. This is replacing the old silver amalgam fillings that have caused controversy due to the presence of mercury. White cosmetic bonding also looks much more aesthetically pleasing than the old style metal fillings. To find out if your teeth could benefit from the many uses of cosmetic bonding, ask your dentist at your next check up appointment.

Versatile dental bonding from central London dentist

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Dental bonding is a cosmetic dentistry tool that is used to repair the appearance of damaged or discoloured teeth. It is widely used because of its affordability and versatility in restoring the cosmetic appearance of teeth.

The bonding is made of a resin that can be mixed skilfully to closely resemble the exact colour of the existing teeth. This makes it ideal for repairing small chips and cracks and also as a cement for attaching veneers, crowns and dental inlays. Bonding can also be used to fill dental cavities and is increasingly being preferred to the old, controversial silver-amalgam fillings. Bonding can also be used to cover teeth that have been stained or discoloured due to age or lifestyle as an alternative to the more costly porcelain veneers.

The application of dental bonding usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour and is relatively straightforward. Teeth are etched and roughened using a very diluted acid, this gives the surface and extra grip before it is cleaned and ready for bonding. The Central London dentist will then apply the bonding, sculpting it to the desired shape. Intense heat is then used to set the bonding hard making it very tough and resilient.

Dental bonding is very affordable and effective, which explains why it is very popular with both dentists and patients and usually costs between £30 and £100 per tooth. Bonding will last anything between 4 and 10 years but will usually lean towards the longer end of that timescale.

Ashamed of your discoloured teeth? Try dental veneers from a Central London dentist

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

Patients with very badly discoloured teeth are very often ashamed of their condition, which can severely affect self-confidence and undermine self-esteem. It can cause a reluctance to smile or even be in social situations for fear of being noticed but there are several things you could do to improve their appearance.

Cosmetic bonding and teeth whitening are two options for whitening discoloured teeth. Teeth whitening can be dramatic but it can also be fairly ineffectual depending on the condition of your teeth. Dental bonding covers discolouration but can look unrealistic and uneven. By far the most dramatic and successful way to restore the appearance of white teeth is to use dental veneers.

Veneers are porcelain tooth caps that are cemented over the top of original teeth. They can be made from porcelain that compliments your facial tones and are incredibly thin to retain the translucent appearance of tooth enamel. Some of the latest veneers available on the market are as thin as a contact lens and require little or no enamel preparation prior to fixing.

Modern technology has made it possible to design and fit a set of veneers in only one appointment with a Central London dentist making it possible to have a smile you can be proud of the very same day. Veneers vary in price depending on the nature and quality of treatment but can you really put a price on a beautiful smile.

Easier than you think? – Dental crown placement from London dentist

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

Sometimes, when teeth are damaged to such an extent, they cannot be repaired using ordinary dental bonding and this can put the patient at risk of further pain and damage. On these occasions it is necessary to protect the integral structure of the tooth using a dental crown. In the past dentists have been more reluctant to use crowns for several reasons. Firstly, because they took so long to make (up to three weeks) and even then were often poorly fitting. Secondly, they required the removal of otherwise healthy enamel to be able to fit over the top of the damaged tooth, which was an irreversible procedure. However, with the advent of certain modern technology, dental crowns are now a lot easier to fit than you might have thought.

More and more London dentists are using CAD/CAM technology. This stands for computer aided design/computer aided manufacture and has revolutionised the crown making and fitting process. Dentists are now able to use 3D cameras and digital x-rays to create an exact image of the patients mouth on a computer. They can then use this image to design a perfectly fitting crown before instructing the computer-guided mill to sculpt the new crown from a single piece of porcelain. As if this wasn’t impressive enough, it can take as little as six minutes to mill a new crown from a single block of porcelain. This technology has addressed the time factor of dental crowns and it also has a solution for the enamel removal problem. Because the new crown is carved from a single piece of porcelain it is very structurally strong and therefore very thin. This means that far less, if any, enamel needs removing prior to fitting a new crown.

The results possible using this new technology are astonishing. Porcelain can be chosen to match the exact colour of the patient’s teeth so that the crown looks incredibly real. If you are suffering with damaged teeth but have always been put off by the idea of a crown, maybe it’s time you took another look.

Cosmetic bonding from City of London dentist restores appearance of teeth

Monday, November 9th, 2009

Chipped, cracked or broken teeth can be the source of considerable pain and also result in further dental complications in the future. Therefore it is necessary to repair any damage caused to teeth as soon as possible. One of the most affordable and effective treatments for dental injuries is cosmetic bonding. The bonding process involves mixing up a resin to closely match the colour of the existing teeth and sculpting it to the desired shape. Once satisfied the dentist will then set the resin hard using the intense heat of a laser. Once set, the bonding is extremely durable and also resistant to staining.

Cosmetic bonding is not just used to repair damage caused by head trauma. It is also widely used to improve the appearance of worn, discoloured or unevenly spaced teeth. Unlike veneers and crowns it does not require laboratory conditions for manufacture, which significantly reduces cost and treatment times. In fact, most bonding procedures can be carried out in only one visit to the dentist. Although, if the treatment covers two or more teeth the bonding may need several layers applied and will need time to set in between applications.

Cosmetic bonding is almost completely pain-free unless being applied to a particularly sensitive area of the teeth. In some circumstances the dentist may consider using a local anaesthetic but this is unusual.

Cosmetic bonding is also replacing silver amalgam as the number one choice for filling dental cavities. Not only does it have the advantage of being tooth-coloured and therefore more aesthetically pleasing, but it also avoids the controversy surrounding the inclusion of potentially poisonous mercury in filling material.

