Orthodontics

Orthodontics is a field of dentistry that specialises in moving and straightening teeth, using braces, aligners or other appliances to move teeth into an ideal position. This makes teeth easier to clean and provides a straighter smile and a more even bite. Orthodontics not only helps your smile look better but also gives you a healthier smile in the long run.

There are a number of teeth straightening treatments, to suit all smiles.


Children’s Orthodontics

When it comes to straight healthy smiles, it is important to intervene early to make sure a child’s teeth and jaws grow in a way that avoids problems later in life. A child should see an orthodontist once they start to have some permanent teeth that are grown into their mouth, which happens at the age of seven. From there, an orthodontist can check their smile and rule out any issues with their teeth that could need early intervention (also sometimes known as Phase One treatment).

Early intervention treatments are useful to spot and eliminate dental issues that can cause more invasive dental treatment to become necessary later in life. These include teeth that are blocked as they try to grow into the mouth, tooth crowding that could need extracting later, teeth that are crossed over, front teeth that protrude forward, among other conditions.

As well as treating potentially major conditions, our orthodontist can guide where teeth grow into your mouth, which will give them a better chance to ensuring they have room to erupt into the mouth normally. They are also in a better position to notice subtle issues that are less obvious as well.


Fixed Orthodontics

Fixed orthodontic treatments are the most versatile and effective treatments. Whilst it often calls to mind teenagers wearing metal brackets and wires in their mouths, the truth is that a lot of people, children, teenage and adult seek teeth straightening treatment, and what is usually seen as a single kind of treatment actually takes a number of forms:

Metal Braces

The most traditional and common form of orthodontic treatment, and whilst they are less discreet than other braces, they offer some significant benefits over other methods. They are more cost-effective than other methods, and also are able to be used for more complex cases, such as people with particularly crooked teeth or where teeth need to be removed.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces work under the same principle as metal braces, however, they are made from tooth-coloured ceramic material. This makes them less noticeable to other people that you are wearing braces. This makes them a popular option for adult patients, who don’t want to get noticeable metal braces.


Invisalign

Invisalign is a different way to straighten teeth. Instead of a number of brackets and wires that are directly bonded to your teeth, Invisalign use a number of custom-designed removable aligners. In sequence, they provide a very comfortable way to straighten teeth, one that a patient is in complete control of.

For more information about Invisalign, click here.


Retainers

One of the most important parts of any orthodontic treatment happens after it is complete. Retainers are a variety of devices that keep your teeth secure and in their new, straightened position. There are a number of different retainers, from fixed bonded wire retainers to removable Essix and Vivera retainers. How often they need to be worn depends on the treatment and will need to be discussed with your orthodontist.

Dentures

If you have lost some or all of your teeth, dentures are a common solution, as they provide an effective replacement. What dentures a patient needs depends on their individual situation, and the best way to find the ideal denture is to book a consultation with our dentists.

There are several kinds of dentures for different kinds of tooth loss and general oral health.


Full

Full, or Complete Dentures are what most people think of when it comes to dentures, which is where the entirety of either your upper or lower teeth is replaced with a prosthetic set of teeth. These can either be primarily made of metal or acrylic material, which is then shaped and designed to look as natural in your mouth as possible.

They can either be removable or fixed. Fixed dentures are affixed to your mouth using dental implants, whilst removable dentures use effective design to lock onto your gums.


Partial

Partial dentures work differently to full dentures, not only because they only need to replace a few teeth on either the upper or lower jaw, but also because they connect to your mouth differently. Partial dentures use a series of clips to connect the dentures to other solid teeth. At Dental Excellence we take great pains to design partial dentures to perfectly match your teeth.


Valplast

An alternative way to attach partial dentures to your teeth is available at Dental Excellence in the form of Valplast dentures. Valplast dentures are a flexible partial denture that fits snuggly in your mouth without anyone noticing, blending naturally in with your natural teeth.

Unlike other partial dentures, which use clasps and clips to secure themselves to your natural teeth, Valplast dentures are specially and flexibly designed to naturally hook to your teeth. They are also made of an incredibly strong yet thin plastic, making them feel lighter and more like your natural teeth.


Denture Stabilisation

Dentures are typically held in your mouth by your gums, however, for a more secure and stable fit, we offer denture stabilisation, where your dentures are attached to your mouth to keep your denture attached to your mouth. For more information, click here to look at our dedicated Denture Stabilisation page.

