Author: Clapham South Dental Centre

New to clear braces as an adult? 5 top advantages of Damon System braces

When you are an adult or teenager, there are many options open to you relating to realigning your teeth.clear-braces-in-clapham

And, as you will probably be glad to hear, few of them involve the wearing of metal braces!

As technologies have changed relating to dental realignments, it is now more comfortable, faster and convenient to have your teeth straightened, regardless of your stage of life, all the while being exceedingly visually discrete too! Perfect!

In this article, we are going to focus on one of the lesser-known of adult braces that we at Clapham South offer; the Damon System.

At Clapham South Dental Centre, we are exceedingly proud of the range of orthodontic options that we can offer, including this ingenious set of clear braces in Clapham. Moving your teeth gently and without the uncomfortable force of a regular brace, the Damon System is suitable for the majority of adult patients and can handle more complex orthodontic issues that Invisalign can’t! Brilliant!

But what are some of the other advantages of wearing these clear braces in Clapham? Read on to find out!

Less appointments

When it comes to using traditional braces, many people become weary of having to attend appointments every 2-4 weeks for adjustments. And as an adult, this can be hard to accomplish around the demands of work and family.

With the Damon System clear braces in Clapham, there are fewer appointments to attend; on average, we will see you every 6-8 weeks to make minor adjustments. So, you have more time for yourself and your family!

Improved oral health

While the Damon System braces are attached, they are generally easier to maintain, thus keeping your oral health in better condition.

With thinner wires and brackets, it is easier to spot where food particles may be trapped, allowing you to clean with more accuracy and precision. If you or our team have concerns about the level of plaque in your mouth, we will refer you to our hygienist for an appointment who will advise you on cleaning methods.

Faster

You should see improvement in around 10 weeks, but in relation to the complete treatment time, it can work up to 30 times faster than regular braces.

That means that the average treatment time for wearing this brace is between 6-9 months but it may be slightly longer depending on the severity of the misalignment you have.

Visually discrete

The Damon brace is fitted and thus non-removable but, compared to regular braces, it is discrete.

Its wires are thinner and the brackets on the teeth can either be clear or enamel coloured, so it will blend in with your smile.

Comfortable

While you will need to have the brace adjusted and the wires tightened so to speak, the Damon brace is far from uncomfortable.

It gently pushes the teeth while the adjustments gently pull, creating less overall pressure in the jaw. Ergo, you will be less likely to need pain relief and the entire process will be more comfortable.

Does Invisalign hurt? FAQs about invisible aligner treatment answered by Clapham South

Whether you are a teenager or an adult, having misaligned teeth can be irritating.invisalign-clapham

And, while you may think that the only way to correct such an issue is with a metal brace, there are many other options that you can try.

Depending on the severity of your misalignment, you may be able to wear either a clear or invisible brace, which offers all of the advantages of a metal brace without any of the aesthetic issues.

At Clapham South Dental, we are able to offer our patients a myriad of different orthodontic options, including Invisalign in Clapham. As the name suggests, this aligner is the closest you will ever get to having an invisible brace as it is made from clear plastic and slots over your teeth. Powerful and versatile, it can correct a range of orthodontic issues quickly, allowing you the freedom to smile without concern while wearing it! Perfect!

Curious to learn more about Invisalign in Clapham? Here, our team answers 5 FAQS that we get about this aligner.

Does wearing the aligner hurt?

While it is not as uncomfortable as regular braces, you may experience a bit of discomfort while wearing Invisalign in Clapham.

Remember, it is still an orthodontic appliance as it is gently pushing your teeth into your desired position; even with gentle force, it may still be uncomfortable. If you have any concerns over the level of discomfort you are having during this treatment, however, talk to our team.

Can I take it out?

Yes, you can!

This invisible aligner can be taken out so you can eat, brush your teeth or attend dental check-ups.

But in order for it to be successful, you need to keep it in for a minimum of 22 hours per day.

How often will I need to attend appointments?

With this kind of aligner, we will only need to see you every 6-8 weeks, unless there is an issue.

There is an app that can be used in conjunction with the aligner, which will allow you to send our team photos of your smile and will help us judge how well the treatment is going.

Just be sure to change to the next aligner in the sequence every 14 days and to keep the aligner in your mouth for the required time, then your dental surgery trips will be minimal.

How long is the treatment time on average?

This will depend on the severity of the misalignment, but for most of our patients, treatment with this aligner is completed within 3-6 months. Remember, you have to keep it in your mouth for the required 22 hours per day for your treatment schedule to run on time.

I have an overbite; can it correct it

This will depend on how severe the overbite is but when you attend our consultation, our team can make an accurate assessment.

