More adults than ever before are thinking about correcting the aesthetic issues that are affecting their teeth. To meet these demands much research and development has been carried out in cosmetic dentistry and now there are many different options for straightening your teeth if this is what you desire. Most people suffer from a certain amount of dissatisfaction with their teeth, some more than others. If you have undergone orthodontic treatment when you were younger then you may find that as an adult some of your teeth start to become slightly crooked, unless you have a permanent retainer to maintain the alignment of them.

Whether you have undergone orthodontic treatment previously or this is the first time you have thought about realigning your teeth, speak to us at our practice. You can book a free assessment so that we can identify the factors which are affecting the appearance of your smile and let you know which dental treatments we believe could be suitable for you.

The popularity of Invisalign

Here, at Clapham South Dental Centre, Invisalign Clapham is the most popular method of addressing the aesthetic issues of our patients’ teeth. Invisalign Clapham is an excellent alternative to traditional orthodontic treatment. It is ideal for adults who would like to improve their smile, but feel uncomfortable about traditional dental braces which are often highly visible when worn in the mouth. Invisalign Clapham is highly discreet, almost invisible in the mouth. You can address the factors that are affecting your smile without anyone knowing that you are undergoing dental treatment unless you want to tell them yourself.

Our dentists will carry out an assessment of your teeth and gums to make sure that Invisalign is appropriate and suitable for you. We offer the full range of dental treatments to help resolve any underlying problems and once our dentist is happy that you are ready for the procedure you will undergo an X-ray and a 3-dimensional scan and we will put together a video of your mouth and show you how Invisalign Clapham will move your teeth to create a neatly aligned smile.

The scan results are used to put together an individually tailored treatment plan for you. The results are also used to manufacture the aligners accurately, so that they fit your mouth comfortably and help you achieve the results that you are looking for. There are different treatment plans according to your dental requirements and your personal preferences. Invisalign Comprehensive is the standard treatment procedure, ideal for mild or moderate orthodontic cases such as crooked, wonky or overlapping teeth, protruding front teeth, or gaps in the teeth. It usually takes between 12 and 18 months to straighten your teeth.

Invisalign Lite is for those who have minor misalignment issues, ideal for those who have undergone orthodontic treatment previously. Invisalign Teen is designed especially for our younger patients and will help achieve a beautiful smile for life. Speak to one of our dentists at the dental centre today to find out more.

There are many reasons why someone may not want to undertake orthodontic realignment in adult life. It is assumed by many people that having their teeth straightened as an adult would involve the use of a fitted or metal brace. Today in dental care, this treatment is only reserved for severe cases.

Now, there is a way for you to get the straight smile that you want via the use of invisible or clear aligners.

At Clapham South Dental Centre, we are proud to offer invisible or clear aligners to our suitable patients in the form of Invisalign Clapham. This aligner is one of our most popular options and can be used with ease and discretion to ensure that you get the smile you want without drawing unwanted stares from colleagues or family members.

But why else should you consider using Invisalign Clapham to straighten your teeth? Read on to find out!

It’s quick

The standard treatment timeline for Invisalign Clapham is between 3 and 6 months if the patient has a mild to moderate misalignment; this is significantly faster than a standard fitted brace for an adult patient, which can take up to 3 years to produce the desired results.

So, you can undertake treatment with this aligner in the run-up to a wedding, graduation or another ceremony for which you want your smile to look its best.

It’s discreet

As the name suggests, invisible aligners are the closest you will get to having a truly invisible orthodontic treatment. The aligner itself is made from clear plastic and will be custom-fitted to slot over your teeth, so no one will notice that you are wearing it.

It is also easy to clean the invisible aligners so there should not be an issue with staining. You simply rinse them under a cold water tap and remove any food or staining using a soft-bristled toothbrush.

It’s easy to use

The aligner itself is incredibly simple to use, but for it to work effectively, you need to wear it for a minimum of 22 hours per day or as advised by our team. You have to wear each aligner in order; this will ensure that your teeth are straightened correctly. There is also an app that accompanies the aligner, which you can use to explore any queries that you may have about your daily use. Or, you can simply contact our team for more advice.

It’s comfortable

This aligner is renowned for being more comfortable to wear as it does not rub against your inner cheeks or tongue. However, it is worth noting that the aligners are designed to move your teeth, so some pressure during wear is to be expected and can be mitigated with over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol.

It’s removable

Another big bonus of this aligner is that it is removable, so it will not restrict the food you eat. You can take the aligner out before you give talks or simply whenever you wish to remove it! Just be sure to keep it in for the required 22 hours a day.

Have you heard about invisible aligners? Are you looking for a way to straighten your teeth in your adult life without using a metal brace?

