Any coffee drinker or smoker may tell you that achieving a ‘Hollywood smile’ is borderline impossible. But in a society preoccupied with looking your absolute best, there is now a multitude of products and services available on the market to enhance your smile and instil you with confidence.
 
Straightening Teeth
The mere mention ofbraces might remind many of the school playground and the awkward teenage years. Thankfully, braces have developed significantly since the 1990s, ensuring you can fix your smile with minimal self-consciousness.
 
The Invisalign system effectively straightens your smile using clear aligners; similar to transparent gum shields, they slowly move the teeth into the desired position. The aligners are changed every two weeks and unlike braces of old, they are not a permanent accessory so you can take them out to eat or clean your teeth. Whilst this is an effective method, it is time consuming – treatment takes place over many months and involves repeated visits to your orthodontist.
 
An alternative option is an Incognito™ brace. This is a modern and revolutionary variant on standard ‘train track’ braces – the brace is worn behind the teeth, making it virtually invisible.  Other advantages of the Incognito ™ include the vastly reduced risk of damage to the front of the teeth and the short correction time.
 
Whitening Teeth
There are various different methods of tooth whitening available such as toothpastes, over the counter whitening kits, and the more professionally conducted trips to the dentist.  They each work on the same principal – whitening is achieved by bleaching your teeth to lighten its natural shade.
Toothpastes are effective when it comes to removing surface stains, but they do not change the natural colouring of the tooth.  Over-the-counter tooth whitening kits will leave a long-lasting change, but essentially they contain a weak hydrogen peroxide which is not as effective as the stronger products used by the dentist. For the best results, visit the dentist for laser bleaching.
 
The process is simple; a rubber seal is placed around your teeth to protect your gums, before a bleaching gel is put onto your teeth. A halogen light is used to speed up the whitening process. Treatment usually takes an hour, providing immediate results.  Before booking treatment, always check the credibility of the service by making sure they are not using a cheaper and less potent Matrix light.
 
Filling Teeth
Whilst it is possible to dramatically change your smile, if all you need fixing is a damaged or discoloured tooth then veneers might be the best option for you. Perfect, porcelain veneers are placed over each tooth, essentially masking any dental problems and providing you an instant white and straight smile.
 
Porcelain veneers have been a favourite amongst many celebrities for a number of years now.  They are often referred to as ‘instant orthodontics’, as straight teeth can be achieved in a single trip to the dentist. The only disadvantage is that that some of your natural, healthy tooth structure will be removed during the process (teeth are ground down to a point so that individual veneer caps can be placed over them.) Veneers, although long lasting, are not permanent and will need replacing approximately every 20 years.
 
Replacing Teeth
For as little as £2,000 you can replace a lost tooth in under an hour.  Conventional dental implants involve placing a screw in the jaw, which is attached to a ‘post’ with a porcelain replacement fitted in the previous hole.
 
Alternatively ‘guided zygomatic’ implants are a specially extended implant – up to 50mm compared with ten to 15mm for normal implants.  It can be screwed to the cheek bone rather than the jaw bone.  The patient first undergoes a 3D scan of the jaw so the implant can be guided in without the need for surgery and the implants are as strong as real teeth.
 
A cheaper (and less daunting) option is dentures. Made from acrylic and plastic, they are fitted around the gum and worn during the day. However, take care that you purchase high quality dentures, as cheaper products are often ill-fitting and can move around the mouth. Essentially, where teeth are concerned, you get what you pay for.
 

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