Author: Clapham South Dental Centre

Modern and discreet teeth straightening with Invisalign

Straightening your teeth is more simple than ever before. If you are troubled by crooked teeth then you need to speak to us at Clapham South Dental Centre and find out about the many different options that are available for you. A few decades ago the only type of orthodontic treatment was with traditional metal braces. Highly effective at their job, traditional metal braces can address a full range of misalignment issues including mild to moderate problems, as well as very complex cases. Unfortunately the problem with traditional metal braces is that they are highly visible in the mouth. This means that people who are already embarrassed by their teeth are reluctant to undergo orthodontic treatment, because they are worried that they will draw further attention to their mouth. In response to this, many different types of braces have been developed in the last few decades which allow you to straighten your teeth without drawing unwanted scrutiny of your mouth. At Clapham South Dental Centre we are pleased to offer you a whole range of braces to straighten your teeth.

invisalign-clapham

One of the most popular, modern methods of teeth straightening is with Invisalign Clapham. Invisalign Clapham is different to traditional dental braces. Invisalign Clapham uses clear thermoplastic aligners to straighten your teeth. Similar to traditional braces they can be used for mild, moderate or even complex orthodontic issues, although with Invisalign you may have to undergo a combined treatment plan if your teeth are severely crooked.

Modern teeth straightening

Invisalign is one of the most discreet methods of teeth straightening. When the aligners are in your mouth they are almost invisible and no one will notice that you are undergoing orthodontic treatment unless you wish to tell them. The aligners are very effective at teeth straightening. They use a patented thermoplastic which is latex-free and BPA free. The aligners themselves are designed using the latest in digital dental technology. They are printed as models using 3D printing and moulded out of the medical grade thermoplastic so that they fit tightly in your mouth and push your teeth into the desired positions.

How does Invisalign work?

Invisalign aligners work in a sequence. Each aligner pushes your teeth by approximately 0.25 millimetres. This occurs over a period of two weeks. After that there will be no more room in the aligner to push your teeth further and you will move on to the next aligner in the series. In this way you work your way through the set until your teeth are neat and straight. This can take anywhere between 6 and 24 months depending on how crooked or wonky your teeth are to begin with. The aligners can be taken out of your mouth whenever you need to and the instructions clearly state that they must be taken out at meal times and if you drink anything other than water. You also have to remove the aligners to clean your teeth. Once you are finished you put the aligners back in your mouth and they continue to do their work. It is important that you wear the aligners according to the guidelines and soon you will achieve excellent aesthetic results and healthier teeth and gums.

Clear braces for discreet teeth straightening

Traditional dental braces have been used for over a hundred years to correct the alignment of crooked and wonky teeth. Traditional dental braces are very effective and can correct complex orthodontic issues and create a beautiful straight smile with healthier teeth and gums. If you are thinking about straightening your teeth then you need to speak to us at Clapham South Dental Centre and find out about orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic treatment can be carried out by traditional dental braces or with clear braces Clapham depending on your individual dental requirements as well as your personal preferences. Our dentist will begin by carrying out a thorough examination of your teeth and gums and this will help us decide on the best type of braces for you. clear-braces-clapham

Fixed clear braces

Clear braces Clapham are of many different types. Clear braces Clapham can be fixed to the surface of your teeth, for example, ceramic braces or lingual braces. Ceramic braces are the same as traditional braces, except the brackets are designed to match the colour of your teeth. You can also find out about a more discreet wire rather than have a stainless steel one. However, for complex orthodontic issues a stainless steel wire may be more effective. Ceramic braces allow you to straighten your teeth without drawing much attention to your mouth. If you are still concerned that people will be looking at your teeth you can find out about lingual braces. These are more expensive than traditional braces and ceramic braces, however they offer complete discretion because they are attached to the back surface of your teeth and therefore hidden completely from sight. The brackets for lingual braces have to be custom-made to fit the inside of your mouth as the space is smaller, however once in place lingual braces are also highly effective at what they do. You can improve the alignment of your smile in approximately 12 to 24 months or slightly longer for more complex cases.

