Author: Clapham South Dental Centre

Want to learn more about clear braces? The top five FAQs about the Damon System answered!

If you have been researching which clear or invisible brace is going to be the best option for your teeth, you have probably been bombarded with information about Invisalign.clear-braces-in-clapham

Of course, while Invisalign is one of the most well-known brands in the world, it is far from the only discreet, adult based aligner available and, as odd as it sounds, it may not be the best one for you.

Indeed, if you have a more complex orthodontic issue, you may have thought for a long time that that only option that was available to you as an adult would be traditional, metal aligners. In severe misalignments, this may be the case, but thanks to braces like the Damon System, you may have the opportunity to wear a more discreet brace.

At Clapham South Dental Centre, our team is proud to be able to offer suitable patients clear braces in Clapham. As a fitted but discreet brace, the Damon System is a great way to correct issues that cannot not be managed with Invisalign, but do not require the traditional orthodontic braces either.

Perfect!

Want to know more about the Damon System? Read on for answers to the top five FAQs about these clear braces in Clapham.

How long does the treatment take?

On average, treatment with these clear braces in Clapham takes between six to eight months to complete.

As the Damon System is a fitted brace, our team can adapt different parts of it more accurately to speed up the process, meaning that you will have a shorter treatment time overall.

Is it painful?

Many dental patients worry that the Damon System will be painful as it is fitted. However, in comparison to other fitted braces, it is not uncomfortable to wear or to use.

As the brackets that are used to secure the brace in place are low friction, you should not experience any discomfort while wearing this brace or attending our surgery for adjustments.

Is it expensive?

When you come to Clapham South Dental Centre for your adult orthodontic treatments, our team will discuss payment options with you.

If it is deemed suitable, we may be able to offer you financing options to help you break down the cost into affordable monthly chunks.

Will this brace need tightening?

Yes, it will.

As mentioned earlier, one of the advantages of the Damon System is that it allows our team to target the movement of your teeth with greater precision.

Depending on the severity of your misalignment, you may need to attend our surgery for adjustments or tightening frequently but don’t worry. Due to the design of this brace, these sessions will not cause discomfort; if they do, it should be manageable with non-prescription painkillers. If you notice extreme amounts of pressure post-fitting, contact our team for a check-up.

Will I need a retainer?

Yes, you will.

With all orthodontic treatments, you will need a period of wearing a retainer afterwards, to prevent your teeth from reverting back to their original positions.

Need help getting used to your Invisalign braces? Some tips to help you adapt easily

While many people shudder at the thought of having metal braces fitted, thanks to advances in dentistry many patients are now able to wear clear or invisible aligners. As the names suggest, these are more visually discreet than regular braces, but can treat a wide range of orthodontic problems. Brilliant!invisalign-in-clapham

Despite this, many patients experience the inevitable issues that come with wearing a removable brace; some of these include problems with speech, while others may find their newly-acquired braces a bit insecure at first. However, these are often temporary, but can prove a bit challenging in those first two weeks.

Luckily, we can help!

When you come to Clapham South Dental Centre for Invisalign in Clapham, our team can offer you targeted, personalised advice to help you get the most out of this invisible aligner. Our team has helped thousands of people to improve their smiles using this brace and now, we can help you too!

So, what are some of our team’s tips for getting through the first 2 weeks of wearing an invisible brace? Read on to find out!

Wear for the allotted time!

When you come to us for Invisalign in Clapham, our team will set you a wear time per day. As this brace is removable, it is important that you stick to this time, as failing to do so could extend the overall treatment time.

Typically, the wear time for Invisalign in Clapham is 22 hours per day, but our team will always ensure that you know your exact required time before treatment.

Put them in the case!

When you are fitted with your new braces, our team will provide you with a carry case to keep them in during meals. Make sure you use this case, as simply placing them in your bag when you are out for a meal could lead to damage and increases the risk of you misplacing them.

