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.

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.

We all have dental issues from time to time, some of the issues we experience will create the need for us to seek advice from a dentist and undergo treatment. The best way to avoid the need for dental intervention is to ensure we maintain a high standard of oral hygiene, brushing and flossing are the simple tools we can employ to maintain good oral health.

For adults with misaligned teeth maintaining good oral health can become problematic, as the contours of the teeth can make it difficult to gain full access to the areas around them while brushing. This makes it more likely for problems to arise. Yet, there are modern solutions that can be used to address the issue of misaligned teeth in adults.

We at Clapham South Dental Centre want to make any potential patients with misaligned or crooked teeth aware of our Invisalign Clapham service, a discreet treatment solution that is the perfect answer for those with misaligned teeth.

Living with the issues of misaligned teeth

Those living with misaligned teeth may experience more dental issues in life than others, largely due to the inability to clean their teeth correctly. This can lead to an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease, leading to a greater need for invasive dental intervention at different stages in life.

People living with misaligned teeth may also find they experience weakness in the bite, making the action of chewing food hard work. This leads to the act of eating becoming a difficult one, which can result in some limiting their choices of foods as they seek to avoid things they perceive as hard for them to eat and enjoy.

In extreme cases of misaligned teeth, speech impediments can be present, there is a strong connection between misaligned teeth and lisps. This can lead to someone becoming inhibited and may have a negative psychological impact on the individual.

The Invisalign Clapham service can address all these issues head-on, leading to the individual who receives treatment enjoying a higher standard of oral health and a far greater quality of life.

Out with the old. In with the new

The reason why there are still many adults living with misaligned teeth in the UK is clear to understand, they may have been offered tooth alignment treatment at a stage of life when they already feel sensitive, their teenage years. They may have been offered wire and metal bracket braces – rejecting this treatment as they may have associated it with a negative image that would lead to them experiencing self-consciousness.

The good news is that the wire and metal braces can now be confined to the past in many cases, in their place is a modern alignment device that can allow a patient to receive treatment in an extremely discreet way. Due to being made from two layers of clear plastics that have been developed to be hard-wearing and durable, these new aligners are practically invisible to the eyes of others when being worn.

If you want to know more

If you want to find out more about the Invisalign Clapham service being offered by Clapham South Dental Centre, you should give our practice a call. Our reception staff can take you through the process of registering with the practice and make an appointment to see one of our dental consultants.

Aligners are a great orthodontic treatment option, especially for those who require a lighter and more convenient form for correcting their teeth. But how can you get the most from Invisalign in Clapham and other clear aligners?

There are more benefits to aligners than just their subtlety and convenience in daily use. The smaller adjustments used throughout the treatment are far more tolerable and allow you to continue with your everyday regime without the use of pain relief. Also, no one is performing an orthodontic adjustment that comes when using a standard brace, but there are limitations to aligner use.

One being that the shape of the aligner is critical to the effectiveness of treatment and in order to be as comfortable as they are, aligners are vulnerable to being warped and damaged; this is particularly true for high-temperature situations or eating hard food while wearing your aligner. This can result in changing the underlying fundamental shape of the aligner and start to alter the pressure it applies to your teeth or cracking the aligner. By relieving any tension that is stored in the aligner, it stops pushing on your teeth correctly, making them worthless.

Why choose us for Invisalign?

Invisalign in Clapham are provided in their own individual packaging; you are advised to keep them in the original packaging until they are ready to be used. Store this packaging in a cool, dark place. When you remove your aligners, try not to place them in a tight jean pocket or anywhere they may become crushed. Aligners are very easy to clean and a gentle rinse with cool water should suffice; avoid using hot and especially boiling water and scrubbing or abrading your aligner. Also, to keep your aligner clear and invisible, you should avoid washing it in any coloured substances, like mouthwashes.

These are pretty minor considerations compared to the relative inconvenience of meticulously cleaning a standard metal brace after eating. Thankfully, even in the worst-case scenario, you can reorder any aligner and receive it within approximately a week. Do not be tempted to either go back to an earlier aligner or skip ahead to a future aligner; each of the aligners is progressively taking your teeth through very important steps to the final outcome of your treatment. Skipping ahead or loitering on an aligner should be avoided and will take your teeth out of sync with your treatment schedule. This can majorly delay treatment completion.