Invisalign clear braces

If you are looking for complete discretion and convenience at the same time then find out about removable clear braces for example, clear aligners. The most common clear aligners system across the world is Invisalign. First established in 1999, more than 14 million patients have straightened their teeth using Invisalign. Invisalign aligners are clear thermoplastic aligners which are almost invisible when worn in your mouth. They fit tightly over the teeth to apply pressure and move the teeth into a straighter formation. Although they are ideal for mild or moderate orthodontic needs, Invisalign can also be used for complex issues. They can be used as part of a combined treatment plan. The advantage of Invisalign aligners is that they can be taken out of your mouth and replaced as necessary and this makes them a popular choice amongst the modern generation. They allow you to enjoy your favourite food and drinks without any restrictions. They also allow you to maintain excellent dental hygiene throughout the treatment process. Invisalign aligners can straighten your teeth in 6 to 18 months and for more complex cases in up to 2 years you can straighten your teeth. Speak to us at Clapham South Dental Centre today to find out more about the different types of clear braces and let our dentist help choose the best option for you.

Straightening your teeth with invisible braces for better dental health

We always tell our patients that good dental hygiene and visiting the dentist on a regular basis, at least once every 6 months, is very important for healthy teeth and gums. However, sometimes despite maintaining good dental hygiene at home and visiting the dentist on a regular basis, other external factors can affect your dental health. One of the most common reasons for dental health complications is crooked teeth. If you have crooked teeth then you are more likely to develop cavities, tooth decay and gum disease. You are likely to have more plaque and tartar on your teeth than those with straightened teeth. You may also be unhappy with the appearance of your smile. This can have a negative impact on all aspects of your life, including your personality and your wellbeing. You need to speak to our dentist and find out about teeth straightening. Teeth straightening can be done in patients as young as six years old and it can be carried out in elderly patients who have healthy teeth and gums. There is no upper age limit for teeth straightening and thanks to significant advances in dental technology there are many different types of braces, traditional and invisible braces Clapham that you can choose from according to your individual dental requirements as well as your personal preferences. invisible-braces-clapham

Traditional braces

For over 100 years, dentists have used traditional metal braces to straighten teeth in children and adults. Traditional metal braces consist of three main components, which are the metal brackets that are fixed to the surface of your teeth, a stainless steel archwire which connects the brackets and elastic ligatures, which connect the wire to the brackets. These components work together to exert constant pressure onto your teeth and straighten out misalignment issues. The process itself takes approximately 12 to 36 months depending on how crooked or wonky your teeth are to begin with and you will have the components tightened on a regular basis so that they continue to put pressure on your teeth. Traditional metal braces are highly effective at serving their purpose. They can be used to correct all types of orthodontic issues. They can be used for very complex cases and are the preferred option for young children who have very crooked or wonky teeth. Unfortunately, adult patients are reluctant to wear traditional metal braces unless they really have to. This has led to the development of a range of invisible braces Clapham to meet the demands of the modern generation.

Invisible braces Clapham

Invisible braces Clapham allow you to straighten your teeth without drawing unwanted attention to your mouth. This is ideal for our adult patients and it is also a good solution for self-conscious teenagers who want to straighten their teeth, but are worried that traditional metal braces are quite visible in the mouth. Invisible braces can help you achieve excellent aesthetic results, targeting mild, moderate and complex orthodontic issues to create a neatly aligned smile which is attractive to look at and healthier in comparison to before. The length of the treatment will be similar to traditional braces depending on how crooked or wonky your teeth are to begin with. Speak to our dentist today at Clapham South Dental Centre and find out more about the many benefits of invisible braces. Try to begin the treatment as early as possible so that you can start enjoying those benefits very soon.

