When you are an adult or teenager, there are many options open to you relating to realigning your teeth.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Clear, see-through or ‘invisible braces’ have been under development for almost as long as metal braces have been used in clinics; more than 100 years and counting! So why have clear braces Clapham become popular in the last 5 years or so? Why do we get so many patients asking about them?

There are two main branches of clear or invisible orthodontic tools, these are the clear aligners (which are technically not braces but are called invisible braces), and clear ceramic braces which are braces but do have a thin archwire which is not clear! Quite confusing!

Why go clear?

The driving force behind a clear brace is aesthetics. The effectiveness of a traditional metal brace is not doubted, but its users have had to tolerate them as a means to an end, rather than finding them particularly attractive.

Clear ceramic braces were developed first and are almost identical to the standard braces, but these braces are made of a clear material. This used to be glass but is now a much tougher polymer ceramic mix.

The first clear plastic aligners were called dental splints and although they were effective, they were too expensive and fiddly to gain widespread use.

But now, our clear braces Clapham patients are quickly outnumbering our traditional orthodontic patients; why?

The metal, design and manufacturing used in invisible braces have all taken great leaps in the last 10 years, lowering costs, increasing convenience and effectiveness, while at the same time, we are seeing more adults looking for orthodontic care. And with much higher standards than adolescents who will begrudgingly put up with braces in school which work, professionals simply will not wear a metal brace in the office.

Invisalign comes to our clinic

Pushing forward, a lot of these innovations are due to one of our partners and suppliers of Invisalign. They started 3D scanning models of patients’ teeth in the ’90s with scanning studios. They then used the models as a starting point to calibrate a medical simulation of a patient’s mouth; in this simulation, treatment options could be explored and an orthodontist familiar with the software could realign the patient’s teeth as they would with a traditional brace, but doing so with the computer image.

The design software then created a series of steps, plotting the movement of the teeth from their starting to finishing positions. Then, with a little reverse engineering, the software could then calculate how much force was needed, the directions that force had to be applied to move the teeth, alongside those movement pathways. The next step was predicting the necessary shape of the aligners which, when being worn, would generate the desired forces and move the teeth!

Nowadays once the aligners are generated digitally, their 3D models are sent to a dental laboratory to be printed from UV light-cured resin, and sent out to our clinic, thus providing clear braces Clapham!

As 3D scanning, printing and computation have all improved, so have clear aligners – they have become more accurate, thinner, lighter and cheaper to make. Even any errors like bubbles or warping that can occur with regular dental moulds have been eliminated, with the adoption of intra-oral scanners making mould-taking redundant for designing a personalised aligner.

Clear braces are a popular treatment option for uneven or crooked teeth, with people of all ages enjoying the benefits of this means of improving their smile. They are made up of a soft plastic in the form of trays. These trays are made for the patient on an individual basis (after the creation of moulds during the preparation process), so that they fit over the teeth easily and comfortably. They are transparent, which makes them very appealing to those patients who may be a little self-conscious about embarking on an orthodontic treatment.

How do they work?

Clear braces, also known as aligners, are designed to be worn for the majority of every 24-hour period (usually around 22 hours). They gently move the teeth into a better position during the period of treatment. Aligners are usually worn for around two weeks, after which the teeth will have moved into a slightly different position. After this time, they are replaced with a new set which encourages the teeth to move further, with each time getting closer to the desired result. This process usually takes a few months, making the braces a relatively quick way of improving their smile.

Can anyone get these braces?

Whether or not a patient is a suitable candidate for these braces very much depends on their individual circumstances. However, it is worth noting that age is certainly no barrier to getting this kind of treatment; with many adults of all ages opting to get their teeth straightened with aligners. Rather, the crucial factors determining whether or not they are suitable are the complexity or severity of the individual case, and the commitment of the patient to the treatment process.

Commitment to the process

The importance of this should not be underestimated. If the patient is not disciplined about the wearing of the braces and oral hygiene, then this may not be the best option. Those who are unsure about wearing the trays for most of the day, every day, should think carefully before opting for invisible braces. Keeping the braces, the teeth and gums clean is also of utmost importance in order to ensure the best possible result.

