A guide to orthodontics; from clear braces to aligners

Do you want to have your teeth straightened as an adult but think that this will mean wearing a fitted, orthodontic brace?clear-braces-clapham

In the last 20 years, orthodontic care has come on leaps and bounds and now, it is easier than ever before for you to straighten your teeth discreetly and effectively. And at Clapham South Dental, we can help.

At Clapham South Dental, our team can offer our patients a myriad of different braces and aligners, including Invisalign and even clear braces Clapham, with each one chosen to get you the straighter smile you want in the shortest time frame. Great!

Here, our team at Clapham South Dental runs through the most commonly used types of orthodontic tools in our clinic, everything from standard to clear braces Clapham. So read on to learn more about this ever-expanding (and life-changing) area of dentistry!

Fitted braces

OK, so most people will know at least one person in their life who has worn fitted braces.

They are metal braces that are affixed to the front of your teeth and require tightening and adjusting to move the teeth.

And while they remain common in the treatment of misalignments for children and teenagers, thanks to advances in orthodontics, they are becoming rarer among adults. That is unless there is a more complex case of misalignment that requires the rotation of a tooth and/or the movement of molars. In cases of adult dental care, you may need to wear an orthodontic brace for 36 months, but this may vary depending on the complexity of your misalignments.

Clear appliances

Next, we come to clear braces Clapham, which are often confused with aligners.

However, when it comes to braces, clear ones are usually fitted but instead of the brackets that affix them to the teeth being made from metal, they may be clear or enamel coloured to keep appearances discrete. These braces also usually contain a thinner archwire, which once again, keeps them visually minimalistic.

As these braces are used across the spectrum of dental misalignments, you may need to wear them for between 6-36 months.

Lingual braces

Here we come to the most hidden of all of the fitted braces, the lingual brace.

Placed on the back of the teeth, this brace is practically invisible but allows us to manage more complex dental issues, without the discretion problems that often accompany fitted braces.

But, based on their position, they can be a bit fiddly and so, lingual braces take longer to fit and can be more difficult to clean. But don’t worry; our team will show you how to care for your lingual braces, which will help to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Aligners

And finally, we come to aligners!

You may have heard of these due to the infamy of brands like Invisalign. Removable, visually discrete and easy to clean, aligners are seen by many as the most discrete orthodontic tool and can be used to treat everything from overbites to spacing problems.

However, for an aligner to work, you need to wear it for at least 22 hours per day.

Looking for an Invisalign provider? Top tips

Looking to have your teeth straightened using invisible aligners?invisalign-clapham

At Clapham South Dental, we can offer you Invisalign Clapham, and will always aim to make your experience with us as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

Here, we offer a quick guide on how to choose a suitable provider of Invisalign Clapham. So, read on and enjoy!

Certification

Not just any dentist can use Invisalign Clapham and so when you are looking for a dental team to provide it for you, you should in the first instance ask about their certification and training with this aligner.

All of our practitioners who offer this aligner have attended all of the required and additional training, so when you come to us, you can rest assured that you are getting the best!

Experience

Certification is one thing, but experience is another!

When shopping around for a dentist to provide your invisible aligner, ask them about when they received their certification and always ask to see their certificate and portfolio.

That way, you will be able to get a sense of how experienced they are at using the aligners.

Reviews

It’s happened to the best of us; we have a job completed by a professional, only to find that it doesn’t live up to our expectations. And then we go online to look at reviews and find that we should have read those first!

When you are looking for an orthodontic dentist, always read the reviews of their practice! That way, you will be able to gauge what kind of environment you will be walking into when you work with them, and you will be able to determine if they are suitable for you.

At Clapham South, we regularly receive 5-star reviews from our patients and, should we dip below their level of expectation, will always work to rectify it as patient care is our number one priority.

Portfolio

Technically, the use of an invisible aligner falls under the umbrella of cosmetic work. And so, when you are shopping around for a dentist to undertake this procedure with, you should ask to see their portfolio of past work.