Dental implants for permanent tooth replacement

If you have a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth as a result of poor dental hygiene or an accident or injury, then you need to speak to our dentist and find out about dental implants Clapham. Dental implants Clapham are a popular and highly effective method of replacing missing teeth in adults. Dental implants Clapham are small, titanium screws that have been designed to replace tooth roots. Titanium dental implants have been in use since the 1960s, and they have an excellent success rate and can last for the whole of your life. dental-implants-clapham

To begin with, our dentist will carry out a thorough examination of your teeth and gums. They will need to carry out an X-ray as well to assess your bone health. This will then help our dentist decide whether or not dental implants are suitable for you. If so, our dentist will be able to decide what size implant you need, including the height and width, how the implant will need to be positioned and how many implants you will need, depending on the number of teeth that need replacing. Healthy alveolar bone is very important for successful dental implant surgery. The implant will be inserted directly into your jawbone. Therefore you need a healthy jawbone to hold the implant in place.

Bone graft

Some patients require a bone graft. A bone graft adds volume and density to the jawbone. Bone grafting material may be taken from yourself, it may be synthetic or it may be from a human tissue bank. If carried out immediately after you lose a tooth then it preserves the bone and prevents bone decay. Other times a bone graft may be used is if there is thinning of the alveolar bone. Bone grafts are very common and the advantage is that they restore your jaw to its original form.

Dental implant surgery

Once the bone graft has been completed and has healed, you will then be booked in for dental implant surgery. As mentioned our dentist will have already decided what size implant you need and how it will be positioned into your mouth. You will be given a local anaesthetic to prevent any pain and discomfort. The gum will be cut open and a small hole will be drilled into the bone socket of the missing tooth. The implant will be inserted into the hole and the gum will be stitched back into place. Depending on how many teeth you are replacing and the number of implants you need, the surgery can take 2 to 3 hours. You can ask for sedation if you suffer from dental anxiety. When the surgery is finished, you may feel some discomfort. This includes soreness, swelling, bleeding or bruising. Any discomfort is usually treated with regular painkillers and should only last up to a week. Our dentist will provide you with post-operative instructions to ease any discomfort.

The healing process takes between 4 and 6 months and by visiting us on a regular basis during this time you can make sure that your implant will heal successfully. The implant will then be fitted with a customised crown or a set of dentures, depending on the number of teeth that you are replacing. Speak to our dentist today to find out more.

Simple teeth straightening with Invisalign Clapham

If you have been considering straightening your teeth for a while then do not delay it any longer. The quicker you start, the sooner you can enjoy the benefits of a beautiful, straight smile. Speak to us at Clapham South Dental Centre today. We will carry out an assessment of your dental health to make sure that it is safe to straighten your teeth. This means looking for any signs of cavities, tooth decay, gum disease or bone decay. These are all factors that may affect your teeth if you undergo teeth straightening so we will make sure that your dental health is in good condition before we begin. If necessary we will carry out some dental work until you are ready to straighten your teeth. invisalign-clapham

Once we are happy that your teeth and gums are healthy and strong we can talk about what type of braces are most suitable for you. Here at Clapham South Dental Centre one of our most popular choices is Invisalign Clapham. Invisalign Clapham is a modern method of teeth straightening.

Why is Invisalign a popular choice for teeth straightening?

It is popular for many different reasons. Invisalign Clapham can be used for patients of all ages, including teenagers, young adults and it can be used for older adults too as there is no upper age limit.

Secondly, Invisalign Clapham can be used to help address a range of orthodontic issues rather than aesthetic issues only. Previously it was thought that clear aligners such as Invisalign could only correct aesthetic issues of the teeth but thanks to further developments in the Invisalign technology it can now be used for many different types of orthodontic issues.

Finally one of the main reasons why it is such a popular choice across the world is because Invisalign uses clear thermoplastic aligners to straighten your teeth as an alternative to the metal wires and brackets found in traditional braces. These aligners are comfortable to wear, they can be taken out of your mouth when you need to and they are almost invisible. The discretion that they offer means that Invisalign is an excellent choice for those who are looking to straighten their teeth without drawing attention to their mouth.

