6 Ways To Make Your Teeth Sparkle This New Year

Recent surveys have shown that a bright, white smile can help to make someone appear younger and more attractive. Your smile is often the first thing a new person will notice when they meet you, so why not make 2017 the year you ensure that your teeth are in the best possible condition.

1. Hygienist appointments

The dental hygienist specialises in preventative dentistry, in particular the treatment of gum disease and other periodontal conditions. The hygienist will thoroughly scale and polish your teeth to give your smile a lift.

Advantages

• The hygienist will be able to polish your teeth to remove food and drink stains
• Regular scaling and polishing helps to keep your teeth and gums health by removing plaque and calculus that can build up and cause gum disease.
• Demonstrations on effective tooth brushing can help you to remove plaque without causing tooth wear and receding gums keeping your teeth bright in between appointments

2. White Fillings

White fillings can now be used in nearly any tooth in your mouth. A white or composite filling is made up of a mixture of glass particles, synthetic resin and a setting ingredient.

Advantages

• Once in your mouth, no one will be able to notice white fillings as they blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.
• White fillings are usually light cured, which is where a bright light is used to harden the composite mixture and set it. This means that you will be able to eat and drink as normal as soon as the anaesthetic wears off.
• White fillings can be bonded to your tooth and this means once applied the tooth will often be stronger than they were before.

3. Dental Implants

Dental implants can help to restore your smile, replacing gaps caused by missing teeth. Dental implants can be used to support either crowns, bridges or dentures depending on the number of teeth to be replaced.

Advantages

• Dental implants are the next best thing to healthy natural teeth. Restoring a lost tooth so it looks, feels, fits and functions like a natural tooth.
• Teeth restored with dental implants are teeth that let you, not your teeth, lead your life
• A face without teeth can sag and appear sunken and sad. Dental implants allow you to maintain the natural shape of your face and smile.

4. Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening is an effective and affordable way to enhance the appearance of your smile. Teeth Whitening can help to give your teeth back their sparkle by removing stains caused by food, drink, smoking, ageing and medications.

Advantages

• Teeth Whitening is an excellent way to improve your appearance. Having a beautiful smile is now within the reach of anybody who wants it.
• A whiter smile tends to minimise the appearance of facial wrinkles, giving way to a more youthful and energetic appearance.
• Teeth Whitening can help to boost a person’s self-confidence

5. Teeth Straightening

Teeth straightening can have a dramatic impact on the appearance of your teeth and smile, no matter what your age is. There are a wide range of teeth straightening procedures available and your dentist will be able to advise on the best one to suit your needs.

Advantages

• Teeth straightening can help to improve your confidence and self-esteem, allowing you to achieve things you never thought were possible.
• Teeth straightening helps your gums to fit more securely around your teeth and in the long term this can help to reduce the risk of teeth loss.
• Teeth straightening and properly aligning the bite, reduces discomfort and wear caused to your mouth and jaw.

6. Smile Makeover

A smile makeover uses a number of different cosmetic dental treatment to completely change the appearance of your teeth and smile. A smile makeover takes into account your facial appearance, skin tine, hair colour, teeth, gums and lips to develop your ideal smile.

 Advantages

• Patients have confidence in their new smile which spills over into social and work related situations.
• It is possible for dramatic results to be achieved in relatively few appointments, so a smile makeover can be a great way to prepare for an important event.
• Teeth that have been straightened, repaired and replaced are easier to keep clean. By maintaining a good oral hygiene routine, you can help to keep your teeth looking their best for years to come.

What are you waiting for? Call West Wickham Dental Practice today on 0208 776 1188 to book your consultation and start your journey to a sparkling smile.

Different Tooth Filling Materials

If at any point your teeth become chipped or broken and need repairing there are a number of different materials available to help restore your teeth to their original condition. Your dentist will be able to advise you on the best treatment option depending on the size of the area that needs to be repaired, whereabouts in your mouth the tooth is and the strength of your bite.

These treatment options include:

Composite Fillings

Composite fillings have improved greatly over the past few years as the demand for tooth coloured fillings has increased and they are now suitable for use in a much greater range of repairs. Composite fillings are made from powdered glass quartz, silica or other ceramic particles added to a resin base and are light set. They can be coloured to match closely the natural colour of your teeth.

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and Onlays are made either in the laboratory by dental technicians from impressions taken by the dentist orin surgery using a Cerec machine. An inlay is small and placed within the biting surface of a tooth, while an onlay covers a much larger proportion of the tooth. Treatment may be completed over one or two visits and theinlay or onlay will be made of a porcelain material that will closely match the natural colour of your teeth. Porcelain is hard wearing and long lasting. Due to the time and skill taken to create inlays and onlays they will be more expensive than amalgam or composite fillings.

Crowns

Crowns are used for teeth that have been heavily damaged or have large areas of decay. A crown will fit over what is left of the tooth, similar to a thimble, making it strong and giving the appearance of a natural tooth. Crowns are made either in the laboratory by a dental technician or by the dentist using a Cerec machine in surgery. The tooth is first prepared and either impressions or phots taken depending on which method is being used and these are then used to create a custom made crown which is individually crafted to fit perfectly in your mouth and bite. They are also created so they match the natural colour of your teeth.

Prior to any treatment your dentist will discuss with you all the various options and provide details of the cost of treatment. The team atWest Wickham Dental Practice are able to work with you to create bespoke solutions to your specific dental needs and can help you to achieve the fantastic smile you want.

If you would like to find out how we can help you to achieve the perfect smile and repair damaged teeth book an appointment online, or call West Wickham Dental Practice today on 0208 776 1188