If you are new to the world of adult based braces and aligners, you may feel as though each and every cosmetic aligner option is the same. However, this is not the case and with the advancements in orthodontic technologies, more misalignments, protrusions and malocclusions can now be treated with a visually discreet aligner.

Similarly, many cosmetic based aligners work in a different way from each other, allowing your dentist to personalise the movement of your teeth. While well-known aligner Invisalign uses custom fitting trays to move your teeth into the desired position, many other braces use options such as a sliding mechanism, which reduces both the pressure and discomfort that were once so common with braces.

When you come to us at Clapham South Dental, we will endeavour to get you the smile you deserve with one of our many orthodontic options. We are experienced in every type from clear to invisible braces in Clapham, so you won’t have to compromise on your appearance while straightening your teeth. Perfect!

In this article, we will explore the advantages of one of our most popular invisible braces in Clapham: the Inman Aligner. Enjoy!

Better oral health

Many people have concerns about wearing a brace as an adult and, while the Inman Aligner is a removable option, it offers an improvement to your oral health when compared to traditional metal braces. As this invisible brace in Clapham is designed to be physically clear, there are fewer places for bacteria and plaque to hide and, with its shorter treatment time, you are at a lower risk of suffering from decay or gum disease.

Removable

Of course, a key advantage of the Inman Aligner is that it is fully removable. This means you can take it out when you eat, drink or even to brush your teeth. Just make sure you put it back in otherwise the length of your treatment may be extended.

Accelerated treatment

Like many cosmetic braces, the Inman Aligner also offers you an accelerated treatment time.

Indeed, when compared to regular metal braces, patients were able to achieve their straighter smile in around 6-9 months, whereas traditional braces typically took 9-18 months to straighten similar malocclusions. It is a speedy brace!

Comfortable

Mentioned earlier, one key difference between the Inman Aligner and traditional braces is that while this is removable and realigns your teeth differently, it does not pull your teeth into position in the same way that traditional braces do. Due to its design, there is an inbuilt sliding system, to allow your teeth to move in both a controlled but also free way, reducing the pressure and discomfort. And, as it is a lot smaller than traditional braces, it will also not cause rubbing against your inner cheeks! Great stuff!

Exceptional results!

With its more targeted approach to realigning teeth and a wider range of issues that it can treat, the Inman Aligner offers a straighter smile in a faster time. What more could you want in a brace?

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.

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.

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.

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.

When anybody hears the word brace, the first thing that springs to mind is an image of the traditional metal or orthodontic brace. And of course, if they hear the word brace while in the dental chair, panic often follows!

Many people understandably do not want to undertake any treatment that is likely to impact on how they look, eat or feel about themselves, and so many people are not overly eager to start treatment with any kind of aligner.

Luckily, thanks to modern dentistry, there are now multiple braces that offer both discretion and effectiveness, known colloquially as invisible or clear braces. With many of these braces also offering lifestyle-friendly options, such as being removable and easy to clean, it is easy to see why so many people are eager to try them!

At Clapham South Dental Centre, our team has helped many patients achieve their perfect smile through the use of invisible braces in Clapham and could help you too! Our cosmetic dentists are able to offer suitable patients treatments with either the world-famous Invisalign or Damon System, both designed to reverse specific and complex orthodontic issues. Perfect!

Of course, many people have heard of Invisalign braces, but what about the Damon System? Here, we discuss five facts about these invisible braces in Clapham, to give you a broader view of all adult based orthodontics.

They are more comfortable

If you have ever met a person wearing an orthodontic brace, you have probably heard them talk about discomfort. Understandably, such complaints can put a damper on any orthodontic procedure, but with the Damon System, comfort is something that is not in short supply!

Designed to minimise rubbing and pressure, these invisible braces in Clapham can offer you a more pleasant experience while wearing them, allowing you to get on with life pain-free. Brilliant!

They are fast

Treatment with traditional orthodontic braces can take upward of two years to complete and is often longer for adults. Thanks to the targeted approach of the Damon System, many patients are able to complete treatment in less time, with the average treatment being around twenty months, meaning that the entire process is faster and cheaper.

They are less inconvenient

Although this brace is fitted (attached to the teeth), it requires less maintenance than a regular brace, meaning fewer trips to the dentist to ensure it is working. It does not require tightening, meaning there will be less inconvenience overall during the course of the treatment.

They are aesthetically pleasing

While the Damon System is a fitted brace, it is designed to be visually discreet.

Indeed, the wires that go across the brackets are thinner than traditional ones and the brackets are either clear or enamel coloured, to minimise the overall appearance of the brace.