Are they expensive?

Clear braces in Clapham can be very affordable. We discuss the cost and how it can be paid before starting treatment, allowing our patients to feel confident and relaxed throughout the process.

Find out more about what we can do for you and your teeth

Read more about all the ways we can help patients to achieve a better smile through orthodontic treatments like invisible braces, improved oral hygiene and much more.  Getting the teeth straightened can allow the patient to keep their teeth cleaner and healthier, as misaligned teeth can make it difficult to remove plaque and food debris. Regardless of age or the condition of the teeth and gums, there are ways we can help everyone to feel more confident about their appearance, as well as promoting good oral health that can be beneficial for general health.

Yes; we have offered clear braces (both the Invisalign based transparent aligners and the glass-ceramic options) for many years, seeing patients from the first assessment to completion of orthodontics. One of our medical team Dr Recheal Ibbotson has made Invisalign her speciality. So why would there be any downside to invisible braces?

Why are there doubts about clear aligners?

For a well-established treatment method, it seems strange to us at Clapham South Dental Centre that there would be any doubts but there seems to be confusion in the public consensus. Invisible orthodontic procedures are not a new or untested treatment- the first of the aligners called plastic sprinters were trialled in the ’60s, with there being attempts to fashion clear braces from glass for over 100 years before this.

These earlier attempts were unsuccessful but many decades of iteration has gone into creating the approved treatments which we use in our clinic today.

Aligners to your door

What has developed in dentistry over the last 5 or so years is DIY or at-home orthodontics. It’s a variation on the method that Invisalign uses to produce clear aligners. After registering and making a payment online, a manufactured dental mould kit is sent out to you; these are simplified compared to the ones that we use in our surgery.

You’re expected to take your own dental mould and post back the kit, so the scanning and creation of the aligner can take place.

Bigger picture

The idea of sending of mould to have various pieces of dental equipment made in a dental lab by a technician or a 3D printer is not out of the ordinary- we do it all the time. But taking that mechanism and lifting it out of dental practitioners hands causes some obvious problems.

The first is the underlying motive of the practitioner; the dentist has a full array of treatment options available and, even if the best option for your teeth is to do nothing, they will not be paid compensation to inform you of that fact. An aligner manufacturer does not and has a more financially based interest in you using their service.

Our Clear Braces in Clapham come from local dentists, serving their local community and must put their reputation above making a quick sale.

Clear aligner lawsuits

Different nations regulate orthodontics differently, one of the largest providers of at-home aligners globally has run afoul of this. By moving all aspects of the pre-screening and suitability assessment to a company owned mobile app, they have lost the right to provide orthodontic aligners in USA and India.

This matter of business law and regulation seems to have had a damaging effect of the perceived trustworthiness of Clear Braces in Clapham. This is uncalled for, as it is not the effectiveness of the treatment when used appropriately which is in question. Only the business practises of the manufacturers who choose to work outside the established dental institutions and their safeguards.

We are more than happy to provide Invisalign to our patients, as this company works exclusively within dental clinics.

As with all procedures and treatments over the last decade, there have been a vast amount of positive developments, in this case, the development of braces. Whilst traditional metal braces are still commonly used for moderate to severe realignments, Clear braces, with either fixed brackets or removable aligners are now more affordable and readily available at most dental surgeries.

So how does this treatment work compared to the metal braces?

This question does not come with straightforward, one word answer. This is because it is completely dependent on which type of transparent braces we use for your treatment. Metal braces are used for the more severe realignment cases and pull the teeth into place over a fixed period of time. Invisalign, on the other hand, are clear removable braces that use pressure points inside the aligners to push the teeth into their new alignment. Another discreet, removable method of straightening the teeth is the Inman aligner. This method uses two aligner bows that gently oppose each other and guide the teeth into a new position. Each treatment has a different way of realigning the teeth but it is very dependent on the individual case as to which treatment would suit you, the patient, best.

Do the transparent braces create a pain free method of realignment?