Generally speaking, we have helped many patients to treat overbites using invisible aligners, so hopefully, it won’t be an issue!

Looking to have dental implants to close a gap? A guide to single tooth implants

When you have lost a single tooth in your mouth, either due to extraction, accident or illness, it can really impact poorly on your self-esteem.dental-implants-clapham

And if you are like the majority of people, you will want to have it replaced promptly but may feel that having a fitted bridge for a single tooth is a bit excessive. We don’t blame you!

Luckily, there are ways to replace a single missing tooth with something more stable and long-lasting than a fitted bridge; oral implants.

At Clapham South Dental, we are proud to be able to offer our suitable patients dental implants in Clapham. We have extensive experience with helping people regain their smiles and their confidence with the use of oral implants; should you have any queries or questions throughout the course of your treatment, just ask us!

Want to know more about dental implants in Clapham before deciding if they are for you? Here, we provide a brief guide to this restorative procedure Enjoy!

Implant types

There are typically 4 types of oral implant; endosteal (regular), subperiosteal, zygomatic (upper jaw only) and mini implants.

At our surgery, if you have enough jaw bone and are in good health, we will aim to fit you with endosteal dental implants in Clapham as they have a high success rate and are easier to fit than some of the others, such as zygomatic.

Fitting procedure

When it comes to fitting your oral implant, our team will first numb the area where it is to be placed. Then, a small incision will be made in your gum line and the jaw bone will be exposed, A small hole is then drilled (assuming that the socket has closed) and we will place the implant.

You will then need to wait for a period of 3-6 months (on average) for the implant to fuse with the bone, after which, we will fit your prosthetic tooth.

Prosthetics

The prosthetic tooth is usually made from a porcelain composite mix and we can assure you, it is hardy!

Once placed, it will seamlessly blend in with your surrounding teeth, as we will ensure to colour match it and shape match it to look as natural as possible. The prosthetic tooth can only be attached once the implant has fused to your bone but, once placed, it will be ready to use!

Aftercare

Once you have had an oral implant and the prosthetic tooth fitted, there are some general bits of aftercare advice to ensure that they last a long time.

Try to refrain from smoking, as this can cause the gum line to recede and can loosen oral implants; for similar reasons, you should also limit the amount of alcohol you consume. Visit our team every 6 months for check-ups, practice good oral hygiene at home with brushing and keep an eye out for gum disease.

Longevity

If you take all of the aforementioned steps, your newly fitted oral implants should last 15 years or more.

Great to know!

Invisible braces; what are they and how do they work? An introductory guide from Clapham South

Are you looking for a way to straighten your teeth, without needing to worry about the physical appearance of metal braces?invisible-braces-in-clapham

Depending on the severity of your misalignment, and your age (you must be over 18), we may have the solution for you. In the last 30 years, invisible aligners known as Invisalign have trickled their way down into common dental practices, offering adult patients an alternative solution to straightening their teeth. And as you can guess from the name, this aligner is made from a clear plastic that slots over our teeth and is removable, so it is more like a sports guard than an orthodontic appliance.

At Clapham South Dental Centre, we are happy to be able to offer our patients invisible braces in Clapham like Invisalign and can assess if they are the correct brace for you. We can also offer financing options, to help you spread the cost of any orthodontic treatments, thus reducing the concerns that you may have about paying for such treatments. Great stuff!

Have some questions about invisible braces in Clapham? Here, our team answers 5 common queries that we have been asked by patients, so enjoy!

What they are made from

Invisible braces in Clapham, or Invisalign if you prefer, are made from a patented thermoplastic known as SmartTrack, which was created solely for orthodontic purposes.

It is tough but malleable, and it is clear, earning the aligner its name and popularity among adults and teenagers.

How they move teeth

Invisible aligners or braces like Invisalign do not rely on tightening. They are 3D printed to the form of your teeth and as your treatment progresses, the aligners gradually change shape with your teeth. They use pressure points to gently push your teeth and when each aligner has completed its task, it will feel loose, allowing you to remove it and put the next aligner in the sequence in.

Disorders they can treat

Invisible aligners and braces can treat many orthodontic issues; everything from overcrowding to overbites can be corrected depending on their severity.

If we decide that you need to have corrective work performed on your molars or your bite meshing, we will usually advise you to wear a traditional orthodontic brace.

Longevity

Most invisible aligners are designed to be worn for around 2 weeks, but the results that they create can last a lifetime.

Be sure to follow our team’s post-aligner or brace advice, such as the wearing of a retainer to ensure that your straighter smile lasts for the rest of your life.

