You might not think that cosmetic dentistry can improve your oral health – but you would be mistaken!
At Ten Dental, we believe that beautiful smiles and healthy mouths should go hand-in-hand – we always prioritise preventative techniques to maintain your natural teeth wherever possible.
Many cosmetic dental treatments do indeed exist to restore the appearance of your teeth, whether it’s their length, colour, shape or alignment. However, many of these treatments have restorative properties that can also extend the lifespan of your natural teeth.
Here are some of the remarkable oral health benefits of these cosmetic dental treatments:
Orthodontic treatment
Orthodontic treatments such as fixed metal braces, Invisalign clear aligners or lingual braces fixed behind your teeth are all effective ways to straighten your smile.
Dental misalignments like overbites, underbites or gaps between your teeth can make you feel self-conscious and hesitant to smile – braces can make these concerns a thing of the past. In as little as a year, you could have perfectly aligned teeth and feel good about yourself again.
However, the benefits of orthodontics don’t stop there. Plaque causing bacteria gather in gaps or between overlapping teeth, causing oral health issues. straighter teeth are also much easier to brush and floss, as there are far fewer hidden, inaccessible crevices to navigate.
Braces also improve your bite, preventing jaw problems like temporomandibular joint dysfunction, helping you to speak clearly and even aiding your digestion.
Porcelain veneers
Veneers consist of thin shells of porcelain that mimic your natural tooth enamel. These are bonded to the front of your teeth to restore shape, size and colour.
The treatment is a long-lasting, beautiful solution to restore chipped, worn, cracked, discoloured or uneven teeth – and it can also improve the health of your mouth.
Tooth wear leaves your teeth vulnerable to decay and disease, as damaged teeth are harder to keep clean. Repairing existing cracks and chips also strengthens your teeth and decreases the likelihood of more forming.
If plaque has weakened your tooth enamel, veneers provide a shield to protect your dentin – the middle layer of your tooth – preventing sensitivity.
Composite bonding
Composite bonding uses a tooth-coloured composite resin material to fill cracks, chips, gaps, cover discolouration and smooth the surface of your teeth.
Dental imperfections like these are common, whether from a mouth injury, biting something hard or as you age. They may make you embarrassed to smile, but their impact on your dental health is not insignificant either.
If you leave a chipped tooth untreated, it can cause a build-up of bacteria within the tooth, causing tooth decay or even an infection. This worst-case scenario may result in you needing expensive, invasive procedures like root canal treatment or tooth removal.
Composite bonding effectively fills cracks, gaps and chips, restoring strength to your tooth and preventing bacteria from affecting your dental pulp.
White fillings
Like composite bonding treatment, white fillings use a composite resin material – but we use them specifically to fill cavities. The resin material is also mixed with glass ceramics or porcelain to add strength.
Cavities are small holes in your teeth that form from bacteria build-up and tooth decay. Filing them prevents further oral health problems like decay and infection, which could require invasive dental surgery.
We will remove existing plaque, tartar and decay during your procedure. Then we begin etching the tooth before applying a bonding gel to help the filling stick. The filling material is then placed within your tooth and cured with a light to harden it.
The result looks and feels like a natural tooth! Plus, your decay will be a thing of the past.
How we can help
At Ten Dental, we know how important a healthy, beautiful smile is to help you look and feel your best.
We have a range of cosmetic dental specialists who offer these treatments at our three London-based practices. They are conveniently located in Balham, Clapham and Wandsworth.
If you are thinking about transforming your smile in time for summer but aren’t sure which treatment is best for you, why not try our free virtual consultation service? Upload a few photos of your mouth, and we’ll respond with our recommended treatments!