A New Year, A Renewed Smile….

Why not make 2022 the year when you are finally happy with your smile again?

We are already a couple of weeks into the new year, and in some ways things probably don’t feel that different to most of us. There are still some Covid restrictions in place and, let’s face it, the weather is pretty similar too.

Despite this though, as the weeks go by, we will gradually start to see sunnier skies with warmer temperature, and all being well, a lifting of some of the restrictions. Hopefully this will allow us to meet family and friends more comfortably and re-introduce some of the things that we enjoy but have put on hold for the moment.

Given that things are likely to appear brighter for us as the weeks pass, this could be an opportune moment to do the same to your teeth, and achieve that great looking smile that you have wanted for so long. The good news is that The Dental Centre Bedford can help you to achieve just that with our excellent range of cosmetic dental treatments. In today’s blog, we will take a look at these and how they can help you have a much improved smile to help face the year ahead.

Teeth whitening

This is a popular treatment for many reasons. Not only is it affordable but also acts quickly and can whiten the shade of your teeth by up to eight shades in only two weeks. We offer a home whitening treatment which allows our Bedford patients to relax in their own home whilst they whiten their teeth. The treatment can be adjusted for your individual needs and the customised trays mean that not only are they more comfortable than shop bought ones, but safer too as there is less risk of the whitening ingredient, a form of bleach, leaking onto your gums and other soft tissues. As this treatment is supervised by a professional dentist, the whitening ingredient is also more powerful and effective than any shop bought kit can legally be.

Dental veneers

Another way that the appearance of discoloured teeth can be improved is through the fitting of porcelain teeth veneers. This method is often used when a patient’s teeth are very badly stained, as might be the case with a long term smoker. In cases like this, there would likely be only a limited improvement if a teeth whitening procedure were applied. Veneers can also be applied when teeth have received minor damage such as cracks and chips that don’t necessarily harm the tooth but can spoil their appearance. This is an invasive treatment but the results can leave you with a more attractive and whiter smile for ten years or more.

Cosmetic bonding

This treatment can present a quick and non-invasive way of restoring a tooth that has been damaged in certain circumstances. Mainly used for things like smoothing off a tooth that has a small chip, the bonding can be applied and shaped as you might do putty to a window frame; but in an extremely skilled way. It has a limited lifespan though and is eventually prone to staining due to its slightly porous nature. For this reason, people who want a longer term attractive smile, tend to opt for veneers as mentioned above.

White dental fillings

White dental fillings, sometimes also called ‘tooth coloured fillings’ are an ideal solution when you need to have a tooth filled but don’t want it to be visible as is the case with amalgam. This type of filling can be produced to match the shade of your natural teeth, ensuring that it blends in well and is barely visible. Whilst in the past, there were some concerns about whether this type of filling was strong enough, improvements mean that it is now much stronger and appropriate to use in most cases. Where large filings are needed in teeth that do a lot of grinding, i.e. the rear teeth, your dentist may recommend an inlay or onlay instead. Again, these can be made in a shade that matches your natural tooth.

Orthodontics

The above treatments can improve the appearance of your smile in a very short period of time. Not all issues that detract from a smile can be treated as quickly though. This is the case with crooked teeth. Sometimes, minor corrections can be made in a shorter period of time using appropriate cosmetic orthodontics, whereas other situations might require a longer period of treatment. This doesn’t mean that you have to have visible braces whilst your teeth are straightened though. At The Dental Centre Bedford, we are pleased to provide patients with Invisalign braces which are transparent and can be removed when eating. This makes them a very discreet and convenient way to straighten teeth.

If you would like to discover how we can help you have a great looking smile in 2022, the best place to start is by booking an initial consultation with our cosmetic dentists. You can do this by calling our Bedford dental clinic on 01234 819868 and we’ll be pleased to get you booked in!