The search for dental implants, Clapham

We only have one set of adult teeth that need to last us an entire lifetime – which could be as long as eighty years or more, that is why so much emphasis is placed on the need to take great care of our teeth. But, even with the best of care and intentions, losing teeth is not completely avoidable, accidents can occur that cause tooth loss, as well as poor oral hygiene.

Dental implants Clapham

Tooth loss can become difficult to live with, as it can lead to areas of the gums becoming sensitive making eating painful and hard work. This can be especially true in cases where multiple teeth have been lost, in these cases patients may experience a weakness in their bite. Modern dental technology and techniques have led to a permanent solution to the loss of a single tooth or multiple teeth, this solution can also be used to provide an alternative to denture wearers.

At Clapham South Dental Centre, we are now offering our patients who have suffered from tooth loss a permanent replacement by offering the service of dental implants Clapham. Allowing them access to the benefits of having a full set of teeth.

A hard wearing and permanent solution

The prosthetics being offered by this treatment, dental implants Clapham, are designed to be a permanent solution to tooth loss, as they are manufactured to be hard wearing and created from the strongest of materials. The aim is to mimic the teeth so closely that the implants look and act just like the natural teeth they are replacing, many patients who have received implants report that they find it hard to tell the difference between the natural teeth and the implants.

The base of the implant is a screw made from titanium, the strongest metal known to mankind, that is placed into the jawbone of the patient to form a sturdy foundation for a crown to be fixed to. The crown is created from a hard-wearing ceramic material, that is moulded into the shape of a tooth and coloured in such a way that it will blend in with the rest of the teeth surrounding it.

Remember the above is a basic description of the process of inserting an implant for a single tooth, the process may change when used to treat the loss of multiple teeth.

The benefits of implants

Once the implants are in place they can be used just like the natural teeth they have replaced, meaning many of those who choose this form of treatment report a feeling of being liberated when it comes to food choice. Many who experience tooth loss feel they must limit their food choices to avoid harder or chewy foods, this is especially true for bridge and denture wearers who may be concerned about foods such as rice becoming trapped between a dental device and the gums.

Another, more hidden, benefit of these implants is the way they can offer support to any teeth surrounding them, as it is common for teeth to feel unsteady or slightly loose in an area where loss has occurred.

Need implants?

For those looking for a permanent solution to tooth loss, our invitation is a simple one. Contact Clapham South Dental Centre to find out about dental implants Clapham, we are sure we can give all the expert guidance you need to make the right choice for you.

At Clapham South Dental Centre we offer you the best of both worlds – traditional NHS dental treatments and the option of affordable private cosmetic dental treatments focusing on improving your smile.

How to look after your Invisalign aligners

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?invisalign-in-clapham

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.

Oral implant; the new height of restorative dentistry

We are proud to be able to offer dental implants in Clapham at our local clinic, giving back to our community with the highest standard of restorative dentistry.dental-implants-in-clapham

We have many goals at our surgery; for one, we will never compromise on the quality of care we provide. Another is the range of treatment we make available to our patients. Our first priority in ensuring the health and wellbeing of our patient is met via prevention but that is not always possible. If critical damage has been done then the only thing left to do is pick up the pieces or to use restorative dentistry; in some cases, this may literally involve picking up the pieces of a tooth and cementing them back in place! Known as a reconstruction, crowning is also a common piece of restorative dentistry allowing a crumbling and very damaged tooth to be repaired. If this isn’t an option, we move on to the use of implants.

At the very peak of restorative dentistry, dental implants do not require any element of the original tooth to existing. They can be fitted in the location of a tooth whose socket has long since closed.

How we perform dental implants in the clinic

The dental implants in Clapham we use come in two pieces; one is below the gum line and interacts directly with the jawbone; this is the implant. On the top of the titanium implant is a connector; the connector allows dentists to semi-permanently place the prosthetic tooth, being able to remove it if it becomes damaged.

By splitting up the fitting into two sessions, it allows the implant to fully integrate itself into the jawbone before the second stage of treatment with the loading of the prosthetic. This bypasses any potential twisting of the implant, avoiding setting it in a misaligned position.

This also means that when the implant is fully loaded it is ready to use. The time between the implant being placed in the jaw and the mounting of the prosthetic can be anywhere between 4 months to a year depending on the patient rate of bone growth.

