Spring Forward To A Whiter Smile!

Spring is a great rejuvenator and a good time for Burton patients to consider enhancing their smile.

After all the rain we’ve had this winter it has been nice to see the sun for longer periods in the last week or so. It is a promising sign that spring is close and that summer won’t be far behind. Slowly but surely, we can pack away our warmer clothes and brighten ourselves up for the warmer months to come.

We can’t help you select a new wardrobe or give you a new hairstyle of course, but we can help you feel more confident with a brand new smile. Our team of cosmetic dentists have a range of treatments available to whiten your smile, and give it a boost for spring and summer.

But first of all …

Looking to improve your smile is a good thing but it is essential that your teeth are healthy too. There is no point in whitening teeth that are suffering from decay and which need to be filled, or that may fall out. Before we commence any cosmetic dentistry at SG Dental and Implant Clinic, we will always ensure that your teeth and gums are in good health. Where this is not the case, treatment will be carried out first.

How can we help?

Once we have carried out an examination of your teeth and any necessary treatment, we can then look at the best approach to take to improve the appearance of your teeth. To do this, we will arrange for you to have a consultation with one of our Burton cosmetic dentists who will discuss what you hope to achieve and the best way to do so. When it comes to having whiter teeth, there are three options available.

Scale and polish

This isn’t a cosmetic treatment but can make a difference. If we feel that your teeth are in good shape but just appear a little more dull due to surface staining from the likes of drinking tea etc, we may suggest that you see the hygienist first to have a scale and polish procedure. This is primarily used to prevent gum disease and is something that you should do on a regular basis anyway. The removal of built up tartar and the professional brushing which forms the final part of the treatment, can make a difference to the colour of your teeth too. This is a non-invasive and low cost option that also helps your gum health and is therefore a good place to start for very mild staining issues.

Teeth whitening

While the above might work for some patients; for most, a teeth whitening procedure is the most likely option. This uses a form of bleach to not only whiten the tooth surface but also the inner part of the tooth. This is necessary as this area, the dentin layer, starts to become darker as we become older. As the enamel on our teeth is translucent, this then shows through, making our teeth appear dull and discoloured. To provide this treatment, we will take impressions of your teeth and, from these, custom ‘trays’ are made that the whitening gel can be put into. You will need to wear these trays at home for around two weeks, keeping them in for most of the day. As they are made from the impressions of your own teeth, this makes them as comfortable as possible.

Some patients express concern that although they want their teeth to be whiter, they don’t want the ‘dazzle’ that some celebrities opt for. We hear you and understand. The fact is that the gel can be made in an appropriate strength according to your requirements. While we can offer fairly dramatic improvements, we can also provide subtle ones too and many patients do opt for this.

While this is not a permanent solution to stained or discoloured teeth, it is long lasting and you can repeat the treatment periodically with no harm to your teeth.

Porcelain veneers

The above procedure is non-invasive and works for many patients. There is another option available too which is especially suitable for more significant cases. Even if you have been a heavy smoker with a red wine and coffee habit which has left your teeth a dark brown colour, porcelain veneers can transform your smile far more than you might have hoped. They do this not by improving the colour of the enamel surface but by replacing it.

Having veneers fitted does require an invasive treatment which removes a fine layer from the front of the affected teeth. This is, in effect, shaved away using a piece of equipment known as a dental bur. Once this has been done, impressions are taken of the teeth and these are used to fabricate fine layers of porcelain in the shape of your teeth. While these are prepared at a special laboratory, usually taking a week or so, you will be given temporary veneers to wear to protect your teeth.

When your new teeth veneers are ready, you will be called back to our Burton practice where the temporary veneers will be removed and the new ones attached using a strong clinical adhesive. They will then be trimmed and polished to make them look natural and give you a brand new smile. Your veneers can last for ten years or more if you look after them properly and we will inspect them during your usual visits with us, just to make sure all is well.

As you can see, there are a variety of options open to patients who want to give their smile a boost for the spring and summer (or indeed, all year round). The first step is to make an appointment with us at SG Dental and Implant Centre in Burton to arrange your initial consultation. You can do this by calling us today on 01283 845345.