Invisalign

Invisalign – Made to Move

Invisalign is a state of the art, discreet and popular alternative to traditional braces. Instead of using wires and brackets attached to your teeth, Invisalign uses removable, custom plastic aligners, which are worn in sequence to gradually, conveniently and comfortably straighten your teeth, step by step.

How does it work?

Unlike traditional braces, which take a form of a series of brackets that are bonded to your teeth with a wire that runs through them and works to straighten your teeth, Invisalign consists of a series of clear, plastic aligners that are comfortably worn onto your teeth, similar to a whitening tray or a mouthguard.

These aligners are custom designed for your teeth and are designed to gradually move your teeth to their ideal position, step by step. Every two weeks the aligners are changed to allow for the next movement to be made. This continues until your treatment is complete and you have the smile of your dreams.

Your treatment uses the latest technology to not only plan your treatment but also to create your aligners, using Align’s pioneering iTero technology.

There are a number of Invisalign treatments, which allow it to be used for a number of orthodontic cases. These include Invisalign Full, for orthodontic treatments that will take a year or more, and Invisalign Go, a version of the procedure intended for the teeth most prominent when you smile.

iTero

Invisalign takes full advantage of Align’s iTero scanning technology, which allows for a computer-generated 3D model of your teeth to be created without the need for dental moulds.

The iTero Intra-Oral Scanner is designed specifically for Invisalign treatment and takes the form of a pen-shaped scanner. It captures an accurate 3D model of your teeth much quicker than traditional impressions and is also more comfortable. You can breathe and swallow normally whilst having an iTero scan, and we can take a break from the scanning process at any time you wish and return to the treatment.

The iTero scanner works in conjunction with Invisalign’s digital Outcome Simulator, which will show step-by-step how each aligner will work to create your ideal smile, from start to finish.

Advantages

There are a number of advantages to using Invisalign, which make it an ideal choice for a range of cosmetic orthodontic treatments.

The first is how discreet they are. When worn they are barely visible when you smile, and will straighten your teeth without anyone knowing your secret. All they will see is the difference to your smile.

Invisalign aligners are very comfortable and convenient. Unlike conventional braces wearing them is as simple as putting on a mouthguard, and they are also easily removable when you wish to eat, drink or clean your teeth. As there is nothing attached to your teeth, there is no extra steps to cleaning your teeth besides removing the aligner. Whilst an Invisalign aligner can occasionally feel a little tight at the start of an alignment step, they are very comfortable to wear.

They are also very simple to apply. Just wear your aligner until it is time to change to the next one, open the sealed package and apply the new one.

Invisalign aligners also take advantage of the latest in scanning technology, allowing you to see at a glance your progress and discuss with your dentist.

Depending on your treatment, Invisalign treatments are also faster to complete, with a typical case taking between six months and a year.

Who Is Suitable for Invisalign?

Invisalign is suitable for most minor to moderate teeth straightening treatments, with cosmetic treatments just taking a few months. It is not suitable for every case however, with certain major teeth straightening treatments requiring other teeth straightening treatments. For more information on these treatments, visit our Orthodontics page.

Certain severe teeth conditions including severely rotated teeth, teeth that are tipped over, particularly large gaps between teeth and severe overcrowding will require additional treatment in order to complete.

Teeth that require repair or are uneven will need to be fixed using other dental treatments before Invisalign treatment can start.

If you have any concerns, the best person to speak to will be our dental experts at Dental Excellence. Please contact us for a free consultation if you have any questions.

Retainers

After your Invisalign treatment, the most vital part of the treatment is retention, which prevents your teeth from relapsing back to their original position. Your teeth are like elastic and want to move back to their original position. This is prevented by retention, which can either be fixed or removable.

A fixed retainer takes the form of a wire bonded to the back of your teeth which keeps them in place whilst being invisible when you smile, but removable retainers are also available, including Essix retainers and Rivera.

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Denture Stabilisation

If you have loose or ill-fitting dentures, your ability to eat and speak may become affected. Due to advances in dentistry, there is now a procedure whereby your denture can be fixed to your jaw with dental implants. This treatment, known as implant overdentures or denture stabilisation, offers patients with dentures a more permanent solution and can improve your quality of life significantly. You will be able to enjoy your favourite foods again and feel comfortable smiling, safe in the knowledge that your dentures are staying put.

