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LOOKING AFTER YOUR TEETH, CAN MAKE YOU SMILE

Basic Beauty Routine
Okay none of us want a bad hair day, but bad teeth can really wipe the smile off!
Healthy teeth are not necessarily brilliant white in fact teeth are various shades of off white. In the same way that we care for our skin and hair we need to invest in the care of our teeth. It's a beauty basic. Like our skin and hair the shade, shape and strength of our teeth is determined by our genetics. But that's not where the buck stops, the health , maintenance, and preservation of our teeth is our own responsibility.
Like other beauty regimes it is important to establish good routines. So is brushing twice a day enough? No it's only a start!
Our regular cosmetic dental advice will help you make the best of your assets so that you can flaunt your smile!

What is cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is an area of dentistry that specialises in improving the appearance of teeth. Teeth can often become stained and discoloured by the foods we eat and drink like red wine, coffee, tea and of course smoking.
Teeth can grow in twisted, some people wear down their teeth too much either because they are grinding their teeth at night due to stress or because of nutritional deficiencies. There can be many causes.
Sporting accidents can sometimes lead to broken teeth.
Sometimes our teeth just don't look as nice as we would like. Cosmetic dentistry can help.
Some of the methods for improving the appearance of teeth are discussed below:

Bridges
Bridges are used instead of removable dentures to replace one or two missing teeth. Bridges are not removable they are fixed permanently. They can be difficult to distinguish from the real thing!
These days dentists are able to match bridges to the other teeth making them the same shade and shape. There are sophisticated materials available in modern dentistry that can enhance your smile.

Crowns
Whoever said that hair was our crowning glory, perhaps hadn't seen a dental crown!
If a tooth needs to be disguised then it can be trimmed down and covered with a dental crown. Crowns are like small thimbles, which can be made of metal, plastic, or porcelain, they fit over the teeth.
Crowns can be matched to the shape and colour of your other teeth.

Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are permanently fixed to the front surface of the tooth. They are individually made to match the teeth, and they have a dramatic effect on the appearance of your teeth!
Porcelain veneers have been described as being like false fingernails!
VISIT YOUR DENTIST AND ASK FOR A COSMETIC DENTAL MAKEOVER!

COSMETIC TREATMENT FAQ'S

Q I have a mouth full of ugly black fillings. What can I have done to improve this?
A black filling material used in your teeth is amalgam. It has been used as a filling material for over a hundred years, and is still one of the strongest materials available. However it is unattractive and there are other materials which are tooth coloured that can be used to replace amalgam. There are various materials and techniques that can be used such as composite (white filling material) or porcelain inlays. You can discuss the options with your dentist.

Q How much do white fillings cost?
A This depends on which type of white filling you have. White fillings on the biting surface of back teeth are not available on the NHS and, therefore, a private fee will be charged. This varies from practice to practice and on the size of the filling, but can cost anything from Ł30 upwards.

Q I have pitted and discoloured teeth at the front. What can be done?
A You will need to have an examination and ensure that your teeth are healthy. If it is only superficial pitting and discolouration then veneers may be an option.
Veneers are thin slices of porcelain that are made to the shape of your teeth. They can also be made of composite (white filling material). These are stuck to the surface of your tooth to mask the defect underneaths.

Q I am concerned about the gaps between my front teeth. What can be done?
A. You do feel it slightly but most of the time the insertion of the needle is quite painless. The needles are very fine and quite often the patient is not aware that the needle has been inserted.

Q I am concerned about the gaps between my front teeth. What can be done?
A You can have these closed with orthodontics (braces) or you can have the gaps closed by having composite (white filling material) used to make the teeth thicker to close the gaps. Porcelain veneers can also be used. The dentist can explain the best option for you.
It the picture the gap between the front teeth has been closed by using composite.

Q. I broke my front tooth when I was younger. What can be done about it?
A. If the broken part is small then it may be possible to build up with composite (white filling material- see picture) or to use a porcelain veneer. However, if a large piece of the tooth is lost, then the tooth may require a crown.

Q. What is a crown?
A. A crown is a restoration used for teeth that are broken down. The dentist trims the tooth down and takes an impression with a rubber like material. The dental technician then makes a crown that fits over the tooth and the dentist cements that crown over your tooth. There are many different types of crowns such as gold crowns, porcelain crowns, porcelain bonded crowns and glass crowns. Your dentist will be able to advise you on which is the most suitable crown for your tooth.