Complications

A common issue that prevents people from undertaking clear or invisible aligners in the first instance is the occurrence of things like tooth decay and gum disease; once this has been corrected, you will be able to proceed with orthodontics.

As is generally advised with dentistry, it is wise to avoid smoking and drinking excessively while wearing orthodontic appliances, as this can speed up the formation of periodontal issues and recession of the gums.

Did you know that you can have clear braces?

At Clapham South Dental Centre we believe that everyone should have an even, straight smile that they love. Crooked teeth can cause all sorts of insecurities and in some cases can result in dental problems that require additional treatment to resolve. Straightening your teeth is easy and there are now more discreet options to choose from in addition to traditional metal ones. A lot of adults are deterred from having braces because they feel that they are “too old” to be seen with metal brackets, however, we offer clear braces in Clapham, so this is no longer something that you need to worry about. If you feel insecure because of crooked or gapped teeth then booking a consultation appointment with one of our dental professionals will allow you to find out what we can do for you when it comes to your smile.clear-braces-in-clapham

Brackets or aligners?

When you make a consultation appointment to speak to one of our practitioners about getting clear braces in Clapham they will be able to explain the different options that we have to offer you as well as answering any questions that you may have about the treatments. There are two main different types of appliances that are clear, one that is removable and one that is permanently fixed to the surfaces of your teeth for the duration of your treatment. The fixed appliance consists of plastic brackets and clear wires and is capable of straightening even the most severe misalignment issues. Generally, treatment will take between one and two years and you will be expected to attend multiple appointments with one of our practitioners throughout your treatment to ensure that it is working correctly and to have your appliance tightened. It is important that you maintain a high level of oral hygiene throughout your treatment and avoid certain things such as fizzy drinks.

Invisalign offers a removable appliance that is normally used for less severe misalignment issues. If you opt for this treatment you will have a 3D scan taken of your teeth to see how they need to move to become straight and even, and from this image, you will have multiple sets of clear, plastic aligners made. These aligners will need to be worn in the correct order for around two weeks each, and each set will gradually move your teeth into their next positions. The aligners themselves, whilst removable, must still be worn for at least twenty-two hours of the day to ensure that your treatment works exactly as it should, but for things like brushing your teeth and eating they will need to be removed.

Easy aftercare instructions to keep you smiling

Once you have had clear braces in Clapham you will attend an aftercare appointment where your dental practitioner will issue you with a retainer. This retainer is what will keep your teeth in place and stop them from returning to their previous positions. It must be worn at night time for several months or even years after your treatment has finished, depending on your individual situation.

What does Invisalign treatment actually entail?

A smile is amongst the first things that someone else notices about you, so it should be something that you are proud to show off. If you are insecure about your smile because of gaps or crooked teeth then booking a consultation appointment with one of our practitioners at Clapham South Dental Centre will allow you to find out what you can do to straighten out your smile. We provide Invisalign in Clapham which is a simple way to straighten your teeth in as little as six months. With no messy bite impressions needed and no unsightly metal brackets attached to the surfaces of your teeth, it is an ideal treatment for those who wish for their treatment to be as simple as possible and do not want to have an appliance permanently attached to their teeth for several years. It is easy to book a consultation appointment with one of our practitioners over the phone or through our website, and our friendly team will explain everything as fully as possible to you as well as answering any questions that you may have.Invisalign in Clapham

Appliances designed by technology

When you decide that you are going to have Invisalign in Clapham you will have a consultation appointment where a 3D scan is taken of your entire mouth. This image will show the current positioning of your teeth, but it will also produce several other images that are predictions of how your teeth will need to move to become straight and even. You will have a set of clear, plastic aligners custom made for each stage of the movement, and these aligners will gradually move your teeth into new positions. They should be comfortable to wear and fit snugly over your own teeth. Our dental practitioner will issue you with a few sets of your aligners at a time, having regular appointments to make sure your treatment is working effectively and to provide you with your next lot of aligners.

Six months to get your new smile

Invisalign in Clapham generally takes between six and twelve months to complete, depending on how severe your individual situation is. The aligners that you are provided with must be worn for at least twenty-two hours of the day, otherwise, you risk your treatment not working properly and taking longer to complete overall. Each set will need to be worn for around two weeks, but this can sometimes vary depending on your personal circumstances too. Once your treatment has finished you will have another appointment at our practice where your dental practitioner will issue you with a retainer. This is an appliance similar to your aligners but is designed to prevent your teeth from returning to their original crooked positions. Retainers need to be worn continuously for a period of seven days after your treatment has come to an end, but after this, they can be worn just at night whilst you are asleep. Sometimes people will only need to wear a retainer at night for a matter of months, but in some cases, a retainer will be required for several years after treatment has ended.