They are easy to fit

And finally, the Damon System is easier to initially fit than other braces, meaning you won’t be stuck in a dental chair for hours while our team tried to attach it. Perfect!

Invisible braces in Clapham is an option for patients who want to improve the look of their smile. Here at Clapham South Dental Centre, we believe everyone should be happy with their smile. These braces come in a variety of shapes and sizes, they can be removable appliances or fixed. The main benefit of this treatment is that it is invisible to others, therefore you don’t have to tell anyone else that you are undergoing treatment. Many patients are dissatisfied with the appearance of their smile, this can be for a multitude of reasons which this treatment plan can be used to remedy. This treatment can move your teeth into a more desirable position. This can have a significant impact on not only the appearance of your smile but also impact on other areas of your overall health. In this article, we will run through the procedure of this treatment before discussing the fantastic benefits that you could be exposed to if you decide to go ahead with this treatment.

What is the procedure of this treatment?

If you choose to go through with this treatment option of invisible braces in Clapham then you can expect to have a straighter, healthier smile. Many patients are happy with the results of this treatment and have been happy with the specific set of braces that can be removed. This means that the braces do not have to be fixed allowing the teeth to be moved into the correct position without having to cut certain items out of your diet. The braces work by gently forcing the teeth into a different position. This treatment is limited to mild to moderate issues with the teeth and can be limited to the front of the mouth. It becomes increasingly important to have a good level of oral hygiene when having this treatment. You will need to brush your teeth and gums between meals and ensure that your mouth is clean before putting removable braces back in.

What are the benefits?

Invisible braces in Clapham can be a good choice for many different patients of a variety of ages. As the braces are invisible it removes a stigma around dental work using braces. Many people can feel self conscious about using braces to correct the look of their smile, using invisible braces can be an alternative to traditional braces as others will not notice that you are undergoing the treatment. Having your teeth moved into a better position can help reduce the risk of gum disease and chipping of the teeth. Having teeth moved into a better position can also promote better digestion. Your teeth being well aligned would make it easier to cut up food and so allow for easier digestion. This just goes to show that this dental treatment can have a multitude of benefits that are not only limited to the mouth. One of the main benefits associated with this treatment is that it can improve the self-confidence of the user. If you think that you could benefit from this treatment, we can begin to work together to improve the look of your smile.

In the world of modern dentistry, it seems that what was once considered impossible is now possible.

In decades gone by, many dental patients wished that there were fixed, stable teeth that could replace lost ones and now, dental implants are used across the globe to do just that. In a similar vein, if you needed braces as an adult in the past, you had the choice of either large, metal ones or none at all; hardly a choice with great appeal!

As with the replacement of teeth, there is now a modern solution to correcting orthodontic issues in adults, in the form of clear braces and invisible aligners. With brand names like Invisalign, the Inman aligner, the Damon system and Six Month Smiles, you can now achieve a straighter smile as an adult, without resorting to heavy orthodontic treatments.

At Clapham South Dental Centre, our dentists can offer suitable patients both clear and invisible braces in Clapham. We have used these aligners to help thousands of patients get a straighter, healthier smile and, with the different braces we can offer, you could get a straighter grin in as little as six months! How great is that?

Want to know a bit more about the clear and invisible braces in Clapham that our team can offer? Read on!

How do they work?

Firstly, you are probably curious to know how clear and invisible braces in Clapham work.

Let’s start with how our first brace, Invisalign, moves and realigns teeth.

Invisalign

Treatment with Invisalign consists of a set of clear, plastic trays, which are custom-fitted to your teeth and will need to be changed, on average, every two weeks.

But don’t worry! Our team at Clapham South won’t need to stick this aligner to your teeth; it is removable and once one tray is loose, you move on to the next one in the set. It’s that simple!

However, not all patients are suitable for Invisalign due to either their clinical presentation or their age; as this brace needs to be worn for a minimum of twenty-two hours a day to work, our team is reluctant to offer this treatment to younger patients who may not commit to this.

Similarly, if you have a severe misalignment or spacing, then you may be more suited to a traditional orthodontic brace.

Damon system

You may be wondering what the difference is between an invisible aligner and a clear brace.

Simply put, a clear brace is fitted to the teeth in the same way a traditional brace is and is not removable.

The Damon system uses a clear brace, which has clear or tooth coloured brackets and a metal wire to realign your teeth. Unlike traditional braces, it does not use force (tightening) to straighten your teeth, but uses a slide mechanism to allow your teeth to move more freely into the desired position. Due to this, our team may prefer to use the Damon system brace over Invisalign aligners if you have a more complex clinical presentation.

When you are looking to straighten your smile, the idea of braces can feel slightly off-putting.

