Uneven teeth, too much gums showing when you smile, lines around the mouth, stained teeth and old dental work can all impact on how we feel when we smile. Smile with confidence with many of our treatment choices including:
Composite veneers are fillings bonded to your front teeth. They are a great option if you are interested in changing the appearance of your front teeth – whether that be improving the shape, alignment or colour. For example, they are great for front teeth with gaps between them or chipping along the edges or have stained old fillings.
Depending on their size, the wear resistance and strength of composite resin may suffice. Minimal to no preparation of the tooth structure means this is a very conservative way to bond a veneer facing to the tooth. Composite veneers are created using the same material we use for other fillings, this is called composite resin (contains a glass and resin hybrid). Downsides include – staining, dulling, chipping and wear over many years of use. A thorough consultation is required prior to going ahead with any new veneers.
Porcelain veneers are thin tooth coloured facings which are bonded to the front teeth. These types of veneers involve trimming 0.3-0.5mm of tooth structure in order to create retention for a facing. They are more conservative than dental crowns and can help eliminate gaps between front teeth, stains or discolourations, broken or chipped teeth, crowded or oddly shaped teeth.
Invisalign® is a set of clear aligners (almost invisible trays) that sit over the top of your teeth. They are changed every 1-2 weeks in accordance with specific instructions from your dentist. They are custom made to fit your teeth and as such a thorough check up is required prior to beginning this treatment. Molds are taken of your teeth to create these aligners. Once you have been issued your Invisalign® trays, they follow a certain sequence of controlled forces to achieve a proposed result as prescribed by the dentists at Riverstone Family Dental. This proposed result is demonstrated to you from the very beginning through a 3D imaging software which shows you how the teeth will be moved and what the end result will look like.
The aligners must be worn at least 22 hours per day to achieve the requested results in a good period of time. Most people find them more comfortable than traditional braces and prefer the clear appearance. You will be reviewed every 6-8 weeks and issued more aligners during these appointments.
Because the aligners must be removed when eating, you can eat whatever you want and clean your teeth without having to worry about brackets and wires. Your friends and family will not notice you are repositioning your teeth because they look clear.
Lip definition can be achieved with fillers and muscle relaxants can diminish the appearance of a gummy smile. Dentists are trained in head and neck anatomy in depth. We understand muscle function and the location of important vessels and nerves. As such, we can anaesthetise and inject areas with a great understanding of cause and effect.
Lip enhancement utilises Hyaluronic Acid – which is a naturally occurring dermal filler. The definition, volume and shape can be enhanced with the use of this filler. Our philosophy is taking a gradual approach to reach the desired result. We want to create a plump, youthful look whilst still looking natural.
The first few days after a lip enhancement procedure, there will be some swelling. However, our careful injection technique means there is little to no bruising.
Muscle relaxants (BTx or Botox) are predominantly used in the treatment of gummy smiles, clenching and teeth grinding. The effects are visible after two weeks and can last approximately 3-6 months. By blocking the nerves that supply the facial muscles, they reduce the activity of these muscles for several months.
Allergies to these products are extremely rare and a thorough medical history is taken prior to proceeding with any treatment.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