As part of this treatment, you will require surgery to have the implants placed into your jaw. Once they have integrated with the bone and surrounding tissues for a period of time, your dentures are placed on top of the implants through a range of special fixtures. This means your dentures can still be removed for cleaning, but will stay put once in place.

Some of the other benefits that you will enjoy with this type of treatment are a natural looking smile, improved confidence, less irritation of your gums and you don’t take your teeth out at night.

Unique “Look 10 Years Younger” Service

It is often said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. At Dental Excellence we believe that your smile, your teeth and gums, are also a reflection of how you feel overall.

Many people don’t realise how much of an impact their teeth have on their whole appearance. Worn-down and missing teeth can shorten the face, causing unwanted creases, wrinkles, thin lips and a sunken look that make you look much older than you feel. Discoloured teeth, old, obvious dental work and chips or injuries to the teeth can also age your face. We offer a wide range of solutions including restorative and cosmetic dental work, combined with facial rejuvenation treatments.

Dental Excellence is one of the leading clinics for facial and dental transformations, and our aim is to make you look and feel younger and to be healthier as quickly and painlessly as possible. Our experts provide the latest and best in cosmetic dentistry, dental implants and orthodontic solutions, as well as cutting-edge facial therapies such as dermal fillers. Every treatment is bespoke to the needs of the individual patient – there is no “one size fits all” approach, but we believe we can help all patients feel younger and better about themselves.

Using our Smile Makeover, we can fix a range of oral health issues that contribute to premature aging. This list is not exclusive, but treatments might include:

  • Porcelain veneers
  • Porcelain crowns
  • Tooth whitening
  • Dental implants
  • Full mouth reconstruction
  • Bone grafts

We optimise the natural dimensions of your mouth and face, smoothing out wrinkles, making lips look fuller and cheeks plumper.

By combining treatments to suit your individual needs, our expert team can help you look and feel up to 10 years younger, and can leave you with a dazzling Hollywood smile in just two hours.

Complex Mouth Restorations

If your teeth have got into a poor condition for any reason, from decay or gum disease worsened by a fear of visiting the dentist to accident, injury or part of the natural aging process, you may think there are not many options left to help you. However, at Dental Excellence we don’t think this is the case. We believe we can help all patients to achieve the smile of their dreams with our complex mouth restorations service. Even if you have had a negative experience with another dentist, we urge you to contact us to see how we can help you to get your smile back.

Our highly experienced, qualified dental team comprises some of the UK and Ireland’s top consultants and specialists in fields from general dentistry to dental implants. Combine that with the latest and best technology and treatments and a commitment to delivering a world-class, bespoke service to every patient at every visit and you can see why many of our patients are so happy to recommend us.

Here are some of the problems patients bring to us, and the solutions we can offer. In many cases we will combine treatments to leave you with the perfect smile:

Problem

Decayed teeth and gum disease

If you haven’t visited a dentist for many years, perhaps because of dental phobia, your teeth may be decayed or damaged, and you may also be suffering from gum disease, one of the leading causes of tooth loss. You may have pain, bleeding gums or cavities in your teeth.

Solution

Before any cosmetic treatment we will make sure your teeth and gums are healthy. We will treat gum disease and any decayed or damaged teeth, saving your natural teeth wherever possible. Treatments may include:

  • White fillings
  • Thorough cleaning of teeth
  • Root canal treatment
  • Crowns
  • Bespoke home hygiene advice

If you’ve put off visiting your dentist because of nerves, you may benefit from our unique form of empathetic care. Visit our Nervous Patients page for full details of how we can help you. Our dentists are registered as Phobic Dentists and we can provide treatment under sedation where necessary.

Problem

Missing teeth/teeth that can’t be saved

Solution

Depending on your individual case, you may benefit from:

  • Crowns
  • Bridges
  • Dental implants
  • Secured dentures

Problem

Crooked/crowded teeth

Solution

We have a range of discreet orthodontic solutions for adult patients.

Cosmetic Crowns & Bridges

The importance of a great-looking, healthy smile cannot be over-estimated. Your smile is the first thing that many people notice about you and having a smile you are proud to show off can enhance your confidence in every aspect of your life, from business to social interactions.

Many people are unhappy with their smile and are embarrassed to show it off. But it doesn’t have to be that way. At Dental Excellence we believe anyone can have the smile they’ve always dreamt of, with the help of our Smile Makeovers.

