While the two may not seem to be immediately linked, veneers are increasingly being used to help enhance the colour of teeth, as well as straightening or restoring teeth during a ‘smile makeover.’ A common analogy of veneers is to liken them to fake nails and as such they can easily be used to whiten teeth as well as hide broken, misshapen or damaged teeth.

Teeth whitening can come in two different forms; In Surgery and At Home. As you can probably guess by the names, In Surgery is carried out at a dental surgery while you apply At Home in the comfort of your own home. Both have their positives: while In Surgery takes shorter time, can last longer and uses specialised light, At Home whitening can bring about better results, is cheaper and uses trays with whitening solution to achieve its results.

Dental Veneers in comparison can provide a solution to discoloured teeth, covering the patient’s natural teeth with a thin cover to shield the teeth and create a facade of whatever shape and colour the patient wishes.

Both options are effective and very popular. As such the final decision is mostly down to the preference of the patient, where they want to have it done, whether they need any extra work done and how quickly they want to see results.

If the patient is only interested in whitening their teeth then one of the two whitening options is probably best. While if more changes are desired, such as fixing a chipped or broken tooth, the best choice would be to use dental veneers, fixing and whitening the teeth all in one go!

As darkness descends yet again, there is no need to despair, as winter doesn’t have to be a dull and gloomy time. You can go a long way towards brightening each winter day with a smile that sparkles, thanks to new and improved tooth whitening techniques, which are sure to shift those seasonal blues.

What teeth whitening options do I have?

There are plenty of ways to achieve whiter teeth and a more radiant smile and the benefits are self evident, with a better smile meaning more confidence, which translates to a happier you, in both your social and professional life. There are three main kinds of tooth whitening experiences available, so everybody is sure to find a way to improve their smile, which can fit both their lifestyle and their budget.

Enlighten Deep Bleach:

Utilises a super seal extreme whitening system, which is guaranteed to provide excellent results. This simple system negates the need for any sort of light activation or high concentration gels and it is a market leader in tooth whitening.

Ramp home whitening:

This is a gel based system made by Enlighten, which gently ‘ramps up’ the concentration of the gel used, in order to give a perfect white smile over the course of 15 days. Patients can subsequently use a ‘mini ramp’ kit, which works over a shorter duration of six days, if they want to ‘top up’ the whiteness of their treated teeth.

Zoom laser teeth whitening:

This is a super speedy option, which is capable of enhancing the whiteness of a smile by as many as 10 shades in as little as an hour!

Why do teeth become discoloured?

Your teeth can get stained and ruin your smile in a number of ways. This is often based on the way we live our lives and can happen through things like drinking coffee and red wine or smoking. It can even happen because of certain medication you have been taking. It may be because of age that your teeth have lost their pearly whiteness or through tooth decay and fillings or even if they have been knocked a few times, as this damages the nerves and blood vessels inside your teeth.

Restore your tooth whiteness

Teeth whitening is basically a way to restore the original whiteness of your teeth. The procedure itself depends on a number of things, such as what type of stains you have and where it is located. This will then impact on the amount of time the whitening gel will be used, the concentrate of peroxide inside the gel and the intensity of light used to whiten the discoloration of the teeth.

The best bit about tooth whitening is that it is practically painless. Your teeth may feel a little sensitive after the treatment, but after a short while the discomfort should subside and you can go about your life exactly how you used to – but with a much whiter and confident looking smile.

Implants and veneers can range from $5,000 to $40,000 and depends on the quantity of teeth in need of repair and the dentist chosen. Other commonly found forms of treatment include teeth whitening which is not as costly as other forms of treatment but just as important to them.

Who are the most well-known dental professionals to the stars?

Dr. Kevin Sands clients include Robert Downey Jr., Charlie Sheen and Britney Spears where he treats his patients out of his Los Angeles practice. Based in New York is Dr. Catrise Austin whose respected clients include Isaac Hayes and Toni Braxton. Apart from these personalities, who else is well-known for having dental treatment?

The many that have opted

Zac Efron has become a teenage sensation but when he first started his spell in the stars his wide front tooth gap was not up to grade. It is reported that he spent $10,000 having his gap sorted and for his teeth to be whiter.
The movie star Tom Cruise has not always had a perfect smile. Even in his thirties, Cruise’s teeth were misaligned but after spending a reported $30,000 in straightening them this has been a wise investment for his film career.
During her earlier days, Catherine Zeta Jones had a large gap between her front teeth along with fang-shaped canine teeth. Apparently, she had porcelain veneers attached to her teeth that cost her a substantial teeth whitening bill.

