Whether you are a teenager or an adult, sometimes the thought of having visible braces creates a feeling of dread. After all, vanity does play a big part in our everyday lives and that is nothing to be ashamed of. Luckily, for those who want a discreet method of perfecting their smile, invisible braces in Clapham may be the way forward. The transparent braces allow us to perfect beautiful smiles under the radar.  

If invisible braces exist why are the metal versions still commonly used?

The traditional wired brace, sometimes referred to as train-tracks, is still used today as it is more suited to severe alignment issues and continues to have many benefits. Invisible braces on the other hand, whilst perhaps preferred by the majority of people due to their inconspicuous look, do have limitations and are best suited to mild to moderate alignment cases. This particular treatment also works best on the front six to eight teeth rather than the molars further back. A consultation for invisible braces in Clapham will always happen so that we can find the most suitable treatment for your individual needs and discuss all the options available.

Are these particular braces fixed or removable and how does this affect your cleaning routine?

When we talk about invisible braces in Clapham we are referring to a selection of braces rather than one specific type. For instance, the brand Invisalign has created transparent removable braces where as Incognito and Cfast braces are fixed to your teeth. When using Invisalign braces it is advised that you remove the braces before eating and to brush and floss before placing the braces back into your mouth. This ensures that your braces remain clean and hygienic along with keeping your mouth nice and clean. However this does not mean that fixed braces are unhygienic! Not at all. It means that we recommend rinsing out any food debris first, followed by your usual brush and floss, ensuring that you are meticulous and get behind the wires and brackets as well. Staying hygienic is paramount with any treatment offered.

So how do we learn which treatment is best for you?

When you begin your discussion about the realignment and the perfecting of your beautiful smile, we will look at all the possible options. In order to determine which treatment will suit you best, we not only take a physical look but also take a series of photos to study. If invisible braces are the way forward for you, we will discuss both removable and fixed braces. We realise that confidence can sometimes be hindered by a crooked smile and will always work with you to ensure you feel comfortable with the treatment. During the consultation we will answer any queries you may have and talk you through the process so that we cover all the information. As with all dental treatments, minimal discomfort is expected during the realignment process, but if we can ensure you are completely comfortable with all aspects of the process we will!

Please note:

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

It’s the 21st century which means people want options and they want it now! We understand this, which is why at Clapham South Dental Care we have a range of discrete orthodontics for you to choose from and a quick turn around when it comes to applying them to your teeth. With invisible braces in Clapham, you can have either a removable or fixed appliance which means that you can choose something that best suits your lifestyle and with 12 months zero-interest payment plans available this can suit your pocket as well, so don’t hold back on improving your smile because you are afraid of how you will look. Clear orthodontics has taken away the need for traditional metal braces thanks to new and improved technologies coming from all over the world.

Types of invisible braces

Options for fixed invisible braces in Clapham have people seeing new straight smiles a lot sooner than with the old traditional braces. Having a fixed appliance means you don’t need to worry about remembering to keep them in or losing them.

Cfast – this is a system that focuses on the social six teeth, which means that the front top and bottom 6 teeth are the ones that get adjusted instead of all the teeth in the mouth, this system does not promise to correct major orthodontic problems but can quickly adjust the teeth that people see when you smile. By fixing tooth-coloured nickel brackets to these 12 teeth and feeding a wire through the special mounts, we are able to pull the teeth into position through the tension placed on the wire.

Damon – the Damon system is similar to Cfast in that it uses clear or tooth coloured brackets and wires to adjust teeth except that these brackets can be fitted to all the teeth if needs be to correct any orthodontic issue as well as malocclusions. This is the system that is closest to traditional braces but it is more discrete and works much faster.

Incognito – also known as lingual braces, this is a system similar to Damon but instead of being fitted to the front of the teeth, brackets are secured to the back of the teeth and still perform their job really well, this is the most ‘invisible’ system available to you as people will not see the braces at all.

While there may be many types of removable invisible braces in Clapham, none work as well or are more popular than the clear aligner system that Invisalign offers.