Carry a toothbrush

When you finish a meal, you will need to brush your teeth before putting your invisible braces back in. So, always carry a toothbrush.

This will prevent food being pressed against your gums, which may lead to plaque and decay; your teeth will thank you in the long run!

Water only

As other drinks like coffee or tea could stain your retainers (and your teeth), it is best to stick to water when you wear an invisible brace. Of course, this has the added bonus of keeping you hydrated!

Protect your tongue

During the first week of wearing an invisible brace, you are likely to notice sores appearing on the sides of your tongue due to the rubbing.

While this can be a minor nuisance for some patients, it can be extremely uncomfortable for others. If you find yourself in the latter group, ask our team for dental wax, which when applied to your brace will soften the sharp edges. It is also worth investing in a peroxide-based mouthwash to minimise the chance of your sore spots getting infected.

Want to speed up the healing time after oral implants? Five tips designed to help you recover

When many dental patients consider undergoing oral implants, many have concerns about the aftercare and the potential for complications to arise.dental-implants-in-clapham

Of course, many dental procedures carry risks and oral implants are no exception; patients often worry about discomfort after the implants are fitted, and frequently ask their dental practitioners about how they can speed up the healing time and avoid infection. Because, the sooner that the implants heal, the sooner they are likely to fuse and the sooner you can get those glorious prosthetics fitted!

Oral implants are not only a way to fill the gaps in your smile, but they also offer benefits such as improving oral health, allowing you to bite into food with confidence and can stabilise any natural teeth surrounding them. So, we understand that you want them in and healed as soon as possible.

When you come to see us to have dental implants in Clapham, our team at Clapham South Dental Centre will ensure that the fitting process is plain sailing, to decrease the risk of complications arising. However, you have to do your part too with the aftercare and in this article, we will discuss the best ways to improve the healing time!

So, here are five key tips for faster healing after having dental implants in Clapham!

No smoking!

As our team at Clapham South Dental will tell you, smoking is best avoided altogether when it comes to having dental implants in Clapham.

Smoking creates an entire barrage of problems for your mouth in general and after you have had minor surgery for your implants, this habit can cause a longer healing process due to oxygen deprivation. So, if you want your oral implants to heal without fuss, cut out smoking.

Healthy foods

Foods that are high in nutrients and minerals are beneficial after you have had your oral implants.

If you deprive your body of nutrients, you are inadvertently putting your body under stress and can weaken your immune system. Having a weak immune system is not something you want to endure when you have had surgery, as the risk of infections increases; it’s best to eat your greens!

Salt wash

Where would dentistry be without salt water?

Our team at Clapham South Dental Centre will advise you to wash your mouth out with lukewarm salt water up to 3 times a day while your implant site heals.

This will reduce inflammation, discomfort and the risk of infection.

No pressure

For the first few weeks post-implant fitting, avoid eating harder foods that could add pressure to the implant site. Harder foods like carrots or fruits may cause the implants to move under your gum, which will have a detrimental impact on the healing time.

Rest

And finally, after your implant fitting, you need to rest to aid the recovery.

Skip the gym, avoid strenuous exercise and if you need to sleep, do. Take it as easy as possible and try to avoid all unnecessary forms of stress. Just relax.

Want to know more about invisible braces? A guide to Invisalign from Clapham South Dental Centre

While it may seem odd for someone to approach their dentist asking for a brace to be fitted, with the availability and affordability of the Invisalign brace, this is becoming a common occurrence.invisible-braces-in-clapham

In the past, orthodontic treatments that were completed in adulthood were often expensive, time-consuming, non-discreet and, unfortunately, very uncomfortable. As an adult based aligner, Invisalign is, as its name suggests, discreet and can treat a range of adult orthodontic issues without the need for large, metal aligners. Perfect!

At Clapham South Dental, our team is experienced in all types of invisible braces in Clapham and can provide you with an assessment to determine which aligner you would gain the most benefits from. Fast, affordable and with the added discretion of the clear plastic aligners, what have you got to lose from booking your Invisalign assessment with our team?

