News

With the Easter holiday behind us, our attention has already begun to shift towards summer and thoughts of holiday selfies. If, however, you have the misfortune of having damaged, discoloured or missing teeth, you have no doubt found yourself secretly dreading anybody asking to see your holiday snaps. Luckily, there are many cosmetic dentistry options to help you get the smile back on your face – and there is still time if you act now!

Teeth whitening for faded smiles

If you find yourself disappointed by the colour of your teeth in holiday snaps, do not despair. Firstly, you are not alone – a significant proportion of the UK’s adult population is unhappy with the appearance of their teeth. Secondly, most tooth discolouration is fully reversible with professional teeth whitening provided by your dentist.

No matter how well we brush our teeth, they naturally lose their colour and shine over the years. This is largely a result of superficial staining caused by consumption of foods and drinks – especially things like red wine and coffee. Smoking also causes severe staining.

With the Philips Zoom! whitening system available at our Preston clinic, you could see yourself with a smile that’s up to eight shades lighter in considerably less time than traditional methods. Click here to learn more.

Veneers for instant improvement

If you have a tooth that is discoloured through damage, or have concerns about chips, cracks or gaps, then veneers could be an ideal solution. These thin slices of porcelain are specially made to fit to your tooth and bonded onto the surface to restore your smile in a precise, natural and healthy way. They work rather like a false fingernail, but last for much longer.

In order to get the best possible result, the veneer is colour matched to your natural teeth. As a  result, few people other than you and your dentist will ever be able to tell. With a minimum amount of preparation required, it is a simple and highly popular solution for teeth that are otherwise structurally sound.

Bridges for missing teeth

If you have a tooth that is completely missing or damaged beyond repair, dental bridges could be the perfect option. A bridge is usually made from a porcelain and precious metal blend, which is supported by the teeth on either side. Provided the surrounding teeth are healthy and strong, it is suitable in most cases.

It is important to replace missing teeth – not only to improve the appearance of your smile – but to prevent the weakening of the teeth either side, decay and gum disease caused by trapped food particles, or alterations to your bite.

Dental implants for trickier teeth

If for any reason dental bridges are not suitable to replace missing teeth, dental implants still remain an option. They are typically used when more than one tooth is missing, or where the damage to the tooth or jaw means that other methods will be ineffective.

Dental implants are essentially a way of replacing the natural root with a strong and reliable alternative upon which permanent replacement teeth can be mounted. With today’s advanced dentistry techniques, it is a very straightforward procedure with a minimum of discomfort and well worth the end result.

A typical dental implant treatment takes between 4 – 6 months to complete, so you could still have a shiny new smile in time for a late summer holiday if you get started as soon as possible.

To discuss the best cosmetic dentistry options for you with one of our friendly and professional dentists here in our Preston dental practice, call us now on 01772 804430 or click here to contact us online.