Nicholas Cage is one of the most respected actors of his time but his teeth haven’t always been as good. Even as recent as 2003, he was seen sporting silver braces on his lower teeth which have helped to correct his crooked gnashers. Once his braces were removed, Cage had teeth whitening treatment to give him with the bright smile he has now.

The look of Hollywood for yourself

By asking a highly trained professional at Umbrella Smiles about their Hollywood smile makeover will enable you to find out about the range of dental treatments which can help improve your own smile.

The modern world of dentistry has advanced hugely over the last few years, and cosmetic dentistry is now widely available. And it’s not only the privileged and rich and famous who are able to access world class profession treatment from cosmetic dental surgeries. Many treatments are very quick (sometimes being done in just one short visit!) and painless, some even pleasurable, or as good as, such as some teeth whitening treatments that give you a film to watch while your teeth are whitened!

Porcelain Veneers

Often described as the ‘ultimate smile makeover’, porcelain veneers can quickly and easily transform your smile. The process is rather simple, damaged or discoloured teeth able to be covered by thin shells coloured to the shade desired. The shells are also very resistant to further staining. Because of the dramatic difference porcelain veneers can make with relatively little effort, they have become very popular and should be seriously considered by anyone wanting a brand new shiny smile.

Teeth Whitening

There are now a number of ways to whiten your teeth. Laser whitening has proved popular because of the speed at which a noticeable change occurs and the small amount of time it takes. This speed has also been seen as a negative by some however, who say the noticeable difference make it too obvious to others that you have had your teeth whitened.

Home whitening kits have also become widely known. The long lasting and effective results make it a viable option, especially as the results are gradual and not as instantly noticeable. It is strongly recommended that you buy from your dentist, as home kits bought from the internet and other places outside your local dental surgery can be dangerous because of the concentration levels of the bleach.

These are just some examples of how to give yourself a smile makeover, but there are many other ways, such as realignment treatments without ugly braces like Invisalign braces and minor tooth damage repairs with dental bonding.

Cosmetic enhancement treatments have gained some level of notoriety over the years, whether it was an unqualified doctor using too highly concentrated Botox or the more recent problem with unsafe home teeth whitening equipment.

Home Whitening kits

Home whitening kits are more or less of the same safety percentage as in-surgery whitening, and can produce the same or better results, as long as it is done properly and the right kit is used, bought from the right place.

Home whitening kits will usually come with either strips or a tray, which are used to transfer whitening gel to your teeth. The gel should be left on your teeth for an amount of time determined by the included instructions. The chemicals within the gel will penetrate the outer layer of your teeth and remove stains and discolouration.

The chemical used is usually peroxide. However, it is this that can cause problems, as heard recently on the news, when not done properly. Some home whitening kits, usually bought from the internet, use peroxide that is too highly concentrated. When the correct dose is used for the amount of time indicated on the instructions, it is quite safe. But it is these other faulty home kits that can cause problems.

Where to get authentic Home Whitening kits

The best place to purchase safe, reliable and effective home whitening kits is from your local dental clinic. If bought from the right place, home whitening kits can be just as effective as any teeth whitening done at the dental surgery and, if used multiple times over a long stretch of time, can even prove to have a more dramatic change to the whiteness of your teeth.

That said, so much of our first impressions hinges on the moment we open our mouths for the first time and reveal our chompers. Teeth can tell more about a person in just a few seconds than many other aesthetic attributes. Yellow, unsightly teeth can point to a relationship with nicotine and cigarette smoking, teeth rotted through with cavities can signal that someone is lax when it comes to hygiene and a smile populated with multiple teeth vacancies and broken teeth brings its own set of warnings.

It is no longer a question of “Do teeth matter when it comes to first impressions?” the answer is a resounding yes, of course they do. The sheer number of teeth whitening products available for home use, combined with the staggering amount of teeth whitening treatments available from dentists supports this statement.

It’s true, we have become obsessed with aligned and gleaming Hollywood smiles. Thankfully, for those of us who need a little help achieving and maintaining a white smile, the options and the methods available to us are plenty—from professional bleaching to laser whitening and of course there are cheaper, at-home alternatives.

