Cosmetic Dentistry

Tooth Whitening:

Coffee, tea, red wine and smoking can all lead to the discolouration of your teeth if they are consumed over a long period of time.

Whitening is a fantastic way to remove these stains and improve the overall cosmetic appearance of your teeth.

There are two ways that this can be achieved at Lumino The Dentists. We have a number of in-house whitening systems, including Zoom, Britesmile and Pola Office, all of which produce superb results within 1-2 hours.

The second method is to use one of our home whitening systems, a more gradual whitening procedure which usually takes around two weeks of daily usage to obtain whiter teeth.

Crowns:

Crowns are used to cap a single tooth which may have been chipped or broken but which is otherwise healthy. They are placed over your natural tooth and replace the natural crown, the part of the tooth seen above the gums. A crown can be hugely beneficial for teeth that have been weakened by fillings or root canals, are chipped or damaged, or that have become discoloured and unsightly.

If you and your Lumino dentist decide that a crown is necessary for your particular situation your dentist will proceed by preparing your tooth for a new dental crown. Firstly, you will receive a local anaesthetic and your tooth will be shaped to receive the crown. An impression will then be made of your tooth and a temporary crown will be fitted, so that your appearance and ability to eat will not be compromised while you are waiting for your permanent crown to be made.

At your next appointment, your beautiful new permanent crown, prepared by a dental technician, will be fastened to your tooth. The fasting materials take about an hour to set and achieve full strength in 24 hours.

Having a crown fitted can significantly improve the aesthetic appearance of your teeth. With a Lumino The Dentists crown fitted you will be able to smile with confidence, content in the knowledge that no one will ever be able to tell that your teeth were anything less than perfect.

Bridges:

Bridges replace one or more missing teeth and are anchored to the teeth on either side of the gap.

Having a bridge fitted is similar to the preparation for a crown, except that the teeth either side of the gap are prepared as anchors for the bridge. The bridge is fitted to shape these teeth and to carry out some of the functions of the original tooth.

Repairing or replacing your teeth will significantly improve your appearance and will also help you avoid problems associated with missing or damaged teeth, such as a bad bite and an inability to chew properly.

Your local Lumino dentist will be able to advise you on the most appropriate treatment for your particular case.

Veneers:

Porcelain veneers (laminates) are thin, tooth coloured shells that are crafted and shaped to bond to the front of your teeth. They can be used instead of a crown if your tooth is strong and healthy.

Veneers are excellent for treating chipped or miscoloured teeth and will give a spectacular lift to your smile. They can also be used to eliminate gaps between the teeth.

Treatment involves removal of a thin layer from your tooth and an impression being taken. Two or three visits to your clinician are necessary and an appointment typically takes from one to two hours. If you follow a good oral hygiene routine your veneers will be with you for many years to come.

These days, a dashing smile is not just the property of a Hollywood star. By having veneers fitted you too can have your discoloured, cracked or misshapen front teeth re-contoured and re-shaped to give you the confidence of a bright smile.

Contact your nearest Lumino The Dentists practices to find out whether veneers are right for you.

Orthodontics:

A number of Lumino The Dentists practices offer top of the line orthodontic treatments for both adults and children of any age. A range of problems can be dealt with including: crowded or crooked teeth, missing adult teeth, protruding front teeth and a painful, clicking jaw.

We have a variety of different types of braces on offer including traditional metal braces, ultra gentle Damon braces and white or clear braces. We also offer Invisalign, a virtually invisible alternative to braces. The type of orthodontic treatment that you receive will depend on the individual nature of your case and on your own personal needs and lifestyle.

Whatever your age or problem, the highly-skilled professionals at Lumino The Dentists will be able to advise you on a treatment that will see you gain a straighter, healthier and more beautiful smile.

Click on the link to be taken to a full list of Lumino The Dentists practices offering orthodontic services.

Implants:

Dental implants provide an effective way of replacing teeth with permanently fixed, natural looking replicas. The procedure involves placing a titanium post in your jaw. A carbon copy of your original tooth or teeth can then be permanently attached to the implant to eliminate the need for removable dentures.

These implants can be used in a number of applications including: the replacement of a single front tooth, replacement of multiple front teeth, replacement of single or multiple back teeth and replacement of a combination of front and back teeth.

Implants are excellent for replacing teeth and for restoring your smile. They will also enable you to chew better.

Speak to your nearest Lumino The Dentists practice about how implants can work for you.

IMTEC Mini implants:

More than 400,000 New Zealanders are edentulous (have missing teeth) and around 90% of this group report problems related to wearing dentures. Now, thanks to IMTEC mini implants, the life of these denture wearers is being significantly improved.

The implants consist of four titanium alloy implants that can be screwed into the lower or upper jaw for the denture to snap into. This results in a strong, stable, durable and comfortable denture that can be easily removed for cleaning.

As well as making the wearing of dentures a much more pleasurable experience, the mini implants can also be used to replace missing teeth. This means that you may be able to avoid wearing dentures altogether! The process of fitting the mini implants is very quick and straightforward and can be done under general anaesthetic during a single trip to the dentists. The treatment won’t hurt your wallet either - the process is very good value for money, costing half the price of conventional implants.

If you think that you would make an ideal candidate for IMTEC mini implants, pop into your local Lumino The Dentists practice to arrange a consultation with one of our many experienced dentists.

Cerec:

A selection of our Lumino The Dentists practices offer Cerec, a revolutionary state of the art system for replacing amalgams and restoring cracked or chipped teeth and veneers. With Cerec technology, our dentists can restore damaged teeth and enhance your smile in a single appointment, making the treatment easy to fit in around a busy lifestyle.

If you make an appointment, your Lumino dentist will be able to discuss exactly how Cerec works and how this highly effective restorative treatment can make your smile something to be proud of, rather than something to hide.

Healozone:

Healozone, a new and innovative way to treat tooth decay, is now on offer at a limited number of our Lumino The Dentists practices. Healozone is the gentlest way to treat all common types of tooth decay, involving no drills, no pain and absolutely no side-effects or adverse reactions.

As well as being gentle, Healozone is also incredibly effective. Studies have shown that the treatment can eliminate 99% of the bacteria that cause decay in only 10-40 seconds.

Follow this link to find your nearest Healozone practice.

Laser dentistry:

Laser dentistry, a treatment which involves generating a beam of light energy into your mouth, is the ideal choice for patients who dislike needles, drilling and other invasive procedures. Laser treatment is most commonly used for cavity diagnosis and removal but it can also be used in root canal treatments, ulcer treatments and in periodontal procedures.

Follow this link to find your nearest Lumino The Dentists practice offering laser dentistry.

Dentures:

Dentures replace one or more missing teeth, and are custom made to fit your mouth, so they take on the appearance of your natural teeth. Getting your great smile back is easy – your Clinical Dental Technician will work with your Dentist to create new or replacement dentures.

To find out more about dentures, please contact your local Lumino The Dentists practice to arrange a consultation with a Dentist or Clinical Dental Technician.