Many of us in the UK are unhappy with our smile. With advances in modern dentistry, it's no longer just a case of filling and taking out teeth. Cosmetic dentistry, or ‘aesthetic dentistry', is used as a means of improving the appearance of teeth and your smile.
Your smile is often one of the first things that other people notice about you so it’s crucial that you are happy with the first impression your smile makes, whether it’s at a job interview or on a first date.
A smile makeover involves one or more cosmetic dental procedures to improve the aesthetics of your smile. It is a very individual process as it is dependent on what you want, but a makeover could range from a simple improvement, such as the replacement of silver fillings with more discreet white ones and teeth whitening, to teeth being straightened or missing teeth replaced.
Here are some of the ways we can help improve your smile using modern cosmetic dentistry:
Crooked teeth can be straightened with Invisalign aligners.
Chipped, broken teeth can be repaired by cosmetic bonding, porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns.
Missing teeth can be replaced with dental implants, a dental bridge or a denture.
Discoloured or stained teeth can be cleaned or professionally whitened.
If you would like to know more about our smile design process please contact the Practice.
Dental veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are used to recreate the natural look of teeth, while providing strength and resilience comparable to natural tooth enamel.
Veneers can be used to reshape all kinds of deformations, including:
chipped
worn-down
cracked
crooked and misaligned teeth
The ceramic which forms the veneer can be made to look like tooth enamel, which means your new smile can be tailored to your cosmetic goals.
Contact usTeeth whitening is the safest and most cost effective way of enhancing the appearance of your teeth. Teeth discolouration responds extremely well to whitening treatment, removing stains on teeth caused from:
fizzy drinks
coffee
smoking
wine
food
The non-surgical dental treatment is pain free and will leave you with beautiful teeth that are many shades whiter!
Whitening treatment lifts off stains from the enamel and works by allowing a very small amount of bleaching gel to come in to contact with the teeth. The gel then reacts with the surface of the tooth, gently removing stains.
At Marsh Lane Dental we offer both in practice and home treatments. If you are looking to enhance your smile, we can recommend the best treatments based on your lifestyle, budget and cosmetic goals.
Composite bonding is a technique where resin is colour-matched, shaped and contoured onto your teeth to give the appearance of straighter, whiter smile.
It can be used as a cosmetic solution for chipped teeth, gapped teeth and hide staining on teeth. Unlike porcelain veneers, which require a reduction in tooth structure, composite bonding can be less invasive and completed in one visit.
Fillings are one of the most basic methods of restoring teeth. They do exactly what their name suggests - they fill a hole in the tooth that has been caused by decay, playing an important role in helping us to keep a tooth for many more years.
In the past fillings were always made from either gold or a silver-coloured alloy called amalgam. Both these materials are extremely durable and in some circumstances they are still the best choice available. But they both have one disadvantage – they do not match the natural white teeth in appearance.
At Marsh Lane Dental, we use the most effective, modern, tooth-coloured materials to enable you to have white fillings. Unlike the more traditional grey amalgam fillings, the tooth-coloured ones look very natural, so no-one will be able to tell you have them.
Invisalign clear aligners are a virtually invisible way to straighten your teeth and achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of. Using advanced 3D computer-imaging technology, we can plan your complete Invisalign treatment based on your Orthodontist's prescription, from the initial position of your teeth to the final desired position.
Then a series of Invisalign clear aligners are custom made for your teeth and your teeth only to move them little by little. Each aligner is worn for 1-2 weeks before being replaced by the next in the series, gradually moving towards the projected final position. Your Invisalign treatment time will be determined by your Orthodontist, based on your specific needs.
Invisalign clear aligners are nearly invisible. No one may even notice that you’re wearing these virtually invisible aligners, making Invisalign treatment a seamless fit with your lifestyle and day-to-day interactions with others.
Invisalign clear aligners are removable, giving you the flexibility to eat and drink what you want during treatment. You can also remove the aligners to brush and floss as you normally would for fresh breath and to maintain good oral hygiene.
Unlike traditional fixed dental braces, there are no metal brackets or wires. This means that in most cases, less time is spent at the practice for adjustments.
Advanced 3D computer-imaging technology allows you to view your virtual results (ask about our FREE Smile Visualisation) and receive a detailed treatment plan so you can see how your teeth are expected to look when your treatment is complete.
Dentists and orthodontists have successfully used removable appliances for years. However, with the application of Align Technology’s 3D computer technology and aligner customisation, Invisalign clear aligners can be used to treat a wide range of patients who want straighter teeth. The unique ClinCheck® software allows patients to see their treatment plan from beginning to end even before the start of treatment.
As with other types of orthodontic treatment, the cost of Invisalign clear aligners is dependent upon the complexity of your teeth straightening and your course of treatment. As a general rule, the cost is comparable to traditional fixed braces.
In simple terms, the more complex your teeth straightening, the more Invisalign aligners are needed to achieve your best smile. Conversely, the less complex the straightening, the less Invisalign aligners are needed. Consequently, based on the number of Invisalign aligners your dentist prescribes as needed, the price goes up or down accordingly.
On this basis, only an accredited Invisalign dentist or Orthodontist Provider is able to determine your cost.
Invisalign clear aligners move teeth with an appropriate placement of controlled movement on the teeth. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign treatment not only controls the amount of movement per aligner, but also the timing of the movement. So at each stage, only certain teeth are allowed to move, as per the treatment plan for that particular stage. This results in an efficient force delivery system that moves teeth into the desired prescribed position.
With experience, an Invisalign dentist or orthodontist can use Invisalign clear aligners to treat malocclusion for a majority of adults and adolescents who want a better smile. For teenagers, talk to your Invisalign Provider to see if Invisalign Teen may be the right treatment option for your child.
Invisalign appointment intervals are generally the same as with traditional braces but can be much quicker with less time spent in the dentists’ or orthodontists’ chair during appointments as no adjustments need to be made to wires/brackets. Patients typically visit their Invisalign Orthodontist every 4 to 6 weeks to ensure the treatment is progressing as planned and to receive their next few sets of Invisalign aligners. Your Invisalign dentist or orthodontist will decide based on your treatment.
The total duration of treatment depends on the complexity of the treatment and is generally comparable to that of traditional braces. Typically treatment can last between 3 and 18 months. During your consultation, your Invisalign dentist or orthodontist can provide you with more detailed information.
Some people may experience temporary, minor discomfort for a few days, at the beginning of each new stage of treatment when they insert a new Invisalign aligner. This is normal and is typically described as a feeling of pressure. It is a sign that the aligners are working – moving your teeth gradually, helping you to achieve the final results. This discomfort typically goes away in a couple of days.
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular (jaw) joint. People with a TMJ condition can have a number of problems with the jaw joint, some of which can be aggravated by appliances and treatments like Invisalign clear aligners, and some which can improve, remain the same or even cause the condition to deteriorate. To find out if your TMJ problem will adversely impact treatment, please book an appointment to consult your Invisalign Orthodontist.