In the build up to Christmas, most of us are too busy shopping and preparing for the holidays ahead to give too much thought to much else. Every now and then though, we might take a glance towards the new year and what we hope to achieve from it. The usual ‘get fit and lose weight’ ones will appear, and often rapidly disappear once the new year starts. Others will be more constructive and plans put into place. Often too, the new year is when we tend to see more people booking appointments for cosmetic dental treatments.
This does make sense. While the new year provides a new opportunity and a fresh start, some treatments, such as orthodontics, can take longer to work. In that event, most of us would probably target completion by Summer as that is when we generally feel our best and in readiness for holidays. With this in mind then, let’s take a look at what we have available for our Witham patients at Blake Dental, to help improve your smile in the new year.
Teeth can’t be straightened in one quick procedure. Any crooked or uneven teeth need to be moved very gently towards their end position so as not to cause any damage to the teeth or underlying supporting bone. We recommend then that you arrange an initial consultation at the earlier opportunity so that treatment can be started as soon as possible. Some treatments may take up to a year, though for those looking to straighten teeth for purely aesthetic reasons, there are modern discreet orthodontics that can improve your smile in a matter of weeks. Following your initial consultation, we will be able to give you an estimate of the time it will take.
The number one choice when it comes to a more attractive smile is the teeth whitening procedure. No surprises there perhaps. Teeth whitening is fast acting, affordable and completely non-invasive. No wonder it is the number one choice for so many people.
For those whose teeth are too badly stained for a tooth whitening procedure to be as effective as you would like it to be, or for people with minor flaws such as chipped teeth that spoil a smile, veneers may prove to be a more beneficial solution.
Using porcelain veneers, we remove a fine layer from the front of your teeth and replace this with a very fine layer of porcelain which is attached and then trimmed and polished, leaving you with a whiter and more attractive smile. Veneers usually last around ten years with good care, and can be replaced after this time if required.
A ‘quick fix’ for some people who have minor issues is to use composite bonding. This is great for restoring chipped teeth or where there is a gap between the teeth (though orthodontic treatment might be needed in some instances). It can also be used to protect any exposed tooth roots caused by gum recession. It is a non-invasive treatment and the bonding material is simply applied to the tooth and shaped, before being hardened.
Seeing the hygienist may not be something that you associate with aesthetics, but it is more connected than you might think.
First of all, there is no point in having a great looking smile if your teeth are starting to decay. You might think that, because you see one of our dentists regularly, that this is sufficient to keep your oral health in good shape. Unfortunately, too many people think this way and then suffer from gum disease. This can eventually damage the bone that supports your teeth, causing them to become loose and wobbly. To help ensure a healthy mouth then, you should see the hygienist every six months, or more frequently if recommended.
As part of your visit to the hygienist, they will perform a scale and polish procedure. Not only does this remove the hard tartar material from your teeth and gum line which can lead to gum disease, but it also removes some staining from the surface of your teeth. While this might not match a teeth whitening procedure in effectiveness, it can make a real difference and most first time hygienist appointment patients are pleasantly surprised to find that their teeth look whiter and also that their whole mouth feels fresher too.
Hygienist services are important and also relatively inexpensive. Starting to see the hygienist would certainly be an ‘easy win’ for the new year.
If you would like to discuss any of these treatments with us, or if you have a dental issue, cosmetic or otherwise, that is bothering you, please contact Blake Dental today to arrange an appointment so that we can help. You can do this either via our website form or by calling us on 01376 501688 and our team looks forward to assisting you.
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Katie Annabel Blake trading as Blake Dental is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Financing First Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Katie Annabel Blake is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Financing First Limited may not be so authorised and regulated.
