Cosmetic dentistry is an increasingly fast-paced industry, with advances in techniques and technology offering new treatments for patients. We believe in conserving your teeth safely and professionally, whilst enhancing their appearance to provide your desired results.
The most popular cosmetic dental treatment. Teeth can become discoloured over time either as part of the natural ageing process or as a result of staining from extrinsic factors, like tea, coffee, red wine and smoking.
Teeth Whitening is an excellent way of revitalising the natural look of teeth without the need to remove healthy enamel. A whiter smile can make you look and feel years younger and give a huge boost to your confidence.
However, with so many different systems and products, it’s difficult to know which one's right for you. The good news is that the General Dental Council has now imposed tougher controls on who is allowed to perform teeth whitening following widespread complaints about poor treatment. It has stated that it considers teeth whitening to be a dental procedure and, as such, should only be carried out by dental professionals.
We offer two main Teeth Whitening choices: Rapid Whitening, under the Zoom!® brand, which is carried out in the dental chair and can achieve a brighter result in just an hour; and Home Whitening, which you do yourself using custom-made clear gumshields. For best results, many of our patients opt for a combination of the two systems.
For patients who have had root canal treatment, there is also the option of internal whitening of individual teeth which have become darkened as a result of the treatment.
With Zoom!®, the whitening process is speeded up thanks to controlled UV light being directed at the teeth once the special whitening gel has been applied and lips and gums have been protected. The treatment takes less than an hour and you get immediate results with this system.
With this system, impressions are taken and clear gumshields custom-made to fit perfectly over your teeth. At home, you simply put the special gel in the trays and wear them overnight, typically for 7-10 nights or until you achieve your desired level of whiteness. You can also wear them during the day, but this may be trickier to fit into your lifestyle, as you can’t wear them while eating or drinking and you need to rinse your mouth out and clean your teeth once you take them out.
The home whitening system also allows you to ‘top-up’ as you feel necessary, with no need to come in for another appointment. It’s entirely up to you and the look you wish to maintain.
You can go for the two systems in combination for even better results: Zoom! first and then the home whitening system for 3-4 nights or, again, until you’re happy with the result.
Some patients opt for home whitening first and then decide to upgrade to rapid whitening and Zoom!®. Again, it’s your choice.
Please note that we do not recommend Teeth Whitening treatment during pregnancy.
Many patients come to Olsens concerned about gaps or crooked teeth, but think their only option is 'train-track' braces, which they feel they're too old for. But this isn't the case.
There are great new alternatives to fixed braces: custom-made clear aligners.
Smilelign®, Inman™, Invisalign® and their clear aligners all make use of innovative design, applying precise, gentle pressure to move teeth, usually much more quickly than fixed braces – in months, if not weeks, instead of years.
White or tooth-coloured cosmetic fillings aren’t just for filling cavities or replacing old silver amalgam fillings – they can also be used at the front of the mouth to close gaps, build up or restore uneven teeth and to renew dark teeth. However, they may need periodic resurfacing, especially if stained through smoking.
It's true that amalgams invariably last longer (although recent advances have meant that cosmetic fillings can now be made from materials comparable to amalgam), but many simply don’t like the fact they show when they talk or laugh. Plus, there’s the ongoing debate surrounding their mercury content.
Cosmetic fillings can often produce quite dramatic improvements whilst still offering a more affordable option compared to other restorative treatments.
They also represent a minimally invasive option, with less of the natural tooth having to be removed. As dentists, our overriding concern is always to protect and conserve as much of the natural tooth for as long as possible. Which is why we’re always reluctant to replace old silver amalgams for purely cosmetic reasons.
Cosmetic fillings now come in a wide range of shades and degrees of translucency, meaning they can be readily matched to the natural tooth. They also reflect the light in the same way as tooth enamel, again helping to make them look natural.
However, cosmetic fillings are highly technique-sensitive, as they require a completely dry treatment surface which is tricky to achieve in the mouth! There’s also the problem of shrinkage during setting. Although, one of our preferred ways to avoid this is by using white composite inlays. With these, an impression is taken and the filling made in the lab, so it can be rebuilt to the original dimensions following any shrinkage.
Many of our patients want minor changes to their teeth, but worry about having them cut down to points. Veneers represent a minimally invasive procedure, forming part of our ethos of conservative dentistry – very little tooth surface to be taken away and in some cases, none at all.
Veneers offer a simple way of enhancing your smile by concealing the colour, shape or position of the natural teeth. Often restoring just one tooth in this way can make all the difference. Veneers are an art form, using the latest materials to create a natural-looking, colour-matched result.
A thin slip of porcelain is bonded over the tooth, similar to false fingernails being applied. The shape, characteristics and colour are all expertly matched to the existing teeth and we discuss the shape and characteristics with our master ceramicist.
Patients are referred to our cosmetic technician to take a professional shade, which is done at a particular time of the day to avoid, for example, the afternoon darkness giving a false impression of tooth colour. The shade can be whitened, if necessary, to your satisfaction.
We can construct a wax mock-up of the Veneer for you to try and give you an idea of the finished look. Once you’re happy, we can go ahead and have the Veneer made, ensuring your expectations are being met.
Crowns are the ideal dental restoration for broken or severely worn down teeth, or ones weakened by decay or large fillings. They can restore the shape and function to teeth that are too severely damaged for cosmetic fillings to be suitable.
A crown (or 'cap') is a tooth-shaped covering which fits over a badly decayed or broken down tooth or dental implant. It can improve both the strength and appearance of a tooth. The tips of the teeth can have a translucency which makes them look natural-looking, which is down to the skill of our Master Ceramicist.
Dental bridges can be a great alternative to dental implants or dentures. For example, if the teeth either side of the gap are badly broken down or weakened by decay or large fillings, a bridge not only fills the gap, but also treats the teeth either side in the process.
A bridge replaces a missing tooth or teeth by using the teeth either side of the gap as anchors. It is fitted into place, so cannot be taken out and should not be confused with dentures.
Dental implants are the most advanced way to replace missing teeth permanently. They can be used to fill gaps, with a crown or dental bridge, or to hold loose dentures in place, known as implant-retained dentures.
The process itself is relatively painless and involves placing a tiny titanium screw in the jaw bone where the natural tooth came out, to act as the missing tooth root. A crown or dental bridge can then be fitted, restoring both the teeth and gums.
Our general health is more important now than ever before. Working with your dentist to ensure your dental health is the best it can be is vital for your overall wellbeing.
Oral hygiene forms an essential part of our preventative ethos at Olsen's. Your gums are just as important as your teeth and are crucial for positive overall dental health.
From whitening to straightening; cosmetic dentistry offers new and exciting ways to enhance your smile. We believe in conserving your teeth safely and professionally.
Dental implants are the most advanced way to replace missing teeth. At Olsen's Dental we offer a FREE Dental Implant consultation to advise you on your options.
