Cosmetic dentistry, or what treatments can improve your smile?

Cosmetic dentistry, or what treatments can improve your smile?

On 28 August 20241 September 2024In Polish Dentist in the UK, General Dentistry

If you dream of a beautiful and white smile you have certainly heard of cosmetic dentistry. Depending on your needs and budget, you can choose from a number of treatments. Which ones exactly and how much they cost - welcome to the article. 

Cosmetic dentistry, or what exactly?

Cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on improving the appearance of teeth and gums. 

Unlike conservative dentistry, which focuses on the treatment and prevention of oral disease, cosmetic dentistry aims to improve the aesthetics of a patient's smile. Among the most popular treatments are:

  • teeth whitening
  • veneers
  • bonding
  • crowns
  • aesthetic orthodontics
  • gum modelling 

We have briefly described each of them below and provided links to articles with more information.

The image shows a masked patient during a cosmetic dental procedure. We see a close-up of the face of a person wearing red safety goggles, with a blue polymerisation lamp used to cure fillings zooming in on their mouth. This is an illustration of a cosmetic dentistry procedure.

Tooth whitening

It is the most common cosmetic dentistry treatment of choice, because who wouldn't want a white smile. If you are in this group you can choose from several options. 

The first is overlay whitening. In the office, the dentist will fit special trays to your teeth, onto which you will apply the whitening gel yourself. The first effects should be visible after a few days, and the whole process should take about 21 days. You can read more about this in our article "Teeth whitening at home".

Another option for whitening your teeth is to have them whitened at the dentist's office. During a single visit, the dentist will apply a special preparation to your teeth. It will be in the form of a foam or gel. Then, using a professional lamp, the effect of the preparation will be intensified. We wrote more about this in the material "Teeth whitening with LED lights - what it involves and how much it costs".

The final option is the Enlighten system, which guarantees whitening up to B1, the whitest white in dentistry. The entire process takes 3 weeks and, by following a few rules, its effect can last a lifetime. For details on this method, see the text "The best way to whiten teeth - the Enlighten system!".

And how to improve more than just tooth colour?

The image shows the hands of a dentist holding a tooth colour chart and a dental restoration sampler. White protective gloves are visible on the hands. A blurred desk or dentist's workstation is visible in the background.

Veneers, another cosmetic dentistry procedure

With veneers you can improve not only the colour of your teeth, but also give them a different shape. How is this possible? Veneers are thin porcelain trays that are bonded to the front surface of your teeth, so you can choose their colour and final shape. 

If you think this is the solution for you be sure to read our text "Composite veneers in the UK versus porcelain veneers in the UK - which to choose". You will find out how the options listed differ and how much they cost.

Bonding 

This treatment is recommended for patients who have suddenly chipped a tooth, have been struggling with difficult-to-remove discolouration for some time or are struggling with gaps between teeth, such as diastema. It involves covering the teeth with a thin layer of composite so that you can change both their shape and colour.

You can read more about this in our article "What is dental bonding in the UK".

The image shows hands wearing blue medical gloves holding a transparent plate with numerical markings, probably used by dentists to assess the position of teeth and plan dental procedures.

Orthodontics in cosmetic dentistry

A beautiful smile is very often associated with orthodontic treatment, especially the treatment of malocclusion. In the past, it was mainly young people who opted for them, but nowadays braces can be almost invisible, which makes them a popular choice for adult patients. 

Also popular are clear trays, such as Invisalign, which straighten teeth in a discreet and comfortable way. And we wrote more about the types of braces in a text with a similar title "Types of braces in the UK - what to choose'.

Crowns in cosmetic dentistry

Crowns are used for teeth that are severely damaged, such as after root canal treatment or as a result of a fracture. 

A crown is like a cap that covers the entire visible part of a tooth, restoring its original shape and colour. Modern crowns can be made of porcelain or zirconia, giving them a high degree of durability and aesthetics.

In turn, if you are interested in this solution we recommend the article "Crowns for teeth in the UK - everything you need to know".

The painting shows a smiling man in a white dental apron sitting next to a modern dental chair equipped with dental instruments. The man has light-coloured hair and looks happy. The logo of the dental clinic is visible in the background.

Gum modelling, or gingivoplasty

Sometimes the aesthetic problem is not only in the teeth, but also in the gum line. 

Gingivoplasty is a procedure that involves shaping the gum line to improve the proportions of the smile. This is particularly helpful in cases of what is known as a 'gummy smile', where the gums are too prominent when smiling.

Prices of cosmetic dentistry

These depend on the method, the treatment that is often required before a particular procedure and the surgery in which it will be performed. In our prices for

  • Teeth whitening starts from £250
  • veneers from £180
  • Crowns from £400
  • orthodontic braces from £350

If you would like to know the exact costs please call us or make an appointment. As a reminder, you can take advantage of the instalment scheme at our practice and the first 12 months are zero interest.

Check out the details on the subpage: Instalments. Importantly, our instalment system is 100% secure and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number 619628).