Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry

DENTAL VENEERS

Chipped or damaged teeth, discolorations and gaps between your teeth can change the way you feel. If your self-confidence is affected by the appearance of your teeth, you may be considering dental veneers. Dental veneers are a type of cosmetic dentistry that cover your existing teeth to hide common problems with a new, whiter and brighter finish. We can offer advice on whether dental veneers are a suitable solution and the options available to you.

You might be interested in dental veneers if:

You have chipped or broken teeth.
Your teeth are discoloured.
You have gaps between your teeth.
Your teeth have become worn down.
You have misaligned or irregularly shaped teeth.

There are two kinds of dental veneers
Porcelain veneers are long-lasting, natural looking teeth that are crafted in the finest detail to look just like natural teeth by specialist technicians in a dental laboratory. These are usually fitted in two or three appointments and require some preparation to your existing teeth, for example a small amount of your existing enamel needs to be removed in order to adhere the veneers directly to your teeth.

Composite veneers can be applied in one visit. Layers of resin are applied directly to the tooth, masking any damaged enamel, which is then sculpted to the correct shape and size to look just like natural teeth. Composite veneers are a good option if you have stained or slightly damaged teeth, such as a chipped or cracked tooth.

What are dental veneers made from?
Porcelain is a type of glass, which means that this method of teeth coating is not as susceptible to stains as composite veneers, and their overall appearance is also brighter and shinier.
Composite veneers are made from a tooth coloured resin (similar to that used for tooth fillings) and are close to plastic in nature. As resin is porous, it is sensitive to stains. If you have composite veneers fitted is advised that you regularly have them professionally polished at your local Colchester practice.

How long do dental veneers last?
Dental veneers are a durable way to improve your smile. The lifetime of your veneers is subject to your dental care routine, your lifestyle and the kind of veneer you have had fitted. Well-cared for porcelain veneers will last between 10-20 years, while composite veneers should last between four to eight years. Make sure that you continue to see your dentist regularly. Good communication between you and your dentist will ensure that your veneers last as long as possible and that your natural teeth and gums remain healthy.

How do I get dental veneers?
Porcelain veneers are an irreversible dental procedure, so it’s important that you speak to the dentist. They will discuss all your options and thoroughly examine your teeth and gums. If you are having porcelain veneers fitted then this will usually take two appointments, as the veneers are created to your unique specification in a dental laboratory.

During your first visit, your dentist will clean your teeth (or tooth) and note the correct shade for your veneers. A small amount of enamel is removed at this stage in order to adhere your veneers to your natural teeth. An impression of your teeth is then made to send to the laboratory while a temporary veneer is provided. Once your custom-made porcelain veneers arrive at the practice you are ready to have them permanently fitted. Teeth are cleaned and polished and the new, porcelain veneers are fitted using a special adhesive which requires light-curing for at least 60 seconds. After this, any excess material is removed, and your teeth are tidied and polished to ensure the perfect, natural finish.

As composite veneers are moulded directly onto your teeth, these can be applied in one visit, so you can walk away with a new smile the same day. After your teeth have been prepared, a resin is applied and moulded to your teeth. You can trust that your dentist is highly skilled in the art of sculpting the resin to look at natural as possible.

How do I care for my dental veneers?
About one to two weeks after your dental veneers have been fitted, your dentist will see you for a review to make sure that you are happy with the look and feel of them, examine your gums and answer any queries you may have.

Treat your dental veneers as you would your own teeth, by brushing with a non-abrasive toothpaste and flossing twice a day. Dental veneers, just like your enamel, can become stained. You can keep them looking pearly white by limiting the amount of black coffee you drink, giving up smoking and avoiding foods that may stain. Porcelain veneers are less likely to stain, but you should be careful when eating particularly hard foods – porcelain is a kind of glass, so while strong it is also brittle.

Dental veneers will usually need to be replaced at some point, but by keeping up a good oral hygiene routine you can ensure that they last for as long as possible. By visiting your dentist for a check up at least once a year, and booking regular appointments with your hygienist, you will ensure that your veneers stay in the best possible condition.

CROWNS

Sometimes known as a “caps”, crowns are carefully fitted sleeves that sit over an existing tooth to protect it from further damage, and to improve your overall smile.

Crowns can hold cracked teeth together and support bridges, and they are often applied as the final step in root canal treatment. They can also cover discoloured teeth to improve the appearance of your teeth.

