London cosmetic dentistry

Posts Tagged ‘discoloured teeth’

Eliminate discolouration with teeth whitening from City of London dentist

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Teeth discolouration can be a problem for some people causing self-confidence issues and embarrassment but fortunately it is easily treated with modern and effective teeth whitening systems. Everybody suffers from discolouration as teeth naturally lose their colour during your lifetime but it affects some people more than others. Other people suffer from extra discolouration difficulties due to excess fluoride in the water or due to lifestyle choices such as smoking or drinking red wine.

Teeth whitening has been used for many years to restore the natural white colour of teeth but in the last few years it has become increasingly affordable and available, and is now offered as a routine procedure at most dentists. Most whitening treatments involve a thorough cleaning of the teeth before applying a whitening gel in a specially modified tray. The tray keeps the gel in contact with the surface of the teeth while simultaneously protecting the soft tissue of the gums and lips.

The active ingredient in whitening gels is usually hydrogen peroxide, which penetrates the stained enamel and bleaches it to restore the colour. This gel can be dangerous to soft tissue in high concentrations so it is advised that any teeth whitening you have is applied or prepared by a professional. Whitening kits bought for home use or from the internet can be dangerous if applied incorrectly.

Whitening can have a dramatic impact on a person’s appearance. Because whiter teeth are associated with youth, even subtle whitening can make you appear younger. Whitening usually takes a few treatments to show visible results but once whitened the effects can last for up to three years. City of London dentists offer teeth whitening for all patients with all budgets.

Remove stains from veneers with polishing from City of London dentist

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Many patients have porcelain veneers fitted to cover the appearance of stained or discoloured teeth. Therefore it is very important that the veneers do not themselves stain or the treatment becomes slightly pointless. Porcelain veneers are naturally quite resistant to stains, as porcelain is quite a resilient substance. However, no matter how tough porcelain is, continued exposure to substances such as coffee and red wine will again begin to affect the veneers just as it does the natural enamel.

Many patients have stained teeth because of lifestyle choices such as smoking and drinking large amounts of coffee. Unless changes are made to this lifestyle they will always suffer some degree of staining whether it be natural enamel or veneers, although it is true that veneers are more easily cleaned of stains than enamel. It is also possible to take a few precautions against staining when fitting the veneers. Ask your City of London dentist to use stain resistant bonding to cement the veneers, as it is often this that gives the stained appearance rather than the veneer. Avoid using acid fluoride treatments as they can break down the porcelain making the veneer more at risk of staining.

Other ways to keep veneers free of stains include making sure that you properly clean them like you would real teeth. Flossing veneers can help to remove staining that occurs on the edges of the tooth and having them regularly polished by your dentist will also help to prevent staining.

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.

London dentist transforms smile with cosmetic dentistry

Monday, February 15th, 2010

A trip to the dentist used to mean that you had something wrong with your teeth that was causing pain or discomfort and needed to be sorted. It was purely a utilitarian practice that was a necessity. Over the last twenty years the role of the dentist has changed and they can now provide procedures that rise above the merely functional.

In a world that places increasing importance on appearance, cosmetic dentistry has provided millions of people with the opportunity to improve theirs. The teeth are one of the most obvious factors that affect our appearance to others and with smiling being one of the most important ways of communicating we have, the way our teeth look can affect the way others perceive us and even how we feel about ourselves. Bad teeth can be a source of great embarrassment and low self-confidence.

Cosmetic dentistry is capable of completely transforming a smile by using a number of procedures running simultaneously. This wider process is called a smile makeover and usually includes such treatments as teeth whitening, orthodontic straightening, cosmetic bonding, veneers and dental crowns. All of these procedures can be carried out on their own to make minor cosmetic adjustments to the teeth.

Teeth whitening and veneers are two of the most popular procedures as they can completely transform the appearance of badly stained or discoloured teeth, which can make them look very unhealthy and unattractive. Modern veneer technology allows the design and manufacture of a whole row of porcelain veneers in as little as one appointment. Cosmetic dentistry may not be essential for health reasons but the psychological and mental benefits of treatment from a London dentist cannot be underestimated.

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.

Whitest teeth possible with Enlighten tooth whitening from London dentist

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

If you want to smile like your favourite Hollywood star then the chances are you will need to have tooth whitening carried out on your teeth. The practice of whitening teeth to make them look healthier and younger is de rigueur amongst the A-list elite, but it is now also widely available and very affordable at London dentists.

The concept of teeth whitening is very simple. Because teeth naturally discolour as we age due to the ingestion of food colourings and general wear, if you whiten your teeth you will appear to look younger. Having white teeth can significantly improve your whole appearance because the mouth is such a focus of attention. Teeth whitening has been around for some decades but newer technology is making it more and more effective. This is certainly true for the Enlighten tooth whitening system, one of the newest products available on the market.

The reason for Enlighten’s success both in the US and here in the UK is the maker’s guarantee that a B1 shade (the lightest attainable) is possible for every user. Enlighten is able to achieve these remarkable results because of the revolutionary design of the whitening trays. They are made in such a way that the active gel is constantly in touch with the teeth, eliminating the risk of saliva contamination.

Patients using Enlighten will first have a mould taken of their teeth so that individual trays can be manufactured. The whitening gel is then applied for 14 consecutive nights whilst sleeping. On the fifteenth day a final appointment in the surgery will complete the whitening process, usually involving a 40-minute Zoom whitening appointment. London dentists are now offering the Enlighten system to all suitable patients.

Lifelike Lumineer veneers from London dentist

Monday, November 16th, 2009

For patients who have badly worn, discoloured or unevenly spaced teeth the very latest in veneer technology, Lumineers may be able to restore the cosmetic appearance of their teeth.

