What procedures are classed as cosmetic dentistry in South East London?
15 / 02 / 2012
Cosmetic dentistry consists of all dental treatments that improve the physical appearance of your teeth. It includes processes such as teeth whitening, veneers, bonding and bridges. Cosmetic dentistry may improve the look of your mouth, but usually does not improve structure or function such as realignment to treat an overbite or underbite.
Tooth whitening involves the bleaching your your tooth enamel to give your teeth a lighter appearance, this can be done by your local dentist in South East London. A hydrogen peroxide substance will be applied to your teeth, and in some cases light may be used to activate the ingredients. When hydrogen peroxide breaks down, oxygen is released. Oxygen gets into the tooth enamel and bleaches any substances it finds that have a colour to them. Teeth whitening is one of the mos popular forms of cosmetic dentistry as a significant importance has been placed on the attractiveness of whiter, brighter teeth by the media in recent years.
Cosmetic bonding is a treatment that can be used for discoloured teeth, chips and gaps and can even be used to re-shape the teeth. It involves a thin, plastic material being placed over the teeth you are concerned about and bonding them to the teeth with resin composites. The plastic is basically just a template. Once it has been bonded, it can be sculpted, shaped and coloured in the way you and your dentist have agreed. Bonding significantly improves the look of a persons teeth.
Bridges can be used to fill in any gaps left by missing teeth in the jaw. Almost everybody is conscious of loosing their teeth, and the unsightly gaps it leaves behind. Bridges are used to fill these gaps and can be made by your dentist to look natural and blend in with the rest of your mouth, unlike some traditional gold teeth.
Veneers are one of the final treatments in cosmetic dentistry, they can be placed over the teeth and give them a whiter, straighter appearance. Most veneers are made from porcelain, shell-like structures that are slipped over prepared teeth and bonded. Veneers do not only improve the appearance of the teeth, they also protect them from further damage.
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