Cosmetic Dentistry in Hythe.

Whitening lightens the natural colour of your teeth and lifts the stains that build up over time. We offer it two ways: a treatment in the practice that takes about an hour, and a take-home kit with custom-made trays you wear overnight, or for one to two hours during the day. Many patients have both, the in-practice treatment plus a kit to top up at home later. We agree the shade you are aiming for with you at the start.

A smile makeover just means more than one cosmetic treatment planned together, so the result looks right as a whole rather than one tooth at a time. It might combine whitening, some bonding and a couple of veneers, for example. We plan it around your face, then show you the steps and the total cost before we start.

A veneer is a thin shell that covers only the front of the tooth. A crown covers the whole tooth. Because a veneer sits on the front surface, less of your natural tooth is removed, so we tend to use veneers to change the look of teeth that are basically sound, and crowns where a tooth is heavily broken down or root-treated and needs full protection.

Both change the colour and shape of a tooth. Composite is built up in a single visit and costs less, but it is not as hard-wearing or as stain-resistant as porcelain. Porcelain is made in a lab, so it takes a few weeks and costs more, but it lasts longer and holds its colour. We will tell you honestly which suits your teeth and your budget.

With good care, bonded teeth usually last around five to six years before they need a repair or a polish. Bonding is long-lasting but not permanent. The resin is not as strong as natural enamel, so it can chip or stain over time. Looking after it, and not using your front teeth as tools, helps it last.

Most of it is very gentle. Whitening and bonding usually need no injection at all. Where we do need to numb a tooth, we use The Wand, which numbs you without the big needle or the sting. Tell us if you are nervous and we will take it at your pace, with longer appointments and a hand to hold if you want one.

Not unless you ask for bright white. We match the colour, shape and size to your face and to the teeth next to them, so the result looks like your own teeth on a good day rather than someone else's. You have a say in the shade before we start.

Yes. We are a private practice and we publish our prices, so you get an itemised cost before anything starts. You can pay using finance, and our Practice Plan lets you spread the cost of routine care across the year with a simple monthly payment.