Saturday, October 31, 2015

Dental Veneers – Shortcut to a Great Smile

Many people are embarrassed about the condition of their teeth. They may suffer from cosmetic problems such as discolouration, caused by tea, coffee, red wine or smoking, or they might be crooked and unevenly spaced. Happily, the wonders of modern dentistry mean that these are just some of the problems that can be corrected using a new type of super-thin veneer.

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The Hospital Group is at the forefront of this new technique, and is now offering this pain-free alternative to traditional veneers. The Hospital Group also has a Pinterest page which is packed full of all the latest information on cosmetic procedures. 

What Is Different About The New Veneers? 

Traditional veneers have been around for a while, and in order to apply them, the existing healthy tooth has to be ground down, which can be uncomfortable or painful. The new type of veneers are made of very strong porcelain and are paper thin, which means that there is no need to file down teeth, so the tooth structure can remain strong and intact.

As the veneers are made individually for each patient, it is possible to choose the exact shade – either colour-matching to existing teeth or going a few shades brighter.



All About Tooth Wear

Some patients suffer from excessive tooth wear. While this can be considered to be part of the normal ageing process, excessive wear is a problem which needs to be addressed. If there is too much wear, the enamel can be completely eroded, exposing the dentin underneath. This can lead to dental decay as well as increased sensitivity. Enamel does not regenerate, so the problem should be dealt with before too much damage has been done.

There are a number of symptoms of excessive wear. To start with, the appearance of the tooth may be altered. The biting edges of the front teeth may round or sharpen; the molar teeth may appear flat and the teeth may assume a level appearance. Wear does not always cause pain, but in some patients the teeth may become more sensitive. In addition, the teeth may appear yellowed; once the enamel has worn away, the yellow dentin underneath will show through.

Causes of Tooth Wear

Excessive tooth wear is caused by tooth on tooth contact, and can be accelerated if a tooth is rubbing against a porcelain filling in the opposite tooth. It can also be triggered by an acidic diet – for example, if the patient eats a lot of fruit or drinks a lot of fizzy drinks. Acid reflux can have the same effect.

Bruxism is also a common cause. ‘Bruxism’ means ‘tooth grinding’ – patients may grind their teeth together if they are stressed, and might not even realise they are doing it as it is possible for it to happen while they are asleep.



Treatment of Tooth Wear

If the wear has been caused by bruxism, the best way to prevent it from getting any worse is for the patient to wear a custom-made bite guard overnight. The condition of the teeth can be monitored to see if this is helping.

The decision on the degree of repair which should be made to the teeth depends on the patient’s needs, the severity of the wear and whether it has stabilised. Fillings, partial dentures and crown lengthening treatments are available, and veneers can also be used to repair teeth.

The super-thin veneers can be applied straight onto the damaged teeth without filing them down any further, giving quick and painless results.

With this advance in dentistry, there is now no reason for patients to be afraid of getting the smile they have always wanted. Even those with a strong aversion to dentists and dental treatment will find this procedure pleasantly acceptable, and can enjoy perfect teeth without years of treatment.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Braces: Cosmetic Dentistry for All Ages

Our previous article discussed the benefits of cosmetic dentistry and the one of the procedures available for those looking to improve their smile, veneers. This time the series will look at more of the options and procedures available.



Braces have been used for decades to correct the teeth of teenagers and adults alike. Aside from repositioning unevenly spaced teeth, they can also be used to fix other dental issues like jaw positioning, overbites or underbites. The number of potential uses have rendered braces one of the most widely-used of all cosmetic dental procedures.

There are many factors that can contribute to problem teeth. Your dentist may choose to form a treatment plan that combines a number of different procedures in order to obtain your desired results. Implants are another popular cosmetic dental procedure, which are a long-term solution for missing teeth. An alternative to removable dentures and bridges, a surgeon can implant these titanium teeth into the jawbone.

There are several steps involved in obtaining implants. First, there is the initial comprehensive exam, X-rays and a consultation. The process involves surgically implanting the screws and taking impressions of the jaws. The cosmetic dentist will then prepare a model of to create crowds or dentures and finally secure the crown or denture in place. While a relatively complicated process, implants are one of many cosmetic dental procedures known to give users dramatically improved results and subsequently greater self-confidence, which to many, can be priceless.

For more information about The Hospital Group’s wide array of cosmetic dental surgeries, visit their website.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Cosmetic Dentistry: The Perks of Porcelain Veneers

In our last post, we discussed the different procedures involved in cosmetic dentistry. Here, we’ll dig deeper into the topic of dental veneers, one of the industry’s most popular procedures to improve smiles and overall oral health.

Also known as dental porcelain laminates or porcelain veneers, dental veneers are wafer-thin shells of materials placed over existing teeth to fix a number of issues, including chips, gaps and discolouration. These shells are tooth-coloured, and can be altered to fit the colour, size, shape and length of your current teeth to create a more even appearance. Typically, there are two types of materials used in creating dental veneers, which include porcelain and resin composite. Each has its own unique benefits.


Older style of porcelain veneers were more difficult to apply to the teeth than resin composite, as they required a larger portion of the tooth surface to be removed first. Resin veneers, on the other hand, were thinner and did not typically require much removal of the tooth’s surface. Porcelain’s stain resistant properties are better equipped than resin’s, though, while also better for mimicking light reflection from natural teeth.

A newer technology is utilised by companies such as The Hospital Group. Paper thin porcelain veneers can be placed over existing teeth, which means the procedure doesn’t have the discomfort previously associated with older methods.

With a growing number of people turning to cosmetic dentistry each year, it’s important to learn of the different options available. Read more about these procedures in the next post and visit The Hospital Group’s website for patient stories and FAQs.

Friday, October 16, 2015

Cosmetic Dentistry: Achieving the Perfect Smile

With so many celebrities sporting perfect smiles it is hardly surprising to hear that cosmetic dentistry has risen in popularity dramatically over the years. The Hospital Group employs a team of certified professionals who can assist you with your cosmetic dentistry needs, including everything from veneers to whitening. Here we’ll discuss the processes and procedures involve across a range of cosmetic dentistry procedures, and how they can work for you.

Smiles are often the first thing people notice about someone, so it is understandable that many people have insecurities about theirs. As one of the fastest growing health and beauty treatments, cosmetic dentistry has undergone major changes over the years, including improved accessibility and affordability. Today, cosmetic dentists have access to a wide variety of tools and special techniques, arming them with all they need to create the ideal smile. From tooth whitening to closing gaps and reshaping teeth, cosmetic dentists are trained to perform a wide range of procedures. Adding veneers and replacing teeth that have been lost in accidents are two other common procedures handled by cosmetic dentists.

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Often, there are several options available to correct a problem; ask your cosmetic dentist to come up with a treatment plan that addresses the issues you need corrected. There may be a comprehensive plan that combines several different procedures, and while it might be a long process, the overall improvements will be well worth it in the long run.

This series of articles continues with more information about veneers, the dramatic changes they can make and whether they might be a good option for you.