As long as you use your aligners by directly paying attention to wearing them as often as you need to, your treatment should continue as predicted. But cutting corners and trying to either accelerate the treatment or avoid ordering a replacement aligner when necessary is going to cause far more issues. If you have lost one of your aligners or have concerns that one of them has warped or become damaged, please contact the clinic and we will be happy to advise you about Invisalign in Clapham.

Whether you are a teenager or an adult, having misaligned teeth can be irritating.

And, while you may think that the only way to correct such an issue is with a metal brace, there are many other options that you can try.

Depending on the severity of your misalignment, you may be able to wear either a clear or invisible brace, which offers all of the advantages of a metal brace without any of the aesthetic issues.

At Clapham South Dental, we are able to offer our patients a myriad of different orthodontic options, including Invisalign in Clapham. As the name suggests, this aligner is the closest you will ever get to having an invisible brace as it is made from clear plastic and slots over your teeth. Powerful and versatile, it can correct a range of orthodontic issues quickly, allowing you the freedom to smile without concern while wearing it! Perfect!

Curious to learn more about Invisalign in Clapham? Here, our team answers 5 FAQS that we get about this aligner.

Does wearing the aligner hurt?

While it is not as uncomfortable as regular braces, you may experience a bit of discomfort while wearing Invisalign in Clapham.

Remember, it is still an orthodontic appliance as it is gently pushing your teeth into your desired position; even with gentle force, it may still be uncomfortable. If you have any concerns over the level of discomfort you are having during this treatment, however, talk to our team.

Can I take it out?

Yes, you can!

This invisible aligner can be taken out so you can eat, brush your teeth or attend dental check-ups.

But in order for it to be successful, you need to keep it in for a minimum of 22 hours per day.

How often will I need to attend appointments?

With this kind of aligner, we will only need to see you every 6-8 weeks, unless there is an issue.

There is an app that can be used in conjunction with the aligner, which will allow you to send our team photos of your smile and will help us judge how well the treatment is going.

Just be sure to change to the next aligner in the sequence every 14 days and to keep the aligner in your mouth for the required time, then your dental surgery trips will be minimal.

How long is the treatment time on average?

This will depend on the severity of the misalignment, but for most of our patients, treatment with this aligner is completed within 3-6 months. Remember, you have to keep it in your mouth for the required 22 hours per day for your treatment schedule to run on time.

I have an overbite; can it correct it

This will depend on how severe the overbite is but when you attend our consultation, our team can make an accurate assessment.

Generally speaking, we have helped many patients to treat overbites using invisible aligners, so hopefully, it won’t be an issue!

A smile is amongst the first things that someone else notices about you, so it should be something that you are proud to show off. If you are insecure about your smile because of gaps or crooked teeth then booking a consultation appointment with one of our practitioners at Clapham South Dental Centre will allow you to find out what you can do to straighten out your smile. We provide Invisalign in Clapham which is a simple way to straighten your teeth in as little as six months. With no messy bite impressions needed and no unsightly metal brackets attached to the surfaces of your teeth, it is an ideal treatment for those who wish for their treatment to be as simple as possible and do not want to have an appliance permanently attached to their teeth for several years. It is easy to book a consultation appointment with one of our practitioners over the phone or through our website, and our friendly team will explain everything as fully as possible to you as well as answering any questions that you may have.

Appliances designed by technology

When you decide that you are going to have Invisalign in Clapham you will have a consultation appointment where a 3D scan is taken of your entire mouth. This image will show the current positioning of your teeth, but it will also produce several other images that are predictions of how your teeth will need to move to become straight and even. You will have a set of clear, plastic aligners custom made for each stage of the movement, and these aligners will gradually move your teeth into new positions. They should be comfortable to wear and fit snugly over your own teeth. Our dental practitioner will issue you with a few sets of your aligners at a time, having regular appointments to make sure your treatment is working effectively and to provide you with your next lot of aligners.