In just over 20 years Invisalign has been used to treat more than 14 million smiles across the world. It is available at most dental practices and here at Clapham South Dental Centre we can put together an individually tailored treatment plan for you. With Invisalign you may notice results in as little as 3 months and within 6 to 12 months you can transform the appearance of your smile. For those with more complex issues the treatment may take 12 to 18 months however the benefits will last for the rest of your life. With Invisalign not only will straightening your teeth improve the appearance of your smile but it will also help you enjoy better dental health for the future. We can also offer you an Invisalign retainer to maintain your smile. Speak to us at Clapham South Dental Centre today to find out more.

Invisalign; FAQs about these clear braces answered

Most adults who want to straighten their smiles don’t really want to do it with traditional braces.

Of course, if you are an adult who has a more complex misalignment, there will likely be no other solution. However, if you have a mild to moderate case of dental misalignment with your front teeth, then your best bet is to opt for a treatment such as Invisalign, the world-famous invisible aligner. Great! clear-braces-clapham

If you aren’t sure if you are a candidate for Invisalign or clear braces Clapham, then come and see our team at Clapham South. We are able to offer an extensive range of dental orthodontic options and will help you to choose the right one for you and your dental needs. Great!

So, with that in mind, what are some of the most common questions that we are asked about clear braces Clapham, or Invisalign?

Will wearing these aligners cause discomfort?

Invisalign aligners, or clear braces Clapham, are generally considered more comfortable than traditional braces. This is not to do braces down (they are awesome!), but the way that they work is just different. Braces use pulling motions to move the teeth, whereas aligners like Invisalign use pushing motions to do the same. The only difference is that aligners are not able to move the teeth as far as a traditional set of braces would. So they can apply less force.

However, after you change to a new set of aligners, there may be some discomfort for the next couple of days, so stock up on paracetamol or ibuprofen!

How long does it take for Invisalign to work?

That would depend on how severe your misalignment is and how often you wear them.

In most cases, this treatment takes between 3-6 months, provided that the aligners are worn for 22 hours or more per day. Of course, our team will be able to offer you a more accurate breakdown of how long your treatment will take when you come to see us. So, be sure to book that appointment!

Are there any lifestyle restrictions with Invisalign aligners?

Not really, but when it comes to drinking, you should only wear these aligners if you are drinking water. For soft drinks, coffee or juice, you will need to take them out, or you risk warping or staining them. As stated before, you will also have to wear them as directed, which can be a bit annoying for some people.

Are Invisalign aligners suitable for everyone?

Sadly, no, Invisalign is not suited for everyone. As mentioned before, our team will only suggest these aligners if you have a mild to moderate case of dental misalignment.

If you have issues with your molar teeth, have a tooth that needs to be rotated, or there is an issue with your bite, you may be better off trying a fitted brace.

Are Invisalign aligners pricey?

Our team at Clapham South knows that money doesn’t grow on trees. And so, we can offer you financing options to help you pay for these aligners, provided that you are suitable. The cost will vary, so call our team for a consultation to get the ball rolling.

Heard of Damon braces? A simple guide to these invisible braces

In the field of orthodontics, there is more than one way to move complex cases of misalignment.

Invisible braces ClaphamWith their advanced design and cutting-edge technology, Damon Braces offer an efficient and comfortable orthodontic experience, and therefore, they are often preferred by dental patients who want to move their teeth with minimal hassle.

If you want to move your smile with smart, self-ligating invisible braces Clapham, then come to see our team at Clapham South. We have been working with Damon braces for years and can guide you through the process and make sure that you get the smile that you want at the end.

Need a bit more convincing? This article delves into the world of Damon Braces, exploring the features of these invisible braces Clapham, to help you decide if they are right for you or not.

Understanding Damon Braces

Damon braces are a modern alternative to conventional braces. They are a self-ligating system; this means that they remove the need for traditional elastic or metal ties to hold the archwire in place. Instead, these invisible braces Clapham utilises a specialised slide mechanism consisting of brackets with built-in doors that secure the wire. This innovative approach minimises friction, allows teeth to move more freely, and reduces the overall treatment time. Great stuff!

What they treat

As stated before, these braces are an alternative to traditional orthodontics. This means that they can treat more complex cases of dental misalignment than aligners can.