Invisalign uses the most advanced 3D imaging technology to create custom clear aligners that gently push your teeth into position in a matter of months. The clear aligners are completely removable which make them ideal to fit into even the most active of lifestyles. One of the major benefits of a clear aligner system is that you don’t have to make constant trips to the dentist to get them adjusted, you just pop in the next aligner in your series every 1-2 weeks and you’re ready to go.

If a crooked smile has been making you feel self-conscious for years you may think it unbelievable to be able to straighten it in just a few months but believe us when we say that invisible braces in Clapham can help you get there. We at Clapham South Dental Centre want to offer you and other adults like you who may have lost confidence over the years, due to crooked teeth, the opportunity to straighten any misalignments you may have with our revolutionary orthodontic systems so that you can get back to embracing life with confidence.

Two types of invisible braces

With new medical technologies offering people solutions to a host of medical issues, there is no reason to assume that orthodontics would be any different. In fact, the developments made in the industry in the last 2 decades or so has made it possible for more adults to fix their teeth discreetly with invisible braces in Clapham. With new technologies comes a wider range of options for people to chose from in order to get the most out of their orthodontics for their lifestyles.

Option 1 – Removable appliances

We offer a system called Invisalign which has taken the orthodontic world by storm and transformed 8 million smiles around the world as of February 2020! A removable system is ideal for active people partaking in contact sports or professionals who do public speaking and give presentations, removable appliances like these clear aligners allow you to eat as you normally would and clean your teeth normally too, making it the most convenient appliance on the market.

Main benefits: It’s invisible, as the name suggests Invisalign cannot be seen when worn which makes it the best option for those who are trying to maintain a professional appearance.

Drawbacks: it can be difficult to get into the habit of wearing a clear aligner and forgetting to put it back in after meals may be an issue for some, but with discipline, you can find a routine that works for you.

Option 2 – Fixed appliances

The Damon system is a fixed appliance which offers invisible braces in Clapham that work under the same principle as traditional braces but works much quicker and is far less noticeable as the brackets that are secured to the teeth are clear or tooth coloured.

Main benefits: Damon Clear braces are resistant to staining and do not use elastic ties, providing a superior aesthetic solution for you no matter your profession.

Drawbacks: It can be a little riskier to have braces when playing a full contacts sport, however, we can offer special mouth guards to protect both your mouth and the braces for these types of encounters.

Both systems can take less than a year to get the results you’re looking for with many being complete in 6 months depending on the severity of your orthodontic issues in the first place and neither of them leave any damage on your teeth so you can ensure that your investment is really worthwhile.

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

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

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

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

Better oral health

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

Removable

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

Accelerated treatment

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

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

Comfortable

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

Exceptional results!

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

While it may seem odd for someone to approach their dentist asking for a brace to be fitted, with the availability and affordability of the Invisalign brace, this is becoming a common occurrence.

In the past, orthodontic treatments that were completed in adulthood were often expensive, time-consuming, non-discreet and, unfortunately, very uncomfortable. As an adult based aligner, Invisalign is, as its name suggests, discreet and can treat a range of adult orthodontic issues without the need for large, metal aligners. Perfect!

At Clapham South Dental, our team is experienced in all types of invisible braces in Clapham and can provide you with an assessment to determine which aligner you would gain the most benefits from. Fast, affordable and with the added discretion of the clear plastic aligners, what have you got to lose from booking your Invisalign assessment with our team?

Need to know a bit more before you commit to invisible braces in Clapham? Here is a brief guide to Invisalign treatment.

Consultation

During your initial consultation with our team for your invisible braces in Clapham, we will use a 3D scanner to obtain an image of the inside of your mouth. The 3D scanner is a completely painless procedure, which takes less than a minute to complete and provides our team with a more accurate image of your teeth. Uploading this to our specialised computer, we will be able to show you how your teeth will move during your treatment and will also be able to predict how long you will need to wear the braces for.

The fitting

Depending on which orthodontic issues are being treated with Invisalign, you may require more or fewer retainers to complete the treatment.

