Cosmetic dentistry London - The art and science in Cosmetic dentistry

Top cosmetic dentist in London - Dr Hans Lock, DS, MDS explains the principles of cosmetic dentistry.

Cosmetic dentistry is the art and science of improved dental aesthetics - mainly by doing one or more of the following dental cosmetic dentistry treatments - carried out by an experienced cosmetic dentist. London Top Cosmetic dentist Dr Hans Lock, DS, MDS explains:

• Invisible fillings: where only the newest, approved plastic materials are used. All which resemble your natural tooth colour.
• Porcelain fillings: which make your teeth more beautiful and apply them with more strength and validity.
• Porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns and porcelain bridges or optimal aesthetics in almost any situation with crooked or discoloured teeth.
• Bonding with new revolutionary enhanced systems.
• Teeth whitening. In-office or home whitening .
• Cosmetic shaping of the teeth to correct minor crookedness and irregularities
• Cosmetic gum surgery. For instance by a smile which shows more gum than its aesthetic optimum.

Invisible plastic fillings

Invisible filling to which only the newest, approved plastic materials are used. All which resemble your natural tooth colour. Your tooth will be cleaned for caries, old fillings and so on. Afterwards it is pre-treated with a gel that makes it receptive to the next step: the bonding material.

Bonding is a fluid (glue) that sinks into the enamel and tooth bone. Then the plastic material is added in several layers and colours. In this way the tooth is being rebuilt inside out, only with materials which imitate the natural tooth. The surface of the tooth in question is shaped to the natural anatomy so that it fits perfectly with the tooth it bites against. As a finish it is polished leaving the tooth smooth and comfortable.

Plastic is a fantastic material for the reconstruction of teeth - if used correctly in cosmetic dentistry. Hereby said that you can't use plastic as a long term solution on teeth, which are very shattered, unless you accept frequent cosmetic dentistry treatments and new rebuilding and of course every time a new dentist's fee. If this is the case, it would be reasonable to consider a porcelain treatment. Plastic has the advantage, opposite quicksilver amalgam, that it's chemically bonded to the surface of the tooth - the quicksilver is a sort of stopper.

Porcelain fillings

Porcelain fillings (also known as Inlays and Onlays) are used in cosmetic dentistry on teeth, where a larger part of the tooth is missing, so that plastic isn't strong enough to secure the validity. During the local anaesthetic the tooth is cut carefully to the right form, and an impression of the tooth is made. A contemporary tooth is made in plastic. The impression is send to a dental laboratory, where the technician produces a porcelain restoration with the right colour and shape according to our instructions. A new appointment with the cosmetic dentist is made, you are anaesthetized, the temporary filling is taken of, the tooth is disinfected and the porcelain is bonded to the tooth.

This is a very valid and beautiful solution.

Porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers (also known as laminates) are used in cosmetic dentistry to recreate broken or worn teeth, or to change a tooth's appearance. They are extremely thin, however very strong when bonded to the tooth. You can compare veneers with a new enamel in the desirable colour and shape on the front surfaces of the teeth.

Porcelain crowns

Porcelain crowns are used in cosmetic dentistry where only a small amount of tooth is left. During the local anesthetic the tooth is carefully cut into the right form and an impression of the tooth is made. The impression is send to a dental laboratory, where the technician produces a porcelain restoration with the right colour and shape according to our instructions. A new appointment with the dentist is made, you are anesthetized, the temporary filling is taken of, the tooth is disinfected and the crown is bonded to the tooth.

Porcelain bridges

Porcelain bridges are used in cosmetic dentistry where one or two teeth are missing in the dental arch, and where there are teeth on both sides of the missing ones. During the local anesthetic the teeth, which will carry the bridge, are cut carefully into the right shape and an impression of the teeth is made. A temporary bridge is made in plastic. The impression is send to a dental laboratory where the technician produces a porcelain restoration with the right colour and shape according to our instructions. A new appointment with the dentist is made, you are anesthetized, the temporary bridge is taken of, the tooth is disinfected and the bridge is bonded to the tooth. Bridges in pure porcelain may for now only be used when only missing a few teeth. If larger bridges are to be made, if necessary a full arch bridge, a metal ceramic bridges is used.

Bonding

Bonding is a revolutionary invention in cosmetic dentistry. Earlier you depended on cement which bonded for instance the crown to the tooth only due to set inside the crown.

With the new bonding we have gained a chemical bonding between tooth and crown, front, bridge, plastic filling etc. which have never been possible before. Therefore bonding is a reference to the process with which we glue things together.

Cosmetic dentistry contouring

Minor crookedness and irregularities can often be corrected with cosmetic contouring. With fine polish instruments a small amount of enamel is removed certain places and consequently the tooth's appearance can be changed into something more regular. Cosmetic dentistry contouring can be a part of a bleach treatment or a complex treatment.

Complex cosmetic dentistry treatments

A complex cosmetic dentistry treatment is a treatment in which several treatments are combined. For instance: a patient has lost a tooth and wish to replace it with an implant and a porcelain crown. The patient also wish whiter teeth and is affected by a tooth behind the others in the arch; in addition to this the patient has a pair of quicksilver amalgams and quite a lot tartar.

A complex cosmetic dentistry treatment will be mixed like this:

A complete preliminary cosmetic dentistry examination with a conversation with the patient, x-rays and clinical examination. If the desired treatment is possible, a written plan of treatment and price estimate is handed to the patient. A plan and price estimate signed by the patient will be a part of the case record.

Please do not hesitate to call or email Mermaid Dental Clinic if you have any queries or if you wish to schedule for a free preliminary cosmetic dentistry assessment consultation with Cosmetic Dentist Dr Hans Lock DS MDS. Tel. 020 7580 1001.

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