Dental treatments in Bristol
Dental crowns and bridges
Dental crowns and bridges are available either at NHS or at private clinics in Bristol area. It needs to be said however that the quality of materials differs between NHS and private practises. A crown is an artificial tooth that fits over the remaining part of a cracked or damaged tooth. It makes it strong and gives it the shape of a natural looking tooth. Crowns are made of porcelain, gold and other metals, acrylic resin, or an amalgam of different materials. They last for many years, depending on the health of the tooth underneath and the overall hygiene. It is a very good restoration method for teeth that have been broken, weakened by decay or a large filling. A temporary crown made of plastic or metal is placed over the tooth until the permanent crown is prepared. Usually two or three visits to a dentist are required to complete the treatment. At the beginning of the treatment the preparation work is carried out and the impressions are taken. The temporary crown is also fitted then. The second visit is to fit the permanent crown. There will usually be about 1 to 2 weeks in between appointments.
Bridges are crowns permanently fused together. They are made of porcelain bonded to precious metal. Occasionally, other non-precious metals are used in the base in order to strengthen the bridge. There are also new bridges made entirely of strong porcelain. Bridges are very good solution to missing teeth and are the cheaper alternative to dental implants.
Dental Veneers and Inlays
Various private cosmetic dentists in Bristol provide veneers for local patients. A veneer is a thin layer of material (composite or porcelain) made to fit over the surface of a tooth. Veneers make teeth look natural and healthy and very little preparation of the tooth is needed. White porcelain veneers are used for so called “Hollywood smile restoration” .They are attached to the front of a patient’s tooth, concealing surface imperfections in the tooth enamel. Veneers are made individually for patients to match the size and shape of their tooth. Veneers are not only used to close small gaps, but they can also be used to resurface teeth and to make them appear straighter, especially when orthodontics treatments are not suitable.
Teeth whitening in Bristol
Whitening is a good way to improve the shade of your teeth and to make a brighter smile. The are many dental clinics in Bristol that provide whitening treatments. During your first consultation for tooth whitening, your dentist should tell you what you personally can expect for your specific smile. The structure of your teeth and the type of teeth whitening procedure affects the outcome. Whitening can reduce the discoloration and staining of teeth. A change of two or three shades will make a significant difference in just about anyone's smile. It is worth noting that not all of your teeth are the same natural colour. Often your eye teeth tend to be darker than the others, your front teeth are typically the whitest, and molars tend to be a shade between the two. There are a few teeth whitening procedures available such us lamp or tray teeth whitening. While each work effectively, there are advantages and disadvantages to each procedure dependent on your objectives of the treatment.
Dentures
Dentures can be provided by NHS and private dentists in Bristol. Denture provides only about 20% of the biting force as compared with natural teeth. It is also very likely that the mouth will change over the life of your denture and that denture would need to be replaced. A complete denture replaces all the natural teeth in either the upper or lower jaws. A partial denture fills in the spaces left by lost teeth. In partial denture, metal attachments connect the denture to your remaining natural teeth. Partial denture also helps to protect your remaining teeth from loss or gum disease. Although dentures provide a natural appearance it takes a bit of time to get used to them. Dentures are not the most comfortable solution to missing teeth. There is some maintenance involved and some speech problems might occur.
Implants in Bristol
Dental surgeons in Bristol provide implantology treatments. Patients should check with the clinic first if dental implants are available as not every clinic offer such treatments. Dental implants provide the longest lasting and most natural solution to missing teeth. Once the treatment is finished, implants give the natural looking teeth and confidence to eat and smile. Implants are much more comfortable than conventional bridges and partial dentures. Dental Implants protect your natural teeth as there is no need for drilling of surrounding teeth as it is the case with bridges. Dental implants slow the bone shrinkage process as when teeth are missing the surrounding bone begins to shrink. Insertion of implants is painless and the procedure is performed under local anaesthesia. The slight pain may be felt after the surgery and some minor swelling may occur. Most of patients use painkillers to deal with that problem. Not everyone is suitable for implants though. If you are in general good health then dental implants will very likely work for you. Additionally you need to have healthy gums and sufficient thickness of the jawbone. In some cases implants can only be placed after reconstructing the bone area first (bone graft or sinus lift for upper jaws).
