Tooth whitening is a dental procedure during which a peroxide solution is used to change the colour of the teeth. The intended benefits of the procedure include returning the teeth back to the shade they may have been in youth or sometimes even lighter.

Composite is a white dental material that can be used to “bond” to the natural teeth in order to make fine alterations to their appearance. Composite bonding has many purposes but is most commonly used to improve the cosmetic appearance of the teeth by adding length, fixing small chips, closing gaps or even masking slight rotations of teeth.

A crown (sometimes known as a ‘cap’) is an artificial covering that fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape of a natural tooth.

A veneer is a very thin layer of porcelain, ceramic or composite made to fit over the front surface of a tooth, like a false fingernail fits over a nail. They are one of the most versatile restorations available for enhancing your smile and can be used to lighten discoloured teeth, ‘straighten’ teeth and to close spaces between front teeth.

Dental inlays are used to restore the inside of the tooth and are made of a strong, natural-looking material, such as porcelain or tooth coloured composite resin. Onlays are made of the same materials, but are used for larger restorations, extending over one or more sides of the tooth, and can be used similar to a crown or cap.

A bridge provides a way of filling a gap left by a missing tooth or teeth, without the need for a denture or an implant. A dental bridge is made by putting crowns on the teeth at either side of the gap (also known as abutments), and then joining these two crowns together by placing a false tooth in the space (also known as a pontic).

Tooth loss and subsequent bone loss can have a negative impact on a patient’s ability to smile, speak and eat. There are several options available to help restore smiles, a bite, and of course quality of life. Dentures remain one of the oldest and most popular solutions for patients who have lost teeth.

A dental implant is essentially a substitute for a natural root and commonly it is screw or cylinder shaped. Each implant is placed into a socket carefully prepared at the precise location of the intended tooth.