Why you may need a crown?
A crown is likely to be required if there is no longer enough healthy tooth tissue left to sufficiently hold a filling or used to cover and protect damaged or weak teeth. They can also improve the appearance of misshapen or discoloured teeth and act as protective sleeve which fits over your remaining tooth. A crown may also be placed as the final stage following root canal treatment, as this has proven to be the most successful way of sealing and protecting the tooth.

What’s involved?
Preparation time will vary depending on the condition of the damaged tooth. Your tooth will be carefully reshaped, to ensure that it can carry the crown. In most cases we will take a digital scan of the tooth. This is not only exceptionally accurate but will also avoid the need for impressions to be taken, mitigating any discomfort.

The scan is then received in our state-of-the-art digital laboratory where our team of technician’s use sophisticated computers to design your custom crown. These computers will then craft, mill and colour the crown to match the adjacent teeth. Treatment is usually provided over 2 visits.

After the tooth is prepared and the digital scan is taken at the first appointment, a temporary crown is worn to protect the tooth for around 2 weeks while the crown is made.

What are crowns made from?
The application of crowns is one of the longest-standing dental procedures. We can date their use back to the 5th century and the ancient Etruscans, who used gold and silver to ‘cap’ problem teeth. Dental techniques have developed since then, and in today’s practices crowns can be made from a variety of materials:

Metal, including gold alloy and other metal-based alloys
Zirconia
Porcelain
Porcelain fused to metal (known as PFM)
Porcelain fused to zirconia
Ceramic
Resin

We recommend the use of porcelain crowns, as they are durable and can be crafted to match the natural shade of your teeth.

How long will a crown last?
A permanent crown can last between five and 15 years, depending on your habits, lifestyle and oral care routine. Teeth grinding can put pressure on a crown, leading to cracks and possible damage. If you know that you suffer from clenching or grinding, speak to your dentist; they will be able to provide you with advice and possible solutions (such as a mouthguard) to help protect your crown and keep it looking its best into the future.

How shall I look after my crown?
You can treat your crown like a normal tooth. While it does not require any particular care, remember that it acts as a sleeve over the top of your natural tooth and so decay and gum disease can still occur without a good oral health routine. Keep up regular visits to the dental practice and remember to continue to floss around the tooth. When flossing, try to pull the floss through your teeth rather than upwards – sometimes pulling up and out can catch on your crown and contribute to wear and tea

BRIDGES

Why might I need a bridge?
A bridge is a replacement for one or more missing teeth. It is a good solution if you don’t have many missing teeth, or if your missing teeth are all on one side of your mouth. It is important to replace missing teeth to prevent your remaining teeth from drifting into the empty space, as well as to restore the appearance of your smile.

What is a bridge?
A bridge is made up of two or more crowns that fit to teeth on either side of the gap, which serve as anchors, along with a false tooth in-between.

A bridge will support the false tooth or teeth and reduce the susceptibility of remaining teeth to decay and gum disease.

How is a bridge fitted?
Your dentist will examine your teeth and jaw at your first appointment to evaluate the best course of action. If you have strong enough teeth with good bone support, then a bridge could be a great option to restore your smile.

An impression will be taken of your mouth, from which a plaster model will be built of your teeth and gums to enable your dentist to understand how your teeth bite together. Your teeth will then be prepared so that the bridge will fit: the teeth either side of the gap need to be reduced in size to fit the fixings and accommodate the bridge comfortably.

A second impression of your teeth is taken and used to build a bridge that looks natural and matches your mouth exactly. The bridge will be made from metal, porcelain or a combination of both, and the replacement tooth that’s fixed between your bridge will be colour-matched to the rest of your teeth. While your bridge is being made, your dentist may fit a temporary bridge or crown to protect the exposed gum and teeth.
When the bridge is ready, it will be fitted carefully at our practice by your dentist, who will make sure it is comfortable before it is fixed in place.

How do I look after my bridge?
You will need to clean your bridge and the false tooth or teeth it supports every day. Your dentist will show you how to use a bridge needle or special floss to ensure your bridge is thoroughly clean. To prevent damage, it’s best to avoid chewing hard foods and ice. By taking good care of your bridge, you can ensure it will last for many years.

INLAYS & ONLAYS

Perhaps you’ve not visited the dentist recently and since your last check-up you’ve spotted some decay, or part of a tooth is noticeably suffering. Now is the time to call to make an appointment. If decay has already set in and caused damage to the tooth, it may be that a filling is not sufficient. The next step to cover the damage and restore your tooth to its natural looking state is an onlay or inlay. Onlays and inlays bridge the gap between a small filling and the need to cover the tooth entirely with a crown and will stop decay before it develops into something more serious.