If you have teeth that need to be rotated, pulled down, or up (in cases of deep bites or shallow bites), then these braces are likely to be helpful for you. So, come and talk to our team!

Treatment time

These braces are designed to treat more complex cases. Therefore, sadly, the treatment time will probably be a bit longer than it would be for someone who is undertaking realignment with aligners.

On average, these braces take between 12-18 months to straighten teeth, but our team will be more than happy to provide you with a more personalised breakdown of how long this process will be in your unique case.

Caring for the braces

As is the way with fitted braces, you will need to brush them after you eat food, and be sure to floss as often as you can. This will ensure that the braces are clean and are therefore able to move correctly and will also prevent decay and gum disease.

Of course, there have been some changes in recent years to the way people floss, so for fitted braces, it is best to use a water flosser with a brush head attachment when cleaning your Damon braces. You should also be brushing your teeth twice a day with an electric toothbrush too, and high-fluoride toothpaste. Our team can prescribe this for you if you wish.

Avoid eating any foods that are chewy or hard while wearing this brace, as this can cause issues with the archwires or, in some cases, may cause the brackets to come off altogether!

How to manage the aftercare of dental implants; a guide

So, you took the plunge and have recently had oral implants fitted.

However, while the fitting is undoubtedly the main step, there are several things you need to do between the fitting of the implant and the placement of the false tooth or teeth to ensure that it all goes well. dental-implants-clapham

When it comes to having oral implants fitted, you need to look no further than our team at Clapham South. Our dental implants Clapham will be fitted by a trained team who will ensure that you get the right kind of implant for your needs and will also help with all aspects of aftercare too.

So, what are the five things you can do to ensure that your dental implants Clapham are a success? Read on to find out.

Keep the site clean

It is safe to say that after implants are fitted, the area is going to be a bit sore. So, you should refrain from brushing your new implants until the swelling goes down and there is less discomfort.

But you may be wondering about how to keep the area clean. Dental implants Clapham can be cleaned with salt water as many times a day as needed. This will keep the site free from debris and will also make sure that the swelling is more manageable and decreases.

Take pain relief

OK, so while the fitting of oral implants is never as bad as most people think it will be, it is still going to be a bit sore!

So, a tip to help you manage in the first few days post-fitting, stock up on pain relief. As the area is going to be bruised, you should avoid thinning the blood, as this will cause further bleeding. Therefore, avoid ibuprofen or aspirin; take paracetamol instead.

Ice packs!

You may be surprised that having implants will cause a bit of soreness in your jaw. So, much like the pain relief, it is worth stocking up on some ice packs.

If you are having implants fitted on your upper jaw, there may be some pressure in your sinuses, so it is also worth getting an ice pack that can be placed over your eyes. This will help to drain the sinuses and will also prevent any of the associated headaches that can come from clogged sinuses.

Sleep elevated

Many people sleep with their heads at an angle, but after you have had oral implants fitted, this is more important.

Why? Because if you sleep flat, it can cause the bruising to spread and play into those blocked sinuses. So, aim to prop your pillow up for at least three days post-fitting to help minimise swelling.

Attend check-ups

Once the implants have been fitted, our team at Clapham South will want to see you in the period between the fitting and the placement of the false teeth.

So, please attend! These appointments allow us to check that everything is healing properly and that fusing is happening on schedule as well. It also allows you to ask us any questions that you may have about the aftercare too.

Considerations for Invisalign; what patients need to know about the aligners

Do you want to try out invisible aligners to get the straighter smile that you want?

If so, come and see our team at Clapham South. We can offer you Invisalign Clapham, which is a smart, sleek and minimalist way to straighten your teeth. Perfect!

So, what do you need to know about Invisalign Clapham? Here is a quick guide! invisalign-clapham

You need to wear them- a lot!

When it comes to Invisalign Clapham, in order for them to be successful, you are going to need to wear them as much as you can in order for them to work.

You may not be aware, but it takes 8 hours of continual pressure on a tooth for it to begin moving. So, if you are intermittent with their usage, they aren’t going to work. Our team recommends wearing them for 22 hours per day.