Six months to get your new smile

Invisalign in Clapham generally takes between six and twelve months to complete, depending on how severe your individual situation is. The aligners that you are provided with must be worn for at least twenty-two hours of the day, otherwise, you risk your treatment not working properly and taking longer to complete overall. Each set will need to be worn for around two weeks, but this can sometimes vary depending on your personal circumstances too. Once your treatment has finished you will have another appointment at our practice where your dental practitioner will issue you with a retainer. This is an appliance similar to your aligners but is designed to prevent your teeth from returning to their original crooked positions. Retainers need to be worn continuously for a period of seven days after your treatment has come to an end, but after this, they can be worn just at night whilst you are asleep. Sometimes people will only need to wear a retainer at night for a matter of months, but in some cases, a retainer will be required for several years after treatment has ended.

We understand that it can be upsetting if you have teeth that are crooked, as it can really affect your confidence. If you are looking for a way to straighten your smile, without drawing attention to your teeth, then Invisalign in Clapham could well be the treatment for you. Clear, plastic aligners are used to gradually move your teeth over time.

What’s the process?

Our Clapham Invisalign treatment consists of 4 steps, each one bringing you a step closer to a straighter smile! Firstly, we will take you through a Case Assessment, which is a set of photos that helps us to determine whether or not you are suitable for the treatment. We will never recommend the treatment if it isn’t right for you as it can damage your teeth and cause problems. But don’t worry, the majority of people are able to proceed with this treatment.

The second step involves taking various photos and scans of your teeth, such as x-rays. This will give us a very clear picture of your teeth, allowing us to create a digital treatment plan for you. Using the latest technology, we can show you what your teeth will look like at the end of your treatment via a 3D video. This can really help to give you an idea of what to expect, which really excites our patients.

Once all of your scans have been sent off and your custom aligners have been created, your journey can truly begin. You will be given an initial set of aligners that you wear for around 20 hours a day, you should find this easy as they are very comfortable. You will change to a new aligner every 1-2 weeks from the comfort of your own home and visit up every 4-6 weeks so that we can give you a new set of aligners as well as monitor your progress.

After around 4-6 months, the final step of the process is having one more appointment with us, to make sure everything has gone as it should and so we can give you a retainer. With any teeth straightening treatment, it is always recommended to wear a retainer afterwards so that your teeth don’t move back into their original position.

What are the benefits?

One of the main advantages that our patients love about our Invisalign at Clapham is the appearance of the aligners whilst they are in your mouth. Due to the thin, clear plastic material that is used, other people will hardly notice you have an aligner at all.

The ease of the whole process is a big appeal to our patients, as there is no invasive surgery involved. The maintenance is also simple, as all you need to do is brush the aligners with your toothbrush and give them a rinse to keep them clean.

Being able to eat whatever you want throughout this process is also a big advantage. As these aligners are removable, you can simply take them out before you eat, meaning you don’t have to restrict anything.

At Clapham South Dental Care, we take pride in giving our patients high quality treatments that can help to boost both their confidence and oral health. If you are looking to get your teeth straightened, don’t hesitate to contact us today for an appointment!

The clear aligner is fast becoming a real contender when exploring orthodontic treatment options. Invisalign Clapham has become well known locally and by operating through local clinics, the biggest provider of aligners can ensure its products are used effectively and with the care that you can only get from your local community dental surgery.

The challenges that had to be overcome to develop an aligner which could perform as well as an affordable brace have been many and now we are proud to be an Invisalign Clapham local provider.

A clear aligner straightens teeth, using consistent force and relies on the same principles as a brace, but with a different method of action.

Aesthetics

For most, braces are a way of improving their facial aesthetics and there’s nothing wrong with that. Yes, not having a fully closing bite can have some health implications, but they’re fairly minor if the misalignment is minimal. The use of an ‘invisible brace’ allows a patient to enjoy the advantages of orthodontic treatment without the disadvantages of 6 months to 2 years in a brace. So, it is not surprising why so many choose to pursue their treatment with aligners.