This establishes 2 things; the first is that they have used this brand of invisible aligner before and are comfortable enough with it to showcase their work. Secondly, it highlights professionalism on their part; logging photos and keeping a portfolio is essential for all kinds of cosmetic work, even dental, to help the dentist display their pride and expertise in this field.

All of our cosmetic dentists at Clapham South have either a physical or online portfolio of their work, which they will be more than happy to show you if asked.

Communication

OK, so this may sound obvious, but when you are in the dental chair, it is all too easy to forget that you can actually shop around for your dental practitioner.

There are lots of dental practices that can offer this treatment and so, it is important that you choose an orthodontist or dentist with who you feel comfortable working.

At Clapham South, our invisible aligner dentists will always aim to make you feel comfortable and will answer any questions that you have using jargon-free language. We will always be on hand if you need us at any stage of the treatment, as we know how confusing aligners and braces can be at times!

Health benefits of dental implants

Are you fed up with your dentures and want a more permanent solution?dental-implants-clapham

Our dentists at Clapham South Dental have the answer to correcting missing teeth long term, with the use of our dental implants Clapham, which look and feel just like natural teeth.

Below, our team at Clapham South discusses the real-world health benefits of dental implants Clapham, to help you get a better idea of whether this treatment is right for you or not. Enjoy!

Improved oral health

Firstly, a mouth full of teeth is less likely to suffer from tooth decay or gum disease.

Why? Because gaps in the teeth can act as a magnet for plaque, which can lead to both of these issues and more. When you have dental implants Clapham fitted, you are blocking gaps and reducing difficult to reach spots, resulting in better overall oral health.

Varied diet

When you have missing teeth, or if you are wearing dentures, there is a chance that your diet may not be as varied as it once was.

And as we all know, a varied diet is important for physical and mental wellbeing. When it comes to oral implants, these affixed prosthetics will enable you to eat whichever foods you want without worrying about movement or discomfort, allowing for a better overall diet. Great!

Settled stomach

While it is easy to focus on cosmetics, your teeth and jaws are actually the first stages in the digestive system.

And so, if you have any teeth missing, that means that it is going to be harder for you to bite into and chew food correctly. As a result, larger pieces of food will hit the stomach and can cause issues such as acid reflux, indigestion, even gastrointestinal reflux disease or GERD.

By fitting implants, you are ensuring that your teeth will always be strong and stable enough to bite into and chew food, allowing for a more settled stomach.

Better sleep

If you have suffered the loss of multiple teeth, specifically molars, then it is likely your sleep may be affected.

Why? Because when you sleep, the muscles in your face relax and, if you have gaps or incorrect misalignment, then your upper and lower jaw are more likely to be grinding against each other. And that, in turn, may lead to an increase in waking up during the night, headaches, jaw pain and even migraines in the morning. Not great!

By having implants fitted, you will allow your teeth to slot together properly, even when you sleep, reducing waking spells, migraines and reducing the likelihood of developing temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ.

Confidence

And finally, you can’t put a price on confidence!

As you know, when you have gaps in your smile, or if you feel uncertain about the strength of the denture glue you are using, this can greatly impact the time you spend smiling.

And as studies have found, smiling not only improves your mood but also impacts your confidence and even your creativity, due to the link between smiling and brain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin.

By having dental implants fitted, you will close gaps in your smile, will have no worries about denture movement and will, overall, feel better in yourself. What’s not to like about that?

A guide to invisible braces; the Damon System

In the world of adult and teenage orthodontics, there is now more than one way to straighten teeth.invisible-braces-clapham

And while you may have heard of invisible aligner systems, you may be unaware that there are now many ways that you can straighten your teeth with a fitted brace without needing to rely on the standard orthodontic appliance. This will be of particular use if you have a more complex case of misalignment or you need to have any of your molars moved.

At Clapham South Centre, we call these kinds of braces invisible braces Clapham and will be more than happy to talk to you about your suitability for them in one of our orthodontic consultations. One of our most popular systems is the Damon System, which we have used to help many of our patients obtain a straighter smile.

