The Dental Lounge Manchester: Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs

What is cosmetic dentistry?

Dentistry is no longer just a case of filling and extracting teeth, as it was for many years. Nowadays, many people turn to cosmetic dentistry, or ‘aesthetic dentistry’, as a way of improving their appearance, much as they would use cosmetic surgery or even a new hairstyle. The treatments can be used to straighten, lighten, reshape and repair teeth.

Cosmetic treatments include:

For specific cosmetic dental treatment FAQs please select from the links above, some of the most common questions regarding cosmetic dentistry are answered below.

If you have a question that isn't answered or would like further information please do contact us.

What is a veneer?

Veneers are thin slices of porcelain. These are precisely made to fit over the visible surface of front teeth, like a false fingernail fits over a nail. Veneers are an ideal way of treating discoloured or unsightly teeth, closing gaps between front teeth, or repairing chips and cracks.

Please take a look at our FAQs regarding treating discoloured teeth for more information.

Can I have white fillings?

For over 150 years standard fillings have been made out of a silvery-grey material called ‘amalgam’. This is still one of the strongest and longest-lasting materials available for fillings. However, many people find it unattractive and some are concerned about possible health risks.

White fillings are now becoming a popular alternative to amalgam fillings. The new dental materials mean it is much easier to find a perfect match for the shade of a particular tooth. In most cases, it is quite impossible to see that the tooth even has a filling. Sometimes white filling material can be used to cover unsightly marks on the teeth, in a similar way to veneers.

How can a gap in my mouth`be filled?

Please take a look at our FAQs regarding replacing missing teeth for information.

Can I lighten the colour of my teeth?

Tooth whitening can be a highly effective way of lightening the natural colour of your teeth without removing any of the tooth surfaces. It cannot make a complete colour change, but it will lighten the existing shade.

Please take a look at our FAQs regarding teeth whitening for more information.

Can my crooked or twisted teeth be straightened?

Teeth can be straightened with orthodontics (braces). This is usually done during the teenage years, when the teeth are going through a period of growth. However, many adults also have treatment to straighten their crooked teeth or to approve their appearance. The procedure can take much longer in adults and is therefore more expensive.

For cosmetic reason, clear or plastic braces (brands include Clearstep / Invisalign) can be used, which are hardly noticeable. If you are considering orthodontic treatment, come along and talk to us we can discuss your treatment options and advise you accordingly.

Please take a look at our FAQs regarding orthodontic treatments & invisible braces for more information.