COSMETIC DENTISTRY TOOTH WHITENING COMPOSITE FILLINGS CROWNS BRIDGES RESTORATIONS - INLAY AND ONLAY VENEERS IMPLANTS FIXED ORTHODONTIC BRACES REMOVABLE APPLIANCES
TOOTH WHITENING Why would you want your teeth whitened? Having white teeth is now the main aesthetic wish of most patients. It is a simple and non-invasive dental treatment which can really enhance the beauty of your smile. Smoking Why do teeth get discoloured or yellowish? Fluorosis (excessive ingestion of fluoride during tooth development) Drinking dark colour liquids (e.g. cola, red wine, tea and coffee) Aging! Normal wear of outer tooth layer Prescription medicine If you research which tooth whitening products are on the market, you will find hundreds! These include special bleaching toothpaste, whitening gels and take-home strips. US Dental Care recommend two options when you want to whiten your teeth: 1. Home kit to use over a period of time: 2. Treatment using ZOOM which takes place at the dentist surgery. What happens with the home kit version? This type of tooth whitening usually requires 2 visits to your dentist. At your first appointment, molds will be made of your teeth so the technical team can make clear plastic trays. At your second appointment, you will try on the trays for a proper fit and, if necessary, adjustments will be made. You will wear the trays with whitening solution either twice a day for 30 minutes or overnight for a few weeks - depending on the degree of staining and desired level of whitening. Your teeth may feel quite sensitive whilst you are undergoing this procedure but that shouldn t last for long.
What is so good about ZOOM? Your self confidence could be improved just by having a beautiful white smile. Many of our clients are now choosing the Zoom Chairside Whitening System for safe and fast teeth whitening. The Zoom system combines the newest advances of technology.this ensures that the bleaching is painless and you will be delighted with the results. Treatment is fast All the teeth are treated at the same time Not so painful for sensitive teeth Longer lasting results Zoom removes stains on crowns, veneers and other restorations The procedure is safe You can be confident that the treatment is carried out by an experienced professional. Your doctor will discuss the procedure with you prior to treatment and you can ask any questions or voice any concerns you may have. We do not recommend this treatment if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. How does Zoom work? Zoom will whiten your teeth as it is a bleaching procedure. Zoom lightens the dentin and enamel of the teeth as 25% of the gel is made up of hydrogen peroxide. When the gel touches the teeth, the peroxide component breaks down into tiny oxygen bubbles which work on removing stains. A mercury metal halide lamp activates the gel and speeds up the whitening process. There is an infrared filter on the lamp which reduces the heat as well as sensitivity on the surface of the teeth during treatment. It is reassuring to know that the structure of your teeth are not damaged at all during or after treatment. The results are different from person to person and depends of course on the condition of the teeth to begin with. Your dentist will tell you what you can expect. You need to be aware that ZOOM is only applied to healthy teeth and gums so you will need to have a check up before booking treatment to ensure your teeth and gums are in good condition.
What happens during treatment? Your doctor will explain what will happen during the procedure. You will receive a deep cleaning on the day of treatment so your teeth are nice and clean. You will wear special glasses to protect your eyes from the light and also splashguards to protect your clothes from the bleach. The step by step procedure is as follows: Cheek pads will be used to expose all areas of your teeth Your gums will be painted or covered to reduced their sensitivity Your dentist will apply the gel to your teeth The gel will then be activated by the halide light and it is able to work on all the teeth simultaneously The gel will be removed and you will rinse out your mouth after 15 minutes - this will happen 3 times. Final removal of gel and rinsing What happens after treatment? To prevent a repeat of discolouration, your dentist will recommend you give special care and attention to your teeth by flossing once a day and clean thoroughly with an antisensitive toothpaste twice a day. It maybe necessary to have additional treatment with Zoom Weekender. The post-treatment action will ensure that your smile stays bright and white for a long time. Your dentist will be happy to discuss Zoom teeth whitening with you.
COMPOSITE FILLINGS What are Composite Fillings Composite fillings are tooth coloured and therefore can be matched closely to the colour of the existing teeth and are preferable for the front and visible teeth. Reasons for Composite Fillings Chipped teeth Worn teeth Cracked or broken teeth Decayed teeth Closing space between two teeth What happens when you have a Composite Filling Your dentist will usually complete this treatment in one appointment. Your dentist will remove decay and clean the area whilst your tooth is numb. If the decay reached close to the nerve then your dentist will apply an additional medicament in order to protect it. The filling will be carefully positioned and polished so it is the perfect shape for you. Your tooth may feel a bit sensitive for a few days but don t worry, this is normal and it will settle down. Your dentist will advise you on how to best care for your filling.
CROWNS What is a crown? 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. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations. Although there are several types of crowns, porcelain are the most popular choice. These crowns are hard-wearing and will last many years. Your doctor at US Dental will take care to match the shape, size and colour of your teeth, giving you a beautiful smile. Why may you need a crown? Your dentist may recommend a crown if you want to improve your smile or if you have one of the following conditions: Decayed teeth Fractured or discoloured fillings Broken or fractured teeth Tooth has had root canal work You may need a bridge or denture to be held in place How is a crown fitted? You will need to come to US Dental for two appointments. Your dentist will take a mould (impression) at the first appointment which will be used to craft your customised crown. A mould will be used to make your temporary crown too. This temporary crown will be for two weeks until the laboratory has made your new crown. Whilst your tooth is numb, your dentist will shape the surface and remove any decay so the crown will fit well. Your dentist will fit the temporary crown and check that you can bite well. At the second appointment, your temporary crown will be removed, your tooth will be cleaned and your new tooth will be carefully placed and checked. Your crown will match the rest of your teeth as much as possible. Your dentist will give your advice on how to take care of your new crown and when to visit US Dental for a check up.