Whenever we think of procedures or treatments there is, naturally, a fear of it being painful. As with any treatment, minimal discomfort is to be expected, particularly when your teeth are being pushed into a new position. However, should the discomfort be persistent or begins to become a problem, please discuss this with your dental team rather than suffering in silence. The idea of the use of Clear braces in Clapham  is to have an inconspicuous method of realignment that allows you to carry on with your everyday lives with little affect. We want you to be as comfortable as possible during your realignment process.

Can I start with metal braces and switch to the Clear braces?

As we have previously mentioned, Clear braces in Clapham are suited to mild to moderate cases of realignment. Therefore should your teeth be severely crooked this particular treatment will not be effective. However, if you are extremely conscious of your metal braces and do not want to be wearing them for a long period of time, once your teeth have aligned to a certain point, upon discussion with your dental team, it may be that you can switch to the transparent braces part the way through.

Does the transparent braces treatment take a set period of time?

Unfortunately it is difficult to provide an answer to this question as it completely depends on the individual. However, please be aware that we will always discuss the process and have check ups to keep an eye on the progress. Our attention to detail will ensure that you are never left out of the loop.

Please note:

As with any procedure or treatment there is a potential risk. Therefore it is important to contact your local dental team for more information about any of the procedures mentioned in this article.

The best time to straighten teeth is in the early teenage years when the teeth and bones are still growing. This is because it is easier to guide them in the right direction than it is to pull them into place once they’ve set, other than the physiology, having braces as a teen isn’t nearly as difficult or embarrassing as having them as an adult and it can be seen as a right of passage for high school juniors to sport braces. But with new technologies coming out every other year, if your child so wished, they can get clear braces in Clapham to have a more discreet orthodontic experience and with the payments plans available at Clapham South Dental Care, you can fit it into your family budget easily.

Types of clear braces

Clear braces in Clapham is a pretty broad term and we have a list of options available to your teen starting at £125/month, so that you can give them something from this list that they can be comfortable with for a few months before they reveal their gorgeous new smile:

Cfast – this is a system that focuses on the social six teeth, which means that the front top and bottom 6 teeth are the ones that get adjusted instead of all the teeth in the mouth, this system does not promise to correct major orthodontic problems but can quickly adjust the teeth people see when your teen smiles. By fixing tooth-coloured nickel brackets to these 12 teeth and feeding a wire through the special mounts, we are able to pull the teeth into position through the tension placed on the wire.

Damon – the Damon system is similar to Cfast in that it uses clear or tooth coloured brackets and wires to adjust teeth except that these brackets can be fitted to all the teeth if needs be to correct any orthodontic issue as well as malocclusions. This is the system that is closest to traditional braces but it is more discrete and works much faster, meaning your budget won’t need to stretch for too long.

Incognito – also known as lingual braces is a system similar to Damon but instead of being fitted to the front of the teeth, brackets are secured to the back of the teeth yet still perform their job really well, this is the most ‘invisible’ braces system available to teens as people will not see the braces at all.

While there are may be many types of removable clear braces in Clapham, none work as well or are more popular than the clear aligner system that Invisalign offers:

Invisalign uses the most advanced 3D imaging technology to create custom clear aligners that gently push the teeth into position in a matter of months. The clear aligners are completely removable which make them ideal to fit into even the most sporty teens lifestyle. One of the major benefits of a clear aligner system is that you don’t have to make constant trips to the dentist to get them adjusted, you just need to ensure that your child can pop in the next aligner in the series every 1-2 weeks and they’re ready to go.

With technology at the forefront of human augmentation, why would any adult still be opting for traditional braces as a solution for their orthodontic issues? There are so many options available to you nowadays that you don’t need to endure years of unsightly treatments that scar your confidence rather than improve it, you could have straight beautiful teeth in a matter of months and this can greatly improve your self-esteem as there is so much in your life that could possibly be affected by your smile. At Clapham South Dental Centre we offer two types of clear braces in Clapham to suit your needs, wallet and self-esteem.

