Digital x-rays produce an immediate and three-dimensional image of the patient’s mouth and teeth onto a computer screen. This has replaced the old style traditional x-rays which produced two-dimensional black and white images. This ;also needed developing that could take up to several days depending on the number of patients.

Swindon dentists can now get an incredibly accurate image of the patient’s teeth almost immediately, which they can then use for further treatment. One of the newest methods of treatment is called Cerec. This allows dentists to produce dental restorations such as crowns, veneers and dental inlays in only one appointment. The process is able to work because of the images produced by the digital x-rays. The dentist can use this image to create a dental crown or veneer on the computer. When satisfied with the size and shape he can then utilise a computer-guided machine to sculpt the restoration from a single piece of porcelain. This takes as little as six minutes per tooth and represents an astonishing leap forward in dental technology.

Digital x-rays have not only improved the time of treatment but they have also improved its quality. The images available now are accurate to microscopic degrees. This has allowed treatments to become more accurate and means dentists no longer need to rely on clumsy and time-consuming dental moulds.

There are many reasons why you may require tooth whitening but by far the most common is to reverse the staining of teeth that happens naturally as we age. The discolouration can be accelerated by ingesting certain foods and drinks such as coffee, and smoking can also increase the process.

The most common form of teeth whitening is professional bleaching carried out by a Weston-super-Mare dentist. The dentist will initially assess if you are suitable for whitening as the use of certain medications precludes treatment. If you are suitable, the dentist will use a rubber shield to protect the gums and other soft tissue before applying a concentrated mixture containing the active ingredient hydrogen peroxide. As this is broken down oxygen penetrates the enamel on the surface of the teeth making it appear lighter.

Complete treatments usually take between three and four weeks with regular applications of half an hour over that period. In most cases the dentist will make up reduced concentration treatments in special trays to be used at home. Although some new treatments can be applied for longer reducing the overall treatment time to as little as a week.

Other new treatments include using the heat of a dental laser to activate the chemical reaction producing a much faster colour change. The effects of tooth whitening can last up to three years although it is important to remember that all treatments will work differently for each patient as teeth vary in their natural colour and texture. Talk to a Weston-super-Mare dentist about the possibilities of brightening your smile with tooth whitening.

The bonding itself is a tooth-coloured resin that can be shaped before being set hard using the heat of a dental laser. Little preparation is needed before application, with only some minor etching to allow better adhesion to the enamel. Once set, the bonding can be buffed and polished to appear more like the smooth surface of tooth enamel.

There are several major advantages of using dental bonding over other cosmetic dentistry procedures. Unlike veneers and crowns, bonding can be prepared in the surgery during one visit to the dentist. Also unlike veneers and crowns, dental bonding requires little or no removal of tooth enamel so there is no unnecessary damage to the teeth. Another major bonus is that unless filling a cavity, bonding is completely pain-free and requires no anaesthetic.

In some cases dental bonding may not be suitable because of the size of the area needing filling, or the extensive nature of the dental trauma but for small scale repairs and minor cosmetic improvements, dental bonding is the perfect solution. Make an appointment to consult with your dentist to see for yourself the amazing variety of dental problems that can be treated with incredibly versatile dental bonding.