We treat all of our patients as individuals, with the utmost care and professionalism. All of our Smile Makeover treatments are bespoke to your individual needs. Some of the common problems patients report to us with are:

  • Stained or discoloured teeth
  • Chipped or worn teeth
  • Gummy smile (too much gum on show)
  • Crooked teeth
  • Gaps between teeth
  • Old, discoloured fillings or crowns
  • Missing tooth or teeth.
  • Sagging, aged or sunken facial appearance

Some of the common cosmetic dental treatments we recommend, depending on individual need, are:

  • Tooth whitening
  • Metal-free crowns and bridges
  • Cosmetic veneers
  • Dental implants
  • White fillings
  • Correction of chipped or twisted teeth

All of these treatments are carried out using the latest techniques and equipment in a relaxed environment that feels more like a spa than a dental surgery.

White Fillings Metal-free Crowns Veneers

White Fillings

If you require a filling in your tooth, a cosmetic option would be to choose a white filling material that matches the shade of your surrounding natural teeth. You can also have any existing metallic fillings replaced with tooth-coloured or ‘white’ fillings. This will allow you to smile without a metallic glint in sight, giving your teeth a more natural appearance overall. Here is how white fillings work:

  • This is a safe procedure that entails the removal of any decay from your tooth, and taking out the metal or amalgam fillings if you are having them replaced.
  • The new filling is made from a very hard tooth-coloured substance and will withstand the forces in your mouth when you bite and chew over a long period of time.
  • The restoration is completed in one visit and your fillings will not be visible when you smile.
Life benefits
  • Natural-looking restoration.
  • Improved cosmetic appearance of filled teeth while still being able to bite and chew as usual.
  • Hard-wearing restorative solution.

Crowns

A crown is a type of dental restoration used to fix teeth that have been broken, weakened by decay or contain a very large filling. Here is how it works:

  • An impression is taken of the tooth that needs restoring.
  • A crown is made in the dental laboratory to fit the tooth precisely and match the neighbouring teeth.
  • The tooth is then prepared and the crown fitted securely on top.

A crown could be a good solution for you if you have some discoloured fillings and would like to improve their appearance. Crowns can be used to replace these to give you a more appealing smile. Additionally, if you have had root canal treatment you will need a crown to protect or cap the restored tooth, allowing you to eat and bite down on it as if it was a real tooth. Crowns are also used to anchor a bridge or denture firmly in place in the mouth.

Life benefits
  • Strengthens remaining tooth structure.
  • Natural-looking restoration.
  • Functions like a real tooth, so you can bite and chew as usual.

Porcelain Veneers

Are your teeth stained, chipped, or not aligned on top of each other? Veneers are a good treatment option to consider because they look like natural teeth and don’t require a major procedure. Veneers can also be used to close small gaps when braces are not suitable. If one tooth is slightly out of position, a veneer can sometimes be fitted to bring it into line with the others. Here is how they work:

  • A veneer is a very thin, tooth-coloured piece of porcelain (like a false finger nail, but more durable) that is bonded on top of your own tooth.
  • Based on your needs, the shape and size of the veneers can be adjusted to make your teeth overall look longer and or closer together.
  • You can have just one veneer fitted or a whole set, known as a smile makeover.
Life benefits
  • Simple and quick solution to improve the cosmetic appearance of teeth.
  • Long-lasting smile enhancement.
  • Natural-looking restoration

Please contact the practice team for your FREE copy of our Implant/Hygiene/Cosmetic Dentistry Patient Information Brochure…the brochure fully explains our unique approach and our expertise in providing these services.

Teeth Whitening

Do you have stained teeth that make you feel self-conscious about smiling? Teeth whitening can be a good solution for certain types of tooth staining.

Teeth can be stained by foods, drinks, smoking and certain medications. Teeth whitening is a safe procedure that can lighten the colour of your teeth by using a safe dental bleaching agent. Individual results vary and are based on your initial tooth colour and the nature of your tooth staining.

Home Whitening Kit

Here we custom-make a lightweight plastic mouth tray for you that fits snugly over your teeth. You then put a whitening gel inside the tray and wear for one hour during the day. Results are normally seen over 2 weeks and your teeth will also appear whiter and brighter.

 

Airflow is an add on treatment to a scale and polish treatement. Just look at the results below!