The art of preserving your natural teeth
When it comes to dentistry, our experts work hard to maintain and keep your teeth as healthy as possible for as long as possible. The longer you can keep your natural teeth, the better it is for your overall oral health. Inlays and onlays are a method of preserving teeth which have been attacked by decay. While crowns are an option for damaged teeth, they often require your dentist to file down or remove a little of your existing tooth, in order for the sleeve to fit nicely over the top and stay in line with your existing teeth. Onlays and inlays fit onto your teeth in a way that maintains all or most of your current tooth structure.

Do I need an inlay or an onlay?
Larger cavities are best treated with inlays and onlays, as fillings simply won’t manage the damage. Inlays are very similar to fillings in that they close up a gap. An inlay sits inside your tooth, while an onlay is fitted to the outside of it and is usually used to build up any area of tooth damage or if your tooth has fractured.

It is often the back teeth that require this kind of attention, as the surfaces of the ‘chewing’ teeth are particularly vulnerable to developing cavities.

You may also have an amalgam (silver) filling that you would like replaced with a more natural coloured onlay or inlay. Our dentists can remove old fillings, clean out any existing decay and replace unsightly dark patches with a more natural looking treatment.

What are onlays and inlays made from?
Like fillings, inlays and onlays are usually made from porcelain or composite resin to blend naturally with the rest of your teeth and provide lasting strength and reinforcement to your otherwise damaged tooth. It is possible to get gold and amalgam inlays and onlays, however composite resin and porcelain choices make for a solution that is hardly noticeable.

How long does an onlay or inlay take to fit?
Treatments will take two appointments as the carefully moulded part to replace your tooth needs to be crafted in a dental laboratory. On your first visit, your dentist will take a mould of the tooth, which will be used to create the inlay or onlay. Your finished inlay or onlay will then be carefully fitted during your second appointment

DENTURES

Why might I need dentures?
If you are missing several teeth or a full arch of your teeth, dentures can be used to replace the function and appearance of your natural teeth. Our specialist prosthodontists create dentures that are comfortable and natural looking, and we will take the time to discuss all the options with you. If you would like a removable solution to restore your smile, dentures could be ideal for you.
It is important to replace missing teeth, even if just one is missing. If left untreated, your chewing and speaking will be affected, as additional strain is put on teeth either side of the gap, and your bite can become misaligned. The missing teeth and bone can also cause your face to sag and look older, and you could end up losing further teeth.

What are the advantages of dentures?
There are a number of benefits to choosing dentures to replace your missing teeth.

You will have a full, natural-looking smile
Dentures are durable and long-lasting
They enable you to eat more foods and speak comfortably
They can easily be removed
They give support to any remaining teeth

How do dentures work?
There are three solutions available:
Complete dentures replace a full arch if you have lost all of your teeth. An acrylic plastic base, coloured to match your gums, with a full set of teeth usually made from resin, fits over your own gums. Your dentist will take precise measurements of your mouth, which will be given to a dental technician who will custom make your dentures so that they fit snugly over your gums and jawbone. Your dentist will make sure your dentures are comfortable and advise you on how to clean them and the best methods for keeping them securely in place.

Partial dentures replace one or more teeth and are used if you still have some of your own teeth. The replacement teeth are specially created to fit the gaps you have, and to blend in with your remaining teeth. These are fixed to a metal framework that attaches to your natural teeth to hold in place.

Implant retained dentures are a more permanent solution for partial or complete dentures. Denture stabilisation uses implants to secure overdentures in place. Implants are small titanium screws that are placed permanently in the jawbone and act in place of your tooth’s natural root. The implant provides a fixed, permanent anchor onto which your overdentures can be secured. Implant retained dentures offer a number of benefits over removable dentures:

They fit securely to your gums
They feel less intrusive
They look and feel like real, natural teeth
It’s easier to bite and chew with them
Implants stimulate bone growth

It can take a while to get used to your new dentures, but modern dentures are more comfortable and natural looking than ever.

How do I look after my dentures?
Dentures must be looked after as if they were your natural teeth. Plaque can develop on dentures in much the same way as it can on natural teeth, which can put you at risk of gum disease.

With removable dentures, we recommend you take them out and clean them thoroughly with a soft brush. They should then be rinsed and soaked overnight in a denture cleaner.

Remember to keep your mouth clean too, by gently brushing your gums and tongue with a soft brush and rising with a mouthwash.