At Clapham South Dental Centre, our team uses Invisalign Clapham to help our patients get the straighter smiles that they want, all while being discreet and easier to use than other orthodontic options

Here, our team answers some key questions that our patients have had relating to Invisalign Clapham. So, read on to learn more!

How do invisible aligners differ from braces?

Invisalign Clapham differs from braces in how it looks, how it works and how long it takes.

The aligners are made from clear plastic, so when they are placed in your mouth, they will be practically invisible. They work by differently shaped aligners (worn in a sequence) applying pressure to your teeth and gradually moving them into the desired positions. They will be made using images taken of your mouth using an intraoral scanner and can be custom-fitted to the shape of your teeth.

How long do aligners take to straighten teeth?

On average, invisible aligners take between 3 and 6 months to straighten teeth, but this will depend on the issue being corrected. This timeline may also vary if you do not wear the aligners as directed. They are removable, so it can be tempting to leave them out for extended periods of time. In order for them to be effective, you will need to wear your aligners for a minimum of 22 hours a day.

But during your initial consultation, our team at Clapham South Dental Centre will be able to give a clearer guide on how long your treatment will take.

Are the results as good as those obtained with fixed braces?

Yes, the results obtained using invisible aligners are indistinguishable from those achieved with a metal brace.

Just be sure to wear the retainers after your treatment has concluded. Not doing so can result in your teeth moving back to their former positions or the treatment slowing and stopping altogether.

Who is suitable for aligners?

If you have a mild to moderate misalignment, protrusion or spacing issue, then you will likely be suitable for treatment with invisible aligners.

However, our team will state that before undertaking invisible aligners, your oral health has to be in good condition; you cannot have tooth decay or gum disease. If you have either of these problems, they must be treated and resolved before any orthodontic care is performed.

Are aligners hard to care for?

No, aligners are actually remarkably easy to care for.

As they are removable, you can clean them by rinsing them under cold water. Simply use a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove any stuck-on debris. Do not rinse them in hot water; doing so can cause them to warp out of shape. You can also invest in a denture cleaner to soak the aligners in, or you can purchase a cleaner designed for use with invisible aligners and soak them as and when needed. This will keep them clean and minty fresh!

Invisalign Clapham is a modern and highly popular method of addressing mild to moderate misalignment of teeth, to improve the aesthetic appearance of a patient’s smile.

The earlier in life that you decide to address the misalignment issues of your teeth the less chance there is of experiencing dental complications in the future. Speak to us at Clapham South Dental Centre today and find out about Invisalign Clapham and whether or not it is suitable for you.

Is Invisalign suitable for you?

Here at our practice we will carry out a thorough examination of your teeth and gums to make sure that you are not suffering from any dental problems. It is important that your teeth are clean and that your gums are strong and healthy to be able to undergo Invisalign Clapham safely and without causing any dental complications. If you do have particular oral conditions that require attention then you need to undergo restorative dental care prior to beginning treatment with Invisalign Clapham.

Once our dentist is happy that Invisalign is appropriate for you then you will undergo a specialist 3D scan using the latest iTero technology which helps create a digital image of your mouth from which an individually tailored treatment plan will be put together for you.

How does Invisalign work?

Invisalign works using a series of clear thermoplastic aligners which push your teeth into a neatly aligned formation over a certain period of time. Your scan results will be used to manufacture the aligners themselves with accuracy and precision, so that they fit you comfortably, help produce predictive results and create excellent aesthetics. Each of these aligners is designed to be worn for 2 weeks at a time and will move your teeth by approximately 0.25 mm during this period. The aligners need to be worn in your mouth for approximately 22 hours of the day and taken out at mealtimes so that you can enjoy your meal whilst soaking the aligners in a cleaning solution. Once you finish your meal you are able to brush your teeth thoroughly and floss to make sure your mouth is clean before placing the aligners back into your mouth. This helps you maintain good oral hygiene throughout the process.

During your treatment you will visit the dentist after changing every 3 or 4 aligners to make sure that the process is coming along successfully. Our dentist will also check that your teeth and gums remain healthy during this time and that no underlying issues are developing as a result of the movement of your teeth.

Invisalign is a highly popular treatment choice because it allows you to correct the aesthetics of your teeth at your complete discretion. As the name suggests the aligners are almost invisible and they are also comfortable to wear and highly convenient, with little or no effect on your daily lifestyle. Speak to us at the surgery today to find out more about Invisalign and begin your journey to achieving a beautiful smile and promoting better dental health very soon.

It was not too long ago when the only orthodontic appliance used to straighten teeth were fixed metal braces. Thanks to a forward-thinking approach to orthodontics, patients are now spoilt for choice with a plethora of exciting teeth-straightening options, including Invisalign Clapham.

As a long-standing dental practice, we at Clapham South Dental Centre know well that today’s patients look for customised, efficacious and convenience-focused dental treatments, which is why we are delighted to offer high-quality treatment options such as Invisalign Clapham.