Installing a brace and fitting aligners

For the sake of simplicity, we are only going to touch on the basic installation of a standard brace, but there are many brace designs with much more complex interactions. The traditional brace moves teeth via a bracket, which is glued to the front of each tooth. There, the iconic square shape of these are linked together with a stiff, curved rod called an archwire; it is by adjusting the brackets on the archwire that the braces can be used to pull teeth towards one another or push them apart, correcting aesthetic and functional issues.

The installation can take up to an hour and when adjustments are made (the first of which will be immediately after installation), it will be slightly uncomfortable. Soft food is recommended for the next week and the use of over-the-counter painkillers is advised to combat pressure-related sensations.

The Invisalign Clapham aligner fitting is very different; an accurate 3D model needs to be made of your teeth, to begin with. This used to be carried out by sitting for a dental mould which would be used to create a plaster replica, which was then 3D scanned. As 3D scanners have improved in accuracy, it has become possible to scan the inside of a patient’s mouth directly. It is also possible to predict a 3D model from a set of X-rays, which we may also use.

How long do aligners take compared to braces?

There is no fair way to compare the treatments without some knowledge of the case they are being applied to. For orthodontic corrections that involve molars or altering the palate, an aligner would be ineffective and in general, a standard brace is used in such instances to get results quickly. In six months, your teeth will have been moved into an exceptionally good position, but it will have been a bit uncomfortable. Braces cannot be removed but aligners can be; remember, not wearing them consistently results in an extended treatment time. How long you use each aligner is based on how your teeth react to them, so while we will provide an estimated treatment time, we cannot guarantee it.

Invisalign has become a popular means of straightening teeth in recent years. It’s often chosen by patients here at Clapham South Dental Centre because it’s discreet and convenient, offering great benefits in a relatively short time period. Those who smoke may wonder if this kind of treatment is a viable option for them, so here we explore the facts relating to aligners and being a consumer of tobacco products.

What are the main factors to consider?

Those who have smoked for any length of time will know that tobacco can cause staining to the nails, hands and teeth. This is also true of aligners, which can become discoloured as a result of tobacco use.

If the individual requires to smoke during the course of wearing the clear moulds, they should take care to remove these before smoking. While this is not necessarily problematic in itself, it’s time that is a significant factor. The success of invisalign in Clapham depends on the patient being able to wear the aligners for most of every 24 hour time period; only removing them in order to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. If smoking time is added on to that, then the efficiency of the treatment can be diminished. This can mean that the patient does not get the results that they were hoping for at the end of the treatment.

Is vaping with aligners ok?

Vaping, or smoking an e-cigarette, is a relatively new activity. The result of this is that not a lot is known about how it can affect aligners. However, the time factor is an issue as with cigarettes: removing the aligners to vape can decrease the effectiveness of treatment and mean that the results aren’t quite what they should be.

What to do

Talk to us to find out more about Invisalign in Clapham: we want to help all of our patients to achieve the best possible smile. As well as advising about aligners or other suitable treatments, we can also advise on how best to take care of the teeth and gums. Stopping smoking can help to improve oral health quite significantly, so here are our tips for getting started stopping.

You may want to consider nicotine replacement therapy. This can take the form of patches, gum, lozenges or oral sprays. The purpose of these is to help people to wean themselves off nicotine in a gradual manner, with the aim of making being a non-smoker more achievable.

Talk to the doctor if you think you may need more assistance! There are various medications available on prescription that can help support the patient in stopping smoke. You should investigate alternative ways to relax and try to relieve stress. Meditation, mindfulness and yoga can all help to keep people calm and resolve stress as they transition into being a non-smoker.

We understand that it is not easy to quit smoking, but if that is not possible; it is still well worth talking to us to investigate all options for improving the look of the teeth. Invisalign may remain the best choice, and with support from us, patients can expect great results!

So you’ve heard about clear aligners? If so, it was probably from a TV advert or maybe an online banner? The irony is the oldest and most trusted clear aligners provider only operates through dental clinics. Invisalign in Clapham has been a part of our practice for more than 5 years. So let’s talk about what they are and how they work.

What are clear aligners?

