Function                    When considering any enhancement of your smile it is worth remembering that your teeth are designed for function (chewing). It is therefore important to make sure that any cosmetic enhancement of your smile complements or improves your existing function.

For comfort, longevity and the protection of your new smile it is important that your teeth touch evenly when biting together, as this allows your jaw muscles to settle in to a relaxed position at rest.

It is very common to find that most people posses an uneven bite, which often results from general wear over time and past dentistry, such as a filling in a back tooth left slightly high of the bite, or tooth movement following orthodontic treatment (braces).

An uneven bite will often result in premature failure of your smile, with wear and chipping of your teeth, especially your front teeth. Clenching and grinding during sleep is another common problem leading to sensitive teeth, sore or painful jaw joints and even headaches.

A complete smile assessment will always incorporate a thorough examination of your bite, as we not only want your smile to look fantastic but also last for many years to come. For example, an uneven bite caused by a high filling in a back tooth will often lead to worn and chipped front teeth. Porcelain veneers can easily correct this, however if you do not treat the underlying cause such as the high back tooth, your new smile and veneers will probably fracture prematurely.