Non-invasive cosmetic dentistry

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A Smile Transformation Using ABC

Our case of the month for November 2017 is one of our favourite treatments. This technique can completely transform your smile without the need for cutting teeth, without any injections, without any pain and it is affordable. We call it ABC. A is for alignment. Aligning teeth into the correct position is essential for cosmetic dentistry. Without correct alignment, a great smile cannot be achieved. We use a number of teeth alignment systems. In this case, a Social 6 lingual brace was used. This is an amazing brace and one that we have great experience with. B is for bleaching. Tooth whitening enhances a smile ten fold. Clean, fresh and white looking teeth illuminates a smile and radiates confidence. Our favourite system is the Philips ZOOM LED in chair whitening, which is simply astounding. C is for cosmetic bonding. As adults, often our teeth have been subject to wear and tear. This leaves them uneven at the edges which can be unslightly once they are straight. Composite bonding is a great option to enhance the smile without having to cut teeth down for porcelain veneers or crowns. Here are the before and after photographs:

Jul 2017

27th

27th of July 2017

What is Composite Bonding and How Much Does it Cost?

A common question we are asked is what is composite bonding? The term itself does not mean a great deal and is not self-explanatory. Well, I will try to explain as best as I can in simple terms how the treatment is actually completed, and how much it costs.

What Is Composite Bonding?

Composite bonding involves the adding of a very aesthetic white filling to one or several of your teeth to make them look nicer. For example, if there is a chip on the edge of one of your teeth or it is worn down or there are gaps this can be corrected with composite bonding.

The beauty of this technique is that we do not need to drill away any tooth to provide the treatment in the majority of cases. On occasion, some sharp edges or thick enamel may need to be removed prior to the bonding but this would be very minimal. Therefore, composite bonding is reversible! Is that not great? A cosmetic treatment that can be reversed should you wish. I have never been asked to remove any bonding as of yet, but there is always a first time I guess!

If we look back a few years to the time of Extreme Makeover (remember that program?), virtually all of the cases involved a smile makeover using porcelain veneers and crowns. These look beautiful, no doubt. However, to make a porcelain veneer or crown especially, we have to cut the teeth down a great deal to make space for the porcelain. This is destructive and removes virtually all of the enamel from the tooth. Tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in the body and protects the biological aspects of the tooth such as the dentine (inner surface) and nerve area. Therefore, the tooth will be more prone to problems in the future without question. Now there is a time and place for porcelain veneers and crowns but, in my opinion, not on virgin teeth and with a minimal preparation as possible.

My point is therefore, that with a technique like composite bonding, there is NO risk at all to the underlying tooth. The worst that could happen is that it chips, stains or becomes discoloured. Disaster! Not quite; the bonding can simply be replenished without fuss.

How Is It Done?

There are a few simple steps, which I will share with you now:

1. The tooth is washed with an acid etch of phosphoric acid 30% for 15-30 seconds. This sounds harsh but enamel is a mineral. It can take it. The etch enhances the bonding.

2. A bonding resin is placed over the tooth and is activated by a light. We use LED these days which generates less heat that the old halogen lights.

3. The white filling material is then layered over the tooth sequentially and set with the light. I use Empress Direct and GC G-aenial as my preferred composites.

4. We may need to use certain cords, clear strips, wedges in between the teeth to create a sound margin to the tooth.

5. Once the tooth is build back up, it is contoured to size and polished in a few steps with lots of water.

6. The bite is checked and the final polish is completed.

Sounds simple? Well, it is. However, it takes a few years to get really good at composite bonding. As with everything in life, the more you do of something, the better you get.

Teeth Gap Filling

The technique for teeth gap filling is similar to above but we want to fill gaps between teeth rather than enhance the appearance of a single or multiple teeth. In this case, I advise a very simple mock up where we can add the composite bonding directly to the tooth/teeth to fill the space and show you how the bonding would look prior to actual treatment. As long as the proportions of the teeth remain natural, the result can be incredible. On occasion, it just does not look right especially if a single tooth is widened too much. In this case, it may be that orthodontic treatment is needed or minimal preparation porcelain or composite veneers.

Composite Bonding Cost UK

The price will vary at different dental practices. The typical composite bonding cost for 2024 to 2025 in the UK is between £250 and £350 per tooth. At Progressive Dentistry we charge £300 per tooth. Compared to porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns or even composite veneers or crowns, this is cost effective and non-invasive. It is a treatment I highly recommend. After all, we were born with lovely tooth enamel. Why strip it all away when there is an alternative that is aesthetic, non-invasive and more cost effective?

Composite Bonding Before & After

Below you can see what a difference the treatment can have. Our client was delighted as the shapes of her teeth had bugged her for ages. Within three quarters of an hour, we could achieve a stunning result without any drilling of the teeth, no needles and no pain. What's more is that after a few weeks, the area looks even better as the gum line adapts around the teeth and bonding.

Jun 2017

8th

8th of June 2017

Cosmetic Bonding Closing Spaces In Just One Visit

One of our favourite treatments is cosmetic bonding. We can create stunning smiles in just one appointment, without drilling your teeth, without needles and without any pain. What's more, the treatment is far more affordable than porcelain veneers for example. What is involved? Cosmetic bonding can be explained in 5 simple steps:

Full clinical examination (of course!!)
Photographs and possibly a diagnostic wax up of the proposed new shape of your teeth
Mock up to visualise the end result
Cosmetic bonding completed using the latest high tech composite white fillings
Monitoring and maintenance

For the best result, we advise tooth whitening prior to cosmetic bonding. The gold standard is Philips ZOOM LED in surgery whitening followed by a period of home whitening. Please take a look at a recent case completed by our expert dentist, Dr Nissit Patel, on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Progressive-Dentistry

Aug 2015

31st

31st of August 2015

Cosmetic Bonding Before And After

Our case of the month for August is one involving cosmetic bonding. In this case, the edges of the central front teeth were worn, chipped and almost transparent.

Cosmetic bonding is a technique that can repair fractured, uneven, chipped and spaced teeth using a non invasive adhesive process. There is virtually no drilling required, no need for needles and no pain!

What's more is that we have recently improved our bonding process using fluid abrasion. The bond strength using fluid abrasion prior to cosmetic bonding is greatly enhanced.

Just take a look at the before and after photographs: