Face
Dentistry
We often have patients asking us about the various options and choices to improve their smile. In this blog post we are going to discuss the range of treatments available and how they might combine to help you achieve your perfect smile.
Before any dental practice undertakes any form of cosmetic dental option they should always ensure that your teeth and gums are in good condition. A full dental health assessment should always be undertaken, this may result in an extended period of dental health education with a dental hygienist prior to any cosmetic dentistry.
Once your teeth and gums are healthy we can begin looking at your cosmetic dentistry options.
In order to make things simple we are going to look at this from the following aspects:
To resolve these problems there are a range of treatments often used in cosmetic dentistry:
Let’s now look at how these treatments can be used to solve each of the dental problems mentioned.
The three primary ways we can straighten crooked teeth with cosmetic dentistry are by using.
This is the most minimally invasive option and is when your dentist applies a small amount of tooth coloured resin over the area affected. Typically this technique is used for teeth which are set back and require building forwards slightly to be in line with their neighbours. The technique is often called instant or immediate tooth veneers.
One of the great advantages of this technique is that it often requires no anaesthetic injection and is completely painless. It is also extremely quick as the material is applied directly to your tooth in the dental surgery.
A disadvantage with dental bonding is that the composite material may have some degradation of colour over time, normally however, your dentist can polish the surface to regain its original shade.
These are made of thin yet high-strength dental ceramic.
Your dentist will gently remove approximately 0.5 mm of the outer enamel of your teeth. This is so that the veneer has an adequate and secure bedding onto which it will be bonded. The veneer is made by a dental technician who can make it to realign teeth and indeed change the colour also.
Dental veneers have a good history of having a long life although you do need to remember that you have veneers as they can fracture if you accidentally knock them.
As you can see in the image above the dental veneers have been used in this case to make it look as though we have moved the teeth and closed spaces.
Dental bonding can be done immediately on your teeth giving you an instant result, however, ceramic dental veneers typically take between two and three weeks to make. Whilst the dental technician is making your veneers you will be fitted with a transitional veneer on each tooth.
This is the most conservative option to straighten teeth as you maintain all of your natural dentition and have no additional materials such as dental composite or dental ceramic added to your teeth. There are a range of orthodontics are available at our practice including:
We have written about various orthodontic treatments in the past, so we won’t labour too long on each individual option here.
Orthodontics has the distinct advantage of leaving your existing teeth alone from a restorative point of view. Once the orthodontics have been used to move your teeth to the new position all foreign objects such as composites and ceramics are removed from your mouth.
One of the disadvantages of orthodontics however is that it takes considerably longer. If you had dental veneers you could achieve a new straighter smile in approximately 2 or 3 weeks, with orthodontics (depending on which system you had) you will be looking at anything from 16 weeks up to 2 years.
Oral B have written an excellent website about the different types of braces, please do take a look here.
The most commonly selected option for patients is teeth whitening. Tooth whitening can be a very effective way of lightening the natural colour of your teeth without removing any of the tooth surface. It cannot make a complete colour change, but it may lighten the existing shade.
Whitening involves the application of a peroxide gel to the surface of your teeth. This is typically held in place by a custom-made tray which fits precisely over your teeth. You wear this tray, with the gel inside each day for around two hours. The whole process often takes about two weeks to reach the desired shade, although this is entirely in your control.
Teeth whitening is a form of dentistry and should only be performed by a dentist or another regulated dental professional, such as a dental hygienist or dental therapist, on the prescription of a dentist.
Some beauty salons offer teeth whitening, but this is illegal if there’s no dental professional present, and it may put your oral health at risk. You can also buy DIY home teeth whitening kits but these may also carry risks.
The General Dental Council have an excellent video on their website which talks about teeth whitening and their belief that teeth whitening is a form of dentistry. They also have an excellent guide teeth whitening , this talks about what you need to know if you are considering whitening.
This is where the various treatments begin to overlap. Because both dental bonding and dental veneers involve placing a new layer over your existing tooth they can be useful for whitening, so long as that layer is thick enough to cover up any underlying dark tooth.
If you have many teeth which require whitening we would not typically recommend any form of restorative treatment such as bonding or veneers. These restorative treatments are usually only reserved for exceptionally dark teeth which may not respond to conventional teeth whitening procedures.
Once again, the options to rebuild broken down teeth in the most minimal way are dental bonding or dental veneers. If you have severely broken down teeth then dental crowns may also be considered.
Veneers and bonding would be placed over the surface of your natural teeth to cover up any pits, chips or problem areas you want hidden. Here is a typical example of how a tooth can be rebuilt with a small amount of dental bonding. All that was required here was a little bit of bonding towards the edge of the teeth to rebuild broken down edges. A minimally invasive, simple and quick result.