Need to know a bit more before you commit to invisible braces in Clapham? Here is a brief guide to Invisalign treatment.

Consultation

During your initial consultation with our team for your invisible braces in Clapham, we will use a 3D scanner to obtain an image of the inside of your mouth. The 3D scanner is a completely painless procedure, which takes less than a minute to complete and provides our team with a more accurate image of your teeth. Uploading this to our specialised computer, we will be able to show you how your teeth will move during your treatment and will also be able to predict how long you will need to wear the braces for.

The fitting

Depending on which orthodontic issues are being treated with Invisalign, you may require more or fewer retainers to complete the treatment.

As mentioned briefly earlier, these aligners are clear and due to their removable nature, you will need a different tray or aligner for each stage of your teeth being moved. Our team will have sent the 3D scans of your teeth to a specialised laboratory to create the aligners, so when you have your first aligner fitted, it will slot over your teeth perfectly.

Wearing

You will need to wear your Invisalign brace for a minimum of 22 hours per day to ensure that your teeth are being straightened.

On average, you will need to change to the next retainer about every 2 weeks during treatment, but this may vary. When wearing Invisalign, you must practise exceptional levels of oral hygiene to prevent decay, so you will need to up your brushing regime and floss as often as you can.

Aftercare

Once you have completed your treatment with Invisalign and your smile is gleaming, you will still need a bit of additional support to keep it that way.

To prevent your teeth from relapsing into their original positions, our team will provide you with a custom-fitted retainer, to wear for a set period each day until your teeth are firmly placed in their new positions. The time that you wear the retainer for will depend on your clinical circumstances.

Clear braces in Clapham, changing what you know about orthodontics

When most of us think about orthodontics we may still be picturing a grinning teenager with a full set of metal ‘train tracks’ smiling up at us from their school photographs. However, the orthodontic industry has come a long way since then and there are various, more discreet ways for teens and adults alike to adjust their teeth to make a more pleasing smile. We at Clapham South Dental Centre can offer you clear braces in Clapham that are far more appealing than the traditional ones you may still be picturing, allowing you the confidence that a straight smile brings, even during treatment.clear-braces-in-clapham

The brief history of traditional orthodontics

People have been trying to straighten their teeth for centuries, and we mean way back to the ancients; like Aristotle who contemplated ways to straighten crooked teeth and fix orthodontic problems. There has even been archaeological evidence of mummified individuals with numerous metal bands around their teeth which have been confirmed to have been an attempt at straightening them.

It was only in the 18th century that dentistry really began to come into its own; it is commonly agreed that a French dentist who published a book on straightening teeth was the first to officially explore this specialist side of dentistry, but it wasn’t until the 19th century that the birth of orthodontics was marked with the use of a wire crib and elastics to pull the teeth into position.

The new orthodontics

In the 20th century the different classifications of malocclusions were identified and the perfection of the metal tracks used to pull the teeth into position was finally settled upon, but since then we have come a long way with what you can expect from orthodontics in terms of clear braces in Clapham.

This is the 21st century and with it comes options for just about everything, including braces. With clear braces in Clapham you can control how the world sees your smile and what treatment best fits into your lifestyle.

Invisalign – this is a clear aligner that can offer results from as little as 4 months to just under a year. They are completely invisible and removable, allowing you to eat and clean your teeth as normal without any damage. The aligners are custom made to fit you and need to be changed in the comfort of your home every 1-2 weeks, thus making them a convenient treatment that fits into your lifestyle easily. There are no gooey moulds that need to be taken of your teeth, only a 3D digital scan which is quick and easy.

Damon System – offers a similar solution to traditional braces, but instead of metal tracks and wires being fixed to the teeth to pull them apart, this system uses clear brackets that are far less noticeable than the old metal ones. The length of treatment depends on each individual case, but it is very effective. In some seriously difficult cases, it may be required that you first have a course of traditional braces before switching to clear braces.

