Until relatively recently, people only went to the dentists for purely health reasons, either for a check up or because they had a dental problem that needed treatment. Over the last twenty years or so, a new type of dentistry has emerged that has no direct health benefits but solely aims to improve the appearance of the teeth.

Our teeth, and particularly, our smile are one of the most recognisable and important parts of our appearance so it is vital that we are happy and comfortable with it. But teeth can be affected by many different conditions and problems that spoil their appearance. This could be alignment issues such as crooked or rotated teeth, discolouration or worn enamel. Cosmetic dentistry aims to correct these problems using dental technology to improve or restore the appearance of teeth and make the patient feel more relaxed and confident with how they look. This is becoming ever more important in our image conscious world.

Some of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments available from Billericay dentists include teeth whitening, porcelain veneers and cosmetic bonding. Teeth whitening involves placing a whitening agent against the surface enamel of the teeth, This penetrates and bleaches the areas white making the teeth look cleaner and healthier and the patient younger. Teeth whitening is very effective and capable of whitening the teeth by up to ten shades.

Porcelain veneers are one of the most dramatic and effective cosmetic dentistry treatments. It involves placing ceramic caps over the top of the existing teeth to create the impression of clean, white and even teeth. This completely changes your appearance in just a single appointment. This can be an expensive treatment but similar, if less spectacular results, can be achieved by suing cosmetic bonding. Ask your dentist from more information. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.

For patients with uneven or crooked teeth, the prospect of wearing a brace can often be an unpleasant one. Traditional fixed-metal braces can be very uncomfortable and can cause irritation to the soft tissue. They can also make it very hard to clean teeth effectively because the fixed brackets cover so much of the surface enamel. This is mentioning nothing about the visual appearance of metal braces, which can be very unseemly and unappealing.

Luckily for patients needing braces, there is an alternative in the form of Invisalign clear plastic braces. Made from one-millimetre thick plastic, the Invsialign brace is almost completely invisible when in the patient’s mouth, unless standing very close. They are also completely removable which makes cleaning the teeth a lot easier. It also means the brace can be taken out for meal times, putting no limits on what the patient can and can’t eat.

Invisalign braces use no metal wires so the degree of comfort is far superior to wire-bracket braces. The system works by using a series of about twenty braces each worn for a period of two weeks. Each new retainer is designed to make small alterations which when combined gradually move the teeth into the desired position over the course of treatment. This will usually last about eighteen months, on average six-months shorter than traditional braces.

Invisalign braces from a Chelmsford dentist are particularly suited for younger patients because of the aesthetic qualities they can offer. There are also specially designed Invisalign Teen braces, which have added features specially suited for younger patients. If you or your child needs orthodontic teeth straightening, ask your dentist about the benefits of Invisalign braces. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.