By Avril OConnor
London: Every body knows that a beautiful smile can win friends and influence people. That is why film stars, models and media personalities use cosmetic dentistry to enhance their image. But despite our teeth being one of the first things that people naturally focus on they are surprisingly neglected. According to industry statistics:
19 out of 20 people suffer from gum disease at some point in their life, making it the most common disease in the world
One in four adults suffer from bad breath on a regular basis
Nearly two thirds of people (64%) are nervous about some kinds of dental treatment.
Two-thirds of people who brush their teeth twice a day still have visible plaque deposits. Even those who brush their teeth immediately before examination have plaque on one-third of their teeth
Ninety-six percent of people see a smile as very important to someones overall appearance.
Neglect of the gums and teeth is not only bad for our image and our relationships but also for our general health. Gum disease is caused by a build up bacteria-infested plaque, which, in its severest form, results in loss of teeth as the gums shrink. It can also shorten life expectancy as the bacteria is recycled through our bloodstream. So looking after our teeth is not simply a question of vanity. Brushing, flossing and regular dental and hygenist check ups are vital. Giving up smoking is also important.
The good news is that it is now easier than ever before to look after our teeth and a far more pleasant experience that it used to be, particular with the increasing numbers of dental spas opening up in the capital. These tend to offer a whole range of aesthetic treatments, including non-surgical procedures to enhance the effect of a beautiful set of sparkling teeth. Patients lay back in the spa like ambience listening to their favourite music on an iPod or a film CD while the experts work at their teeth. It is possible to get a foot or hand massage to take your mind off that buzzing drill.
Cosmetic dentists work to correct aesthetic problems rather than serious dental diseases although some are qualified to do both – and can improve a person’s smile and overall appearance through a variety of techniques, including veneers (usually thin porcelain bonded to the original tooth), crowns and bridges (teeth replacements) and tooth whitening.
It is possible to have a whole smile makeover transforming the face and there is even a dental facelift which works by restoring and rejuvenating the teeth, uplifting sagging jawlines and taking years of a persons age. An increasing number of older people are now having orthodontics to straighten unattractive teeth with new high tech invisible braces.
The cost of cosmetic dentistry varies, not least because it is bespoke and also because of different techniques and the quality of materials. Veneers, for example can cost between £250 and £900 each, depending whether they are composite or porcelain; crowns from £750 and whitening from £500. A full smile makeover can cost from a few to several thousands of pounds. For healthy teeth that simply need whitening there are now many safe and relatively inexpensive home treatments now on the market.
These are some of the top cosmetic dentists and treatments:
DENTAL REJUVENATION by Dr George Druttman at CAP 600
One of the latest and most popular treatments is improving the appearance of ageing teeth and one of the leading specialists of this treatment in London is Dr George Druttman of Cap600 in the City.
He says: Teeth are one of the first features that people look at. Our teeth deteriorate over the years, gradually taking on more and more imperfections that betray our age, or maybe make us look even older than we really are. In Western society, where one in six people will soon be over 65, everybody wants to stay as young looking as possible.
The solution to ageing teeth is to use a combination of techniques to return them to youth including recontouring (whitening and shaping), replacing fillings to blend in, bonding using a synthetic material to shape and alter the size of teeth and veneers.
The lips can also be treated by using natural fillers, such as Restylane, which contains hyaluronic acid, to accentuate lipline, fill out lips and plump out lines.
Dr Druttman adds: Most people do not realise what can be done by cosmetic dentists. It may well be that a few short dental treatments take years off so that other surgery a patient might have been considering
Signs of ageing teeth
Colour older teeth loose brightness and luminosity and become darker. Wear makes them shor and stubby. Years of food, smoking and coffee may stain teeth permanently.
Shape young teeth are convex but wear makes the shape of older teetch straight or even concave. Tooth grinding, accelerates this dental erosion. Chipped edges are another sign
Surface The fine ridges of the teeth are smoothed away and cracks in the enamel may appear
Fillings a mouth with silver-mercury(amalgam) fillings with give teeth an overall appearance of dullness
Lips The lips thin and sag, there may be vertical lines, all of which are hastened by smoking
Contact: Dr George Druttman at Cap 600, 123 Cannon Street, London, EC4N 5AX. T: 020 7621 0600; dental@cap600; www.cap600.com
FOUR STEPS TO A NEW SMILE – by Dr JUSTIN GLAISTER AT UMBRELLA
Dr Justin Glaister is the clinical director of Umbrella and one of the leading cosmetic dentists in the UK. The four steps to a new smile is one of his signature treatments and aims to transform the whole appearance of your face.