BRIDGES What are bridges? A dental bridge is a fixed appliance which is a solution for replacing missing teeth. There are several different types of bridges, your dentist at US Dental will advise you which is the most suitable for you. The most popular type is made of porcelain fused to metal - known as the traditional bridge. This type of bridge consists of two crowns fixed over two anchoring teeth and they are attached to artificial teeth which will fill the gap left by the missing tooth. Your bridge is likely to last for many years however, is likely to need replacing or refixing at some point in the future. Why might you need a fixed bridge? Your dentist at US Dental will recommend you have a dental bridge if you need: To stop remaining teeth from moving out of position To restore chewing and speaking ability To fill any spaces from missing teeth To maintain facial shape To upgrade from removable partial denture How do you get a fixed bridge? You would normally visit your dentist two or three times to get a fixed bridge. Your dentist will numb your teeth and the two neighbouring teeth are prepared by having a portion of the enamel removed to make room for a crown. A mould is then made which is sent to the laboratory so the bridge can be crafted. You will receive a temporary bridge which you will have for several weeks. Your permanent bridge will be cemented on your second visit. Occasionally your dentist will just cement the bridge temporarily so your teeth and surrounding tissue will get used to the new bridge. The permanent bridge will be cemented at a later time. Your US Dental dentist will advise you how to best care for your bridge which will include proper brushing, flossing and regular visits to us.
DENTURES What are dentures? A denture is an effective method of replacing missing teeth. It can be fixed or removable and can replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. The two types of dentures are complete / full and partial. Complete / full dentures are when you have to replace all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw. This may be either conventional or immediate. A conventional type is made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed which takes 4-6 weeks. Immediate dentures are made in advance and immediately placed after the teeth are removed so the patient will have teeth during the healing process. Adjustments will have to be made once the tissues have shrunk. Partial dentures replace one or more missing teeth. It is a plate with a number of false teeth on it. It also prevents other teeth from moving into the spaces. How do you get dentures? You will need to make a few appointments at US Dental Care - over a few weeks. Measurements and moulds are taken to be able to customise your dentures. You may need a few fitting appointments to ensure the colour, shape and fit is right for you. Looking after your dentures and mouth It takes a while to get used to dentures - you need to have realistic expectations and no matter how good they are, they won t feel like natural teeth. You will have increased saliva flow but, after a time, you will be able to eat, speak and smile confidently but only once the muscles and tissues get used to the new dentures. Your dentist will arrange follow up appointments at US Dental as well as advise you on how to clean your dental appliance.
VENEERS What are Veneers? Veneers are thin layers (usually made of porcelain) that can made to fit over your teeth. These veneers are very hard-wearing and they don t stain and are a very popular way of giving our patients a beautiful smile! Why might you want veneers? If you have one or more of the following symptoms, veneers maybe right for you: Chipped teeth Tooth Crowding Misshapen or crooked teeth Discoloured or stained teeth Uneven or unwanted spaces between the teeth Teeth that are too large or too small How do you get veneers? You will usually need two visits to the dentist. At the first, your dentist will take a mould of your teeth which is then sent to a specialist laboratory for the veneer to be custom-made with regard to the shape and colour of the tooth. At this first appointment, your dentist will lightly buff and shape the surface of the tooth (enamel) to allow for the thickness of the veneer. On the second visit, your dentist will carefully fit the veneer using special bonding cements and may use a light to harden the bond. Veneers are a simple but extremely effective way of improving your teeth and enhancing your smile.
IMPLANTS What are Implants? The best solution to replace missing teeth or stabilise loose dentures. They are artificial roots and teeth (titanium) that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone. Patients are delighted to see that these teeth attached to implants look natural and give them a wonderful smile. Dental implants normally last for many years but occasionally need retightening or replaced due to wear and tear. Why might you need dental implants? If you want to replace missing teeth without affecting the adjacent teeth As a solution for joint pain or bite problems due to teeth moving into missing tooth space If you need to support a bridge or denture To aid chewing or speech For restoring or enhancing facial tissues How do you get dental implants? You will need appointments at your clinic over several months. After taking impressions, the implant will be surgically positioned into the bone and permitted to heal and integrate itself onto to the bone for up to six months. You may need additional surgery depending on the type of implant so that the post will hold the artificial tooth in place. The artificial teeth are made and fitted to the anchor after they have several weeks to heal. This stage may take some months. At this stage, your teeth should feel comfortable and stable. Your doctor will advise you on how to care for your teeth - nothing complicated just regularly visiting the clinic and good oral hygiene at home.
Fixed orthodontic braces A metal or ceramic dental base is affixed to each tooth, and a dental wire is inserted through each base. The orthodontist is able to gradually train the teeth into proper alignment by regularly adjusting the wire. When the desired results are achieved, the fixed dental braces are completely removed. Removable appliances There are a wide range of removable appliances commonly used in orthodontics, including headgear that correct overbites, Hawley retainers that improve the position of the teeth even as the jawbone reforms, and facemasks which are used to correct an underbite. Invisalign One of the primary concerns people often have about dental braces is the aesthetic impact of the metalwork on their smile. Especially for adults, the prospect of wearing unattractive metal braces for long periods of time can be very discouraging. Invisalign offers an almost invisible aligning system that straightens teeth fast and contains no metal. Invisalign treatment consists of a series of custom-made aligning trays. The dentist changes the trays every several weeks to fit the new tooth configuration. In addition to the reduced visual impact, Invisalign aligning trays can be temporarily removed for important occasions meaning that treatment duration is patient-controlled. A great number of people report complete satisfaction with both the Invisalign treatment and the stunning results.