IMPLANTS

Dr Hennie van Jaarsveld is an expert in replacing teeth. Using the latest dental technology, we can help you to achieve a beautiful, natural smile.

Is an implant the answer for me?
A dental implant is a fixed solution for one or more missing teeth and can help restore both your smile and your quality of life.

An implant is made up of an artificial titanium root that is fixed to the jawbone, with a crown or bridge fitted on top. They can be made to look and feel just like natural teeth. If you are concerned about your replacement teeth looking realistic or coming loose, implants are an ideal option.

Implants also safeguard your overall dental health. Replacing missing teeth is extremely important, as missing teeth cause bone loss which can age your face, and could potentially cause adjacent teeth to become loose too.

The benefits of implants

Implants look and feel just like natural teeth.
Implants provide permanent stability and comfort without affecting healthy teeth.
Implants can last for many years if you maintain good oral hygiene.
Implants prevent ageing bone loss, by stimulating your bone structure and stabilising the surrounding teeth.

Dental Implants & Mini-Implants

Single Dental Implant
The loss of a tooth could be caused from many different reasons; tooth decay, infection, gum disease, trauma, or removal of an impacted tooth.

A single dental implant is the most functional secure replacement for a missing tooth, allowing you to eat, smile and laugh with confidence.

A single titanium implant is placed into the jaw, as the replacement root. It’s a straightforward process which can be completed under local anaesthetic. The implant will need three to six months to heal and integrate with your jawbone to provide a solid support for your replacement tooth.

A temporary crown is usually fitted at the same time as your implant placement, which will stay in place until the final restoration appointment.

Once your jaw has healed, an abutment will be fixed to the implant to hold your replacement tooth (crown) in place. Abutments are produced in titanium, gold or porcelain, and can come as a standard fit or crafted specifically for you. These options offer a range of aesthetics results, depending on your requirements.

Crowns or a dental bridge are then fitted on top, to replace your missing teeth. Your dentist will carefully match the colour of your crown to your natural teeth.

Multiple Dental Implant
Dental implants can be used to securely anchor replacement teeth, leaving you with a new smile that looks and feels so natural, you will forget the teeth are not your own.

Each missing tooth does not necessarily require an individual implant to replace it. Often a more stable and cost-effective approach is to place an implant at either end of the ‘tooth gap’ and bridge across the implants with a dental bridge. The chewing function is then restored with a minimum number of implants.

Traditional bridge treatments require your dentists to file down the neighbouring healthy teeth, in order to attach the bridge in place. Dental implant technology alleviates the need to damage these healthy teeth, instead anchoring your bridge to implants, bonded with your jaw.

The implant itself is a titanium screw placed into the jaw, to replace an original root. It’s a straightforward process which can be completed under local anaesthetic. The implant will need three to six months to heal and bond with your jawbone to provide a solid support for your replacement tooth.

Temporary replacement teeth are usually fitted at the same time as your implant placement, which will stay in place until the final restoration appointment.

Once your jaw has healed, an abutment will be fixed to the implant to hold your replacement teeth (crown or bridge) in place. Abutments are produced in titanium, gold or porcelain, and can come as a standard fit or crafted specifically for you. These options offer a range of aesthetics results, depending on your requirements.

Crowns or a dental bridge are then fitted on top, to replace your missing teeth. Your Colchester dentist will carefully match the colour of your crown to your natural teeth.

Implant secured dentures
A very popular option for patient whom is wearing dentures or partial dentures. Dentures can be uncomfortable, irritating and embarrassing. Many people struggle to chew comfortably and even say that their self-confidence has been undermined by wearing a denture. With advances in implant dentistry, we now have many innovative techniques for denture stabilisation which can transform your comfort, self-esteem and self-confidence with implant secured dentures.

The implants are titanium screws placed into the jaw, to replace original roots. Depending on the treatment, you may need between 4 and 8 implants to secure each denture in place. It’s a straightforward process which can be completed under local anaesthetic. The implants will need three to six months to heal and bond with your jawbone to provide a solid support for your replacement tooth.

Temporary replacement teeth are usually fitted at the same time as your implant placement, which will stay in place until the final restoration appointment.

Once your jaw has healed, an abutment will be fixed to the implant to hold your denture in place. Abutments are produced in titanium, gold or porcelain, and can come as a standard fit or crafted specifically for you. These options offer a range of aesthetics results, depending on your requirements.

