Beautiful Smiles

Cosmetic Dentistry Leicester…

Long gone are the days of us Brits having bad teeth. Cosmetic dentistry has been a must for many people for the last decade or so.

What exactly is cosmetic dentistry? Cosmetic dentistry can sound pretty fancy but it is just the term used for improving the appearance of your teeth.

The typical old-style cosmetic dentistry or ‘smile makeovers’ always used to involve brilliant white veneers that were perfectly formed. However, not everyone wants this look. There is also the long term commitment and personal budget to consider. 

Cosmetic dentistry can be as simple as whitening the teeth. In fact, when we see our Leicester patients who have some minor issues improving the teeth whiteness can often make them feel happy enough to not progress into more complex dental work.

If there are some small chips or uneven edges to your teeth then the dentist may be able to perform some composite contouring and tooth reshaping to improve the look of the teeth.

One of the most popular options for improving the appearance of the teeth at our Leicester dental clinic is Cosmetic Braces. This of course also provides a more natural result and one that is bespoke to you!

Almost half of all brace treatments are now performed on adults wanting a straighter and healthier smile. The Cosmetic Brace systems we offer at Smile Essential work to adjust the teeth visible when you smile. This is called anterior alignment orthodontics.

There are many benefits of cosmetic brace treatments over more invasive treatments such as veneers. hen your teeth are crowded there are usually some very difficult to clean areas. This can make the gums prone to gingivitis. With teeth that are aligned properly, they are easier to look after as there aren’t these tricky gaps. Helping you to keep your mouth healthy and your teeth for life.

Once treatment is complete the teeth retain their position with the use of a fixed or removable retainer. Other than this there are no ongoing commitments required outside of your normal oral health routine.

With veneers, you have to commit to having them replaced as they don’t last forever and be ready for the additional financial investment. There are also dietary restrictions such as biting into things.

With all of this said though it’s important to understand that a great smile doesn’t have to be perfect. Also, everyone’s perfect is different! The most important thing when it comes to your smile is that is a healthy smile!

If you would like to discuss having Cosmetic Dentistry then please arrange a consultation with our Leicester dental team.

Alternatives to veneers UK…


Dental veneers are often touted as the perfect celeb smile. However, many people often wish they could have veneers, but they are unaware of what they entail and the commitment. Veneers aren’t magic they require commitment.

We often get asked about veneers at our Leicester dental practice. We decided it would be beneficial if people had a brief guide on ‘Alternatives to veneers UK…’ that they could read at their leisure. Of course, dental treatment varies from person to person, and this guide shouldn’t be used in place of professional dental advice given to you following a full consultation.

In this guide, we will first discuss what you need to know about dental veneers. We will then also look at alternative options that may be suitable for you. 

What are dental veneers?

Dental veneers are a covering that goes over the top of your teeth. They are usually made from porcelain. Veneers can be used to change the size, shape and colour of your teeth. 

Veneers are mostly used to fix:

• Teeth that are discoloured
• Teeth that have been worn down
• Chipped or broken teeth
• To improve the shape of the tooth
• To close a space between teeth

The treatment process for porcelain veneers

Having dental veneers happens over several appointments. 

Firstly a consultation to check that you are suitable and understand the commitment required for veneers.

Having veneers requires you to have excellent oral health. Your mouth has to be healthy with no tooth decay or gum disease. This can affect have a negative impact on the veneer treatment. So before you proceed with veneer treatment, there may be some other dental and hygiene work required. 

Once your mouth is healthy, veneers can be completed in 3-4 appointments. This involves planning, preparation and fitting and of course, a review appointment to check that you are managing to look after them at home.

Committing to veneers

Having veneers is a big commitment. Firstly due to the extensive work and laboratory involvement (to make the veneers), the cost of veneers can be very high. Veneers do not last forever and will have to be replaced. So you need to consider your financial position not just now but in the future. 

Most veneer treatments involve filing away some tooth. This is important to understand, as it means that the procedure, in most cases, cannot be undone.

As we mentioned, veneers require you to have excellent oral health. This requires a daily commitment to interdental cleaning – flossing and toothbrushing. Failure to do this could result in poor appearance or further treatment being needed. Gum disease can cause the gums to shrink away from the veneer, and tooth decay could start around the surfaces of the tooth and veneer. Good oral hygiene is imperative for dental veneers!

Adjustment to diet. Veneers are durable, but they can chip or break when the aftercare instructions aren’t followed. Your dentist is likely to advise you that you should no longer bite into hard foods such as apples or carrots. This puts a massive force onto the veneers and could cause them to chip or break. You can still eat those foods, but you will be required to cut them with a knife and then place into your mouth to chew.