Here, we offer a brief guide to these invisible braces Clapham to help you decide if they may be right for you.

What are Damon system braces?

As the name suggests, this brace is one of the few cosmetic based braces that is fixed.

As invisible braces Clapham, the brackets that are attached to the teeth may be clear or porcelain coloured. And much like regular braces, this tool requires tightening and adjusting for it to straighten your teeth.

But unlike regular braces which utilise force and friction to move teeth, Damon system braces use a self-ligating system, that removes the need for many of the accessories that accompany standard braces such as elastic or metal ties.

Treatment timeline

When many adults hear the phrase ‘fitted brace,’ they immediately think that they will be wearing the appliance for years to come; hence, why they are not a popular option!

But with the Damon System, the treatment time is also reduced and the average patient who uses this brace will wear it for around 20 months.

However, to correctly gauge how long your treatment timeline will take, you will need to have a consultation and discussion with our team at Clapham South Dental.

Daily care

As is the way with all fitted braces, you will need to adhere to a strict hygiene regimen to ensure that your teeth and gums do not suffer due to excess plaque and bacteria.

That means that our team may advise you to brush your braces after every meal, use interdental brushes and use a strong mouthwash to eliminate acids and bacteria that may be lingering. We may also show you how to begin flossing regularly to get rid of bacteria from those hidden areas.

And of course, you will need to see our team regularly for check-ups and we will typically offer hygienist appointments too just to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Costs

OK, on to the part that everyone is interested in; the costs of the Damon System.

Unfortunately, the costs are varied and will depend on a myriad of factors, such as the length of time you will wear them for and how many times you will need to see our team to have them assessed, tightened or adjusted.

For a more accurate assessment of how much wearing the Damon System is likely to cost, talk to our team.

A guide to the Damon System clear braces

Are you looking for an effortless way to straighten your smile as an adult?clear-braces-clapham

At Clapham South Dental, we know how our adult and teenage patients want to get straighter smiles with as little fuss as possible and so we can offer many orthodontic solutions. We provide invisible and clear braces Clapham, such as the Damon System, helping you to get the smile you want in the most efficient way possible.

Here, we offer a brief guide to these clear braces Clapham, allowing you to decide if they might be the right treatment option for you.

What is the Damon System?

This brand of clear braces Clapham is a fitted brace, which utilises wires, brackets and a certain amount of adjusting to work.

Visually, it is quite similar to a standard brace, but the wires that are used tend to be thinner and the brackets that hold them to your teeth are also smaller. So visually, it is more discreet, but offers the same orthodontic power as a standard brace.

How do they work?

In short, the Damon System utilises many of the same principles as a fitted brace. However, it comes equipped with sliders, allowing your teeth to move as they need to, without applying too much tension.

While you may think that this increases treatment time, it speeds it up and can facilitate a faster movement of your teeth.

3 components

When it comes to the Damon System, it is physically a simpler brace for our team to use and thus, it can offer faster results.

There are 3 components of this brace that allow it to do this, which include the lack of tightening. As it doesn’t use plastic or metal ties, our team will not need to tighten it in the same way that we would with regular braces.

The lighter wires allow your teeth to move more easily too and with the palatal expanders, you may well be able to have them fitted without the need for any tooth extractions.

Treatment timescale

If our team has opted to fit you with the Damon System, it can take between 12-18 months for it to work.

Remember, this will vary depending on how extensive the dental misalignment being treated is. Should you need help with correcting alignment on your upper and lower jaw, this may require your molars to be moved, which can extend the process somewhat. Similarly, if you have a tooth or teeth that need to be rotated, this can also make the process take slightly longer.

Our team will be able to give you a more accurate timespan of how long the treatment will take following the initial consultation for having the Damon System fitted.

Caring for your braces

As these braces are fitted, it will require discipline to look after them and to keep your teeth in good condition.

To do this, we recommend avoiding overly sugary foods or beverages, brushing them with an electric toothbrush after each meal and using high fluoride toothpaste.