After an initital assessment in made during which the appearance of your smile, the health of your gums and surrounding bone, jaw joints and the stability of your bite are evaluated. You may need radiographs. A detailed model is made which you can study in detail and change. Any remodeling work will be carried out on your teeth. All your new teeth are made in several different tones to give a natural look. Celebrity clients include hairdresser Nicky Clarke.
Contact: Dr Justin Glasiter, Umbrella, 11 Harley Street, London W1G 9PF . T: 020 7612 9802. www.umbrellasmiles.com
THE DENTAL FACELIFT – by Dr Phil Stemmer
An authority in aesthetic dentistry, celebrity dentist to the stars, Dr Stemmer treats people who want to enhance their looks to advance their careers or improve their self esteem. At one end of the spectrum this involves complete non-surgical face lifts to those with disfigured, crooked or unevenly spaced teeth. As well as fine porcelain veneers one of the most popular treatments is tooth whitening which can lift the colour of the teeth by several shades to produce a gleaming result on the patients own teeth. Dr Stemmer has treated and enhanced the smiles of many of our most glamorous celebrities, a myriad of pop and film stars. He is also one of Europes most experienced authorities in the treatment of oral malodour.
Contact: Dr Phil Stemmer, Conan Doyle House, 2 Devonshire Place, W1. T: + 44 (0)20 7935 0406 < ahref="http://www.drphilstemmer.co.uk">www.drphilstemmer.co.uk or a href=”http://www.freshbreak.co.uk”>www.freshbreath.co.uk
RECONSTRUCTIVE AND AESTHETIC DENTISTRY by Dr Stanley Kay
Dr Stanley Kay is a leading pioneer of reconstructive dentistry as well as cosmetic dentistry. These include very detailed and sometimes invasive procedures for those who need far more expertise and work than simple aesthetics, such as root canal work and problems with the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) which can be out of alignment. Problems with the TMJ, can cause head, neck and shoulder pains, clicking sounds, pain around the ear and wear and tear of the teeth through clenching and grinding. Treatment includes the replacement of missing teeth and other correction procedures to realign the joints.
Contact: Dr Stanley Kay at the Harley Street Dental Clinic, 103 Harley Street, London W1. T: 020 7486 1059. (a href=”mailto:info@hsdc.co.uk”>info@hsdc.co.uk
www.harleystreetdentalclinic.co.uk/default.htm
HARLEY STREET SMILE – by Dr Anthony Zybutz
Dr Anthony Zybutzs signature treatment is the Harley Street Smile, a version of the Hollywood Smile, for people who prefer a more subtle look. He uses a combination of procedures from cosmetic contouring, whitening and veneers to restore the original beauty of teeth in a minimally invasive way with minimum discomfort. In most cases the transformation can be completed in less than two hours and patients leave with a new self image and confidence.
Contact: Dr Anthony Zybutz, 39 Harley Street, London on 020 7580 9541. www.39harleystreet.co.uk
CELEBRITY SMILE MAKEOVER by Dr Joe Oliver
This clinic focuses on cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry uses state of the art technology from the US and the atmosphere of a boutique hotel and a sumptuous spa. He has a celebrity client list including Tamzin Outhwaite, Sophie Ellis Bextor and Jordan. Treatments include veneers, whitening, invisible braces, white fillings, implants and bridgework. Other treatments on offer include Botox and aesthetic fillers, aromatherapy and reki treatments. Dr Oliver pioneered the use of photo imaging in the initial consultation stage so that the client can see what their new smile could look like with the aid of digital imaging technology.