Invisalign in Clapham for the discerning man

Emphasis on beauty standards is often targeted more towards the fairer sex, but we at Clapham South Dental Centre know that men are just as concerned about their appearance as their female counterparts. With Invisalign in Clapham, for those of you with discerning tastes and who care for the face that they show the world, there is no better way to perfect your smile. Whether you’re entering the dating scene or the corporate world for the first time, we know you want to feel confident about the first impression you give to new people and that you would most probably want to make any changes with discretion.invisalign-clapham

A new focus on male grooming

For the last 2 decades or so, male grooming has reached new heights, from skincare to injectables, more men are taking their aesthetic goals further than ever before, and none of the ladies are complaining about it. So what else are men finding they need to enhance regarding their personal appearance? The answer is their teeth; psychology suggests that people with straight teeth and a nice smile are considered to be more attractive, have better success in their love lives and careers, and are even perceived to have better hygiene. Now while we agree that this is not always the case, the unconscious perceptions that people have when they first meet you are inescapable, leading more and more men to seek a solution to fix their smiles.

There is however still a level of secrecy men like to keep when it comes to their personal grooming, in fact, it could be argued that women are far more open about what it takes to stay beautiful than men are. Men prefer it to look like they didn’t even try and some men may like people to think they have a ‘just rolled out of bed’ perfection, without having made any effort, and this is where Invisalign in Clapham can help you.

Clear aligners keeping it hush

With a clear aligner, you can go about your day and life while going through tooth aligning treatment without anyone the wiser, this treatment is practically invisible and is very easy to fit seamlessly into all of your activities.

At your first consultation for a clear aligner, a 3D digital scan will be taken of your mouth, this can immediately be seen on a computer which then calculates how your teeth will shift over time and how long you will need treatment for. Then this calculation is sent to a laboratory and a set of clear aligners are custom made for you with the use of 3D printing technology.

You will be sent the full set of aligners that need to be changed every 1-2 weeks, as they gently push your teeth into position. Each aligner is completely removable for eating and cleaning and because they are changed so often, they never discolour. With Invisalign in Clapham, you can take control of your smile and appearance and help boost your confidence, all with complete discretion while you go about your normal life and activities in comfort.

Dental implants – the long road to a long-lasting beautiful smile

When investing in your appearance, whether its a gym membership, cosmetic surgery or even dentistry, we at Clapham South Dental Centre know that you want that investment to be worthwhile. You will also want it to last for as long as possible and with dental implant surgery, your overall oral health and smile aesthetics is our top priority by giving you a new healthy set of teeth that can last 20 years to a lifetime.dental implants-clapham

What are implants?

A dental implant is a titanium post or screw that is surgically fitted into and fuses with the bone of the jaw or skull to support a false tooth like a crown, bridge, or denture. This fusion that occurs with modern dental implants in Clapham is called osseointegration and is a natural biological process, titanium is something that bones love to attach to as they grow so it is the best material dentists can use for this procedure.

What is the process?

The process from beginning to end is a long one but well worth it, dental implants in Clapham may first require that a decayed or broken tooth be removed; the socket where the root fits into the jaw must be empty and cleaned out before the implant cant be placed.

The tooth extraction and the implant procedure is performed under local anaesthetic so you will not feel anything and after the extraction is complete, your dentist will decide if you will need a bone graft to ensure a solid base is present which is necessary for the implant to fit into. If the bone graft turns out to be a long procedure, you may need to wait 2-6 months for the area to heal properly before the actual implant surgery but if there’s enough bone, to begin with, your dentist can place the implants immediately.

By using specialised equipment, your dentist will place the titanium implant into the bone of your jaw or skull after which the gum is stitched up. Then you are sent home to heal before your next appointment but not before a temporary denture is placed in the gap to ensure your smile still looks good during the healing process. Depending on the quality of your bone, healing time can take 2-6 months, but the process will make the implant strong enough to fit a false tooth to without risking damage.