For more advice on how to care for these braces, please talk to our team.

Daily survival tips for Invisalign by Clapham South

Heard of Invisalign Clapham? But have you heard it is a tough aligner to use?invisalign-clapham

What are some of the best tips for using Invisalign Clapham? Here we discuss 4 aspects of the aligners’ usage in daily life. Enjoy!

Cleaning the aligners

With Invisalign Clapham, there are many options available to help you keep them clean.

The first is to simply rinse the aligner(s) under a cold running tap twice a day. If there are any stuck-on bits of food debris or stains, you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove it and, if required, you can even use toothpaste to help.

Refrain from rinsing your aligners under hot water! Remember, invisible aligners are made of plastic and can easily warp. While it can be tempting to clean them using mouthwash, these can create staining on the aligners and so, it can be counterproductive.

There are other options available for cleaning invisible aligners too; you can also use a denture cleaner or even use suitable cleaning crystals to give your aligners a minty fresh taste!

If you aren’t sure which is the best option for you, talk to our dentist at Clapham South.

Storing the aligners

Yes, invisible aligners are sturdy enough to push your teeth into new positions but that doesn’t mean that they are impervious to damage or harm.

When our team gives you your aligners, they will come with a branded carry case. To keep your aligners safe and intact, we strongly recommend that you use this case to carry and store your aligners. Even if you are out and about with friends, or going out for a meal, when the aligners come out, put them in the carry case.

Refrain from throwing them into your bag, pocket or other areas as this can still cause them damage.

Saving the aligners

When you start using invisible aligners, you may receive up to 14 of them. To work correctly, they will need to be worn in a sequential order which our team will discuss with you.

However, as mentioned previously, aligners can become damaged with daily activity which means that most dentists and orthodontists will recommend patients who use an invisible aligner to save the used ones.

If one of your aligners becomes damaged, our team will need to send off for a new one to be created, which can take up to 2 weeks. And in this time, if you aren’t wearing an aligner, your teeth may move into a former position, which overall can delay treatment. Therefore, it is wise to save former aligners if this should occur. So, keep them safely stored!

Removing the aligners

Invisible aligners are removable and as such, we know it can be all but too tempting for people to take them out as and when they want to.

But when you remove your aligners to eat, drink or brush your teeth, we advise you to time yourself. For any invisible aligner to be effective, it needs to be worn for a minimum of 22 hours per day.

If you are having issues sticking to this time regimen or any other one that our team has put in for you, feel free to book an appointment.

What to expect from dental implants; the process

Are you fed up with hiding your smile because you don’t like prominent gaps?dental-implants-clapham

If you are, then you may be happy to learn that there is now a more permanent way for dentists across the UK to restore missing teeth; oral implants!

At Clapham South Dental, we are dedicated to giving our patients the best smiles that we can and if you are suitable, we are more than happy to begin the process of fitting dental implants Clapham with you.

So, what can you expect when you are looking to have dental implants Clapham fitted?

Initial consultation and tests

During your initial consultation for having dental implants Clapham, our team will explore your dental and general health with you. We will perform a routine check-up to assess your mouth for signs of decay or gum disease, which will have to be treated before any implants are fitted if they are present.

We will also take x-rays of your jaws, to ascertain if they are thick enough or in good enough condition to support implants.

Fitting

When it comes to fitting your implant(s), our team may use an open, vacant socket in the case of a recently lost tooth or we may drill a new one.

We will ensure first and foremost that your mouth is numbed and then, we will make some incisions into the gum line and gently peel it back to expose the bone. Then, depending on whether we need to drill a hole or use an already existing one, we will fit the implant.

This process can be a bit time consuming and if you are having multiple implants fitted, we may wish to divide the fitting over multiple appointments.

Aftercare

When you get home post-implant fitting, you will need to take care to not aggravate the implant site.

This will mean cleaning around the area with a soft-bristled toothbrush and using salt water to clean the implant. You may also need to avoid overly hard or spicy foods for a while, as these can put pressure on the implant and may even lead to a newly fitted implant coming loose. You will also want to avoid spicy foods as they can worsen inflammation.