Professional bleaching, which has to be performed by a dentist, is often carried out in just a few steps. The dentist places a rubber shield to protect your gums and then applies a whitening agent to your teeth using a specially-made tray. The total treatment time for this procedure is about two to three weeks and multiple visits to your dentist.

Laser whitening, which can be performed in less time with greater results, tends to be the preferred method of teeth whitening available. The initial steps are the same in laser whitening and bleaching, except, after the whitening agent has been applied, a laser is shone on the teeth to activate the chemical. This procedure takes about an hour.

The best way to determine which method of teeth whitening is best for you would be to contact your London cosmetic dentists and go in for a consultation.

Natural aging

The teeth are covered and protected by a layer of enamel which breaks down over many years, leaving a yellow hue to the teeth. This process is unavoidable to some extent, and a lot of discolouration is provoked by natural aging. However, poor oral hygiene habits can contribute to the process quickening. You can help to protect against this by being vigilant about teeth cleaning and not allowing yourself to become complacent.

Habits and chemicals

In addition to unsatisfactory dental habits, such as lack of brushing or flossing, your dietary habits also have a huge impact on discolouration. Some of the most widespread causes are long-term smoking and excessive wine drinking. Other everyday drinks can stain the teeth brown with prolonged use, including tea, coffee and cola. Involuntary causes as a result of certain illnesses, medications or chemicals are also common. Occasionally a patient’s disease or chemical intake may be incompatible with immediate teeth whitening, so let your dentist know about any medical issues.

Results

After patients have completed professionally administered teeth whitening treatment, they can often see those results continue to shine for months or years afterwards. This depends on steady and dedicated upkeep and oral hygiene. However, many patients also elect to have regular touch-ups in order to keep their teeth as white as possible. Resorting to previous bad habits can again bring discolouration to your teeth, although this should be less pronounced.

Zoom whitening and you

With a number of different whitening options available, it can be confusing to know what works best for you.  Factors such as comfort, time and price are all important issues to consider, and it’s best to get all the information before you undergo a life ’whitening’ decision.  With many people choosing to have their teeth whitened and looking for professional treatment, London cosmetic dentists are recommending Zoom! Whitening.

How they work

Lasting just over an hour, the treatment saves you time and money too.  A popular treatment recommended by several dentists, Zoom! Whitening has received plenty of coverage within the media and has also received acclaim with the general public. The procedure involves using both a hydrogen peroxide gel and a custom designed ultraviolet lamp to produce maximum whitening results in the shortest amount of time possible.  Throughout the treatment, a plastic retractor is placed in the mouth to aid with the whitening treatment, with the shade of the upper-front teeth evaluated and recorded.  The amount of sessions is dependent on the discolouration of your teeth, so the whiter they are, the less time you will need to whiten them.  But prepare yourself for the aftercare – once treatment is carried out, you will need to wear the tray in your mouth for up to a fortnight.

Do your research

Before you proceed with any medical treatment, look up the pros and cons of the procedure and, if possible, get feedback from past users.  Also speak to your dentist and ensure a lengthy consultation is carried out where you can determine if this treatment is right for you.  The problem with whitening is that as soon as your teeth have achieved your preferred shade, many think their teeth will be that colour permanently.  As the treatment is designed for those with stained teeth or whose shade is not a natural white, it must be noted that stains will darken and accumulate over time should the teeth not be cleaned regularly.  The treatments do not guarantee your teeth to stay forever white, and you should always check with your dentist before partaking in this procedure.

The trend for teeth whitening has grown ten fold in the last five years and appears to be particularly popular among teens seeking the ultimate ‘Hollywood smile’.  These teenagers, with limited funds, turn to the internet for self-administered treatments posted online by people with no dental experience. 

With substances suggested online including seemingly harmless baking soda, salt and soap, it is worrying to discover that other recommended self-treatments involve the use of hydrogen peroxide, or bleach.  Dentists are keen to advise that repeated brushing of the teeth with abrasive substances will actually strip the teeth of their protective enamel, while scrubbing with salt will scratch the enamel coating.

While the colour of teeth naturally varies, bright white teeth are seen as a sign of health and vitality; as well as the perception that sparkling gnashers are vital to success in any media industry, whether it is movie-acting or public relations.  Whitening can be safely and effectively performed with a number of methods by qualified cosmetic dentists using specialised chemicals or lasers.  DIY tooth whitening is likely to lead not to fame and fortune, but loss of confidence from discoloured teeth, or big bills for complex corrective treatment with a dentist.