While many people automatically envision large, metal aligners when they hear the word brace, in modern dentistry, there are many alternatives available.

Of course, many dental patients are only aware of metal braces and therefore, there is a natural caution related to any other type of orthodontic procedure; do clear braces work? What are the benefits? And, more importantly, how are they different from regular braces?

At Clapham South Dental Centre, we know all about clear and invisible braces in Clapham and can suggest the perfect aligner for you from our wide range of options.

Designed to help you get that straighter smile in minimal time, many cosmetic braces are perfectly suited to adult life and will ensure that there is no undue attention drawn to your smile; the only people who will know are you and us!

But what are the other advantages of invisible braces in Clapham? Read on to discover the top 5!

Better hygiene

When many people think of braces, they remember that one child in school who had to attend multiple hygienist visits to make sure his teeth didn’t deteriorate.

While this is still standard practice for orthodontic braces, with invisible braces in Clapham, many patients find that their oral hygiene improves.

As brands like Invisalign require you to brush your teeth after each meal (before you put the aligner back into your mouth), you will be reducing plaque and bacteria accumulation. This will reduce the likelihood of you developing tooth decay or gum disease.

Removable

Another benefit of Invisalign? It is fully removable.

Provided you wear the aligner for up to 22 hours each day, you will be able to remove it to brush your teeth, consume food and if you are playing sports.

The advantage? No food stuck to your gums, better oral hygiene and a lifestyle-friendly alternative. What more could you want in a brace?

Accelerated treatment

Of course, many patients who undertake Invisalign are amazed at how quickly the brace realigns their teeth.

Designed to straighten misalignments, correct spacing or overcrowding, Invisalign treatment is often completed in 6 months or less, meaning that your dream smile could be less than a year away; compared to orthodontic braces which can take up to 2 years, it is a win-win situation!

Comfort

At Clapham South Dental Centre, many of our patients worry that Invisalign will be uncomfortable; after all, there has to be a catch somewhere!

After the first tray is placed over your teeth, you may notice a tight feeling. This is completely normal and should not be painful. If you notice a high level of discomfort while wearing Invisalign, please call our team immediately, so we can assess the cause.

Exceptional results

And finally, once the treatment is over, your newly aligned teeth will last a lifetime!

Provided that you wear the retainer post-completion, your new smile will be yours to keep! Fantastic!

The role of dentistry in many people’s lives is changing.

What was once a biannual visit fraught with anxiety and lectures has evolved into a more friendly, warmer atmosphere that can offer patients much more than a simple check-up.

More and more adult patients are approaching their dentist for cosmetic procedures and, due to dental surgeries offering more affordable and flexible treatment plans, these once high-end treatments are now in the reach of more patients than ever before.

At Clapham South Dental, we are exceedingly proud of our cosmetic dental team and the smiles that we have helped to create. If you have a naturally misaligned smile in need of some straightening, our team can offer you invisible braces in Clapham; specifically, the Invisalign aligner and Damon system, depending on your unique presentation and requirements.

While you have probably heard about the Invisalign aligner, the Damon system is a lesser-known group of invisible braces in Clapham, which can offer you a more targeted treatment plan for straightening your smile.

Read on to find out more!

How long will I need the treatment for?

While our other invisible braces in Clapham offer a fast treatment, the Damon System may take a bit longer than Invisalign.

On average, this brace is worn for between ten to twenty months. While it is not as fast as Invisalign or some other cosmetic braces, it is specialised to resolve more complicated cases of misalignment.

Will it be uncomfortable?

Of course, as with most braces that offer faster treatment deadlines, patients become concerned about excessive force being used to achieve this.

However, the Damon System does not rely on an excessive force being put on your teeth and jaw; instead, the brackets are designed to apply low levels of friction to your teeth. Therefore, while you are wearing this brace, there may be some discomfort but it will be minimal and manageable.

Will this brace be expensive?

At Clapham South Dental, we know how much of an impact cost can have when searching for an adult orthodontic treatment.

Although cosmetic aligners appear fairly expensive, our dental surgery is able to offer our patients options to spread the cost; depending on your suitability, we may be able to offer you a flexible payment plan or low-cost financing options.

Does this brace need adjusting or tightening?

Differing from other cosmetic braces, the Damon System will require adjusting and tightening.

As mentioned previously, this is beneficial if you have a more complex clinical presentation and provides a faster solution to your misalignments.

Do the results last?

Yes, they do.

After you have completed treatment with the Damon System, our team will provide you with a custom-fitted retainer, to prevent your teeth from relapsing into their previous positions.