They will need cleaning

Aligners are removable, hence why they are so appealing to almost everyone. However, the aligners themselves will also need a bit of TLC when they aren’t in your mouth. There are special cleaners that you can use to clean them or, if you are in a hurry, rinse them under a cold tap and remove debris with a toothbrush. Never rinse the aligners under a hot water tap or use mouthwash to clean them; the heat can warp them, and the mouthwash can stain them.

Wearing times vary

You may have read on our website that aligners take between 3-6 months to straighten teeth. This is an average. If your teeth have a more complicated alignment, it may take longer. Luckily, our team will be able to give you a timeline of how long we think it will take at the initial assessment.  So, keep them in as directed by our team and be sure to attend the check-ups and send pics.

They don’t suit everyone

We should state here that when it comes to invisible aligners, they don’t suit everyone.

If you have a dental misalignment that is complex, or you have a misalignment that is not minor to moderate, then you can’t use aligners to straighten your teeth. You will need a fitted brace instead!

Of course, aligners can be used at a later stage in the realignment process if you wish, but most people can somewhat bond with their braces and choose to wear them until the end of treatment (yes, really!), but it is up to you. Also, aligners cannot move molar teeth, so if you have a set of molar teeth that are crooked or protruding, this will not be suitable for aligners.

Wear….the…retainers!

OK, this is a point we have to insist upon! As orthodontists, members of our team are not only dedicated to moving your teeth into better positions. But we also want them to stay there.

Once the aligners are off, you will need to wear your retainers every night after you go to sleep. Why? Because teeth are moveable as they are attached to bungee-like cords. If they are not held in place, those cords will pull them back to their original position.

So, wear the retainers, or you may end up with a fitted one!

Clear braces for straighter teeth with discretion

If you are thinking about straightening your teeth but are worried by the thought of traditional braces, then you need to speak to us at Clapham South Dental Centre and find out about the many different alternatives that are now available to straighten your teeth effectively at your comfort and discretion. clear-braces-clapham

You may wish to consider clear braces Clapham.

Clear braces can be used to address different orthodontic needs to help improve the appearance of your smile and also improve your dental health at the same time. There are two different types of clear braces Clapham. You can find out about fixed clear braces Clapham if you have complicated orthodontic issues, whilst if you are looking to address the aesthetic issues of your teeth, then you can find out about removable clear braces.

Invisalign clear braces

Here at Clapham South Dental Centre we are pleased to be able to offer you Invisalign. Invisalign is perhaps one of the world’s most popular clear braces. Invisalign has been available since 1999. It is tried and tested and has helped correct more than 14 million smiles across the world already. Invisalign is one of the pioneers of clear braces and can help address a range of orthodontic issues. It is used to correct the appearance of crooked, wonky teeth, improve the alignment of protruding teeth, make space for overcrowded teeth and straighten overlapping teeth. Invisalign can also be used for patients who suffer from bite disorders where their teeth do not align properly. Whether you have an overbite, crossbite or underbite you can speak to us at Clapham South Dental Centre and we will put together an individually tailored treatment plan for you.

Invisalign works using the latest in digital dental technology. After having carried out a thorough examination of your teeth and gums to look for any signs of tooth decay or gum disease our dentist will carry out an intraoral scan. This takes thousands of pictures of the inside of your mouth to create a digital image of your teeth that we can see on the screen. We will then be able to show you how Invisalign can change the alignment of your teeth and create a beautiful new smile. From this before and after image we will calculate and create a sequence of aligners that will help you achieve this transformation. The number of aligners you need will vary depending on how complicated your issues are.

If you are using Invisalign for aesthetic issues then you may be able to improve the appearance of your teeth within as little as 6 months. If you have more complex issues then it may take up to 18 months. With Invisalign you can improve the appearance of your smile and also improve your dental health for the future.

Fixed clear braces

If we believe that your issues are more complicated then we will speak to you about fixed braces. These are similar to traditional braces, however the components are either clear or tooth coloured for a discreet treatment option, so that you can straighten your teeth without drawing attention to your mouth. Speak to us at Clapham South Dental Centre today to find out more.