Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic means different things to different patients. Generally, we all would like a bright, healthy smile. How we achieve this varies on current dental health, number teeth, previous dental experience and future goals. Below, we will look at treatments typically associated with cosmetic dentistry

 

Veneers

What are veneers?

Veneers are very thin shells of either porcelain or composite that are bonded to the front of the teeth. They tend to be used to improve the appearance of broken, stained, discoloured, misshapen or misaligned teeth.

Porcelain veneers are stronger than composite resin veneers and do not change colour or stain. Generally, porcelain veneers take at least 2 dental visits to apply, composite resin veneers can be provided in 1 visit. Porcelain veneers generally last longer than composite resin veneers.

At Lightwood, we tend to use composite veneers as a temporary measure or to enable the patient to see how their teeth would look before having more permanent porcelain veneers placed.

How porcelain are veneers provided?

At the first appointment, a layer of the tooth is removed to make room for the veneers. An intraoral scan is taken, which is sent to a specialist laboratory which then custom-makes the porcelain veneers. In between appointments, temporary veneers are made to cover the prepared teeth.

At the second appointment, the temporary veneers are removed and the prepared surface is roughened. This helps the porcelain veneers stick to the teeth better. The porcelain veneers are then cemented to the teeth one by one, using a resin cement.

 

Tooth Whitening

How does tooth whitening work?

Tooth discolouration is normally due to organic compounds which have been absorbed into the tooth over time. Tooth whitening works by traveling up the microscopic pores on the outside of the teeth, reacting with these organic compounds to eliminate them, turning to water in the process.

Is whitening for everyone?

There are some types of staining that are better treated with other interventions, such as air polishing for smokers staining. Your dentist will be able to indicate which treatment option best suits your staining. Also, some structures will not change shade, including

  • Crowns & veneers
  • Fillings
  • Bridges

Will I get sensitivity?

Tooth sensitivity is a relatively common side effect of tooth whitening. If sensitivity occurs, it is often temporary and will go away once you’ve completed the whitening process. Our whitening gels include desensitizing ingredients like potassium nitrate and fluoride to help reduce sensitivity and provide additional comfort.

 

White Fillings

About White Fillings

For centuries, cavities in back teeth were repaired with metal fillings. Although early white fillings were not as strong as metal amalgam fillings, the current generation of white fillings have many advantages over metal amalgam fillings. At Lightwood, white fillings are our go-to filling material choice; although your specific presentation may mean another material is more appropriate.

Advantages

  • Improved appearance – they look and feel very similar to natural teeth
  • Strength – white fillings can be placed with less reduction of natural tooth tissue
  • Less environmental impact – white fillings do not contain mercury. The Practice adheres to the Phase Down as per European Union Regulation 2017/852 on mercury, Article 10 (3), co-opted into UK law
  • Lower fracturing – metal amalgam can focus biting forces through small angles, leading to fractures and breakages over time. As white fillings are slightly flexible, expanding and contracting with the tooth to changes to hot and cold, the risk of developing fractures from the filling is reduced

If the size of the filling is in excess of 60% of the tooth structure, then an onlay or crown, usually made of ceramic (such as CEREC) may be advised instead.