May 16th, 2010
Sometimes our teeth can suffer from problems that spoil their appearance and make us self-conscious about our smiles. Discolouration and staining, worn tooth enamel or unevenly spaced teeth can all make the teeth look unhealthy and unattractive but there are a number of cosmetic treatments available from Central London dentists that can restore the appearance of damaged teeth.
One of the most effective ways of making teeth look healthier is to use veneers. These are very thin ceramic caps that fit over the top of your existing teeth. They will have been specifically designed for your teeth, to restore the natural and even appearance of healthy teeth. One of the most modern and effective veneers on the market is called Lumineers. These are a very thin veneers manufactured by Cerinate in the US. They are much thinner than traditional laboratory veneers but also incredibly strong. Lumineers are about the same width as a contact lens and involve little or no enamel removal prior to fitting. This can often be the case with some other veneers so that they can fit naturally over the top of existing teeth without appearing too big in the mouth.
Lumineers are so thin that they can even fit over the top of existing dental work such as crowns and veneers already in the mouth. The veneers will cover the front part of the tooth, adding an extra layer of protection against tooth decay and enamel erosion.
Not all dentists will offer Lumineers as they are required to be registered as official suppliers of Cerinate Lumineers. Ask your Central London dentist if they are Lumineer suppliers and you could benefit form the restorative powers of these very thin ceramic caps. Lumineer veneers are very durable and have been clinically proven to last up to twenty years.
November 23rd, 2009
Porcelain veneers are one of the most realistic and elegant of all the cosmetic dentistry treatments. Veneers are incredibly thin tooth-shaped caps that are cemented over existing teeth to disguise dental repair work and defects such as discolouration. Veneers can be used individually or as part of a complete renovation of the dental arc.
The discolouration of teeth can be due to a number of factors. It could be the result of a hereditary condition or medication for another disease. Some patient’s teeth are discoloured by lifestyle factors such as smoking or drinking coffee or red wine. However, by far the most common cause for discolouration is age. Just as we lose our natural hair colour over time, so do we lose the natural colour of the teeth. Stained enamel cannot be cleaned so the options are bleaching or veneers. Many people find teeth whitening procedures ineffective but a set of porcelain veneers will almost certainly produce a stunning effect. A row of dental veneers will also be suitable to restore the appearance of worn or unevenly spaced teeth.
Teeth that become damaged either as the result of dental trauma or tooth decay can also be repaired using porcelain veneers. Chipped, cracked or broken teeth can be very painful and also destroy the structural integrity of the tooth. Once repaired it may be necessary to cap the tooth with a veneer for structural support and to protect the tooth form further damage.
Modern veneers are incredibly thin with some of the latest being the same width as a contact lens. Because they are so thin it is now unnecessary for dentists to remove tooth enamel prior to application. This also means that veneers are now removable without causing further damage to the existing teeth.
The manufacture of porcelain veneers has been dramatically affected by the introduction of new technology. In the past, porcelain veneers needed to be measured using a system of dental moulds and x-rays. These were time-consuming processes, as was the laboratory conditions needed for their manufacture. Today, by using the latest in 3D imaging and digital x-rays, a dentist can use a computer to design and manufacture a porcelain veneer in as little as six minutes. This has significantly reduced treatment times and discomfort for patients.
It is now possible for London W1 dentist to design, manufacture and fit a whole dental arc of porcelain veneers in an afternoon. You could have a completely new and youthful set of teeth in just one day. Ask a London W1 dentist about the latest in porcelain veneer technology.