Dentures are then fitted on top, to replace your missing teeth. Your dentist will carefully match the colour of your crown to your natural teeth.
Using an implant supported denture to replace multiple teeth has the advantages of:

Chewing function is improved - the denture is much more stable - reduced risk of digestive problems

No more concerns about embarrassing situations when a conventional denture may drop - improved self confidence

Better support for facial tissues - giving a more ‘youthful’ appearance

No need for unpleasant denture adhesives or pastes

The implant secured denture can be removed to ease cleaning around the implants

ORAL SURGERY

If you have missing teeth for a while, loss of bone in your jaw is common. It’s the body’s normal response to tooth loss, infection, gum disease or other trauma.

For dental implants to work, there must be enough bone in the jaw, which is strong enough to hold and support the implant. If this is not the case, you may need some other treatment at your dentist before your implant treatment can begin, such as bone augmentation, bone grafting or other oral surgery treatment.

At your initial consultation, we will determine how much bone is available and the shape of the bone. This assessment is done through visual examination, palpation of the bone ridge and with advanced x-ray techniques.

STRAIGHTENING TEETH

Orthopaedics & Orthodontics

What is Orthodontics: Orthodontics is the area of dentistry which handles the treatment of problems in the alignment of teeth and jaws. An attractive smile can increase self-confidence; with regular dental check-ups and care, your smile will last you a lifetime. An orthodontic problem is called a “malocclusion”, meaning crooked or protruding teeth, which do not fit together properly

Early orthodontic intervention can minimise the unnecessary advance treatment in later life, with a focus on improving the airway and facial profile.

Stages of growth

Stage 1: Prevention/Interception – ages 3-6
Baby teeth
In this very important stage, your child’s doctor is concerned with much more than the condition of your child’s teeth. The doctor is interested in the position and symmetry of the jaws, future growth, spacing of the teeth, breathing and other oral habits which may, over a period of time, result in abnormal dentofacial development.

Should the doctor determine that your child may benefit from interceptive therapy, some of the common corrective procedures that are done in this stage include:

Orthopaedic changes with removable or fixed appliances.
Dental or space maintenance with removable or fixed appliances.
Behaviour modification for oral habits.
Referral to a paediatrician for tonsil or adenoid problems.

Treatment initiated in this stage of development is often very successful and many times, though not always, can eliminate the need for future orthodontic/orthopedic treatment.

Stage 2: Interception / Correction – ages 7 - 9
Mixed Dentition
During this second stage of development one of the key interests will be your child’s occlusion, or, how the upper and lower jaws match now, and how they will match with future growth. The doctor may also have some concern over the future available space for all the teeth, especially the eye teeth.

If the doctor determines that some treatment is required, some of the common procedures that take place in the second stage are:

Orthodontic correction with removable or fixed appliances.
Guidance of eruption of permanent teeth with removable of fixed appliances.
Development of narrow arches.

This is an excellent stage to start treatment, when indicated, as your child’s hard and soft tissues are usually very responsive to orthodontic or orthopedic forces. A successful outcome to treatment is dependent on cooperation between the doctor, patient and parent.

Stage 3: Correction / Rehabilitation – ages 10 and over
All Permanent Teeth
In the third stage of development, the dentist will be looking at how your child’s teeth and jaws fit, and more specifically work, together. Attention will be given to the jaw joint, (TMJ), the facial profile and periodontal tissues.

Often, in this stage, treatment involves:

Straightening teeth and correcting the occlusion through conventional orthodontics.
Alignment of the jaws and joints for healthy function.
Positioning of the teeth for improved aesthetics so the dentition supports and is in harmony with the profile at maturity.

Children in this stage are often self-conscious about their appearance. Many of the appliances that are now being used in orthodontics are very small, some are even almost invisible. All, however, require cooperation from the patient. As a parent, you are encouraged to get involved to help your child achieve the finest possible result. Your doctor, together with available state-of-the-art science and technology, is now able to maintain all your teeth and pleasant smile for a lifetime.

Invisible (clear) Braces
Unlike traditional metal braces, our clear braces systems use ceramic brackets which are blended to your natural teeth.

These fixed appliances are not just an incredibly strong brace which will provide you with beautifully straight teeth, but they also match your teeth to appear much more discrete than traditional metal braces.

Why would I want to have clear braces?