Dental implants in Clapham are the closest you can get to fully replacing a lost tooth. The techniques are developed to produce a convincing crown and be easily applied to oral prosthetics. We take detailed measurements of the shade and translucency of your natural teeth in order to fabricate a convincing polymer oral prosthetic. With the same maintenance as your natural teeth and six-monthly checkups as the only requirements of implants, many patients come to forget which tooth is an implant.

The oral prosthetic part of your implant is likely to last for more than 10-years with proper care. Even if it were to become damaged, it can be easily switched out without having to remove the titanium implant from the jawbone thanks to the connector. If the implant itself becomes damaged, we will aim to remove it and will then conduct an assessment to see if we can attach another one in a nearby location.

Can I get invisible braces?

At Clapham South Dental Center, we have seen the growth in the invisible braces in Clapham over the last few years. Why is this and what makes them so popular?invisible-braces-in-clapham

Don’t think that the growth has anything to do with fads or fashion. The reason why we provide aligners is simply that they are an effective and useful orthodontic tool that meets the needs of the patient, striking a balance between effective orthodontics and everyday usability.

Invisible braces in Clapham make for more intelligent use of the forces that are applied to the patient’s teeth. This allows for orthodontics to be carried out in a considerate and more tolerable way than the standard brace, where regular adjustments are commonplace throughout the industry.

Aligners are thin and lightweight forms for wearing in public and they are often simply unnoticed. This does have its drawbacks; standard metal braces generate much more brute force and when it comes to changing the position of molars (particularly in cases involving rearrangement of the jaw), a simple clear aligner is not going to be capable of affecting tooth positions. And in the case of altering your jaws, position headgear may be required in exceedingly complex presentations.

For cosmetic orthodontic treatment and minor misalignment, clear aligners are considered an effective and useful treatment option. One of the most important advantages of receiving your aligners via a local dentist like ours is that you will also receive guidance on treatment. This would be less effective if attempted with online brands.

As they offer one potential treatment to all cases they receive, they have an interest in promoting that treatment method and getting you to shell out money for an aligner that may not work. We do not have that incentive and want to help you get the smile you want.

Hybrid treatments

A standard metal brace is more effective on a wider range of conditions than aligners. And a trend of hybrid treatments is becoming common. The wearing of a regular brace before graduating on to a series of aligners attempts to bring together the best of both, with the brace doing the heavy lifting while the aligner carries out the majority of the cosmetic treatment allowing the patient to get out of their braces much faster. This also reduces the chances of requiring retainers.

Adult orthodontics

Adults are engaging in orthodontics more than ever before and they seem to have a trend towards the clear aligners over the standard brace. This is hardly surprising, given stereotypes that come along with braces but there is another factor due to the funding structure of the NHS. Orthodontic care given below the age of 18 is free at the point of service, whereas aligners are slightly cheaper if you have to pay at the point of service for your care. And so, there is a temptation towards adopting aligners wherever possible over metal braces.

If you have any query about invisible braces in Clapham, we would be happy to help answer your questions. You can get in contact with the clinic by email address on the website or by phone.

New to clear braces as an adult? 5 top advantages of Damon System braces

When you are an adult or teenager, there are many options open to you relating to realigning your teeth.clear-braces-in-clapham

And, as you will probably be glad to hear, few of them involve the wearing of metal braces!

As technologies have changed relating to dental realignments, it is now more comfortable, faster and convenient to have your teeth straightened, regardless of your stage of life, all the while being exceedingly visually discrete too! Perfect!

In this article, we are going to focus on one of the lesser-known of adult braces that we at Clapham South offer; the Damon System.

At Clapham South Dental Centre, we are exceedingly proud of the range of orthodontic options that we can offer, including this ingenious set of clear braces in Clapham. Moving your teeth gently and without the uncomfortable force of a regular brace, the Damon System is suitable for the majority of adult patients and can handle more complex orthodontic issues that Invisalign can’t! Brilliant!

But what are some of the other advantages of wearing these clear braces in Clapham? Read on to find out!

Less appointments

When it comes to using traditional braces, many people become weary of having to attend appointments every 2-4 weeks for adjustments. And as an adult, this can be hard to accomplish around the demands of work and family.

