Does treatment hurt?
We make sure the procedure is comfortable for you. We use a local anaesthetic above all to remove pain and keep you comfortable during treatment, and it is included in the price. If you would rather start without an anaesthetic, we can do that too – and if at any moment you feel you need one, we can give it during the procedure. If treatment worries you, tell us: we will work at your pace and take breaks when you need them.
Do you start treatment straight away?
The first appointment starts with a conversation and diagnostics. We examine the teeth, scan them and take photographs, then talk through the options and agree the next steps. If it turns out during the consultation that you have a single cavity needing simple treatment and there is still enough time in the appointment, we can start straight away. We do not begin larger treatment, though, without discussing the plan and your decision.
Will I really see my smile before treatment?
Yes. When a makeover is being planned, we transfer the design onto your teeth as a physical try-on. It is not a computer visualisation – you can see and feel the proposed result directly in your mouth. You can look in the mirror, talk, smile and check the result from different angles. You can bring someone close to you if you like. You decide about treatment only once you know what we are proposing.
How long does the whole treatment take?
It depends above all on the plan and on how complex the case is. Some changes can be made in a single appointment, others need several stages spread over a few months. After the consultation we give you a plan together with the time it is expected to take.
How long do bonding and veneers last?
As a guide, bonding may last about 5–10 years and porcelain veneers 10 years and more. These are not guaranteed terms – in the right conditions both can last considerably longer. Hygiene, the bite, bruxism, how you use your teeth and regular check-ups all play a part. That is why, when planning, we consider not only how it looks but also how it works and what the conditions in your mouth are.
Bonding or veneers – which to choose?
Both solutions can give a very natural and aesthetic result, but they differ in material, in how they are made and in how they behave over time.
Bonding works especially well when we want to change the shape, length, proportions or colour of the teeth without greater intervention. A big advantage is that it can be repaired — small chips can often be filled in without redoing the whole restoration.
Porcelain veneers are more resistant to staining and wear, and their surface keeps its smoothness and shine for a long time. They also usually need less refreshing in the years that follow.
There is, however, no single solution right for everyone. The choice depends on the condition of the teeth, the bite, the scope of the planned change and the expected result. We choose the solution individually at the consultation.
Implant or bridge – which to choose?
There is no single solution for everyone. If the teeth next to the gap are healthy, an implant may be the better solution, because they do not have to be prepared. If, however, the neighbouring teeth are already damaged and need crowns, a bridge can be a very good solution.
Can bonding or veneers replace braces?
With small irregularities they sometimes can. Bonding and veneers change the shape of the teeth but do not move them, so with more crowding or a bite problem orthodontic treatment may be needed first.