Bring back the smile that you loved with dental implants

When you lose a tooth it is easy to feel like you will never smile again, but at Clapham South Dental Care we will endeavour to do whatever we can to make sure you not only smile again but never want to stop. With treatments available to replace however many teeth you need, you can forget about having gaps in your smile. We offer dental implants in Clapham, which is a way of restoring teeth so that they look, feel and behave exactly like your original ones. Unlike other tooth replacement options, they are extremely durable and could even last you the rest of your life. If you have lost a tooth or all of your teeth, then booking an appointment with one of our dental practitioners today will allow you to discover what we can do for your smile. It’s easy to book an appointment through our website or over the phone, and if you have any general questions about the treatment this will give you an opportunity to ask them.dental-implants-clapham

Capable of replacing as many teeth as you need

When someone loses a singular tooth through an accident they often do not consider replacing it because they are not aware of the options that are available to them. A lot of people believe that one missing tooth is not “bad enough” to need to be replaced, but devaluing their issues does not eradicate their insecurities, and they are often left incredibly unhappy with their smile. Having dental implants in Clapham could restore your smile, whether it is one tooth, three or every single one. Some patients even choose to upgrade to implants from their dentures, for a variety of reasons. This treatment permanently fixes your new teeth into your mouth by using small titanium screws that have been inserted into your jawbone to act as the roots of your teeth. Once your mouth has healed around these screws you will then have your required appliance attached to it.

What appliance you need will depend solely on how many teeth you are missing. One crown or a few crowns may be attached to your implants if you are missing one tooth, or a few teeth in random places. If a few teeth are missing in a row or on either side of a remaining tooth, it is likely that a bridge will be used to provide the original teeth with extra support. Partial or full dentures will be used in the circumstances where you are missing the majority or all of your teeth, but when you are replacing this many teeth you will not necessarily need to have one screw per new tooth, as they are capable of supporting multiple teeth. A whole set of teeth can be replaced with between four and twelve screws, depending on the individual circumstances.

A smile that lasts

If you get dental implants in Clapham then it is important to take care of them properly. Looking after them will mean they last you as long as possible, which in some cases can be upwards of ten years. Your dental practitioner will be able to explain how to clean your new teeth and recommend which products would be ideal for you to use.

Straighten your teeth discreetly with invisible braces

A lot of people do not get the chance to straighten their teeth as a teenager, and at Clapham South Dental Centre we understand that as an adult having unsightly metal brackets attached to the front surfaces of your teeth is not always an appealing option, with some adults preferring to keep their teeth as they are. However, there are now alternatives for you to choose from that are incredibly difficult to notice. The possibility of getting invisible braces in Clapham has changed the way that adults feel about straightening their teeth, and the range of appliances that we offer at Clapham South Dental Centre means that you can opt for a straightening treatment that compliments your lifestyle instead of hindering it.invisible-braces-in-clapham

We have more than one appliance for you to choose from

Once you have decided that you wish to have invisible braces in Clapham one of our dental professionals will explain all of the different appliances that are available to you. Whilst all of them remain difficult to spot by other people because of their invisible nature, some of the appliances are fixed to the surfaces of your teeth and others are completely removable. This means that you should take some time deciding which treatment is most suited to your lifestyle. Some appliances will not be suitable if your teeth need moving drastically, so having severely crooked or gapped teeth may limit your options slightly, but this is something that your practitioner will discuss with you.

A removable appliance for minor issues

In the circumstances where your situation is not too severe, Invisalign is often a popular choice as the appliance itself does not need to be permanently fixed to your teeth whilst you are undergoing treatment. Instead, it is completely removable, meaning that brushing your teeth, eating food and drinking certain drinks is just as easy as it usually is and you do not need to worry about having any stain marks left on your teeth after you stop wearing your appliance. This treatment generally takes between six and twelve months to complete but is only suitable for minor problems as it focuses mainly on straightening your six or eight front teeth. It is very difficult to spot if someone is undergoing Invisalign treatment as the aligners are made of completely clear plastic and fit closely over your own teeth.

Go incognito and straighten your teeth secretly

Amongst your options when getting invisible braces in Clapham is Incognito braces. These differ from Invisalign in the way that they are permanently attached to the surfaces of your teeth, but they cannot be seen as it is the inside surfaces of your teeth that they attach to. They are capable of sorting out nearly all types of misalignment, making them a popular choice for those people who are trying to straighten severely crooked teeth. Generally speaking, treatment time can vary between twelve months and twenty-four, but this is something that will always vary depending on your individual circumstances.

