Mind & Body

Top of the list was transforming our yellowing teeth to look like celebrity pearly whites, with teeth whitening treatment coming out as our first choice for ‘going Hollywood’ (47 per cent).

Missing molars

The second most popular rated cosmetic dental treatment on the wish list was to have veneers fitted for that perfect row of teeth (25 per cent). Replacing missing teeth with dental implants came out as the third favourite option (21 per cent).

While replacing missing teeth with dental implants was predominantly in the top three for the 45 plus age group, and understandably so, rather surprisingly it also came out in the top six amongst 18-44 year olds – suggesting that a large proportion of us potentially have missing teeth in the 21st century.

Whatever the reason, the concept of smile-beauty is now registering on the public’s radar and more of us would like to have cosmetic dental treatment to improve our appearance. This increasing interest is reflected in the growth of the industry which is expected to reach £1 billion by 2012.

Our quest for perfection and a new lease of life has also been mirrored in the uptake of interest-free loans for cosmetic dental treatment in the UK. Over the last year, more than £2.2million was paid out by Denplan for its Enhance loans.

What are the options?

Advice from Dr. Henry Clover, Dental Adviser for Denplan and a dentist for 16 years, 10 of which were in his own practice.

“If you are thinking of having cosmetic dentistry treatment, my most important piece of advice would be to take your time. Both in terms of thinking about if the treatment is really what you want, as well as finding the right practitioner with whom you are comfortable enough to trust with making what can sometimes be quite a significant change to how you look.

How our teeth look gives us a lot of character and as many treatments are irreversible or carry some small element of risk, cosmetic dentistry should not be taken lightly. Always take professional medical advice from your dentists and make sure that they spend enough time with you to discuss how you feel and why you want the treatment – you should never feel pressurised into making a decision.

While thousands of people have cosmetic treatments every year, there will always be the inevitable scare stories where things have not entirely worked. Remember, it is a medical procedure – taking your time to decide should make sure that it doesn't end in tears.”

Tooth whitening

Your DNA determines the colour of your teeth and, as we get older, they can also become yellower.

Tooth whitening should be carried out by your dentist as over-the-counter products may be ineffective or carry risks. Your dentist will first of all assess your suitability for tooth whitening and then discuss with you the options available for carrying this out. This could be the application of a bleaching agent to your teeth for around one hour whilst in the practice, or treatment can be carried out at home by wearing bleaching trays during the night. Both procedures are based on a bleaching process which uses a peroxide-based compound.

Avoid home whitening kits purchased over the counter or online – there could be a risk of damage to your lips and gums. Some people experience a degree of sensitivity to hot and cold drinks after tooth whitening treatment, but this normally settles down after a couple of days.

Veneers

Veneers can be used to vastly improve the appearance of stained or damaged teeth, as well as reducing gaps between teeth or to straighten a crooked smile. Veneers are a simple dental procedure; your dentist will remove a tiny amount of the surface of your tooth enamel and then glue on the porcelain veneer with a special adhesive. They are very strong and should last many years. The latest veneer technology is Lumineers which are similar to standard porcelain veneers but are made from cerinate, a porcelain that is even thinner and stronger than more traditional materials. With Lumineers the tooth surface may not need to be trimmed.

Implants

Dental implants are one of the most exciting innovations in dentistry. Made of titanium, they look and feel just like real teeth and with proper care will last a lifetime. They are so advanced that they allow bone to grow into them to create a stable support for the new teeth. The healing process will take between six weeks and six months.

Many people use implants to permanently replace dentures but they are also suited to young people who might have lost a tooth playing sport.

Denplan

Denplan provides a range of plans for adults and children, enabling patients to spread the cost of their dental care through a fixed monthly fee. Denplan supports regular attendance and preventive care, reducing the need for clinical intervention and helping patients to maintain healthy teeth and gums for life.

 
Patient enquiries telephone: 0800 401 402

www.denplan.co.uk