Versatile, durable and visually discreet, cosmetic bonding is one of the most popular treatment choices for both dentists and patients. With the combined benefits of low cost and simple treatment, cosmetic bonding may be able to radically improve the integrity and appearance of your teeth with the minimum of discomfort. Talk to a City of London dentist about cosmetic bonding and how it could benefit your teeth.

Enhance your smile with cosmetic dentistry form London dentist

Sunday, November 8th, 2009

It is a common belief amongst Americans that we British have bad teeth. In the past this may have been true as Britain did lag behind the USA in terms of the availability of cosmetic dental treatments. However, in the last twenty years, the standard and availability of cosmetic dentistry in the UK has caught up with our cousins across the pond. Having good teeth is now seen as fundamental to being healthy and attractive and the variety of treatments on offer means this dream is now a reality for all of us.

One of the key factors in having healthy looking teeth is colour. Even the straightest teeth in the world can be spoiled by discolouration and yellow teeth really create an impression of bad health. Discoloration of teeth occurs naturally as we get older just like greying hair, but can also be increased by lifestyle choices such as smoking and consumption of red wine and coffee. However, there is now available an array of treatments that can stem and even reverse this process. A London dentist will be able to offer both in-surgery and take-home whitening treatments that can whiten the colour of your teeth by up to ten shades.

For patients who suffer from chipped, cracked or broken teeth, the application of cosmetic dental bonding, porcelain veneers or a combination of both will be able to restore the integrity and appearance of your teeth. Another common cosmetic dental issue is a missing tooth or teeth. There are a number of options available to patients with missing teeth ranging from the temporary to the permanent. A partial denture or dental bridge offers a more short-term replacement whereas a dental implant can replace a missing tooth with a long-term substitute.

The very latest in dental technology has seen computers playing a greater role in dental technology. 3D imaging and digital x-rays can now create exact representations of the patient’s teeth on a computer and computer aided manufacture means that crowns and veneers can now be fabricated to incredible degrees of accuracy.

Whatever the dental issue with your teeth, modern cosmetic dentistry will have a solution. As procedures become more commonplace and technology reduces treatment time, costs are dropping making these previously expensive treatments available to all.

Porcelain crown from Central London dentist saves tooth

Saturday, October 10th, 2009

When a tooth is chipped, cracked or broken, either by a sporting injury or other accident, the dentist will first attempt to repair the damage using composite resin dental bonding. However, if the tooth is damaged too severely, to preserve the tooth, there is little option but to fit a porcelain crown. This involves constructing a porcelain copy of the tooth to cap the damaged one. Crowns are also known as caps or veneers for this reason. A porcelain crown can preserve the integrity of the broken tooth, which can help to preserve its functionality.

Crowns are not only used to repair damaged or broken teeth. Because of advances in their construction and appearance they are increasingly being used for cosmetic purposes. Patients with badly stained or discoloured teeth, spacing issues or worn down teeth can now have porcelain crowns fitted to restore their natural appearance.

In the past, crowns have been made from other materials and have often looked unrealistic or fake. They have also been very difficult to fabricate, often taking weeks of laboratory work. With the introduction of computer aided design and manufacture, porcelain crowns can now be designed, manufactured and fitted in one appointment with the dentist in as little as an hour. By using 3D imaging the dentist can create an extremely accurate crown which will be milled by the computer, according to the exact specifications, from a single piece of porcelain in under twenty minutes.

Further advances in crown technology have produced crowns that are incredibly thin, which still maintain their strength. Some crowns can be as thin as a contact lens and require minimum removal of enamel to fit, something that dentists have been reluctant to do in the past. Some new crowns are so thin they can even be fitted over existing dental work.

Porcelain crowns are very versatile dental appliances that thanks to improvements in dental technology can be an incredibly realistic substitute for a real tooth. Because they are made from porcelain they can be very strong and help to preserve a broken tooth that may very well have been lost in other circumstances. If you are suffering from a broken tooth, or any form of cosmetic problem that could benefit form veneers, ask your Central London dentist if they could be suitable for you.

Your London Dentist Can Provide Dental Bonding Services

Sunday, May 24th, 2009

Even though you may care about your appearance now, there will come a time in your life when it will be even more important. Regardless of whether you are getting married, or you want to look your best during the last of your prime years, dental bonding procedures can be an important part of your makeover. Today, your London dentist can combine dental bonding, gum contouring, veneers, and many other procedures to give you a movie star quality smile.

Interestingly enough, a gummy smile can also be treated with dental bonding. Depending on your bite pattern, it may be possible to use resin and other materials to make your teeth longer. At the same time, if the extra gum tissue creates gaps between your teeth, dental bonding can be used to fill those gaps in.

You may also have some purely functional reasons for having dental bonding procedures. In particular, if you have a cracked tooth or exposed roots, dental bonding can strengthen the tooth, as well as alleviate all the suffering that occurs with these conditions. As may be expected, if you have a chipped tooth, the bonded material will also help restore its natural shape.

Individuals that practice good oral hygiene and visit their dentist often may still have discoloured teeth, as well as suffer from all kinds of injuries. This, in turn, can create situation where resin and other dental bonding materials can be used to restore one or more teeth to their original strength and shape. If you have broken, chipped, or cracked teeth, you should not hesitate to see your dentist and have them taken care of. At the same time, if you have always dreamed of having perfect teeth, this will also be an opportunity to have certain cosmetic issues addressed.