These are just a few of the commitments and considerations you should think about if deciding whether you want veneers. Your dental professional will be able to discuss your factors during a cosmetic consultation.

Alternative options to veneers

There are alternative options to having veneers. These options have now also become popular with celebs and people in the public eye. These alternatives are considered to be more conservative – it doesn’t harm the teeth significantly.

Adult cosmetic braces. Also known as invisible braces.

Braces for adults are now more popular than ever. With around half of all brace cases now being adults, not kids! People often want veneers to improve the position of the teeth. Adult braces offer you a solution to permanently fix the teeth. There are a couple of advantages braces have over veneers. Firstly, once the treatment is complete, it requires minimal commitment compared to veneers. There are no changes to your eating habits and having teeth that are aligned correctly has a positive impact on your dental health. This is because food and plaque don’t trap as easily, and they are also easier to clean, which makes your home care routine much more effective.

Cosmetic contouring/reshaping

Sometimes dentists can reshape your teeth using some composite filling material. This can be done in one appointment, and subtle changes can have a dramatic effect on your smile. Because it doesn’t involve lab work or several appointments, it can be a considerably cheaper alternative to dental veneers.

The drawbacks are that it’s not always a suitable treatment. There are limitations as to what can be done, and they can break easily and cause damage to the natural tooth.

If you would like to discuss your options for improving your smile then take advantage of our free no-obligation consultation. Get in touch here.

Here’s what you should know about Invisalign at our Leicester dental practice…

Invisalign treatment is an incredibly popular option for realigning your teeth. It is one of the main cosmetic brace systems that is requested by our Leicester dental patients.

Invisalign treatment involves wearing clear aligners over your teeth – so they are almost completely invisible. They are developed using the worlds most advanced system. Gently exerting pressure on key areas to align (hence being known as aligners) the teeth into a more desirable position. The aligners are designed to be changed every 1-2 weeks as the teeth can only be moved a small amount at a time.

https://youtu.be/hagnJjEydjE

To get started with Invisalign one of our Leicester dentists will assess to see if Invisalign is the most suitable option for you, your other options, including if an alternative treatment with an orthodontist would be more suitable. If it was agreed then the next step would be a more detailed assessment in which a ClinCheck is created. This maps out your entire Invisalign journey, detailing how long exactly the treatment will take and will also show you how the final result will look. This is very exciting for our Leicester patients seeing the results beforehand!

Invisalign cases take different lengths of time depending upon the complexity of the case. You will know an approximate length of time once you have completed a ClinCheck. Invisalign can be completed in as little as 3 months or it can take up to 2 years for complex cases.

After completing treatment many people wish they had straightened their teeth years ago. Having your teeth aligned in a more attractive way can really help to boost your confidence and keep you smiling.

Arrange your complementary consultation today…

Sun, sand and selfies!

The holiday season is finally upon us and there is no better time to perfect your selfie-taking skills. We want all of our patients celebrating their beautiful smiles with a selfie this summer! Selfies are a fun way of documenting a moment in time and sharing a moment with those you’re connected to.

Here’s how you can take the perfect summer selfie!

Lighting Lighting lighting!

Lighting really is everything when it comes to the perfect selfie! Snap your pic outside on the beach or on your balcony. No one looks good with a shadow cast all over the face.

For that extra bit of special glow take advantage of the golden hour. The golden hour is the period of daytime shortly after sunrise or before sunset, the daylight is redder and softer than when the Sun is higher in the sky.

Relax!

Relax into your selfie. The best selfies are always fun and lighthearted so relax into it, pull a daft face smile big and laugh loud!

I like to move it, move it!

Snap away whilst laughing and moving around. As well as moving yourself move your arm to different positions. Review the photos that you like the most and then snap away again focusing on what looked best in your last set of selfies. The best selfie-takers are the celebs and they report taking as many as 500 – yes 500 photos before selecting one that they like. Even the fussiest person would probably find 1 they like in 500!

Filters!

A photo doesn’t always capture the magic of the moment or the true beauty of a person. That’s why we have filters! Apps like Facetune can help to smooth away wrinkles and even brighten your smile! But take it easy you don’t want people to not recognise you. Inbuilt filters can change the colour and hue of your photo. Experiment with them and see if they help to capture the magic of the moment.

