Cosmetic

Teeth Whitening:

Tooth whitening can be a very effective way of lightening the natural colour of your teeth without removing any of the tooth surface. It cannot make a complete colour change, but it may lighten the existing shade.

There are a number of reasons why you might get your teeth whitened. Everyone is different; and just as our hair and skin colour vary, so do our teeth. Very few people have brilliant-white teeth, and our teeth can also become more discoloured as we get older.

Your teeth can also be stained on the surface by food and drinks such as tea, coffee, red wine and blackcurrant. Smoking can also stain teeth.

‘Calculus’ or tartar can also affect the colour of your teeth. Some people may have staining under the surface, which can be caused by certain antibiotics or tiny cracks in the teeth which take up stains.

Dental implants:

A dental implant is used to support one or more false teeth. It is a titanium screw that can replace the root of a tooth when it fails. Just like a tooth root, it is placed into the jawbone. Implants are a safe, well-established, tried-and-tested treatment. It’s probably true to say that implants, much like natural teeth, will last for as long as you care for them.

Porcelain crowns:

A crown is an artificial restoration that fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape of a natural tooth. A crown is sometimes known as a ‘cap’.

Crowns are an ideal restoration for teeth that have been broken, or have been weakened by decay or a very large filling. A crown could be used for a number of other reasons, for instance:

• You may have discoloured fillings and would like to improve the appearance of the tooth
• You may have had a root filling which will need a crown to protect what is left of the tooth.
• It may help hold a bridge or denture firmly in place.

Bridges:

A gap left by a missing tooth can mean greater strain is put on the teeth at either side of the gap.  The teeth next to the gap can lean into the void and alter the way the upper and lower teeth bite together. A bridge will fill the gap to enhance appearance as well as reduce the chance of getting food packed into the gap and resulting in both decay and gum disease.