The two types

Today, people from different walks of life come together in a multicultural hub of experiences, but one thing remains universal and that is a friendly and beautiful smile, but what are your options nowadays with regards to orthodontics and clear braces in Clapham?

Removable – We offer a system called Invisalign which has taken the orthodontic world by storm and transformed 8 million smiles around the world as of February 2020! A removable system is ideal for active people partaking in contact sports or professionals who do public speaking and give presentations, removable appliances like these clear aligners allow you to eat as you normally would and clean your teeth normally too, making it the most convenient appliance on the market.

Fixed – the Damon system that we used as a fixed appliance offers clear braces in Clapham which work under the same principle as traditional braces but much quicker and are far less noticeable as the brackets that are secured to the teeth are clear or tooth coloured.

Both systems can take less than a year to get the results you’re looking for with many being complete in 6 months depending on the severity of your orthodontic issues in the first place. By changing your smile you can change the opinions that people may have of you particularly with first impressions.

The psychology behind a stunning set of teeth

While your teeth may work just fine to bite into and chew food, logically there should be no reason for their crookedness to be worrying you, but there is, in fact, a psychological reason why they are and that is natural selection. It is ingrained in humans to choose a mate that is ‘of the best stock’ the most attractive and healthy that we can find in order to continue our genes and people in society are constantly making unconscious observations about those around them; observations based on our base instincts in finding partners, people with good teeth automatically outrank those with seemingly ‘bad teeth.’ These perceptions that society makes based on our smiles are not something we can avoid, which is why so many people like you are looking to improve their features starting with their teeth. This psychology extends further than romantic relationships, it could affect our work and who prefers to work with you, trust you with important decisions and in pretty much all cases where a first impression is paramount.

There is nothing to lose when investing in orthodontics, you only stand to gain more beautiful teeth and a smile that makes a stronger impression with the Invisalign and Damon systems.

While traditional orthodontic braces have been used for over 100 years for treating more serious misalignments, the use of clear and invisible braces to correct dental issues is a recent phenomena. As these options have grown in popularity, so has their diversification; there are many different types of both invisible and clear aligners, each designed to help alleviate different dental problems. Many people have heard of the world-famous Invisalign, but this aligner is not suited for everyone and if you are one of the many people who want to correct a misalignment with your front teeth, there are ways to do so without wearing a fitted brace.

At Clapham South Dental, we are proud to offer a wide range of both invisible and clear braces in Clapham. One of our most sought after braces, the Inman Aligner, offers patients a discreet orthodontic option, which is designed to realign your front teeth quickly and comfortably. So, if you need a more specific treatment than what Invisalign can offer, this may be the brace for you!

Have some questions about these clear braces in Clapham? Read on to learn more about the Inman Aligner.

Is it comfortable?

Every aligner that has been designed for adults to wear is comfortable and these clear braces in Clapham are no different. As it is made from clear plastic and is custom fitted to slot over your teeth, there will be no metal rubbing against your inner cheeks. Similarly, as there is no tightening involved with this brace, there is no need to worry about pressure or discomfort as your teeth are moved.

Will I be able to remove it?

Yes, you will! One of the key benefits of the Inman Aligner is that it is extremely lifestyle friendly. You can take it out to eat food, drink and even brush your teeth. However, you will have to be disciplined as many patients forget to put this brace back in, or to wear it for the correct time each day, which inevitably delays treatment.

Will I need to wear it all day?

This brace needs to be worn for 22 hours each day, but as many patients are able to eat and drink while wearing it, they only remove it when they need to brush their teeth. Based on the maloclusion that you have, our team may advise on a more personalised wearing time.

How long will the treatment take to complete?

The Inman Aligner is designed to straighten your teeth in as little as 6-18 weeks. Perfect!

Is it as effective as Invisalign?

The Inman Aligner is as fast, as discreet and as effective as Invisalign when it comes to correcting issues with the front teeth and, as it does it quickly, it costs less to undertake. Also, as it doesn’t require an orthodontist to fit or maintain, it requires less dental appointments, and has the added benefit of having a phone app for you to track the progress of your treatment. Now that’s handy!