Cosmetic Dentistry In London: What To Look For

There are many reasons why you might be looking for cosmetic dentistry in London.

Maybe you’re:

• Unhappy with the colour of your teeth
• Have an awkward gap in your teeth which has bothered you for years
• Want a more aligned smile which improves your confidence
• Looking to repair chipped or uneven teeth
• Preparing for a special occasion, such as a wedding

Whatever you’re looking for, there are lots of reasons that can lead you to exploring cosmetic dentistry.

With a quick Google search,you’ll find lots of results with clinics offering a similar service. Just looking for ‘cosmetic dentistry in London’ will generate a list of dental practices in your target location, but how do you know which one to choose?

In this guide, we’ll be exploring different types of cosmetic dentistry and most importantly, how to choose the right cosmetic dentist that works for you.

At Sensu, we have treatment plans to suit every type of smile and every type of budget. Since opening our doors in London, the Sensu team has helped nearly 20,000 patients transform their smiles, with over 2,500 five-star Google reviews from patients who trust us with their cosmetic dentistry.

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

When exploring cosmetic dentistry in London, you’ll come across treatment options designed to improve the appearance of your teeth. Whether that’s brightening their colour, closing a gap, or smoothing out uneven edges, cosmetic dentistry refers to any procedure that improves the look of your smile.

It differs from general dentistry as this relates to treatments focused on your oral hygiene and the health of your teeth. Essentially, general dentistry fixes any problems with your teeth (such as fillings / crowns etc) whereas cosmetic dentistry improves the final result.

There are lots of ways to improve the appearance of your smile, ranging from subtle improvements to a more complete smile makeover. When choosing a cosmetic dentist in London, you’ll find some of the treatments listed below.

Different Types of Cosmetic Dentistry

The type of cosmetic dentistry you choose depends on how much work your teeth need to achieve your goal. For example if you have a chipped tooth, you probably don’t need a full set of porcelain veneers. It’s about choosing the right treatment to suit the issue you’re experiencing.

Below are different types of cosmetic dentistry.

• Teeth whitening – This is a painless cosmetic treatment that can significantly improve the look of your smile by brightening the appearance of your teeth. It’s quick, painless, and helps remove stains caused by common culprits such as tea, coffee, wine, and curry.
• Teeth bonding – There are various types of teeth bonding and they can be a great alternative to veneers for cracked or chipped teeth, gaps, or misshapen teeth which need the edges smoothing out.
• Porcelain veneers – This is usually for your complete smile makeover as porcelain veneers change the look, shape, and colour of your teeth by fitting a thin layer of porcelain over your natural tooth, achieving dramatic results in a very short time.
• Invisalign – Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gently move your teeth into the desired position. It’s a comfortable, convenient and virtually invisible way of moving your teeth without fixed brackets and wires.
• Dental crown – If you have a severely decayed or damaged tooth that can’t be saved by bonding or a filling, you may be suitable for a dental crown. A crown is an excellent way to preserve your tooth and avoid more invasive solutions.
• Dental implants – If you’ve lost a tooth, a dental implant offers an excellent alternative to bridges and dentures. They look and function just like natural teeth, and with proper care, they can last for years.
• Teeth contouring – Taking minutes to perform with experienced clinicians, teeth contouring is a painless and affordable cosmetic treatment that improves the edges of your teeth to create a more balanced and beautiful smile.

How to Choose a Cosmetic Dentist In London

When searching for the ‘best cosmetic dentist in London’ you’ll be flooded with different search results, each claiming to be the best dentist in London.

However there are some things to look out for ensuring you find a cosmetic dentist that listens to what you need first, then designs a treatment around you. Testimonials and accreditations are also important signs of credibility, which we’re exploring below.

Utilisation of technology

In today’s digital world, embracing technology is key as this shows that your chosen dentist is staying up to date with the latest advancements. Whilst technology in no way replaces skill, it is a great support and can give you a more accurate expectation of the outcome.