With the Damon System clear braces in Clapham, there are fewer appointments to attend; on average, we will see you every 6-8 weeks to make minor adjustments. So, you have more time for yourself and your family!

Improved oral health

While the Damon System braces are attached, they are generally easier to maintain, thus keeping your oral health in better condition.

With thinner wires and brackets, it is easier to spot where food particles may be trapped, allowing you to clean with more accuracy and precision. If you or our team have concerns about the level of plaque in your mouth, we will refer you to our hygienist for an appointment who will advise you on cleaning methods.

Faster

You should see improvement in around 10 weeks, but in relation to the complete treatment time, it can work up to 30 times faster than regular braces.

That means that the average treatment time for wearing this brace is between 6-9 months but it may be slightly longer depending on the severity of the misalignment you have.

Visually discrete

The Damon brace is fitted and thus non-removable but, compared to regular braces, it is discrete.

Its wires are thinner and the brackets on the teeth can either be clear or enamel coloured, so it will blend in with your smile.

Comfortable

While you will need to have the brace adjusted and the wires tightened so to speak, the Damon brace is far from uncomfortable.

It gently pushes the teeth while the adjustments gently pull, creating less overall pressure in the jaw. Ergo, you will be less likely to need pain relief and the entire process will be more comfortable.

Does Invisalign hurt? FAQs about invisible aligner treatment answered by Clapham South

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

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!

Looking to have dental implants to close a gap? A guide to single tooth implants

When you have lost a single tooth in your mouth, either due to extraction, accident or illness, it can really impact poorly on your self-esteem.dental-implants-clapham

And if you are like the majority of people, you will want to have it replaced promptly but may feel that having a fitted bridge for a single tooth is a bit excessive. We don’t blame you!

Luckily, there are ways to replace a single missing tooth with something more stable and long-lasting than a fitted bridge; oral implants.

At Clapham South Dental, we are proud to be able to offer our suitable patients dental implants in Clapham. We have extensive experience with helping people regain their smiles and their confidence with the use of oral implants; should you have any queries or questions throughout the course of your treatment, just ask us!

Want to know more about dental implants in Clapham before deciding if they are for you? Here, we provide a brief guide to this restorative procedure Enjoy!

Implant types

There are typically 4 types of oral implant; endosteal (regular), subperiosteal, zygomatic (upper jaw only) and mini implants.

At our surgery, if you have enough jaw bone and are in good health, we will aim to fit you with endosteal dental implants in Clapham as they have a high success rate and are easier to fit than some of the others, such as zygomatic.

Fitting procedure

When it comes to fitting your oral implant, our team will first numb the area where it is to be placed. Then, a small incision will be made in your gum line and the jaw bone will be exposed, A small hole is then drilled (assuming that the socket has closed) and we will place the implant.

You will then need to wait for a period of 3-6 months (on average) for the implant to fuse with the bone, after which, we will fit your prosthetic tooth.

Prosthetics

The prosthetic tooth is usually made from a porcelain composite mix and we can assure you, it is hardy!

Once placed, it will seamlessly blend in with your surrounding teeth, as we will ensure to colour match it and shape match it to look as natural as possible. The prosthetic tooth can only be attached once the implant has fused to your bone but, once placed, it will be ready to use!

Aftercare

Once you have had an oral implant and the prosthetic tooth fitted, there are some general bits of aftercare advice to ensure that they last a long time.

Try to refrain from smoking, as this can cause the gum line to recede and can loosen oral implants; for similar reasons, you should also limit the amount of alcohol you consume. Visit our team every 6 months for check-ups, practice good oral hygiene at home with brushing and keep an eye out for gum disease.

Longevity

If you take all of the aforementioned steps, your newly fitted oral implants should last 15 years or more.

Great to know!

Invisible braces; what are they and how do they work? An introductory guide from Clapham South

Are you looking for a way to straighten your teeth, without needing to worry about the physical appearance of metal braces?invisible-braces-in-clapham

Depending on the severity of your misalignment, and your age (you must be over 18), we may have the solution for you. In the last 30 years, invisible aligners known as Invisalign have trickled their way down into common dental practices, offering adult patients an alternative solution to straightening their teeth. And as you can guess from the name, this aligner is made from a clear plastic that slots over our teeth and is removable, so it is more like a sports guard than an orthodontic appliance.