Q. I am considering having a crown on my front tooth to improve the appearance of a large white filling, which has discoloured. I am very self conscious about. Is this a good idea and how long will a crown last?
A. White fillings do discolour with time. This is due to the filling wearing down and the rough surface begins to collect stains from food etc. The fillings can be replaced but if the filling is already very large then it would be best to have a crown.
It is difficult to predict how long the crown will last; it depends on the how much tooth is left under the crown. The crown can fail if a fall or a blow breaks it, or if the tooth at the edge of the crown decays. The decay can be prevented by keeping the area where the crown meets the tooth very clean, and this way the crown should last as long as the tooth.

Q. I had two crowns put on my front teeth about ten years ago, but now as my gums have shrunk there is an ugly black line at the gum margin. Is there anything that can be done about this?
A. Gum margins do shrink with time and this does expose the crown margin. The black line could be the join of the crown to the tooth or if tooth is root filled it could be the discoloured root showing. The only real solution to this is to have the crowns remade with the margins extending to just below the gum margin. If your tooth is not root filled and the tooth under the crown is not discoloured it may be beneficial to have a crown that is metal free (porcelain only or glass) where the margin is not noticeable.

Q.I have crooked teeth at the front and would like them straight, apart from braces is there anything else I can have done?
A. It really depends on how severe the crowding is. If the teeth are only slightly overlapped or crooked it may be possible to align them by simply using porcelain veneers on the surfaces. This requires very little preparation of the tooth and can give an excellent result. However if the teeth are very crooked or rotated then it may be necessary to crown them to get the best result. Your dentist will be able to advise you better on the options.

Q. My teeth are getting very yellow and I have seen adverts for whitening toothpaste. Do they work?
A. There are many toothpastes available which claim to whiten teeth. They are very good at removing stains on your teeth but are not strong enough to lighten the shade of the teeth.

Q. I have just come back from America and a friend there had her teeth bleached to make them whiter. Is it possible to have this done here and how much does it cost?
A. Bleaching is not currently available in the UK due to licensing problems with the material used. It should be available soon when the lawyers have sorted out whether it is a cosmetic or a medical treatment.
Bleaching is a safe and effective way to lighten teeth. There are several ways this can be done. The dentist can apply the bleaching agent, which is usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to the teeth, and activate this with a blue light. This procedure is repeated a few times until the desired shade is obtained.
The other method is to have a tray made, which is much like a gum shield to hold in the bleaching gel. This is worn at night for 5 - 10 nights and the results achieved are very good.
As this treatment is not available on the National Health Service, the private fees vary considerably; therefore it is best to speak to your dentist about the costs.

Q. A few years ago I had one of my front teeth capped gold, big mistake! How easy is it to remove?
A. Gold front teeth are regarded as fashionable in some cultures and even in the west there is an increase in the number of patients requesting gold front teeth. It is possible to have a gold crown removed and replaced with a tooth-coloured crown. This is a relatively simple procedure and your dentist should be able to provide this treatment.

Q. I have quite a large gap in my front teeth, I am so conscious of it that I try not to laugh, and am very aware of it when I speak. I won't even wear a dark coloured lipstick because I think that will draw attention to it. Is there any cosmetic dentistry that can help me? How do I find out if there is a specialist in my area, and what kind of costs can I expect to pay?
A. There are several options available to close a gap between your teeth. The most conservative is orthodontics (brace) and White filling material to make the teeth thicker. You can also have veneers or crowns, however you will need to have your teeth trimmed down for these.
Your dentist will be able to advise you on which one or combination of options is best in your case. Any General dental practitioner should be capable of providing the necessary treatment however you can go to a specialist once you have decided on the treatment option. Your dentist will be able to refer you to the specialist.

Q. As a child I did not look after my teeth, as a result I have about 7 fillings in my mouth. The fillings are all black. I feel that whenever I laugh all the fillings look dreadful. I have heard that I can have the black fillings removed and replaced by white fillings, but that I would have to pay privately. Is it a good idea or will the procedure further damage my teeth?
A. Whether it is a good idea depends on how having black fillings is affecting your life. If you want to improve the appearance than white fillings are possible but you will need to see a dentist as white fillings are not suited in some cases. It is possible to remove amalgam fillings without damaging your teeth. The white fillings in back teeth can only be done privately and the costs start at Ł30 upwards, your dentist will be able to give you a more accurate estimate for your treatment.

Should you require any further dental information or advice on Cosmetic Treatment, please contact The Dentist@ Dentecom.