Posts Tagged “stained teeth”

Dental veneers or teeth whitening from London dentists for brighter teeth?

Let’s face it; we all want the perfect smile. Whether it’s a broken or disfigured tooth we’re ashamed of or discoloured front teeth that make us self-conscious, there’s likely something we’d all like to change about our teeth. Of the numerous cosmetic dental treatments available two of the most popular are dental veneers and teeth whitening, but which is the best choice for brightening your teeth?

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!


Are you one of the smiling graduates?

It’s the photograph that will hang on the walls of your parents, and grandparents, and aunts and uncles for the rest of their lives. With graduation ceremonies coming up for Universities across the country, proud parents will be preparing to spend a bit extra to get that traditional gown and scroll portrait of their child to take pride of place above the mantelpiece—and perhaps one or two (or more) smaller copies to send to relatives.

Tragically, these photographs come laden with the potential for disaster; looking uncomfortable in the robes is not uncommon, the cameras and lighting used can be unforgiving in making their subjects appear to ‘glisten’ rather than shine. Upsets enough without adding to them by being afraid to show stained teeth in what should be a proud, beaming smile.

There’s no reason for this photograph to look so uncomfortable, or to make the graduate cringe in coming years whenever they catch sight of it at home. A brilliant smile will demonstrate the pride and sense of accomplishment that the photograph is supposed to, and will make this photograph stand out for the right reasons.

With the wide range of cosmetic dentistry treatments available, perhaps parents could show one last act of parental kindness to their recently graduated offspring: rather than ordering many, many copies of the graduation portrait for every relative they know of, perhaps invest a little in the child’s smile—it’ll not just help the picture and the moment, but job interviews are just around the corner too, and a winning smile can be great helping hand.


Safe Teeth Whitening From Trusted Professionals

With the many advances in dentistry in today’s modern world, it can sometimes be daunting when choosing a dental treatment, especially when it unclear what the safest choice is.

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.


Discolouration and Staining

The majority of London cosmetic dentists will perform teeth whitening for patients who suffer from discolouration or stained teeth. These problems generally appear as yellowed or browned coatings over teeth, and have a variety of potential causes.

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.


Get a Hollywood smile at London cosmetic dentists

Teeth whitening is more than just improving how you look; it’s how you feel.  And thanks to the latest technology, there’s a treatment that people across the world are feeling good about – zoom whitening.

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.


Enhance your smile with porcelain veneers

A smile is one of the most instant reactions in the world, yet for many people having a perfect grin means having to wait months or even years.  But thanks to porcelain veneers at London cosmetic dentists, it is possible to get that instant reaction – quite literally – in an instant.

Are porcelain veneers for me?

This practice is popular with people the world over.  Celebrities such as Simon Cowell and Katie Price have opted for porcelain veneers, and its showbiz following has increased the popularity for porcelain veneers – coming highly recommended by many a cosmetic dentist.  Veneers offer many advantages, such as providing a natural tooth appearance, resistant to stains, and can offer a liberal approach when it comes to changing a tooth’s shape and colour.  Compared to other treatments where extensive shaping is required prior to the procedure, porcelain veneers are a very straightforward process.

The problems porcelain veneers can fix

Routinely used to fix discoloured teeth, not only is this a cosmetic benefit, it is also good for your health.  Stains from tetracycline or other drugs and resin fillings –porcelain veneers can help disguise these stains to give the impression of whiter teeth.  Other problems that porcelain veneers can rectify include teeth that are worn down, chipped, misaligned, or have gaps between them.

The procedure and its outcome

When going for porcelain veneers, it usually entails three trips to the dentist.  The first for a consultation, and the next two to create and apply the veneers.  After a consultation with your dentist to prepare yourself for what to expect, you’ll have an X-ray and undergo relevant preparation – such as having ½ mm of enamel removed, have impressions of your teeth made, then proceed with the last stage; bonding.  Special glue will cement the veneer to your teeth, which will then harden due to a beam – and finally, any excess cement will be removed and your teeth evaluated.  Generally lasting between 5 and 10 years, it is a treatment worth investing in – financially and orally.


Cosmetic Dentistry can Restore Your Smile!

We all know that the years will take their toll on our appearance and that is true of our teeth and smiles as well. Although if you take good care of your teeth you’ll be able to keep them in excellent condition for many years there is inevitably going to be some wear and damage caused to your teeth over the passage of time. -


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