As mentioned briefly earlier, these aligners are clear and due to their removable nature, you will need a different tray or aligner for each stage of your teeth being moved. Our team will have sent the 3D scans of your teeth to a specialised laboratory to create the aligners, so when you have your first aligner fitted, it will slot over your teeth perfectly.

Wearing

You will need to wear your Invisalign brace for a minimum of 22 hours per day to ensure that your teeth are being straightened.

On average, you will need to change to the next retainer about every 2 weeks during treatment, but this may vary. When wearing Invisalign, you must practise exceptional levels of oral hygiene to prevent decay, so you will need to up your brushing regime and floss as often as you can.

Aftercare

Once you have completed your treatment with Invisalign and your smile is gleaming, you will still need a bit of additional support to keep it that way.

To prevent your teeth from relapsing into their original positions, our team will provide you with a custom-fitted retainer, to wear for a set period each day until your teeth are firmly placed in their new positions. The time that you wear the retainer for will depend on your clinical circumstances.

As the name suggests, invisible braces in Clapham can offer orthodontic treatment that is virtually unnoticeable, giving you the confidence to smile throughout treatment as your tooth alignment is discreetly fixed. We at Clapham South Dental Centre are dedicated to giving you options when it comes to orthodontics and allowing you the freedom to make an informed decision about what you would prefer to choose for your oral care, during a consultation with one of our dentists. Receiving good, professional orthodontic treatment can change your oral health dramatically which in turn can have a good effect on your overall health.

What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics is an area of dentistry that diagnoses, prevents, and treats facial and dental irregularities like crooked teeth or a bad bite. An extra two to three years of study are required for dentists in the area of orthodontics, where they learn how to safely move teeth and the jaw into proper alignment, guide facial development and ensure healthy growth in the jaw.

The types of problems that an orthodontic specialist would treat are called malocclusions. These may be inherited malocclusions and include jaw growth problems, missing teeth, extra teeth, crowded teeth, and spacing problems. However, there may be habits in early childhood that have nothing to do with genetics that can cause malocclusions like thumb sucking, using a pacifier after the age of 3, and extended bottle feeding. Also, injuries at any age may form malocclusions and might need to be treated with orthodontics.

It is often untreated problems in youth that make people seek invisible braces in Clapham during adulthood, due to the fact that they are far less noticeable than traditional braces.

Your options

Cfast – is a simple, gentle, and minimally invasive treatment that can fix issues of spacing, crookedness or overcrowding with the top and bottom 6 teeth. This treatment can also level and round out the arches, giving adults a smile that is more to their liking. The key benefit of this treatment is that the brackets and wires that are secured to the teeth are tooth coloured and thus far less noticeable than traditional metal braces. They also act a lot faster with treatment being completed within 3-6 months, thus being more gentle on the pocket as well as your mouth.

Incognito braces – or lingual braces are fitted behind the teeth and so are virtually unnoticeable during treatment. They may feel strange at first, but you will quickly get used to them, this is the new generation of braces that are straightening all kinds of crooked smiles with great success the world over, offering you complete discretion as you go about living your life.

With invisible braces in Clapham you can fix any malocclusions whilst continuing with your life, as usual, smiling for photos, eating your regular foods without having to remove any appliances, and speaking publicly without feeling self-conscious. The confidence boost that having a straight pleasing smile will bring you is worth these easy treatments, after which you can get your teeth professionally cleaned and whitened for that extra boost in radiance.

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

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

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

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

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

They are more comfortable

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

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

They are fast

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

They are less inconvenient

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

They are aesthetically pleasing

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

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

They are easy to fit

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

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

What is the procedure of this treatment?

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

What are the benefits?

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

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

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

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

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

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

How do they work?

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

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

Invisalign

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

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

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

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

Damon system

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Better hygiene

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

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

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

Removable

Another benefit of Invisalign? It is fully removable.

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

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

Accelerated treatment

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

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

Comfort

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

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

Exceptional results

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

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