When looking at cosmetic dentists in London, your chosen clinic should be using:

• Digital Smile Design (DSD): Allows you to visualise / preview your new smile before treatment starts.
• 5D Intraoral scanners: Captures accurate digital impressions quickly and comfortably, without the need for traditional moulds.
• Digital X-rays and imaging: Provides insight for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

A range of treatment options

As mentioned above, when looking for a cosmetic dentist in London you want to choose a clinic that provides a range of options – rather than pushing a particular treatment. For example:

By choosing the right cosmetic dentist in London who is skilled in their craft, they will always prioritise minimally invasive dentistry with the aim of preserving as much of your natural tooth as possible.

Create a personalised smile

When undergoing any type of cosmetic dentistry, you want a smile that feels like your own. Even when you’re getting a full set of porcelain veneers which allow for drastic results, it should never feel like a copy of someone else’s smile.

This is where artistry is important as a skilled dentist will design a solution that is bespoke to you, meaning they will sculpt the tooth and texture so it feels natural. They will also consider your facial symmetry, the alignment of your bite, and the best tooth shape, ensuring your new smile feels true to you.

Accreditations

When choosing a cosmetic dentist, it’s important to review their accreditations and professional recognition.

At Sensu, we are recognised as the UK’s top specialist Invisalign Diamond Provider. Since 2009, we have safely transformed more than 13,000 smiles using the Invisalign aligner system and pioneered its use on patients in the UK. We’re also proud to have been recognised as the Top 50 global specialist Invisalign Providers.

We have transformed nearly 20,000 smiles at Sensu.

Social proof

Social prood gives you confidence that the dentist can achieve results and back up their claims.

Other forms of social proof which are important when choosing a cosmetic dentist in London:

• Testimonials – do they have patient testimonials talking about their experience?
• Reviews – do they have any reviews on their website and are they mostly positive? At Sensu, you can read our reviews here.
• Number of patients – do they have a lot of experience helping other patients achieve a smile they’re proud of?
• Provider status – are they recognised as an Invisalign Diamond Apex providers, showing extensive experience with Invisalign treatments? Sensu is proud to be the UK’s top Invisalign specialist.
• Years of experience – how long have they been carrying out cosmetic dental treatments?

Before and after photos are one of the most important forms of social proof. You want to see how someone’s smile has been transformed so you can visualise how this treatment might work for you. For example the image below shows the results of porcelain veneers:

Value beyond price

Whilst price is an important factor, it shouldn’t be the be-all and end-all. Value and teeth safety is a priority and experience in tooth-friendly techniques is not always the cheapest solution.

The same goes for location as whilst finding a cosmetic dentist close to home can be advantageous for ongoing aftercare.

At Sensu, we have two centrally located clinics in London: London Bridge and Wimpole Street.

Both are easily accessible from across the UK, with direct train services into major London stations including London Bridge, Waterloo, King’s Cross St Pancras, Liverpool Street, Paddington and Euston. For patients travelling from further afield, London is also served by major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, all of which offer straightforward connections into central London.

Top Tips For Maintaining Your Cosmetic Dentistry

After any type of cosmetic dentistry, you want to maintain the results and keep them looking their best for as long as possible. There is where aftercare and maintenance is important to ensure you get the most out of the treatment.

This includes things such as:

• Brushing daily to maintain regular oral hygiene
• Avoiding smoking and limiting certain food and drinks such as coffee, tea, and red wine
• Protecting your teeth from grinding with a night guard if required
• Regular hygiene visits every 3-6 months to keep your teeth clean and healthy
• Retainers after orthodontic work to keep your teeth in position

Cosmetic Dentistry In London: What To Look For

When looking for cosmetic dentistry in London, you’ll not be short of options. However as with any form of treatment, doing your research beforehand, and ensuring you feel confident and comfortable, is key.

Not every dental practice is the same and the more you learn about their treatment options and the number of other patents they have helped, you can build a better picture of what to expect.

Few people enjoy visiting the dentist; that’s why at Sensu, we aim to make the experience as stress-free as possible. From the moment you step into one of our clinics, our team will explain your different options and build a package that works around you.

Also with interest-free payment options, choosing your new smile has never felt easier. Book your free consultation here and take the first step to confidence.