Why are patients so drawn to the appeal of Invisalign Clapham? What does this system offer that makes it an increasingly popular choice for both patients and dental practitioners? Here, we take a look at some of the looked-for benefits of Invisalign.

Marvellous reasons to choose Invisalign

The first advantage of significant importance to patients on the Invisalign system is that the aligner trays are removable. This feature easily allows for fuss-free oral hygiene routines and the freedom to eat a more inclusive diet.

How this works is that patients are allowed a two-hour maximum period (for some patients this can extend to four) during the day within which they must eat and clean their teeth. Along with this convenience comes the need to practise restraint (no lingering over meals and snacking at will). Patients will also have to ensure that they adhere strictly to the time for removing the aligner trays.

There is hardly any patient who does not appreciate the discretion of these aligner trays. It is quite common for teens and adult patients to be more self-conscious about making it known that they are on orthodontic treatment, and the transparency of the clear plastic material the aligners are made of helps to obscure this fact. Invisalign patients can go about their day with ease knowing that the aligner trays are barely noticeable.

Another factor worth taking into consideration is that the system affords patients unrivalled control over their own treatment plans. It is up to the patients to comply with the guidelines for use as advised by our supervising dentist. Not only do patients need to ensure they wear the aligners for the minimum prescribed number of hours, but they must also follow the interchange schedule for each aligner tray in the series provided.

In addition to this, patients come to appreciate the fact that due to their responsibility in changing the aligners according to the schedule, they do not have to attend frequent dental appointments. As each tray has been deliberately designed to move teeth into desirable positions, there is no need for manual adjustments to be made by our dental practitioner.

While such desirable benefits are great reasons to make Invisalign the orthodontic solution of choice, there are a few things to know about choosing these removable aligners. Of prime importance is the safe storage of the aligner trays when they are not being worn. This is to protect the trays from damage and prevent loss – both of which are crucial if a patient is to avoid interrupting their treatment plans. To discuss what this treatment plan involves, please set up an appointment with our dentist by giving us a call at Clapham South Dental Centre.

You took the plunge and finally had your Invisalign aligners fitted. You’re really happy with how natural and comfortable they are, but now you want to make sure you keep them sparkling clean and taken care of, so they keep up their invisible appearance. We at Clapham South Dental Centre have collected all our top tips to help maintain your new aligners.

An Invisalign recap

Invisalign Clapham is a type of aligner used to straighten out crooked teeth, space out overcrowding or pull back overbites. They consist of a clear tray that is made from durable, rigid plastic. You will need to wear your aligners for 22 hours per day, then once the treatment is complete you’ll receive retainers which will normally have to be worn overnight for a certain period. The treatment is very subtle and perfect for adults with orthodontic problems who want a discreet way to treat their issues.

What is the best way to clean my aligners?

Just like your natural teeth, your Invisalign Clapham will need to be looked after assiduously. You will need to be cleaning the aligners every time you clean your teeth. To clean them you will need a toothbrush, toothpaste, aligner cleaning tablets and a bowl of tepid or cold water.

What’s the process of a good clean?

First, you need to rinse your aligners under lukewarm water – be sure to avoid hot water as this can cause heat damage to them. Secondly, you need to soak them in the special Invisalign cleaning fluid. We recommend leaving it for between five to ten minutes, but always double-check the instructions. Once ready, take your toothbrush and brush along the lining of the device both inside and out of the shell. Be extremely careful when doing this as too much pressure on the plastic could cause a break.

When you’ve completed the brushing you need to check over your aligner for any leftover build-up of plaque or tartar. This can appear cloudy or white and it will also be stubborn to remove. Much like how plaque or tartar will cause damage and infection to your teeth and gums, it will begin to rot your aligner and can lead to the plastic becoming fragile and eventually breaking. It’s also worth noting regular cleaning will also mean your aligners stay odour free.

Extra top tips for aligner use

Whenever you take out your Invisalign aligners you need to make sure you clean your teeth before putting them back in again. If there is any food or drink trapped under them it will cause serious damage to your teeth over long periods.

Keep your Invisalign Clapham clean and safe – always try to keep them in their box or in a glass of water. You don’t want any dirt to get onto the surface without you knowing.

Avoid drinking anything other than water when wearing your device. Tea, coffee, squash, juice or alcohol will all leave your aligners looking stained and discoloured and your once beautiful clear solution to straight teeth will appear less than squeaky clean.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign treatment comprises removable retainers moulded perfectly to your own teeth which appear invisible to the outside world. Past orthodontic treatments have focussed entirely on the pulling of teeth into a new aligned position, using a series of brackets and wires which have not always blended with the natural appearance of a patient’s smile. With modern advances within the dental world, both in terms of knowledge and equipment, orthodontic treatments have excelled and taken a cosmetically appealing turn. Effective tooth realignment combined with a cosmetically appealing material ensures that no compromises are made.

