For a lot of people, there are aspects of their smile that they wish they could change and improve. Thanks to cosmetic dentistry, most of the reasons that people feel insecure or self-conscious about their teeth can be changed, covered, fixed and enhanced to deliver a beautiful, natural smile that anyone would be proud to show off.
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What is cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry refers to a range of dental treatments that are designed to make the teeth look better through the application of various products, tools and techniques. Some of the most common problems that are improved through cosmetic dentist treatment include:
- Teeth that are stained or discoloured
- Broken, worn or chipped teeth
- Wonky, misaligned or gapped teeth
At Sharrow Dental, these conditions can be easily treated with cosmetic dentistry Essex. Not only can it greatly improve the appearance of your teeth, but it can also have a positive impact on your confidence, social life and overall oral health.
Here we take a look at 5 popular cosmetic dental treatments.
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Teeth Whitening
One of the most affordable, simplest and sought after cosmetic dental treatments is teeth whitening.
The natural colour of an individual’s teeth can vary greatly from person to person and factors such as genetics, oral health, age and lifestyle choices like smoking and regularly consuming tea, coffee and red wine can affect their appearance.
Professional teeth whitening through a reputable dentist is an effective way to improve the look of your teeth and can deliver fast, affordable results that last for years. Although there are a lot of ‘home teeth whitening’ products on the market, the results from these are not the same as what can be achieved through a dentist which is much safer and better for your oral health and most can still be carried out in the comfort of your own home with minimal dentist visits.
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Crowns and Bridges
When it comes to damaged or missing teeth, there are a number of great solutions that can help to restore patients smiles. Crowns and bridges are designed to not only restore the appearance of the teeth and overall smile, but they also improve the function of the teeth.
Crowns
Crowns help to cover discoloured, damaged, weak or missing teeth and are used to artificially restore the tooth and provide a protective ‘cap’, both aesthetically and functionally reinforcing the tooth. The crown is typically made from ceramic or porcelain and when done right they are extremely natural looking and can be indistinguishable from the original teeth. They are a long term solution and if properly cared for can last up to 15 years.
Bridges
A dental bridge is a false tooth that is created to ‘bridge the gap’ where there was once a tooth. The type of bridge that is used depends on the individual patient but typically involve the use of two dental crowns which are permanently bonded to either side of the gap which is then used as an anchor for the new tooth. They are designed to blend seamlessly with the natural teeth on either side and can last anywhere from 5-15 years.
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Veneers
Dental veneers have a reputation in a lot of people’s minds as only being something that celebrities use to give them the big, toothy white smile. However, they are a great solution for a number of issues such as chipped, worn, stained, gapped or broken teeth and work to cover the imperfection and improve the patients smile.
Veneer are custom made, wafer thin, tooth coloured shell that is applied to the front of the affected teeth and bonded into place. They are incredibly natural looking and can last from 5-20 years if properly maintained and cared for.
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Composite Bonding
Composite bonding is a fast, effective cosmetic dental treatment that is often paired with teeth whitening. Used to fix minor cosmetic issues, a tooth coloured composite resin is bonded to the teeth and shaped to correct imperfections such as gaps, chips, cracks or stains. The treatment is non-invasive and the desired results can often be achieved in just one visit.
Composite bonding can be an affordable alternative to other cosmetic solutions but for those that have more than minor damage, they may not be suitable. The results typically last around 5-10 years and does not harm the original tooth which means it can also be stripped back and applied again at a later date if required.
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Smile Makeovers
A smile makeover is not one singular cosmetic treatment but involves a combination of them that are carefully planned and implemented in stages to achieve the patients desired results and deliver the smile of their dreams.
The treatment plan will vary depending on each patient’s individual needs as some may require just one or two treatments and others may need to undergo several procedures.