Contact: Dr Joe Oliver at The Welbeck Clinic, 20 Welbeck Street, London, W1. T: 0870 2416903 or visit www.thewelbeckclinic.co.uk
PERFECT SMILE WITH with Three-D dimensional modeling – by Dr Mark Hughes
The Harley Street Dental Studio is one of the first cosmetic dentist practices to use a variety of techniques imported from the US including the finest micro-thin veneers and the use of Cerec 3D Cad-Cam to laser scan teeth producing a 3-dimensional model on the computer. Dr Hughes is then able to cut an actual porcelain filling, ready to be fitted, in less than 10 minutes.
The Studio also offers the ultimate lifestyle experience: a plasma screen showing a DVD of your choice, complete with Bang and Olufsen surround sound, a limousine service to and from the Studio and, for those who want the ultimate pampering experience, procedures such as a manicures or pedicures can be carried out while in the dentists chair.
Contact: Dr Mark Hughes at the Harley Street Dental Studio 42 Harley Street, London W1G 9PR. T: 020 7636 5981 www.harleystreetdentalstudio.com
THE BESPOKE SMILE by Dr Victor Hillman
Dr Victor Hillman specialises preventative, periodontal and cosmetic dentistry and celebrity smiles for the likes of Barbra Streisand and Zoe Ball right through to Jonathan Ross. His clientele come from the UK and the US for his expertise. He specialises in Whole Mouth Rejuvenation and uses the latest techniques and advances in technology to transform clients smiles, including whitening, veneers, implants or a combination of these. The practice is particularly good for those with dental phobias as Dr Hillman will spend time with patients reassuring them on procedures so that they are at ease with what is happening.
Contact, Dr Victor Hillman at The Cosmetic Dental Practice, Golders Green, NW11
Tel: 020 8731 9020 info@thecosmeticdentalpractice.co.uk www.thecosmeticdentalpractice.co.uk
CLEARSTEP – by Dr Andrew McCance
Clearstep is a revoluntionary new brace created by Dr Andrew McCance, a specialist orthodontist and dentist. It is not only virtually invisible, but can be removed for eating, cleaning and business meetings and it is ideal for older people who want to improve the appearance of crooked teeth. It is also popular with celebrities who dont want to be spotted wearing a brace. Unlike conventional braces it does not need teeth to be acid-etched to attach it and does not affect speech. It is also far cheaper than conventional orthodontic treatment which can cost up to £4,000 at about £1,000. The device has been successfully trialed in more than 300 patients and takes 24-30 weeks to get results.
Contact: Dr Andrew McCance at the Clearstep Centre, 47 Montague Mansions, Baker Street, W1; T: 020 7486 6917. www.clearstep.co.uk
Whitening at home
The Super Smile Accelerator Kit
Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day for dramtically whiter teeth without the hassle of trays. The dual whitening system contains a tube of accelerator and another of toothpaste. The products work together with a gentle bleach and clean the teeth at the same time. The manufacturers say that it is safe to the tooth enamel. Price £22.50 from www.HQhair.com
Rapid White Starter Kit
Rapid White whitens teeth by up to three shades in just a week and six shades in two weeks, using a non-peroxide formula. It uses an accelerator and a whitening gel and a rubber mouth tray. The full kit costs £19.95 but a starter kit is £7.95, available from Boots.
CleverWhite Day & Night
CleverWhite Day & Night is a clever new, convenient lipstick sized, teeth whitening product is clinically proven to whiten your teeth in just 14 days. It combines a minty whitening gel which gets to work whilst you sleep with an instant whitening wax to top up your smile as often as you like throughout the day. It can whiten teeth by up to 3.5 shades in just 14 days. On sale at Boots for £12.95RRP
Hollywood Smile by Collagenics
This is a 14-day home treatment which begins with an initial consultation at a clinic. Impressions of the clients teeth are taken by the practitioner at one of clinics nationwide to allow for custom made trays to be made that fit your teeth perfectly. These are used at home with a gel, a small amount of gel is squeezed into the trays and then worn for a minimum of four hours, normally at night. For further information and clinics contact Collagenics on 0845 330 3077 or visit www.collagenics.com
Beverly Hills Formula
This is a special whitening toothpaste which is gentle and works with regular daily brushing. It is available from Superdrug, Tesco, Sainsburys, Harrods, Selfridges and Asda. Priced £3.99 . Stockist enquiries are at www.beverlyhillsformula.com