Why a consultation first?

As with all treatments and procedures, it is necessary to first understand all the details of the process before leaping into it. This includes all the benefits, whether short or long term, alongside any commitments and responsibilities which may come into the process. For this reason, a consultation appointment will always be booked first to ensure that any questions you may have get answered and to ensure that the treatment process is understood in full.

As with all consultation processes, a full, in-depth education on the entire process will begin. This does not mean an hour-long lecture, but a discussion on how the process relies heavily on the patient’s commitment, the length of time the process may or may not take and any benefits or impacts that the treatment may have on daily life. On top of all this, a thorough examination of your teeth, mouth and gums will need to be carried out both physically and in terms of digital scans and X-rays. Whilst this may seem a lot to cover, this thorough process from the outset ensures that the treatment is right for you going forward and puts to rest any concerns you may have.

With Invisalign Clapham, one of the highly innovative aspects to the treatment is the 3D plan which is created from the digital scans taken. This plan enables you to better understand what changes can be made, and effectively enables you to visualise your end goal.

Should the decision at the end of the consultation process be to go ahead with the orthodontic treatment, a series of tailor-made aligners will be created and provided to you within one to two weeks.

The next step – having your aligner

Once your custom-made aligners are ready, you will be invited in for an appointment to recap over the important aspects of the treatment and to show you how to use your aligners in the most efficient way. Whilst the treatment is essentially carried out at home, at no point are you left unsupported, our dental team at Clapham South Dental Centre are with you whenever you need them.

Once you have the aligners, it is important to follow the plan provided in sequence. Whilst this varies from patient to patient, the general idea is to wear the Invisalign Clapham aligners for approximately 22 hours a day, with removal being solely during the oral hygiene process and whilst eating. Aside from that the aligners should be at work and gently pushing your teeth into a new aligned position.

Approximately 4 to 6 weeks after treatment has begun a check-up with your dental team will be carried out. This not only allows them to monitor your progress, but also enables you to voice any concerns you may have. As the treatment develops you will be advised when to change over to the next set of aligners. The reason for this is to continue guiding the teeth into their new positioning in a gentle, but efficient manner.

Once the end goal has been successfully reached, a new tailor-made retainer will be created which is to be worn ongoing. Once again, the outside world will be unaware of the Invisalign Clapham appliance, but it will be hard at work preserving the positioning of your new smile.

A neat and straight smile is attractive to look at and helps boost self-confidence, which encourages you to smile more frequently and increases attraction further. But it is not all about looks, a beautifully straight smile is easy to keep clean and as a result, promotes better dental health. If you suffer from crooked teeth, then you need to speak to us at Clapham South Dental Centre.

Straightening teeth is now so much easier than in previous generations, and you can now achieve a neatly aligned and beautiful smile without the use of metal braces that need to be fixed in your mouth for several months or even years. For this, you will need to find out about Invisalign Clapham.

Why is Invisalign so popular?

Invisalign Clapham is a modern, convenient and effective method for straightening teeth here at Clapham South Dental Centre. As its name suggests, Invisalign Clapham is almost invisible and therefore a highly popular treatment for crooked teeth. Thanks to the discretion and convenience of this treatment, Invisalign has become the preferred alternative to traditional orthodontics for those with moderate misalignment issues. It has helped correct approximately 4 million smiles across the world so far, continuing to grow in popularity amongst dentists and patients alike.

How does Invisalign work?

To find out more about Invisalign Clapham, you need to book an appointment with our dentist here at Clapham South Dental Centre. Our dentist will check your teeth and gums to make sure that there are no underlying dental issues. If you do require some cleaning, then our hygienist can perform a scale and polish to remove any excess plaque or tartar from your teeth.

Once you are ready, you will undergo a specialised scan using the iTero scanning machine designed by Invisalign. This machine is a laser scan that takes pictures of your mouth to make an accurate digital 3D impression of your teeth and gums. This impression can be seen on a screen and will allow you to find out how your teeth will look following successful treatment with Invisalign. Furthermore, the results can be used to create a tailored series of Invisalign aligners that work together to produce the desired result. The scan allows the aligners to be produced precisely and accurately so that they are comfortable to wear and create results that are very close to what was predicted.

The aligners work in a series, and the duration of the treatment will depend on the extent of movement that is needed to achieve your desired smile. Each aligner must be worn for two weeks at a time for 22 hours a day before you move on to the next aligner in the series.

We recommend that you visit our dentist after every three or four aligners or more frequently if necessary to make sure that the process is coming along successfully and that there are no dental issues in the process. Speak to us at Clapham South Dental Centre today and find out more about Invisalign Clapham.

Looking to have your teeth straightened using invisible aligners?

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!

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

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.