For more advice on implant aftercare, talk to our team.

Prosthetics

Once the fusing period is up, our team will then fit the prosthetics; these can be a single tooth or a full set of dentures.

The fitting of the prosthetics typically takes over an hour and is not uncomfortable. Meaning you can walk into our surgery with one smile and leave with a completely different one! Perfect!

Daily life

After your prosthetics have been loaded to your oral implants, you are ready to bite into and chew whichever foods you want.

But take care to look after your oral implants; they will need daily brushing, flossing and general hygiene care along with biannual check-ups by our team. This will help us to keep an eye out for things like gum disease which can significantly shorten the lifespan of implants.

FAQs about invisible braces answered

Looking for a way to straighten your teeth as an adult with the utmost discretion?clapham-invisible-braces

When you come to Clapham South Dental, our team can fit you up with one of the most popular orthodontic tools to straighten your smile, removable invisible braces Clapham.

Here, some of the most common FAQs that we receive about removable invisible braces Clapham or Invisalign are answered. So read on and enjoy!

Is Invisalign better than using regular braces?

Invisible braces Clapham, using Invisalign, have been heralded by many patients as being more visually discreet.

But while this is a useful feature, it does not necessarily make them better; if you have a complex misalignment, for example, we may want to use a fitted brace to help with the realignment which could also be invisible as in the case of a lingual brace.

Does having Invisalign fitted hurt?

As this aligner is removable, it doesn’t have to be fitted!

But what does have to happen is our team needs to get an accurate image of your dental positions as a starting point. And to do this, we will need to take an image of the inside of your mouth using our intraoral scanner.

Just as it sounds, this pen-like device is placed into your mouth and scans your teeth, recording their images onto our computer. This is painless, fast and provides a more accurate image to start your aligner treatment with.

Do I have to change my diet?

If you had a friend at school who wore a fitted brace, you may recall that they had to cut out certain foods from their diet, mainly things like corn on the cob and toffee. This is advised by dentists to prevent the food from getting stuck in the archwires and to ensure that the brackets do not become damaged.

Luckily, as Invisalign is removable, you will not have to change your diet and, as your teeth straighten, you may find it easier to eat a wider variety of foods overall.

Can I choose when I wear the aligners?

Yes and no.

For this aligner to be effective, you will need to keep it in your mouth for a minimum of 22 hours per day. And while we cannot dictate when you remove it, it is best advised to do so when eating, drinking anything besides water and when you are brushing your teeth. This will prevent it from becoming stained or damaged.

But if during usage you discover that you are finding it tougher to keep the aligners in for the required time, then please talk to our team so we can switch the aligner for a fitted option. We do offer visually discreet clear braces too, which are more suited to people who struggle with removable options.

How long do they require to straighten my teeth?

On average, Invisalign takes between 3-6 months to straighten teeth.

However, this is somewhat variable and depends on the severity of the misalignment being treated, the frequency with which you wear your aligners and of course, if you maintain regular communication with our team.

So, to keep Invisalign on schedule, wear them for at least 22 hours a day, send our team selfies each week (or when required) and be sure not to miss any appointments.

Why opt for clear braces?

Maybe it is because they are barely detectable that there seems to be a mystery (from a patient’s perspective) shrouded around how clear braces Clapham work. Our dental practitioners at Clapham South Dental Centre field many questions from patients enquiring about clear braces Clapham as a suitable orthodontic solution.clear-braces-clapham

Orthodontics has become one of the most sought after dental treatments thanks to modern developments in orthodontic technologies and the fact that many patients are beginning to understand just how important properly aligned teeth are for their health.

We have an exciting array of orthodontic solutions available at our practice because we appreciate that no one-size-fits-all solution is good enough for our patients. Different patients will have different situations and needs; some will need minor alignment fixes while others will have moderate or severe conditions to treat.