Clear braces in Clapham

Over time, more and more people are wanting to straighten their smile, but without drawing added attention to their mouth during the process. This is why clear braces in Clapham are only growing in popularity, and our results can prove this. You can choose between a fixed or removable appliance, each one bringing their own advantages. Our removable appliances, such as Invisalign, are great if you are looking for more mild movement. The fixed brace is great for more severe cases, as it uses more force to move your teeth.clear-braces-in-clapham

Our dentists at Clapham South Dental Care are dedicated to helping you achieve the look you want, whilst feeling welcome and comfortable when you visit our practice. Our mix of high-quality braces, with a friendly service from our staff, is the perfect route to straightening your smile.

What’s the process?

When you choose to have our Clapham clear braces, you will firstly have a consultation appointment with us. These appointments are important in ensuring that you are eligible for the treatment, and it can allow us to examine your teeth to see what movement is needed.

If all goes well and you are eligible, we will plan out which teeth are being moved and apply the braces accordingly. Attaching the brackets includes us applying a small amount of glue to the center of the tooth. The brackets are then attached in between these and tightened as they should be. This will be done in one appointment, and then you will most likely have tightening appointments every now and again to further move your teeth. The treatment time always varies depending on your needs, and the severity of the case.

Once you have completed the treatment and had your braces removed, we can clean the teeth to finish off your new look. You will really see the difference that these clear braces at Clapham make. We recommend that you use retainers once you have completed the treatment to make sure that your teeth don’t try and move back to their original position.

Advantages of clear braces

The ability to mix the effectiveness of fixed braces, whilst keeping a discreet look throughout, is what makes this such an ideal treatment for those who don’t want to draw extra attention to their mouth. If you are someone who has a more active social life, or meet a lot of people within your job, it is always nice to feel as confident as possible, and this treatment can help with this, both during and after the treatment.

The durability of these braces is also an advantage that you can enjoy, the wires and brackets used are strong and can withstand maximum usage. This technique of using the two to create a brace has been used for a long time, and is known to be effective.

Due to these braces giving a more mild movement of your teeth than some other options, it means that they are more comfortable. This is a great benefit when you are wearing the braces all day, as you don’t want constant discomfort whilst trying to straighten your teeth.

How does Invisalign work?

We understand that it can be upsetting if you have teeth that are crooked, as it can really affect your confidence. If you are looking for a way to straighten your smile, without drawing attention to your teeth, then Invisalign in Clapham could well be the treatment for you. Clear, plastic aligners are used to gradually move your teeth over time.

What’s the process?invisalign-in-clapham

Our Clapham Invisalign treatment consists of 4 steps, each one bringing you a step closer to a straighter smile! Firstly, we will take you through a Case Assessment, which is a set of photos that helps us to determine whether or not you are suitable for the treatment. We will never recommend the treatment if it isn’t right for you as it can damage your teeth and cause problems. But don’t worry, the majority of people are able to proceed with this treatment.

The second step involves taking various photos and scans of your teeth, such as x-rays. This will give us a very clear picture of your teeth, allowing us to create a digital treatment plan for you. Using the latest technology, we can show you what your teeth will look like at the end of your treatment via a 3D video. This can really help to give you an idea of what to expect, which really excites our patients.

Once all of your scans have been sent off and your custom aligners have been created, your journey can truly begin. You will be given an initial set of aligners that you wear for around 20 hours a day, you should find this easy as they are very comfortable. You will change to a new aligner every 1-2 weeks from the comfort of your own home and visit up every 4-6 weeks so that we can give you a new set of aligners as well as monitor your progress.

After around 4-6 months, the final step of the process is having one more appointment with us, to make sure everything has gone as it should and so we can give you a retainer. With any teeth straightening treatment, it is always recommended to wear a retainer afterwards so that your teeth don’t move back into their original position.

What are the benefits?

One of the main advantages that our patients love about our Invisalign at Clapham is the appearance of the aligners whilst they are in your mouth. Due to the thin, clear plastic material that is used, other people will hardly notice you have an aligner at all.

The ease of the whole process is a big appeal to our patients, as there is no invasive surgery involved. The maintenance is also simple, as all you need to do is brush the aligners with your toothbrush and give them a rinse to keep them clean.

Being able to eat whatever you want throughout this process is also a big advantage. As these aligners are removable, you can simply take them out before you eat, meaning you don’t have to restrict anything.

At Clapham South Dental Care, we take pride in giving our patients high quality treatments that can help to boost both their confidence and oral health. If you are looking to get your teeth straightened, don’t hesitate to contact us today for an appointment!