Provided that you wear your retainer for the required time-span post-treatment, your straighter, healthier-looking smile will last for years to come.

Worried about your teeth relapsing? Contact a member of our team today.

As the popularity of cosmetic dentistry spreads across the UK, more people are attending their dental surgeries for makeovers than check-ups!

One of the most popular treatments seen at our clinic in Clapham South is Invisalign.

Designed to help those who have mild to moderate misalignments of their teeth, Invisalign is a cosmetic, orthodontic treatment that provides fast results with added discretion.

However, many people who could benefit from having invisible braces in Clapham are wary of pursuing them, due to the myths surrounding this aligner.

At Clapham South Dental, we are proud to be able to offer all of our suitable patients Invisalign braces and are eager to dispel some of the most common myths surrounding these invisible braces in Clapham.

Myth 1- Traditional braces work faster

Traditional braces are the standard, metal brace that is often offered to children and as Invisalign is typically offered to adults, the origin of this myth is unknown!

However, the underlying system for Invisalign is fairly different and speeds up the overall treatment time. Instead of moving the crown and the root of the tooth separately, like metal braces, Invisalign moves both at once, cutting treatment time in half.

Myth 2- I will have to give up my favourite food

Once again, the origin of this myth is unclear.

The invisible braces in Clapham that we can offer our patients are removable, so you will be able to take them out when you consume food. This also enables you to consume whatever foods you wish, as there is no concern about your braces becoming damaged.

Myth 3- I can order them online

No, you can’t!

While there are many advertisements on both the internet and television offering a similar brace to Invisalign at a reduced cost, these braces are not comparable.

To be fitted with an invisible aligner that is guaranteed to work, you need to visit one of our dentists, who are experienced in working with this brace and understands the technology that is used alongside it. They will be able to assess if you are suitable for the treatment, how many aligners you will require to complete the treatment and most importantly, they will be able to conduct regular check-ups to ensure the brace is working effectively.

Like most medical treatments offered online that require no consultation, television advertised aligners are unlikely to work and may actually cause more harm than good.

Myth 4- Invisalign causes cavities

Historically, there is a correlation between traditional braces and an increase in cavities, so we think this is where this myth originated.

As Invisalign is removable, you can take them out when you brush your teeth and so, your oral hygiene will not be affected in anyway.

Myth 5- Older adults can’t benefit from Invisalign

Invisalign was initially designed for use in adults and older people; Invisalign teen came afterward.

There is no upper age limit on Invisalign braces and, as long as your overall oral hygiene is good, you can try them!

When it comes to aftercare a lot of patients still struggle with the basics of keeping their brace cleaned regularly. It’s understandable as busy routines, work and other personal commitments can sometimes get in the way and you can easily forget to give your braces a good brush now and then.

01But if you skip out on a scrub for too long you can open yourself up to all sorts of oral health problems. So with that in mind here are a few reasons why you should keep up a regular cleaning routine after you’re fitted for invisible braces in Clapham.

Reduces staining

Starting off at the top of our list we have one of the most noticeable problems that can crop up should you shirk from your scrubbing duties and that’s staining or yellowing of the appliance. This can happen for a number of reasons, but mainly it tends to be brought on by diet. Things like wine, coffee, smoking and certain foods can dye or stain the brace over time and reduce its ability to remain see-through.

A deep clean every other day should help reduce this over time as the last thing you want is a stained piece of plastic in your mouth making you feel self-conscious.

Clears out plaque

A regular clean out with a recommended brace cleaning solution can also help to reduce plaque and tartar build up between the brace and your teeth. If left alone this can spread to other parts of your teeth and gums as you go about your day wearing your brace and if you don’t stay on top of this it can lead to cavities, gum disease or gingivitis.

At Clapham South Dental Centre our talented team will help you find a cleaning routine that works for you to keep your brace and your teeth looking good.

Kills harmful bacteria

Another vitally important reason for keeping up a good cleaning routine once you get home from your appointment for invisible braces in Clapham is that it kills any harmful bacteria that might be hiding away in the crevices of the appliance.

What are the right ways to clean my brace?

Generally you should be scrubbing out your appliance at least once every other day using a soft bristled brush with a round head. You can use an electric brush, but be careful how hard you press or how often you use it, as it can wear down the material of the brace leading to dips and thinning of the plastic.

You should also rinse it with cold water after meals or snacks before leaving it to dry in a hard bodied container, to keep it safe from damage and sterile from any potential bad bacteria that might be lurking on surfaces around your home.

So as you can see, it is incredibly important that you keep your invisible braces clean. If you are still struggling to find a routine that works for you then pop by the practice and chat to our team for a few tips on how to keep your brace sparkling.