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Whitening Or Bleaching
Everyday life takes its toll on our teeth. Drinking too much tea or coffee, smoking or even eating strongly coloured foods can stain and discolour them. There are toothpastes available, which will help remove these stains, but they can't change the actual colour of the tooth underneath. As we highlighted in our report the best person to discuss teeth whitening with is your dentist. Not every dentist agrees with or offers teeth whitening, however those that do are best served to meet your requirements.

The colour of your teeth is determined by your DNA, just like the colour of your hair or your eyes. As we get older, the dentine - the soft, pulpy substance below the enamel that protects the nerves and the blood supply to the tooth - changes colour, becoming more yellow. This is something which a stain-removing toothpaste alone cannot help.

Dentists can, though. By applying a bleaching agent to the teeth, they can whiten the teeth, giving you a sparkly white smile.  This procedure is simple, harmless and practically painless.

It is important, though, to do it under your dentist's supervision. Don't be tempted to buy kits over the counter or on the Internet. Not only are they not made to fit your mouth exactly, it may be that bleaching isn't suitable for you, especially if you have gum disease or crowns

How Will Your Dentist Whiten Your Teeth?
The most common way a dentist will whiten or bleach your teeth is using a special sleeve and some gel. First of all, the dentist will give your mouth a thorough check-up to make sure there are no other problems and that your gums are nice and healthy. Then he or she will take an impression of your teeth, upper and lower, using a special tray with dental putty. Using that impression, a plastic sleeve will be made which can fit snugly and exactly around your teeth.

The dentist will then show you how to put a small amount of the bleaching gel into the sleeve and then how to slide it over your teeth. Then you take the sleeve and the gel home and use it overnight, maybe every other or every third night, until your teeth are the desired colour. You may find that your teeth are more sensitive for about 24 hours after each application, but this is only temporary.

There are other ways a dentist may whiten your teeth, for example with the use of lasers, which may be quicker. The advantage of the 'sleeve' method, though, is that you have greater control over the colour.

Veneers
Not all of us are happy with the way our teeth look. Maybe one of them is discoloured or chipped or perhaps it's slightly crooked. Although the tooth may well be healthy, the way it looks can make us really self-conscious. Your dentist can help by applying something called a veneer.

A dental veneer is a thin layer of tooth-coloured material - usually porcelain - which the dentist attaches to the damaged or discoloured tooth. Once it's been attached, it will look just as natural as your other teeth. Applying the veneer is a relatively simple procedure and can be done in a couple of visits to the dentist.  The dentist will remove a tiny amount of the tooth's surface so that when the veneer is applied it doesn't feel bulky and mould - of your mouth so that a technician can make a veneer comfortable. They will then take an impression - that will match the size and shape of the rest of your teeth. On your second visit, the newly-made veneer will be stuck on with special glue.

Veneers can also be made out of the same material that makes white fillings. Your dentist will simply apply a small amount of acid to your tooth to make it a rougher surface and then gradually add layers of filling material to get the right look for you.

Orthodontics
Having crooked teeth or large gaps between your teeth can cause problems. Food and bacteria could get stuck between the teeth which could cause decay. Similarly, if your teeth stick out, this could cause problems, either with mouth ulcers and decay, or with speech problems. Your dentist might suggest that you have your teeth straightened through orthodontics - by wearing a brace.

The majority of orthodontics are carried out on teenagers, but increasing numbers of adults are opting for orthodontics too. Your dentist will probably refer you to a specialist - an orthodontist - who will take examine and probably x-ray your teeth to see how best to straighten them.

Conventional Dental Implants
Dental Implants are an ideal solution for replacing Missing Teeth, Bridges or Dentures and the next best thing to natural teeth. Dental Implants are small titanium screws, that are placed into the jawbone to create a permanent new root. A robust tooth coloured crown is then placed over the Dental Implant.

Mini Implants
Mini Implants can be ideal for replacing missing teeth or securing dentures. Mini Implants can be placed in a much shorter time than conventional Dental Implants. The benefits with are that it’s a non-surgical, minimally invasive technique avoid cutting the gum, no stitches and often painless healing, placement can be achieved  in minutes and are immediately usable) and are Designed for thinner bone which avoids the trauma and cost of bone grafting