Benefits

When our natural teeth are missing or have to be taken out because of decay, there is nothing left for the jawbone to hang onto therefore there is nothing to encourage new bone growth; your body can sense this and it simply begins to dissolve away. This is a natural part of ageing but results in the rapid deterioration of the facial structure making you look much older than you actually are as your lips and teeth seem to fold in, wrinkles develop around the mouth and even your chin shape changes but with dental implants in Clapham at the right time, you can take years off your smile by reforming the original structure.

Types of invisible braces in Clapham

As the name suggests, invisible braces in Clapham can offer orthodontic treatment that is virtually unnoticeable, giving you the confidence to smile throughout treatment as your tooth alignment is discreetly fixed. We at Clapham South Dental Centre are dedicated to giving you options when it comes to orthodontics and allowing you the freedom to make an informed decision about what you would prefer to choose for your oral care, during a consultation with one of our dentists. Receiving good, professional orthodontic treatment can change your oral health dramatically which in turn can have a good effect on your overall health.invisible-braces-clapham

What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics is an area of dentistry that diagnoses, prevents, and treats facial and dental irregularities like crooked teeth or a bad bite. An extra two to three years of study are required for dentists in the area of orthodontics, where they learn how to safely move teeth and the jaw into proper alignment, guide facial development and ensure healthy growth in the jaw.

The types of problems that an orthodontic specialist would treat are called malocclusions. These may be inherited malocclusions and include jaw growth problems, missing teeth, extra teeth, crowded teeth, and spacing problems. However, there may be habits in early childhood that have nothing to do with genetics that can cause malocclusions like thumb sucking, using a pacifier after the age of 3, and extended bottle feeding. Also, injuries at any age may form malocclusions and might need to be treated with orthodontics.

It is often untreated problems in youth that make people seek invisible braces in Clapham during adulthood, due to the fact that they are far less noticeable than traditional braces.

Your options

Cfast – is a simple, gentle, and minimally invasive treatment that can fix issues of spacing, crookedness or overcrowding with the top and bottom 6 teeth. This treatment can also level and round out the arches, giving adults a smile that is more to their liking. The key benefit of this treatment is that the brackets and wires that are secured to the teeth are tooth coloured and thus far less noticeable than traditional metal braces. They also act a lot faster with treatment being completed within 3-6 months, thus being more gentle on the pocket as well as your mouth.

Incognito braces – or lingual braces are fitted behind the teeth and so are virtually unnoticeable during treatment. They may feel strange at first, but you will quickly get used to them, this is the new generation of braces that are straightening all kinds of crooked smiles with great success the world over, offering you complete discretion as you go about living your life.

With invisible braces in Clapham you can fix any malocclusions whilst continuing with your life, as usual, smiling for photos, eating your regular foods without having to remove any appliances, and speaking publicly without feeling self-conscious. The confidence boost that having a straight pleasing smile will bring you is worth these easy treatments, after which you can get your teeth professionally cleaned and whitened for that extra boost in radiance.

Considering treatment with clear braces? Five health issues these braces can reverse without inconvenience

If your dentist mentions the word orthodontics or brace to you, you may feel your heart skip a beat. Especially if you are an adult.clear-braces-clapham

One of the most efficacious of all dental treatments, orthodontic braces are used to straighten crooked teeth and can even help to realign misalignments in the upper and lower jaws, making them fit together properly. Of course, this is advantageous to rectifying many secondary issues such as tooth grinding, decay and gum disease, but let’s face it, metal braces are far from a fetching look.

In modern dentistry, there are many options for adults who want a straighter smile, but don’t want to resort to heavy, metal braces. Indeed, dentists and orthodontists are now able to reverse more complex cases using clear braces, meaning that you can straighten your teeth without impacting on your confidence.

