My Journey to a Perfect Smile with Composite Bonding

As the owner and dental hygienist at Dental Health Spa, you might think I’m a little biased when it comes to talking about dental treatments. That’s why I wanted to share my personal journey, complete with before and after photos, to give you full transparency. From traditional orthodontics to Invisalign and, finally, composite bonding, I have explored multiple avenues to achieve the smile I’ve always wanted.

Orthodontic Treatment Over the Years

My journey began in my early 20s when I had traditional orthodontics, which involved the removal of four premolars. While the result straightened my teeth, it left me with a narrow upper dental arch. When I smiled, my top jaw didn’t appear as wide as I would have liked.

Over the years, I tried different types of braces to enhance my smile. In my early 40s, I had palatal and lingual braces fitted to the inside of my teeth. Then, in my early 50s, I opted for Cfast braces, a system focused on aligning the front teeth. In total, I spent nearly six years wearing braces!

The Invisalign Transformation

A few years ago, Dental Health Spa introduced Invisalign, a clear aligner system that claimed to widen the dental arch. I decided to give it a go. Nick, one of our talented team members, took a 3D iTero scan of my teeth. This cutting-edge technology allowed me to see a digital preview of my new smile with 99% accuracy.

After 20 weeks of wearing Invisalign Go Plus aligners, which allow for movement of the premolars and molars, I was thrilled with the results. However, I wasn’t diligent about wearing my retainers, and my teeth shifted slightly. Nevertheless, I was satisfied with the overall position and decided to move forward with composite bonding.

The Composite Bonding Experience

Having witnessed the transformative results of SmileFast composite bonding on a patient treated by Mhiran, one of our clinicians, I knew this was the next step for me. I chose to have eight composite veneers placed on my upper front teeth, costing £400 per tooth.

Opting for eight veneers, rather than six, ensured my arch looked wider and avoided the risk of a “goofy” appearance. I was given a try-in of the veneers after three weeks, which allowed me to see how they would look before the final fitting.

Preserving Tooth Structure

One of the key factors for me was ensuring my teeth remained as healthy and intact as possible. The SmileFast system allowed for minimal preparation, preserving my natural tooth structure. Full-coverage veneers gave me the colour and shape I had always desired without compromising the integrity of my teeth.

The composite veneers were expertly shaped and polished towards the gum line, with no excess cement or damage to my gums. Over time, composite veneers can stain, but this can be easily addressed with airflow cleaning using the EMS Airflow Prophylaxis Master. This gentle system removes stains without damaging the veneers.