At Clapham South Dental Centre, we are happy to be able to offer our patients invisible braces in Clapham like Invisalign and can assess if they are the correct brace for you. We can also offer financing options, to help you spread the cost of any orthodontic treatments, thus reducing the concerns that you may have about paying for such treatments. Great stuff!

Have some questions about invisible braces in Clapham? Here, our team answers 5 common queries that we have been asked by patients, so enjoy!

What they are made from

Invisible braces in Clapham, or Invisalign if you prefer, are made from a patented thermoplastic known as SmartTrack, which was created solely for orthodontic purposes.

It is tough but malleable, and it is clear, earning the aligner its name and popularity among adults and teenagers.

How they move teeth

Invisible aligners or braces like Invisalign do not rely on tightening. They are 3D printed to the form of your teeth and as your treatment progresses, the aligners gradually change shape with your teeth. They use pressure points to gently push your teeth and when each aligner has completed its task, it will feel loose, allowing you to remove it and put the next aligner in the sequence in.

Disorders they can treat

Invisible aligners and braces can treat many orthodontic issues; everything from overcrowding to overbites can be corrected depending on their severity.

If we decide that you need to have corrective work performed on your molars or your bite meshing, we will usually advise you to wear a traditional orthodontic brace.

Longevity

Most invisible aligners are designed to be worn for around 2 weeks, but the results that they create can last a lifetime.

Be sure to follow our team’s post-aligner or brace advice, such as the wearing of a retainer to ensure that your straighter smile lasts for the rest of your life.

Complications

A common issue that prevents people from undertaking clear or invisible aligners in the first instance is the occurrence of things like tooth decay and gum disease; once this has been corrected, you will be able to proceed with orthodontics.

As is generally advised with dentistry, it is wise to avoid smoking and drinking excessively while wearing orthodontic appliances, as this can speed up the formation of periodontal issues and recession of the gums.

Did you know that you can have clear braces?

At Clapham South Dental Centre we believe that everyone should have an even, straight smile that they love. Crooked teeth can cause all sorts of insecurities and in some cases can result in dental problems that require additional treatment to resolve. Straightening your teeth is easy and there are now more discreet options to choose from in addition to traditional metal ones. A lot of adults are deterred from having braces because they feel that they are “too old” to be seen with metal brackets, however, we offer clear braces in Clapham, so this is no longer something that you need to worry about. If you feel insecure because of crooked or gapped teeth then booking a consultation appointment with one of our dental professionals will allow you to find out what we can do for you when it comes to your smile.clear-braces-in-clapham

Brackets or aligners?

When you make a consultation appointment to speak to one of our practitioners about getting clear braces in Clapham they will be able to explain the different options that we have to offer you as well as answering any questions that you may have about the treatments. There are two main different types of appliances that are clear, one that is removable and one that is permanently fixed to the surfaces of your teeth for the duration of your treatment. The fixed appliance consists of plastic brackets and clear wires and is capable of straightening even the most severe misalignment issues. Generally, treatment will take between one and two years and you will be expected to attend multiple appointments with one of our practitioners throughout your treatment to ensure that it is working correctly and to have your appliance tightened. It is important that you maintain a high level of oral hygiene throughout your treatment and avoid certain things such as fizzy drinks.

Invisalign offers a removable appliance that is normally used for less severe misalignment issues. If you opt for this treatment you will have a 3D scan taken of your teeth to see how they need to move to become straight and even, and from this image, you will have multiple sets of clear, plastic aligners made. These aligners will need to be worn in the correct order for around two weeks each, and each set will gradually move your teeth into their next positions. The aligners themselves, whilst removable, must still be worn for at least twenty-two hours of the day to ensure that your treatment works exactly as it should, but for things like brushing your teeth and eating they will need to be removed.

Easy aftercare instructions to keep you smiling

Once you have had clear braces in Clapham you will attend an aftercare appointment where your dental practitioner will issue you with a retainer. This retainer is what will keep your teeth in place and stop them from returning to their previous positions. It must be worn at night time for several months or even years after your treatment has finished, depending on your individual situation.

What does Invisalign treatment actually entail?

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.Invisalign in Clapham

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.