Stain removal/Cleaning
The regular removal of stain, plaque and tartar is absolutely essential to the long term health of teeth and gums. This service is provided by the dental hygienist.

Bleaching
Bleaching very effective technique for lightening teeth. It will not, however, alter the appearance of existing fillings and crowns.

Micro abrasion
This can be used to remove blemishes on the surface of the teeth, provided they are not too deep.

Aesthetic contouring/Bonding
This technique can be used to alter the shape of worn or chipped teeth - providing the damage is not too great. Composite materials are used to mask defects and close spaces. The results are instant, but be prepared to replace these restorations more frequently. Better long-term alternatives involve veneers or crowns.

Inlays
When the cavity is large, an inlay is needed for strength. These restorations a fabricated by a dental lab and usually require a second appointment at the office for insertion.

Veneers
These are thin porcelain surfaces which are bonded over the front tooth surface. Only minimal tooth reduction is needed. Veneers can be used to correct ageing smile lines, close spaces and change the colour of teeth.

Crowns ('Cap')
These are used when a tooth is heavily filled or was previously treated with a root canal treatment. Crowns provide excellent strength to the tooth while improving overall aesthetics.

Bridges
Bridges are restorations designed to replace missing teeth. It involves reducing the size of the adjacent teeth which act as supports. There is a limit to the length which can be bridged and there needs to be a tooth support at each end for long term success.

Dentures
These can be full (whole arch or whole mouth) or partial ( replacing one or several teeth). All dentures are removable and have a tendency to move. To achieve stability, partial dentures need to be clasped to the natural teeth. Both partial and complete dentures can be made to appear quite natural using the latest artificial teeth and acrylics.

Implants
This type of tooth replacement involves the placing of a titanium root within the bone. This artificial root is allowed to integrate into the bone for 4-6 months before a crown or bridge is attached to it. During the healing phase, a temporary denture restores your smile. The success rate for implants can be as high as 95%.