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News - Nothing but the tooth

{ July 2017 }

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Jul 2017
27th
27th of July 2017

What is Composite Bonding and How Much Does it Cost?

A common question we are asked is what is composite bonding? The term itself does not mean a great deal and is not self-explanatory. Well, I will try to explain as best as I can in simple terms how the treatment is actually completed, and how much it costs.
 

What Is Composite Bonding?

Composite bonding involves the adding of a very aesthetic white filling to one or several of your teeth to make them look nicer. For example, if there is a chip on the edge of one of your teeth or it is worn down or there are gaps this can be corrected with composite bonding. 

The beauty of this technique is that we do not need to drill away any tooth to provide the treatment in the majority of cases. On occasion, some sharp edges or thick enamel may need to be removed prior to the bonding but this would be very minimal. Therefore, composite bonding is reversible! Is that not great? A cosmetic treatment that can be reversed should you wish. I have never been asked to remove any bonding as of yet, but there is always a first time I guess!

If we look back a few years to the time of Extreme Makeover (remember that program?), virtually all of the cases involved a smile makeover using porcelain veneers and crowns. These look beautiful, no doubt. However, to make a porcelain veneer or crown especially, we have to cut the teeth down a great deal to make space for the porcelain. This is destructive and removes virtually all of the enamel from the tooth. Tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in the body and protects the biological aspects of the tooth such as the dentine (inner surface) and nerve area. Therefore, the tooth will be more prone to problems in the future without question. Now there is a time and place for porcelain veneers and crowns but, in my opinion, not on virgin teeth and with a minimal preparation as possible.

My point is therefore, that with a technique like composite bonding, there is NO risk at all to the underlying tooth. The worst that could happen is that it chips, stains or becomes discoloured. Disaster! Not quite; the bonding can simply be replenished without fuss.
 

How Is It Done?

There are a few simple steps, which I will share with you now:

1. The tooth is washed with an acid etch of phosphoric acid 30% for 15-30 seconds. This sounds harsh but enamel is a mineral. It can take it. The etch enhances the bonding.

2. A bonding resin is placed over the tooth and is activated by a light. We use LED these days which generates less heat that the old halogen lights.

3. The white filling material is then layered over the tooth sequentially and set with the light. I use Empress Direct and GC G-aenial as my preferred composites. 

4. We may need to use certain cords, clear strips, wedges in between the teeth to create a sound margin to the tooth.

5. Once the tooth is build back up, it is contoured to size and polished in a few steps with lots of water.

6. The bite is checked and the final polish is completed.

Sounds simple? Well, it is. However, it takes a few years to get really good at composite bonding. As with everything in life, the more you do of something, the better you get.
 

Teeth Gap Filling

The technique for teeth gap filling is similar to above but we want to fill gaps between teeth rather than enhance the appearance of a single or multiple teeth. In this case, I advise a very simple mock up where we can add the composite bonding directly to the tooth/teeth to fill the space and show you how the bonding would look prior to actual treatment. As long as the proportions of the teeth remain natural, the result can be incredible. On occasion, it just does not look right especially if a single tooth is widened too much. In this case, it may be that orthodontic treatment is needed or minimal preparation porcelain or composite veneers.
 

Composite Bonding Cost UK

The price will vary at different dental practices. The typical composite bonding cost for 2024 to 2025 in the UK is between £250 and £350 per tooth. At Progressive Dentistry we charge £300 per tooth. Compared to porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns or even composite veneers or crowns, this is cost effective and non-invasive. It is a treatment I highly recommend. After all, we were born with lovely tooth enamel. Why strip it all away when there is an alternative that is aesthetic, non-invasive and more cost effective?
 

Composite Bonding Before & After

Below you can see what a difference the treatment can have. Our client was delighted as the shapes of her teeth had bugged her for ages. Within three quarters of an hour, we could achieve a stunning result without any drilling of the teeth, no needles and no pain. What's more is that after a few weeks, the area looks even better as the gum line adapts around the teeth and bonding.

 

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Tagged with:   Cosmetic bonding Non invasive dentistry Cosmetic dentistry Composite bonding
Jul 2017
20th
20th of July 2017

Five Reasons to Consider Porcelain Veneers

Damaged teeth don t just look unsightly, they can also cause a great deal of pain in your mouth. If your teeth are chipped, stained, or have unsightly gaps, then they may not just be causing you some discomfort, they could also make it difficult for you to eat, brush your teeth effectively, and knock your self-confidence. Everybody wants the perfect smile, and thankfully, it s easier than ever to achieve with the help of a good cosmetic dentist or orthodontist. We've listed five of the best reasons to get porcelain veneers to help restore your smile and give you your self-confidence back:
 

1. Easy Procedure

You may think that getting porcelain veneers is a long, drawn-out procedure that means a lot of visits to the dentist, but thankfully, this couldn t be further from the truth. Today, dental technology has become so advanced that many treatments that once seemed impossible can now be done in just one or two sessions in the dentist s chair. In the case of porcelain veneers, there is often minimal preparation of the tooth necessary, allowing you to achieve the perfect smile quicker than ever with a treatment that is often completely reversible.
 