Set the scene and use props if necessary

Holidays provide the perfect backdrop for selfies! The scenery can really help to make your selfie sparkle so make use of the beautiful backgrounds, pretty flowers and sparkly water. You can add interest to your selfies with the use of holiday props such as sunglasses, hats, cocktails and fun pool inflatables!

5 ways your teeth show your age and how you can stop them!

As we age so do our teeth. It makes sense as you know your Granny and Gramps’ teeth look quite different from yours (real teeth or not!). However, it isn’t something we necessarily think about or ponder the question ‘hmmm how can I keep my teeth looking youthful?’.

Let’s discuss the 5 ways that your pearlies are showing your age and advice from our Leicester dentists on how you can keep them looking youthful.

1) Ageing – Worn Down Teeth

As we age teeth can become more worn due to general wear and tear. However, for some, they may be grinding their teeth excessively. This generally occurs when they are sleeping and as a result, many people are unaware they do it. Bruxism is the medical term for this type of teeth grinding. Whilst Bruxism can affect you at any age it is most common in 25 – 44 year olds. Stress, drinking alcohol and caffeine can worsen the symptoms.

There are a few things you can do to check if you suffer from this. First, ask your partner if they have noticed you grinding your teeth (most people discover this way!) also, take a look at your teeth in the mirror are the edges of the teeth flat? Take a close look at your canine tooth as this is should be generally more pointy but gets worn down over time from tooth wear and grinding. You can also ask your dentist at your next appointment. In our Leicester dental practice, this is something we always monitor and discuss with our patients.

You can reduce the chances of your teeth becoming overly worn by keeping lifestyle factors such as stress, smoking, drinking and caffeine to a minimum. Discuss potentially wearing a guard to protect your teeth at night with your dental practitioner.

2) Teeth Get Darker As You Age

This happens for a few reasons, we. Firstly the stains from what we eat and drink build up on the teeth, they become more ingrained as we get older (think of your favourite tea mug). There’s also of course smoking and drinking red wine which is notorious for causing heavy staining and discolouration.

Secondly, it’s caused by the thinning of the outer tooth surface – the enamel which is generally whiter which shows the underlying dentine which is a more yellow shade. Also with ageing, the tooth lays down more dentine, which reduces the translucency of the tooth, making it appear darker.

There are several things you can do to help this. You can be careful with the food you eat and drink and you most definitely should stop smoking. You can reduce staining by drinking or rinsing with water afterwards, using a reputable fluoride toothpaste which helps with daily stain removal (Colgate Total Whitening) and using an electric toothbrush – we love the Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush.

You should be mindful about enamel erosion and wait at least an hour after eating or drinking before brushing or you could be brushing away the whiter tooth enamel. Finally, be careful about consuming acidic foods and drinks e.g. sipping lemon water.

Consider professional teeth whitening. Home tooth whitening can be fantastic for lightening the teeth. You usually carry out the treatment each evening for around 14 nights. You can see the improvement daily so you can always stop the treatment if you’re teeth become as light as you would like. It’s important to note that teeth whitening only works on teeth and will not lighten dental fillings, crowns or veneers.

Young Adult Teeth

Older Adult Teeth

Take a close look at the images above can you see the different ways that the smile has aged?

3) Ageing and Receding Gums

Gum tissues do naturally recede with age but it is often our own handling of gums that does the most damage. Overzealous brushing (or scrubbing!) can damage the gums, particularly for the delicate area where the teeth and gums meet – the gum margin.

Also receding gum lines are often caused by gum disease. This condition begins with dental plaque, a sticky substance that contains bacteria, mucous and food debris – is left on your teeth. Often missed by brushing along the gum margins and in between the teeth – an area where your toothbrush can’t reach.

By visiting our Leicester oral health team regularly they can advise you on the correct and most effective routine for you and spot signs early to prevent them from becoming problems.

Other warning signs your brushing too hard is that your toothbrush is flayed or you are using an electric toothbrush but instead of letting the brush do the work you continue to use it as a manual toothbrush and are moving it around as opposed to letting it glide over your teeth.

4) Ageing and Missing Teeth

Tooth loss seems to accelerate in the older years. The most common cause for this is gum disease. But it can also be due to teeth becoming decayed or heavily filled over the years.

It’s important to get tailored advice from your dentist about replacing missing teeth. Even if you just lose one tooth it can be detrimental to your teeth. If there is a space where your tooth was it could lead to your other teeth moving (a popular phrase in dentistry is – teeth like to have neighbours!). There is likely something going on that may affect your other teeth, so get advice and stop things from progressing.