The colour matching technology means that the ceramic brackets blend in perfectly with your teeth, straightening them in a very discrete fashion
They are small so take up less room in your mouth for maximum comfort
They have no sharp corners, so they will not scratch against your cheeks
InVu braces have incredibly strong brackets which are much more durable and effective than metal brackets
They are safer than most ceramic braces as they use a mesh on the base and do not damage the enamel surface of the tooth

Standard metal braces and some other ceramic braces are made with sharp edges which can cause irritation against the cheeks and lips. Clear braces are made using a technologically advanced injection-moulding method which produces a smooth and comfortable surface. Their edges are gently rounded to stop sharp corners rubbing against your cheeks. They are also much smaller than metal braces, so they are far less bulky, making them much more comfortable.

As well as creating a beautifully smooth surface, the injection-moulded process gets rid of any imperfections and weak points that might cause the braces to break; so clear braces are much stronger and more durable than some other ceramic braces.

Clear braces are far less likely to chip or shatter than other braces during the course of your treatment. They are also safer when it comes to removing them because they are fitted with an exclusive mesh base that comes away from the tooth’s surface easily, protecting your tooth enamel. Other ceramic braces must be broken in order to remove them, and remnants must be sanded off. This process can cause little chips and flakes to fly off, and there is a danger of swallowing these particles.

SMILE MAKEOVER

Tooth Whitening

If you are dreaming of a whiter smile, we can make it a reality. Teeth whitening is a simple solution that can immediately improve the colour of your teeth and boost your self-confidence.

Why whiten your teeth?
While everyone dreams of a Hollywood smile, very few people have naturally bright, white teeth. Your teeth change colour as you get older, and other factors like what you eat and drink can affect their colour. Coffee, red wine, curry, balsamic vinegar and dark berries are all teeth staining culprits. You may have an important event coming up, such as a wedding or holiday, that you want to look your best for. It may be that your teeth have gradually become discoloured due to certain prescribed medications or antibiotics. A build up of calculus (tartar) can also lead to yellow-looking teeth, as can habits like smoking.

Before and After Tooth Whitening Treatment

Your whitening consultation
Your smile is unique to you, our dentists understand that your reasons are personal too. Our dentists will expertly assess your teeth to make sure they are suitable for a whitening treatment.

Before undergoing treatment, your dentist will professionally remove stains from your teeth using a high-specification air polisher. A Prophy-Jet uses water and air pressure to remove tartar, and the inclusion of baking soda gently buffs the surface of your teeth. This procedure prepares your teeth to best receive the whitening application and ensures the correct shade is achieved.

Whitening treatments
There is more than one way to whiten your teeth. In-chair laser whitening changes the natural colour of your teeth by applying a bleaching agent to the surface before subjecting it to a special light that lifts the shade of your teeth. A whitening agent is applied directly to your teeth and placed under the light. Over 15 or so minutes your teeth will get lighter, shade by shade (this is how dentists reference the exact colour of your teeth).
Your dentist will protect your gums and mouth tissue using a special gel, and protective glasses will be provided so that you are as comfortable as possible.

You can even take this opportunity to listen to your choice of music. Once completed and all the whitening agents have been washed off, your whiter smile will be revealed. The results are immediate and laser treatments can make your teeth five or six shades whiter.

Your dentist can also provide a whitening treatment to use at home. While you’ll be using the kit at home, the treatment is tailored to your unique smile. First an impression of your teeth and jaw is taken, in surgery, to custom-make a mouthguard that will be crucial to your at-home kit. Then, from the comfort of your home and when it suits your schedule, you can begin the process of whitening your teeth. It is a simple procedure that involves applying a gel to your teeth. The mouthguard makes sure that the whitening gel is evenly and safely transforming the colour of your teeth.

This is a treatment that requires multiple applications, but the ease of having the tools at home, as well as the expert advice from your dentist, means that it is much easier to fit in and around your life.

How long will the treatment last?
How long your teeth stay whiter and brighter after treatment is down to you. Stay away from stain-culprits and keep up a good oral health routine and the effects of your whitening treatment should last up to three years.

How you can keep a whiter, brighter smile
As well as using a whitening treatment, you can keep your smile looking fresh and bright by incorporating these five simple steps into your oral care routine:

Avoid, or keep to a minimum, foods like curry and berries, and beverages such as coffee and red wine that are known to stain teeth.
Have a glass of water or rinse your mouth out within thirty minutes of eating.
Plaque attracts stains, so keep brushing and flossing regularly to remove any build up.
Use a tooth whitening toothpaste or mouthwash.
Visit your hygienist for a scale and 3/4 times a year.

If you’re considering a whiter smile, contact the surgery on 01277-233912 today to book a consultation.