COSMETIC DENTISTRY IN TONBRIDGE
Crowns
A crown is a type of dental restoration used to fix teeth that have been broken, weakened by decay or contain a very large filling. Here is how it works:
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An impression is taken of the tooth that needs restoring.
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A crown is made in the dental laboratory to fit the tooth precisely and match the neighbouring teeth.
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The tooth is then prepared and the crown fitted securely on top.
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A crown could be a good solution for you if you have some discoloured fillings and would like to improve their appearance. Crowns can be used to replace these to give you a more appealing smile. Additionally, if you have had root canal treatment you will need a crown to protect or cap the restored tooth, allowing you to eat and bite down on it as if it was a real tooth. Crowns are also used to anchor a bridge or denture firmly in place in the mouth.
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Life Benefits
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Strengthens remaining tooth structure.
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Natural-looking restoration.
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Functions like a real tooth, so you can bite and chew as usual.
Invisible Braces
There is a solution to having straighter teeth without having to wear the traditional unsightly metal braces. Known as invisible orthodontics, this type of treatment offers you the choice of wearing a clear and sometimes removable appliance while straightening and aligning your teeth.
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This is often a favourable option for adults who have professional careers and don't feel comfortable wearing unsightly 'train track' braces for months on end. The technology behind invisible orthodontics is highly advanced and often gives patients a much shorter treatment time, depending on their individual cases. Here is an overview of how they work:
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They straighten teeth discreetly, and some can even be removed periodically, making them easier to fit around your hectic lifestyle.
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They straighten teeth much more quickly than traditional braces, starting from as little as six months.
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They are more comfortable than traditional braces because they use less force and modern wire technology.
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Life Benefits
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Straighter teeth are healthier teeth.
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Having an attractive smile will have a positive effect on your confidence.
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Invisible braces are a long-term investment in your oral health.
White Fillings
If you require a filling in your tooth, a cosmetic option would be to choose a white filling material that matches the shade of your surrounding natural teeth. You can also have any existing metallic fillings replaced with tooth-coloured or 'white' fillings. This will allow you to smile without a metallic glint in sight, giving your teeth a more natural appearance overall. Here is how white fillings work:
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This is a safe procedure that entails the removal of any decay from your tooth, and taking out the metal or amalgam fillings if you are having them replaced.
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The new filling is made from a very hard tooth-coloured substance and will withstand the forces in your mouth when you bite and chew over a long period of time.
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The restoration is completed in one visit and your fillings will not be visible when you smile.
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Life Benefits
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Natural-looking restoration.
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Improved cosmetic appearance of filled teeth while still being able to bite and chew as usual.
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Hard-wearing restorative solution.
Porcelain Veneers
Are your teeth stained, chipped, or not aligned on top of each other? Veneers are a good treatment option to consider because they look like natural teeth and don't require a major procedure. Veneers can also be used to close small gaps when 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. Here is how they work:
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A veneer is a very thin, tooth-coloured piece of porcelain (like a false finger nail, but more durable) that is bonded on top of your own tooth.
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Based on your needs, the shape and size of the veneers can be adjusted to make your teeth overall look longer and or closer together.
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You can have just one veneer fitted or a whole set, known as a smile makeover.
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Life Benefits
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Simple and quick solution to improve the cosmetic appearance of teeth.
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Long-lasting smile enhancement.
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Natural-looking restoration.
Teeth Whitening
If you are self-conscious about the shade of your teeth or if you have staining on some of your teeth, professional teeth whitening treatment is a safe and recommended option for you to consider. Here is how teeth whitening works:
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You will be assessed for the type of staining your teeth have.
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A custom tray is made to fit snugly over your teeth.
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The teeth whitening process is activated by a bleaching agent, which is inserted into the custom tray that transfers it onto your teeth.
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Home teeth whitening kits are also available to lighten the teeth more gradually. In this case, the trays with bleaching agent can be worn overnight. With all whitening treatment, individual results will vary and are dependant on your initial tooth colour and the nature of your tooth staining.
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Life Benefits
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Effective solution for certain types of tooth discolouration and staining.
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Safe treatment when delivered by a dental professional.
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Cosmetically enhances the appearance of teeth.
Inlays & Onlays
Decayed or chipped teeth can often be repaired with white composite fillings that look natural, however if the damage is too substantial, particularly on the back teeth, then an inlay or onlay would be recommended. Inlays or onlays can be made from a number of strong materials such as metals or ceramics.
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An inlay is a small filling that fits into the biting surface of a tooth. An onlay covers a larger area of the tooth and is better suited to bigger cavities. Gold was traditionally used for these types of restorations. However, in recent times hard-wearing tooth-coloured porcelain has become a more popular choice of material. This is a more aesthetic way to restore the teeth and creates a more natural-looking smile. Here is how they work:
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After an impression is made of your tooth, the inlay or onlay will be made in a dental laboratory by a technician.
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While these are being made, you will wear a temporary filling. When your inlay or onlay is ready we will bond it into place using a special adhesive, after removing the temporary filling. Your restored tooth will not only look like a real tooth but also function like one, allowing you to bite, chew and eat without any discomfort.
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Thanks to advances in digital technology (called CAD/CAM) porcelain inlays can be made at some dental practices using a special milling machine known as CEREC. This means you will need fewer visits to the dentist to have your tooth restored.
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Life Benefits
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Preserves remaining tooth structure.
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Long-term aesthetic and functional solution.
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Natural-looking restoration.
Mouth Guards (Sports)
Sports mouthguards are custom-made rubber coverings worn over your teeth to protect them from damage in contact and ball-based sports. They cushion the teeth and gums and help to avoid chipped and broken teeth.
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You should wear a professionally-made sports mouthguard at all times when playing any sport involving either moving objects or physical contact.
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Being hit in the mouth by a ball in such sports as football, cricket or hockey can lead to serious damage to your teeth, including broken and lost teeth, while sports in which you come into contact with other players, such as rugby, American football and boxing, can also lead to damaged, broken or dislocated jaws.
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Sports mouthguards provide cushioning to protect against such injuries. Professional sportspeople can often be seen wearing mouthguards for this reason.
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Your dentist can provide your mouthguard:
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First, your dentist will measure and take impressions of your teeth and gums and send these to the lab so your sportsguard can be made to fit you perfectly.
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The lab will make up the sportsguard to your dentist's specifications.
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Your dentist will check the guard fits properly. You should wear it at all times playing or training for sports.
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Sportsguards should be worn by adults and children. Children's mouthguards will need regular replacement as their teeth and jaws grow. You should check regularly that your child's mouthguard still fits, and see your dentist for a replacement if it has become loose or tight-fitting.
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Adults will also need to replace their mouthguards periodically due to wear and tear.
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Life Benefits
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Protects teeth from damage or loss due to trauma
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Bespoke to fit your mouth perfectly
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Prevents jaw damage
Amalgam Filling Removal
Dental amalgam fillings are made from a compound of metals and having a filling is among the most common dental procedures. These fillings have been used as the treatment of choice to fix dental cavities and tooth decay for more than 150 years. It is estimated that, across the world, about 1 billion amalgam fillings are placed annually.
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What are amalgam fillings?
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Dental amalgam comprises a mixture of metals, of which approximately 50% is mercury in its liquid form. The other metals used can include tin, silver and copper.
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The fillings themselves are silver in colour, which often leads to them being referred to as "silver" fillings.
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They benefit from being very strong, making them particularly suitable for teeth at the back of the mouth. Here they will also be less visible than in the front teeth.
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Mercury is used to bind the other metals together. It also provides much of the strength. The material is very easy for dentists to manipulate and shape to fill cavities.
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If you opt for an amalgam filling, your dentist will remove the decayed area of your tooth and shape the cavity ready to be filled. Your dentist will mix the powdered metal alloy with the liquid mercury, creating an easy-to-work-with amalgam putty. This is then placed in the cavity and shaped as necessary, before quickly hardening to a strong, durable filling.
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Life Benefits
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Least expensive form of filling
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Strong and durable
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Quick to apply
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Last for many years