The best way to find a cosmetic dentist is to ask your friends. Personal recommendation is by far the best way as it means your friends and family have had personal experience. You could also visit Google and type “Cosmetic Dentist Bristol” ( just substitute Bristol with your local area if you live outside of the region), take a look at the various search results and then scroll through to the patient reviews page.
Consider visiting British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry – The Academy lists the various treatment options available and provides a range of dentists which are members.
Another good thing to look out for are patient testimonials and reviews of an individual practice, here are some great examples…
We hope you have found this blog post about cosmetic dentistry both informative and helpful. We are a private dental practice in Portishead, Bristol offering a range of treatments to help you Enjoy a healthy smile plus whiten dark teeth, restore broken down teeth and straighten crooked teeth.
Are electric toothbrushes better than manual?
It’s a question we’re asked a lot at the practice – and in this video, Carol gives a clear, honest answer.
Electric toothbrushes can make it easier to clean effectively, especially if you struggle with technique, brushing for long enough, or reaching certain areas. Many people find they remove plaque more consistently, simply because they do most of the work for you.
That said, a manual toothbrush can still do a great job when used properly. It’s less about the brush itself and more about how you use it.
Watch Carol’s quick explanation to find out what we usually recommend – and how to make sure you’re getting the most from your brushing routine.
If you’re unsure whether your brushing technique is working for you, mention it at your next appointment and we’ll be happy to guide you. 🪥
Our Gromits have become quite the local celebrities here at Evolve 🐾💛
So many of you pop into our patient lounge just to see the collection, and we love how much joy they bring to patients of all ages.
At the moment, two of our Gromits seem to have wandered off on an adventure! We’re hoping they simply need a little help finding their way home.
If you happen to spot them locally or see anything that looks like part of our collection being sold, we’d really appreciate you letting us know. You can message us privately or call the practice.
They’re part of what makes Evolve feel like Evolve — and we’d love to have the whole family back together again.
Thank you for always looking out for us 💛
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😴 Can snoring affect your oral health?
In our latest Two Thirty video, Maggie answers a question many people don’t think to ask — can snoring impact your teeth and gums?
The short answer is yes, it can.
Snoring is often linked to breathing through your mouth at night, which can cause a dry mouth. Saliva plays an important role in protecting your teeth, so when your mouth is dry, you may be more prone to tooth decay and bad breath.
If you snore and have noticed dryness, increased decay or concerns about your breath, it’s worth mentioning at your next appointment.
Our reception team at Evolve Dentistry in Portishead will be happy to arrange a consultation if you’d like advice.
⏰ Smile hack: When you brush matters
Did you know it’s not just how long you brush — but when you brush — that makes a difference? Maggie shares an important smile hack about timing your toothbrushing properly.
Brushing straight after eating — especially after acidic foods or drinks like fruit, juice or coffee — can actually do more harm than good. Your enamel is slightly softened, and brushing immediately can cause wear.
Maggie explains the best time to brush and why waiting can help protect your teeth long term.
It’s a small change that can make a big difference to your oral health.
How do braces actually work? 🤔
In the latest video from our Two Thirty series, Lisa explains exactly how braces move teeth — and why treatment takes time.
If you’ve ever wondered how gentle pressure can gradually straighten your smile, or what’s happening behind the scenes during orthodontic treatment, this short video breaks it down in a clear and easy-to-understand way.
Whether you’re considering braces for yourself or your child, understanding the process can make the journey feel much more reassuring.
Watch the full video now and, if you have questions about braces, our reception team will be happy to help you book a consultation at Evolve Dentistry in Portishead.
Have you got an old filling on a front tooth that’s starting to discolour?
Andrea recently visited us to have a stained filling replaced by Richard — and she’s absolutely thrilled with the result.
In her video, she talks about how the old filling had become noticeable over time and how much fresher and more natural her smile looks now.
Sometimes it’s the small changes that make the biggest difference to your confidence.
If you’re unhappy with an old filling, contact our reception team to book a consultation and explore your options.
Thinking about improving your smile but not sure what SmileFast actually involves?
Richard Ford has recorded a short video explaining how the SmileFast process works and the benefits of treatment.
From digital smile design through to the final result, SmileFast offers a minimally invasive way to enhance chipped, worn or uneven teeth — with predictable, natural-looking outcomes.
If you’ve been curious about composite bonding or want to understand your options, this is a great place to start.
Watch the full video on our YouTube channel and contact our reception team if you’d like to book a consultation.
