Modern problems that arise in life demand modern answers and all that some of us require at times is a ‘quick fix’ to get us through; the modern world has developed a ‘use it and bin it’ mentality and when we want things, we want them straight away to replace what we have discarded. Now, that’s not to say that the world of dentistry employs this philosophy, but over the past 30 years, it too has adjusted some its treatments that a modern world can place on our teeth, especially the need to look good cosmetically. One of the procedures to come out of the States is the Lumineer, a treatment to cater for the person on the go. It’s a specially patented porcelain covering that is simply cemented onto the surface of the tooth to improve the over all appearance of the smile. Like a traditional veneer, it can cover a multitude of sins on the tooth from discolouring, to cracks and gaps, but unlike its predecessor, it doesn’t do any damage to the enamel of the tooth, meaning that the original surface can be restored if required. Being extremely delicate, the Lumineer lasts for around 5 years, but it is a quick fix with the minimal of hassle to put into place, meaning that once its run its course, you simply ‘bin it’ and get another one fitted, and considering that dentists in the area use CEREC treatment, it means you can get one measured, made and fitted in Leeds in under 2 hours- is that fast enough for you?!
CEREC is one of those incredible inventions that comes along in a blue moon to the city of Leeds that makes you think, ‘now that’s brilliant!’. If ever you have had to have a crown, a bridge or veneers fitted, you’ll know that the process can take up to a few weeks to complete: first the putty imprint followed by the tooth preparation, then the imprint is sent off to the lab so that the product can be made, then weeks later it comes back and is fitted and if it doesn’t fit right the whole process has to be repeated and then……..not any more because CEREC technology cuts through all that nonsense. The putty has been replaced by digital imaging and once the technician/dentist is happy with it, the image is fed into a computerized milling machine and before your very eyes your new fitting comes out of the other end- of course while this happening, the dentist has time to prepare your teeth. So what does all of this mean? Well, for a start, you will be in and out of there in 2 hours max and should anything be out of kilter, it can be rectified on site- that’s what it means! Imagine you have to be somewhere or do something or see someone, just how wonderful is this technology for the person on the move and….the prices are as comparable to that of the traditional way.
Everybody seems to be far busier and inevitably some things have to be sacrificed if we are to fit everything into our hectic schedules. It is a shame though when people put off having a procedure done in the dentist because they think they haven’t got time. It might be a piece of vital work or something that will improve the look of their smile. If you think that you haven’t got time to go to the dentist then you should be aware that many dental procedures are now quicker than ever thanks to CEREC techniques.
The technological revolution that swept the world in the twentieth century and meant that man walked on the moon and allowed aeroplane travel to become widespread, not to mention the internet, has affected dentistry too. Treatment times have sped up and become altogether more efficient thanks to the technology that is now available in many dental surgeries up and down the United Kingdom.
Dental practice is changing and changing fast. The improvements to the way that dentists can practice are bringing numerous benefits to patients. A common complaint in the past was that people often had to spend too long at the surgery and would then have to return for repeat visits, disrupting their work and family life in the process. All this is changing thanks to a set of techniques called CEREC that are becoming ever more commonplace in British dental surgeries.
It’s not often that something comes along for dentists in the city of Leeds that not only gives them a certain amount of chic, cool and kudos, but is spot on for the customers too. Stand up CEREC and take a bow! We live in an extremely ‘want it now’ society and this treatment delivers it ‘now’. When it comes to hiding the age of your teeth (and you with it!), more and more of us, are turning to cosmetic dentistry to save our bacon and turn back the years. Veneers have always been a popular choice as they cover everything up, from gaps and receding gums, to discoloured, worn and cracked teeth. They have also spawned a range of hybrids such as Lumineers- all designed to do the same job. Crowns and bridges also get your mouth in to shape beautifully. Thing is, it normally took about 4 weeks to complete all of these treatments because the parts had to be sent off for from some lab miles away. Not anymore! With CEREC, these parts can be made whilst the dentist is getting you ready for your fitting. You go in, have a couple digital photo’s taken that are fed into a machine, that then manufactures your parts on the spot. 2 hours later, you hit the streets smiling like a film legend. Perfect if you have a pressing engagement scheduled for that day. Best of all, any problems with the fitting can be rectified on the spot and it costs as much as the as the old 4 week long treatments.
Thanks to advance in technology, the way that dentistry works is changing and patients are benefiting enormously. The time that one needs to spend in the surgery is being slashed and the costs are going down too. To find out more, read on and be amazed at how new technology is changing dentistry.
Dentists are not only there to help keep your teeth clean and free from disease, they can also help with the way your smile looks. And having a smile you can be proud of is very important in the modern, image conscious world. Think about how easy it is to relax people when you smile and how you can make friends with ease by looking happy. Having the perfect smile will also make those wedding or holiday photos look better too.
If your teeth have started to look a bit shabby of late and it is starting to affect your confidence and the way you communicate with people, then listen up good folk of central Leeds, for it may be time to consider a bit of a makeover to fill those gaps, cracks and chips. One of the more popular choices to restore your good looks is the porcelain veneer. It’s fairly painless process done under a local anaesthetic over a couple of weeks (about an hour if you go down the CEREC route!). The dentist will first shave away the enamel and then take an impression that is sent off to the lab, along with a colour coding to match the rest of your teeth, so that the veneer can be made; (Until its return, you will wear a temporary veneer). When you return to the dentist, the fitting is easy and painless- the veneer is cemented onto the tooth and cured with a heat lamp. A porcelain veneer is normally the choice that people go for and is good value at around £500, (less on the NHS)- they sit very natural in the mouth and if treated with care, can last you for a good 10 years. They also react well to certain types of teeth whitening methods too. So go on, go and get your mojo back and start smiling confidence again!
Every year that goes by, more and more techniques are developed to put the smile back in our mouths and convince us of the benefits of cosmetic dentistry and in Leeds you can see it everywhere you go. We’re constantly bombarded with images of people smiling the ‘perfect’ smile. But now it’s becoming more accessible to all of us and not just those in a poster or on the telly. Teeth do take a battering over time and become stained chipped or cracked and if you work in the public eye all the time, it’s almost become a requirement to look clean cut and confident, and radiating a glamorous smile can reflect that. One of the latest trends is to get lumineers fitted. They aren’t exactly long lasting mind, about 5 years maximum, but to dismiss their shelf life is to dismiss the philosophy behind them; they will restore an incredible sheen to the teeth. They are constructed from a patented porcelain that’s very thin (a third of a normal veneer) and very strong, and this is where they have an advantage over standard veneers when they are fitted. Tooth preparation is minimal- once the imprint has been taken and sent off to be made, the only work that is done to the tooth is a light polishing. None of the original enamel is removed from the tooth and the lumineer is simply bonded straight onto the tooth (making the process reversible) with a light cement and then cured with a heat lamp Normal treatment time is around 2 weeks from imprint to fitting. However, incorporating CEREC methods, the whole process can be done in a single sitting and being comparable in price to other procedures, lumineers are a very attractive option to those of us on the go.