2. Prevent Further Tooth Damage

If you suffer with cracked or chipped teeth, then it doesn't just look bad when you smile, damage to your teeth can worsen over time, leading to excruciating pain and sensitivity when eating or simply going about your daily life. Chips and cracks to the teeth can be covered up entirely with porcelain veneers, helping to prevent any further damage and keeping your teeth safe and protected underneath.
 

3. Fix Misaligned Teeth

If your teeth are crooked, misaligned, or have large gaps in between them, then you may have considered getting braces to repair this and achieve the perfectly straight set of teeth that you want. However, repairing misaligned teeth with braces can take many months or even years, along with being both painful and uncomfortable to deal with, especially when braces are tightened, for example. Along with that, many adults who work in professional positions are uncomfortable about getting traditional braces to fix their teeth. Veneers offer a suitable alternative; they can be placed over any crooked teeth to reduce the size of gaps and create a correctly aligned smile.
 

4. Painless Procedure

In most cases, getting porcelain veneers fitted to your teeth is a quick and easy procedure that won t cause you any pain. If you are worried about going to the dentist because of the pain, then you'll be glad to hear that veneers could be an ideal option for you. In most cases, an anaesthetic won't be required since the procedure does not usually cause any significant discomfort or pain to the patient.
 

5. Restore White Teeth

As we get older, tooth staining is often inevitable bad habits such as smoking can seriously stain the teeth, whilst the foods we eat and beverages that we drink can also play a part. In as little as three visits to your cosmetic dentist, porcelain veneers can be fitted to cover up unsightly staining and improve your smile with bright, white teeth.

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Tagged with:   Porcelain veneers Tooth veneer Porcelain veneers london
Jul 2017
14th
14th of July 2017

Why Dental Implants Are More than Just a Cosmetic Improvement

Losing a tooth, for whatever reason, is never good. Our smile is the first thing most people see, so when your smile reveals a prominent gap, it isn t a desirable look. Missing teeth can cause a loss of confidence, depression, and social anxiety. For women especially, the loss of a perfect smile is highly traumatic. Not surprisingly, replacing missing or damaged teeth is often seen as a cosmetic improvement, but what you may not understand is that replacing teeth is essential for your oral health.
 

Losing Teeth Is Bad for Your Health

Teeth work together. When one is missing, it places extra stress on the surrounding teeth, particularly at the front of the mouth. Every time you chew or put pressure on your teeth, the teeth adjacent to the gap have less support, so they are more likely to move. Over time, you may end up losing more teeth because of the stress. A gap in your teeth also places stress on your jawbone. In time, your jawbone may become weaker.

Chewing is less effective when you have missing teeth. Eating meat and other sinewy foods whilst wearing dentures can be uncomfortable. Food can get trapped in between your existing teeth and the denture. In fact, it is very hard to love food when you wear dentures!

It is relatively inexpensive to replace one missing tooth with a dental bridge or removable denture, but bridges and dentures need support too, so the more teeth you lose, the less effective they are. Bridges are susceptible to damage and dentures must be removed at night, so for many people, they are not a permanent solution. After all, who wants to wake up to see their teeth staring at them from a glass next to the bed?
 

A Permanent Solution

Dental implants, on the other hand, are a permanent replacement for missing teeth and the next best thing to your own teeth. Unlike a dental bridge or denture, a dental implant looks and feels like a real tooth. A strong titanium screw is drilled into your jawbone and connected to an artificial tooth. As long as the procedure is carried out by an experienced dentist, your implants should last a lifetime. 

Dentures need adjusting as your jaw changes and dental bridges rarely last more than seven years without needing to be replaced. Once a dental implant is in place, you can forget about it. Dental implants help support remaining teeth, so you are less likely to lose any more of your precious teeth. Dental implants also support the jawbone and can even stimulate healthy bone growth.
 

Look for an Experienced Dentist

If missing teeth are making you miserable, ask your dentist about dental implants. Fitting implants is a complex procedure and should only be carried out by a skilled and experienced dentist. With dental implants in place, you can smile with pleasure, eat what you like, and get on with your life without worrying about your teeth. Even better, you don t need to worry about cavities in dental implants, so no more scary drill!

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Tagged with:   Dental implants Cosmetic dentistry
Jul 2017
1st
1st of July 2017

It's July 1st! Time for Summer Teeth Whitening

Today is the first of July and summer is in full swing. Wimbledon is around the corner, the Lions have just beaten the All Blacks and it's party season. Why not freshen up your smile with tooth whitening? After all, a beaming smile shows confidence, health and beauty! Here are the options:
 

  1. Philips ZOOM LED in surgery whitening. By far and away our best technique; this will provide instant results. After 90 minutes of treatment, you will have a visibly whiter smile which is easy to maintain. We provide a take home kit as part of the package. All for just £499, a steal.
  2. Take home kit. If you would prefer to just use a take home kit, one hour of the day is all that is needed for 14 days. We use Philips ZOOM Daywhite 6% HP gel for the best results. Only £275 for a full kit,
  3. Oral B White strips. For a simple, quick top up or stain removal, use these disposable strips for one hour of the day. Each pack contains 28 strips.


Everyone deserves white teeth; book your self in today.

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Tagged with:   Tooth whitening Teeth whitening White teeth Philips zoom Philips zoom whitening