Cosmetic Dentistry

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Tooth whitening lightens teeth and helps to remove stains and discoloration. Whitening is among the most popular cosmetic dental procedures because it can greatly improve how your teeth look.

Things have changed quite a bit over the last 2 years when it comes to brightening your smile! Laser tooth whitening has almost become a thing of the past, changes to the law limit the amount of hydrogen perioxide to 6% and now only we as dentists can dispense this to you.

For patients this means the safest and most effective way to whiten your smile is to use a home whitening kit, with specially made trays to deliver the whitening gel to the right areas and protect the delicate areas of your mouth (tissues). Here at Cork Dental Clinic we still use the ZOOM system for certain cases but mostly provide the at home teeth whitening kits for patients.

Your smile can make a huge difference to your confidence and self-esteem. As we get older, our teeth naturally darken and this can be affected by various factors, however this process can be accelerated with staining foods and drinks. Over time you may feel that your teeth are not as bright as they used to be and after undergoing a cleaning to remove any stains on the outside of your teeth, it may be suitable for you to brighten your smile by using a specially designed Home Whitening Kit. 

Home teeth whitening is an easy, non-invasive, cosmetic treatment which produces beautiful results. Specially designed trays are made to deliver a specially formulated whitening gel to remove stains that have built up over years. This has been proven to have no long term negative effects on the enamel of teeth, on the dentine of teeth or the gums. 

The outer layer of a tooth is called the enamel. The color of natural teeth is created by the reflection and scattering of light off the enamel, combined with the color of the dentine under it. Your genes affect the thickness and smoothness of the enamel. Thinner enamel allows more of the color of the dentine to show through. Having smoother or rougher enamel also affects the reflection of light and therefore the colour.

Every day, a thin coating (pellicle) forms on the enamel and picks up stains. Tooth enamel also contains pores that can hold stains. The most common reasons for teeth to get yellow or stained are:

• Using tobacco
• Drinking dark-coloured liquids such as coffee, fizzy drinks, tea and red wine
• Not taking good care of your teeth
• Ageing also makes teeth less bright as the enamel gets thinner and the dentine becomes darker.

It is also possible to have stains inside the tooth. These are called intrinsic stains. For example, intrinsic stains can be caused by exposure to too much fluoride as a child while teeth are developing. Other causes include tetracycline antibiotics. They can stain a child’s teeth if taken by a mother during the second half of pregnancy or by a child who is 8 years old or younger. Teeth are still developing during these years. Trauma may also darken a tooth.

Tooth whitening is most effective on surface (extrinsic) stains.

Orthodontics is a specialised area of dentistry that involves the treatment of dental and facial irregularities. It is the science of assessing, diagnosing and treating crooked teeth, jaw discrepancies, facial profile and form. Orthodontists are dentists who have undertaken many years additional training in this specialist area.

To see if you could benefit from Orthodontic treatment answer the following questions.

• Are your teeth noticeably crooked?
• Do you have gaps between your teeth?
• Are your teeth crowded?
• Do you have protruding teeth?
• Do you have a deep overbite (front teeth overlapping too much vertically) or an open bite (where some teeth cannot be brought into contact?)
• Do you have difficulty chewing food?
• As part of dental management to facilitate replacement of missing teeth for example with dental implants.
• Finally, if you are reluctant to smile, laugh or even talk in public without hiding your teeth, it is time to consider orthodontic correction.

The correction of an orthodontic problem can be undertaken at any age. Adult orthodontic treatment is growing rapidly. It is generally recommended that children should be brought in for their first evaluation at ages 7 to 9 years. 

The main aim of orthodontic treatment is to create straight teeth that look great! This will help you feel good about your appearance, thus improving your confidence and self esteem. Just as important as looking great is a healthy environment in which your teeth with good care can last a lifetime. 

There are 4 Types of braces used by Cork Dental Clinic

Metal braces are the most common type. They are made of high grade stainless steel.

Today’s metal braces are smaller, more comfortable, and more attractive.

Ceramic braces are made of translucent (clear) material.

They are most popular with adult patients, due to their cosmetic appeal

Invisalign is driven by advanced 3-D computer technology producing a series of customized plastic “Aligners” that gradually repositioning the teeth.

Lingual are like conventional braces but stuck on the inside of the teeth.

Lingual braces are becoming increasing popular due to their cosmetic appeal.

Your Invisalign treatment will consist of a series of aligners that you switch out about every two weeks. Each aligner is individually manufactured with exact calculations to gradually shift your teeth into place. And since your Invisalign system is custom-made for your teeth and your teeth only, with a plan devised by you and your dentist or orthodontist, you know you’ll end up with a smile that truly fits.

If you’re ready for a smile that transforms your appearance, Invisalign is your answer. Although there are many choices out there, no other works as effortlessly as the Invisalign system.

Invisalign is the best way to transform your smile without interfering with your day-to-day life.