Every tooth in a man’s head is more valuable than a diamond. ~Miguel de Cervantes

5) Ageing and Discoloured or Old Fillings

Often dental patients mistakenly think that fillings last forever. Sadly this isn’t true. All fillings will have to be replaced at some point. Old fillings can really age the teeth that are visible when you smile. When fillings are old they can have leaky margins (where the filling connects to the tooth) this can attract staining and also harbour plaques and debris causing more extensive problems.

Getting your fillings checked regularly is very important. Our modern Leicestershire dentists are focused on prevention rather than restoration. Dental X-rays are a useful tool for your dental team to check and areas they can’t visibly see such as between the teeth and underneath your fillings.

Take a look at how our Leicester dental team can help to keep your mouth healthy and your gums in great condition…

We now offer Invisalign…

Whatever your age you don’t have to put up with crooked teeth! If you have always wanted straighter teeth we could help. We have been offering cosmetic fitted braces for some time now and we delighted to announce we have just added Invisalign clear braces to our list too.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Invisalign we hear at our Leicester dental practice

How does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign works by gently exerting pressure on your teeth to move them into the correct position. Each aligner is changed every 7-14 days so it can adjust the pressure in the right spots as your teeth move.

Is Invisalign really discreet?

Absolutely. The clear aligners make them virtually undetectable at a social distance. They are one of the most discreet cosmetic brace system available on the market.

Will Invisalign affect my lifestyle?

You should wear your Invisalign aligners day and night but they can be removed to eat, drink and to brush and floss your teeth. This is often a big bonus for patients that have previously had conventional orthodontics as you have to adjust the food you eat.

Does it hurt?

It’s generally considered less painful than traditional fitted brace systems. Most people being treated with Invisalign report some discomfort when changing their aligners. This usually dissipates shortly after.

Will Invisalign work for me?

Invisalign isn’t a suitable treatment option for everyone. That’s why we always invite people in for a complimentary consultation. This will allow our Leicester dentists to have a chat with you to see if Invisalign would work for you and they would also advise you of your other options, including if an alternative treatment with an orthodontist would be more suitable. If it is decided that this is the right treatment for you, we will invite you back for a more detailed assessment.

How long does Invisalign take?

This depends on the position of your teeth and the complexity of your case. Invisalign can take as little as 3 months. Your Invisalign provider will be able to provide you with an approximate timeline once the Invisalign treatment process had begun.

How much does Invisalign Cost?

Again this depends on your personalised Invisalign treatment plan. Though your Invisalign provider will be able to give you an approximate cost at a complimentary consultation. It’s important when looking at the cost of Invisalign treatment you check what is covered. Such as retainers following the treatment to keep your teeth in place and also any added benefits such as free teeth whitening.

Arrange your complimentary consultation today…

 

New Year New Fabulous You!

2019 is just around the corner and as we head into a new year lots of us turn our attention to self-improvement, it’s a chance to start afresh. Many of us will use this opportunity to make age-old resolutions to drink less, get fit or a newer resolution to simply stop spending so much time on social media. For some people, they may want to resolve their dental concerns so they can smile more confidently.

Your smile plays a huge role in how you see yourself and the impression you make on those around you. It’s long been known and many surveys show that your smile is what both men and women find most attractive above any other physical feature. It can gain people’s affections, reassure somebody and it can create confidence. Sadly it can also hold you back if you’re not confident with your smile due to dental problems. A great smile gives you more confidence and can open many doors.

The first step to improving your smile is a consultation with a suitably qualified dental practitioner. This begins by discussing what your concerns and expectations. More and more people are opting for a more natural look rather than then the completely perfect Hollywood smile.

Then the dentist will look closely at your teeth, checking to see how straight they are, if there is any tooth decay, looking for cracks, chips and gaps, checking the size and seeing if they need to be brighter and whiter.

They will also want to take X-rays. This allows the dentist to see the areas that aren’t visible to the naked eye. They will look to check existing dental work, in-between teeth and the dental bone levels. When embarking on dental work it’s imperative that you have healthy foundations.

We examine the way your teeth meet together and if they support your lips correctly – this is vital and can make a huge difference in the way you look. We also look at your smile as a whole, as part of your face. We check that it is correctly aligned and in proportion to the rest of your face.

Lastly, the dentist will discuss his findings, your options and invite you to ask any questions you may have. You will be given a personalised treatment plan which lays out your journey step by step and the investment into getting that confident smile.