The clear aligners are a very cleverly shaped thin plastic mouth guard, like a very thin transpiration gum shield. Its simplicity hides a lot of designers work and showcases a progressive approach to orthodontics.

The organising or alining of teeth is achieved by pressure exerted on the tooth surface by the aligner, under tension. This constant mild pressure is far less intrusive than a traditional brace, which is far from subtle in form or function.

Aligners are used in succession, with each one achieving a small milestone on the route to an overall straighter smile.

How we use aligners in our clinic

Before you can get too excited about getting aligners, it’s important to have a level headed conversation with our dentists. This is where Invisalign in Clapham diverges from an online mail-order aligner, who will happily send out home dental mould kits with little or no exploration of your needs or suitability.

Aligners are suitable for minor or cosmetic orthodontic issues. They could be used at the end of treatment using other orthodontic tools, like metal braces or a palate block if required. Alignment is only recommended for healthy teeth without cavities or decay, requiring treatment and resolution before fitting of aligners can start.

Once you receive your aligners, you will have to wear them as much as possible; 22 hours a day is recommended. The only time you would remove them is when eating. It is recommended that when using aligners, you brush your teeth after eating before placing your clear aligners over your teeth. The aligners restrict the flow of saliva over your teeth, and trapped food under the aligner can quickly cause cavities

In general, we find most of our patients are very happy with the daily ease of using an aligner, with most of the time the aligners going completely unnoticed by others and becoming a small aspect of their daily routine.

Clear aligners in the mail

The mail-order aligner providers have been condemned for their business model by the BOS British Orthodontic Society and we would not be involved with any manufacturers who operate without a dentists supervision, due to risks of damage caused by inappropriate use. This can be magnified in nervous patients who are much less inclined to attend an appointment with our dentists and may feel more at ease with online services. Unfortunately, nervous patients tend to have multiple or complex dental conditions at the same time, due to a lack of early intervention. We are always considerate of the needs of our patients and would strongly recommend you contact us before pursuing Invisalign in Clapham or any orthodontic treatment.

Misalignments within the mouth are very common and can be anything from misaligned teeth to bite problems such as overbite, underbite or even crossbites (a poor alignment of the dental arches). When you think of realigning your teeth, a lot of people think of the traditional fixed, wired braces. Whilst a very common method, we prefer to use clear tray aligners when possible, otherwise known as Invisalign in Clapham.

Could Invisalign be the treatment for you?

Whether you are a teenager whose teeth are still growing and changing, or an adult who has decided to perfect their smile, we have a variety of different aligners to suit our patients’ needs. Do not worry about being out of your depth with research, we will happily discuss all of the options which are open to you and answer any questions you may have whether it is before, during or after your journey with us.

The process behind creating your dazzling new smile.

To get the process started we will take you through an assessment which entails a series of photos that allow us to determine the best course of action for you.

Once we are certain that invisalign is the way forward for you we will take some more photos in the form of X-rays and digital scans. If we believe it to be beneficial, we will also take some dental impressions of your teeth. This will allow us to gain a more in depth insight into what you need to achieve the best results from your  Invisalign treatment. With this information we are then able to create a personalised, digital treatment plan for you. Technology has advanced so much that we will even be able to show you a 3D video of what the results will look like.

Once we have all the above information we will provide you with a series of aligners which you will have for an average of 1 to 2 weeks. Please note your dentist will advise you as to what suits your individual needs best so do not worry if it is longer. These should then be worn for the recommended 22 hours a day and changed at home. No need for extra appointments, diet changes, or different hygiene systems as the aligners are easy to remove and insert. As with all treatments there may be some discomfort during the re-alignment but it should always be minimal. Please discuss with your dentist if you feel too uncomfortable.

Although you can change these retainers yourself, it does not mean we hand them over and leave you to it for the duration of your treatment. We will see you approximately every 4 to 6 weeks, where we will monitor the progress made and provide you with your next set of retainers. Once the Invisalign treatment is complete you will need to wear the clear retainers to maintain your new smile but these are so discreet that they will not be noticeable.

Please note:

All dental procedures/ treatments carry a potential risk. Therefore for more information about any of the procedures mentioned in this article please contact your local dental team.