At Clapham South Dental Centre, our team of cosmetic dentists has seen first hand what clear braces in Clapham can accomplish. From correcting gaps, to minimising protrusions, both clear and invisible braces are becoming more commonplace in adult orthodontics, meaning you don’t have to worry about hiding your smile during treatment. Brilliant!

But what are some of the other dental and general issues that invisible and clear braces in Clapham can reverse? Read on to find out!

Crooked teeth

Many people have crooked teeth and, while this is usually just a cosmetic issue, it can lead to underconfidence and may increase the risk of injury around the oral area.

Clear braces in Clapham can reverse every kind of crooked smile, allowing you to smile with confidence!

Bite issues

Commonly divided into three subcategories, bite issues typically involve under, over and crossbites. SImply put, these are common dental issues where the teeth on the upper and lower jaw do not align correctly, causing the teeth at the front of the mouth to sit further forward or back than is desirable.

Braces like Invisalign and the Damon System which we offer at Clapham South Dental Centre can reverse all of these issues, but it is worth noting that in some severe cases, we may recommend the use of an orthodontic brace first.

Speech impediments

If you have an overbite, gaps in your teeth or other protrusions, it is likely that you may have a speech impediment.

As alignment of the teeth impacts on how your tongue moves, any misalignment will impact on speech and, once these misalignments are corrected, your speech impediment is likely to disappear.

Digestive issues

A lack of alignment can cause issues with the chewing and grinding of food, leading to complications like acid reflux and heartburn. Once you have completed treatment with your invisible braces, your sore tummy will probably vanish too!

Headaches and migraines

Teeth that do not sit correctly are more prone to grinding, which can tighten muscles in the face and neck, leading to headaches and even migraines. If you suffer from these issues often, talk to our team about treatment with an invisible brace.

What can Invisalign in Clapham do for me?

Have you been wanting to get your crooked teeth seen to for a while, but life just got in the way and now you’re a young adult with a smile you’re embarrassed about? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one, millions of young working professionals missed the boat in their youth when it came to getting their teeth straightened. With Invisalign in Clapham these problems are easily resolved, because we at Clapham South Dental Centre understand that fixing teeth, with little to no visible indication that it’s happening, is very important to those feeling the pressure of living in an image-focused world.invisalign-clapham

Straightening your teeth

Traditional braces are a daunting prospect for adults and most would not even consider it an option, because it takes too long and is rather unsightly, we understand. With social media picking up each and every smile, and recognising your face, you don’t want to be tagged sporting a metal grin like a prepubescent primary school child. This is where Invisalign in Clapham shines, the secret is in the name, it’s invisible and it aligns your teeth to a pleasing aesthetic and greater overall dental health, it truly is that simple and the best part is it can take less than a year.

Having straighter teeth can ensure correct cleaning, it makes brushing and flossing much easier when your teeth aren’t crooked or overlapping, as the build-up of plaque and bacteria is diminished and reduces the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. The long term results of having straight teeth are beneficial not only for health, but the potential for success; having an aesthetically pleasing smile can give an immediate boost in confidence.

The psychology of straight teeth

According to a study done by the Kelton Research for Alignment Technology (2012), the confidence in one’s self when having a straight and pleasing smile is incontrovertible, but it is also beneficial to how others feel about you. They noted that a person with straight teeth is perceived as someone who is able to get more dates, is smarter and has more professional success than those with crooked teeth. This is of course not necessarily true, but it is how people perceive one another on a biological level and first impressions are important.

The process

Invisalign in Clapham requires a visit to your dentist who will take a 3D digital scan of your teeth and a computer will work out how your teeth will shift and align over time. A laboratory then creates invisible customised aligners that will fit over your teeth to move them in small increments over time, these aligners will be changed every 1-2 weeks in the comfort of your home, with a visit to your dentist every 6-8 weeks to check up on how things are going.

This treatment can address moderate alignment issues and bite problems whether it be overbite, crossbite, or underbite. There are different types of aligners for different problems and your dentist will be able to advise you on the best option for your situation.