To find out more about our smile makeovers and arranging an appointment…

Clear Smile Adult Braces in Leicester…

10 years ago options were limited to correcting wonky or uneven teeth if you were an adult. These methods often enlisted conventional orthodontics or more drastic cosmetic dental procedures or learning to live with them.

Traditional orthodontics can be very off-putting especially for adults due to their appearance, time involved and the cost. It’s something that people wish they had done when they were younger.

That was until Anterior Alignment Orthodontics. Anterior (Anterior means nearer the front) Alignment Orthodontics such as ClearSmile Brace is revolutionising the way people straighten their teeth. Focusing on generally moving the front 10 teeth that are visible when you smile. It can dramatically reduce the treatment time and the cost involved.

ClearSmile Brace uses clear brackets fixed to the teeth and the wires are covered with a white material, so they are much less visible than traditional metal train track braces.

ClearSmile Brace wires use shape-memory technology meaning they will return to their original shape regardless of how they are bent. This creates gentle forces to move your teeth to the desired position.

Once the orthodontic treatment is completed we use a dual retention system to ensure your teeth stay straight for the rest of your life.

There are many benefits to straighter teeth, of course, the fact they are in better alignment will dramatically improve the appearance of your smile. However, straighter teeth are also much easier to take care of. If your teeth cross over it is more likely that you will have difficult to reach places which accumulate plaque and in turn, means you are more susceptible to decay or gum disease.

Book a free consultation at our Leicester clinic…

A WOW experience…

After a lot of online research, I decided to go to Smile Essentials for a consultation about a smile makeover and all I can say about my whole experience is WOW! Even at the free consultation, I was taken aback by the friendly service I received from all members of staff and as I was happy with the suggested course of treatment (whitening, gum contouring and tooth bonding) and I felt it was very good value for money, so I decided to go ahead.

Now that the treatment is all complete, I am absolutely over the moon with the results and it has left me with a smile I am so happy with! However, the main thing that stood out for me was Lina, not just the results she achieved on my teeth, but her warm, friendly and caring manner that puts you at ease at every visit. She works so closely with you throughout to ensure you are going to achieve your desired result and her attention to detail and desire to get everything perfect for you really shines through (which was great coming from a fellow perfectionist!).

This isn’t my routine dental practice but I was made to feel like I had been going there for years and if it wasn’t for the fact that I live 50 minutes away, I would definitely be switching dentists!

Miss A.A, Leicester.

Find out more about our smile makeovers…

6 Key components to consider if you want a beautiful smile…

 

1) A Healthy Mouth

Our first priority with all of the new patients at Smile Essential is oral health. No cosmetic work can be carried out if there are any health concerns. Teeth should be free of plaque and dental decay. It’s like building a house on bad foundations – it will look good at first but soon it will fall and require extensive work.

A healthy mouth is the first step towards a beautiful smile. Healthy is beautiful.

2) Straight Teeth

Straight teeth are not only more aesthetically pleasing but they are also much easier to keep clean. This in turns improves most people’s oral hygiene so their mouth is healthier and they are much more likely to keep their teeth for life.

There are now many options to straighten your teeth quickly and effectively using cosmetic braces.

3) Whiter Teeth

Teeth discolour as we get older having white teeth is associated with being younger and healthier so ultimately more attractive.

You can use tooth whitening toothpaste which may help keep stains at bay. However, if you want to lighten your teeth by several shades then professional tooth whitening such as our Enlighten Ultimate will be more effective.

3) Healthy Gums

Healthy gums should be pale pink and in the right proportions. Unhealthy gums can be red, inflamed and bleeding. It is also likely to cause bad breath and long-term problems. Sometimes there can be some gum recession of which can be treated if significant.

Occasionally people can have a problem with showing too much gum when they smile. this is commonly called a ‘gummy smile’. If this is affecting you then there is a treatment that works to temporarily fix this.

4) No Missing Teeth

Missing teeth tend to draw attention. There are many treatments now available to replace missing teeth including implants, bridges and dentures.

Missing teeth can also affect your other teeth by causing tooth movement – teeth drifting into the space of the missing tooth. Which causes further problems.

5) Fix Chipped or Broken Teeth

Chipped or broken teeth are perceived as weak and uncared for. They also cause the eye to hone in on the flaw, distracting from the symmetry of your smile (and face).

6) Owning Your Uniqueness

Sometimes flaws in your smile can actually make it beautiful if you believe so. An obvious role model here is Madonna – she has a gap between her teeth but has decided to embrace it and it is beautiful!

Beautiful smile creation is about blending art and science – Dr Niket Patel

If you’re interested in improving your smile then get in touch with us here…