Veneers are thin porcelain shells that are cemented over the top of existing teeth to enhance their cosmetic appearance. In the past having a veneer fitted involved the need to remove a substantial amount of enamel form the existing tooth in order that the tooth could accommodate the veneer.

Thanks to Lumineer technology, veneers are now so incredibly thin that only minimal tooth preparation is required prior to fixing. Manufactured by Cerinate, Lumineers are about the same width as a contact lens and are so thin that they are even completely removable. They are also able to fit over existing dental work which means that painful and uncomfortable removal work is not needed before fixing a Lumineer veneer.

Lumineers have also been manufactured to have a translucent appearance that mirrors that of real tooth enamel. This makes Lumineers the most lifelike and realistic veneers on the market, something that veneers have been criticised for in the past. Representing a major step forward in the world of cosmetic dentistry, Lumineers are increasingly becoming the favoured choice of veneer for dentists and patients alike. Ask a London dentist about what Lumineer technology could do for the cosmetic appearance of your teeth.

Transform your smile with porcelain veneers from City of London dentist

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

Porcelain veneers are custom made ceramic shells that replicate the appearance of teeth and fit over the surface of existing teeth that have sustained some kind of damage. Some of the most common injuries that require porcelain veneers are broken, chipped or cracked teeth, but veneers can also be used to cover teeth that are worn, discoloured or unevenly spaced. Porcelain veneers fall into the category of cosmetic dentistry as they aim to create a bright, white and even smile. Modern porcelain ceramics are even manufactured to retain a translucent appearance that mirrors that of tooth enamel.

Teeth can become discoloured for a number of reasons. Most commonly it is simply due to age, as teeth lose their natural colour over the years in much the same way that hair does. However, teeth can also be discoloured due to lifestyle choices with tobacco, red wine and coffee being particularly big offenders. Worn teeth occur when the enamel is gradually eroded over time. Both the wearing down of teeth and discolouration vary from person to person with some patients simply being more genetically prone. Damage to teeth often occurs as the result of sporting injury or head trauma received during a car accident.

For all of these problems porcelain veneers can be fitted by dentists to restore not only the aesthetic appearance of teeth but also to restore their structural integrity and surface strength. Porcelain veneers are manufactured in laboratory conditions, increasingly with the aid of computers and three-dimensional imaging, and cemented over existing teeth. Modern veneers are designed to be so thin that they are able to fit over existing teeth without the need for extensive enamel removal.

Once in place, porcelain veneers are very durable and stain resistant. They can completely transform the appearance of teeth and can last as long as ten years if properly maintained. If you are suffering from chipped or broken teeth or if you would like to enhance your smile with porcelain veneers, ask a City of London dentist about the latest in porcelain veneer technology.

Lodon dentist makes smile sparkle by teeth whitening

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

Teeth whitening is the process of improving the colour of the teeth by removing stains and discolouration or by bleaching them to make them appear whiter. Most dentist practices will offer an in-surgery whitening procedure or take-home whitening kits with specially made trays. Both of these procedures use a peroxide bleaching agent of varying strength (between 3 and 30 per cent) depending on the level of bleaching needed. While greater strengths of peroxide may make the teeth appear whiter it may also cause some damage to the teeth and gums around it, so often it peroxide is used in smaller strengths.

When performing in-surgery whitening procedures the dentist may use protective equipment to cover the gums and lips. This will enable them to use a greater strength of peroxide without the risk of burning the soft tissue. Home whitening kits generally use smaller strength peroxide but some kits bought off the internet may be stronger than recommended, so it is always advised to consult your dentist.

Whitening procedures have different results for different people. Some patients respond very well to whitening procedures where as others may notice little if any difference to their teeth. It often depends on the whitening system being used.

While for some people tooth whitening is completely painless, most people complain of some mild pain experienced in the 48 hours after the procedure. The most common complaint is of sporadic shooting pains coming from individual teeth, roughly like the pain associated with sensitive teeth. Your dentist may be able to apply a gel or mousse to help with the sensitivity.

Teeth whitening is becoming a more and more common dental procedure. The cost will vary according to which whitening system you are using, who is performing the procedure and where it is taking place. A London dentist can talk with you about the cost and likely success of teeth whitening. Remember, always consult a dentist before attempting any whitening procedure yourself.

Advantages of London Lumineers Over Traditional Porcelain Veneers

Sunday, May 10th, 2009

Do you have gaps on your teeth that have made you self-conscious all these years? Does the discoloration on your teeth ruining your self-esteem? Fret no more because London Lumineers can help you improve your smile and boost your sagging self-esteem.
Made with a special type of porcelain veneer, Lumineers are ultra-thin, similar to that of a contact lens. Some advantages of Lumineers over traditional porcelain veneers are:
• Wafer thin
• Durable
• It is used to repair crooked or chipped teeth
• It can hide stain on teeth
• It closes gaps between teeth
• It can last for more than 20 years
• It whitens teeth
• It contours and elongate teeth
• Natural in appearance
• Stain-proof
• Highly resilient
London dentists can place Lumineers over existing crowns or bridgework without shots or drilling. Because Lumineers are so thin, placing it on your tooth requires only minor removal of the tooth structure, thus, it is reversible because your tooth will still retain its natural structure.
The procedure of placing Lumineers on your teeth can be completed in just 2 to 3 visits to your dentists. The first visit involves precision molding of your teeth. Your dentist can help you choose the shade that is right for you. By your second visit, Lumineers will be fitted on your teeth.
The procedure is easy, fast and painless that it requires no downtime. So why spend the rest of your life being self-conscious about your crooked and chipped tooth. Go out and find yourself a certified cosmetic dentist who will help you achieve a beguiling smile with Lumineers.