Different transparent orthodontic devices each have their own unique set of features and benefits that can help patients achieve their orthodontic goals and align with a better-looking smile. In our range of clear braces Clapham, we offer Invisalign, Inman Aligner, Incognito and Cfast braces amongst others.

Reasons to choose clear braces

Here are some of the reasons why clear braces are a popular choice with patients:

Affordability

Many patients are surprised to find that our transparent range of orthodontic devices is quite affordable and that the great smile they have always wanted is, in fact, within their reach. We have also made available interest free repayment plans for patients who would like to use this facility. Get in touch with us for more information.

Invisibility

Braces that can’t be seen? Yes, please! Patients may be more familiar with the clear aligner system, but we also have clear fixed braces that are mounted onto teeth. Transparent braces that are fixed can feature clear wires and brackets or be attached to the back of the teeth where they work out of sight.

Efficacious

We have used a variety of orthodontic devices to great effect, helping patients achieve their cosmetic goals for a more attractive and aligned smile. To help guide patients to the right orthodontic fit, we will need to carry out a complete oral health assessment. This will also allow us to determine a patient’s exact needs.

Comfort

One of the best parts of straightening teeth is that this can now be a comfortable experience. This is not to say that many patients do not experience slight initial discomfort while they get used to wearing their orthodontic device. This is most usual and does not last for very long. If symptoms do persist for longer than expected, it is important to notify us as soon as possible.

No matter which type of orthodontic treatment plan you opt for, we have caring and competent dental professionals who will look after your teeth straightening process. Need to talk through our choices of exciting orthodontic tools? Schedule a professional consultation with one of our dental practitioners at Clapham South Dental Centre and experience the high-quality dental care we have to offer.

Why choose Invisalign to straighten your teeth?

Invisalign Clapham orthodontic solutions available at Clapham South Dental Centre enjoy immense popularity with our patients due to one of their world-famous traits – these braces are virtually invisible.invisalign-clapham

Orthodontic solutions come in a choice of various shapes and sizes and it can be quite overwhelming for a patient to decide on which one to choose. This is where our well-experienced dental practitioners play an instrumental guiding role in recommending the right choice according to individual patient needs and preferences. We will talk you through each of the suitable orthodontic tools and what can be expected using them. We work with our patients by listening to their concerns and ensure that they have all the information they need to make the ultimate decision for their oral health goals.

Factors that set Invisalign Clapham apart

Considering the availability of a diverse set of orthodontic tools, it is quite reasonable to ask what makes Invisalign Clapham such a great choice to straighten teeth. According to our patients, the following are just some of the reasons that have tipped the balance in favour of the clear aligner-based system.

Easier to clean teeth

One of the most remarkable features of this orthodontic system is that it is removable. This opens up a few advantages for the patient. As the aligner trays are made from pliable smart plastic, all a patient has to do is remove them before brushing and flossing. Teeth then become easier to clean as all barriers are removed first. The process for sterilising the trays is simple too; they can be brushed out and soaked using appropriate cleaning agents.

Fewer food restrictions

Aligners are removed before eating which means there are fewer restrictions when it comes to choosing what to eat. However, we would like to remind patients that a tooth-friendly diet is the best choice to maintain oral health. This type of diet is generally low in sugar and highly acidic foods and beverages. Next in importance is the number of times in a day teeth come into contact with such foods and beverages; the fewer, the better.

Fewer follow-up visits are required

This is a particularly desirable benefit for busy patients who do not have the time for frequent visits to the dentist. Right at the start of their treatment plan, patients are given their set of aligner trays with instructions on how often to change them. Patients may need to come in occasionally just for us to make sure that the teeth straightening process is coming along nicely.

Straightening your teeth offers amazing benefits, some of which can be life-changing. Just think of the confidence boost that comes from a beautifully aligned smile and what that would mean for your professional or personal life.

At Clapham South Dental Centre, we provide a full range of high-quality dental care to the NHS (we welcome new patients too) and private patients. Are you in need of orthodontics? Schedule a consultation with us and we will provide you with a complete treatment plan.