Invisalign teen

Invisalign is an amazing treatment available in London, especially for those who are image conscious and dread the thought of having to wear train-track braces for months on end. The Invisalign system is different to most other treatments because it uses clear aligners to move the teeth. They will need to be sported for a fortnight, and then you will switch to the next one. The aligners are made from clear plastic, making them invisible to others and they are also removable, which means you can eat and drink normally and look your best for special occasions and events.

Invisalign Teen works in exactly the same way as normal Invisalign, but with some additional features, which make the process easier. Invisalign Teen braces are fitted with a colour indicator to remind you when the aligner needs replacing and the set comes with spares in case you lose or damage one of your aligners.

Damon braces

Damon braces are fixed braces, which can achieve a great deal of movement, making them suitable for young people with complex orthodontic problems. Damon braces use state of the art friction-free technology to move the teeth gently and gradually. The braces are much finer than traditional fixed braces and the brackets are clear, making them more aesthetically pleasing.

Damon braces are effective and versatile and work faster than conventional fixed braces. Problems that can be corrected by Damon braces include crowding, spaces between the teeth, problems with the bite, including crossbite, underbite and overbite and crooked teeth.

While the two may not seem to be immediately linked, veneers are increasingly being used to help enhance the colour of teeth, as well as straightening or restoring teeth during a ‘smile makeover.’ A common analogy of veneers is to liken them to fake nails and as such they can easily be used to whiten teeth as well as hide broken, misshapen or damaged teeth.

Teeth whitening can come in two different forms; In Surgery and At Home. As you can probably guess by the names, In Surgery is carried out at a dental surgery while you apply At Home in the comfort of your own home. Both have their positives: while In Surgery takes shorter time, can last longer and uses specialised light, At Home whitening can bring about better results, is cheaper and uses trays with whitening solution to achieve its results.

Dental Veneers in comparison can provide a solution to discoloured teeth, covering the patient’s natural teeth with a thin cover to shield the teeth and create a facade of whatever shape and colour the patient wishes.

Both options are effective and very popular. As such the final decision is mostly down to the preference of the patient, where they want to have it done, whether they need any extra work done and how quickly they want to see results.

If the patient is only interested in whitening their teeth then one of the two whitening options is probably best. While if more changes are desired, such as fixing a chipped or broken tooth, the best choice would be to use dental veneers, fixing and whitening the teeth all in one go!

Adults who remember how uncomfortable “train tracks” braces used to feel as a teenager find it hard to believe that Invisalign aligners can really be as comfortable and invisible as they claim. Because these braces are made of a clear plastic, rather than pieces of metal and ceramic, they blend in with the natural shades of your teeth and have no rough or ragged edges to cut the inside of your mouth.

Of course, the aligners will feel a little bit strange initially as you get used to the feel of the plastic inside your mouth and the way that they feel as they move your teeth into position, but these sensations will soon settle down.

Invisalign may seem too good to be true and some patients need convincing that the extra expense is really worth it. If you have any questions about whether Invisalign is suitable for your particular dental problems then arrange a consultation with one of our dentists, who will be happy to address your concerns and even let you see the aligners themselves. You can also ask to see before and after pictures of previous patients who have undergone a successful Invisalign treatment.

One of the most common questions dentists are asked about braces and aligners is how visible they will be. Many of the newest types of orthodontic treatment, such as Invisalign, are almost invisible. They are also much easier to fit and cause fewer problems with eating and speaking. Even better for self-conscious teenagers, many of these braces can be removed for special occasions.

Of course, this also has a negative side as the braces will not work as well should the patient insist on taking them out too often! However, there are Invisalign braces designed for teenagers, which help their orthodontist keep a check on how long they are wearing them for each day.

Many patients have only minor cosmetic problems with their teeth, which don’t require serious and long-term orthodontic work. In the past, these patients could only be given the same braces as those who had major orthodontic problems. However, today braces like the Inman Aligner, which can be used to move only the front teeth into a straighter position, are available to those who only require minor and short-term corrections. This can be ideal for those who are hoping to perfect their smile for a special day, perhaps a wedding, rather than needing braces for the sake of their oral health.

The main problem with wisdom teeth is that sometimes they don’t completely push their way through the gum line or they come through sideways. This is called impaction and is the most common and painful problem in relation to wisdom teeth. Previously the only way to treat impacted wisdom teeth was to remove them and, in many cases, this is still the most effective procedure. While the treatment itself is unpleasant and can be painful afterwards, it is still much less painful than trying to struggle on with impacted wisdom teeth.

The removal will be carried out using local anaesthetic, unless there is a special reason that the patient needs to be asleep or sedated. Removing a wisdom tooth is very similar to removing any other tooth. The only difference is that because the wisdom teeth are tucked right at the back of your mouth, the dentist may need to pull your mouth and jaw around a bit more than usual. This is the cause of one of the common symptoms among those who have had their wisdom teeth removed, which includes swollen and painful cheeks, mouth and gums.

The patient should rest up after the procedure, take over-the-counter painkillers and use a cold towel pressed to the face to reduce swelling.

This technique is the most common and popular way of replacing individual or small groups of missing teeth. For larger numbers of lost teeth other choices for tooth replacement may be more recommendable, due to factors such as cost, recovery time and jawbone quality.

The method involved in fitting dental implants is relatively simple, but will be followed by a moderately lengthy recovery time depending on the patient in question and the amount of work that needs to be done. Before any procedure can be undertaken, your dentist will need to determine whether or not you have sufficient bone structure in your jaw and whether this bone quantity is of a proficient quality to hold the implant. The device in question will be drilled into the bone to act as an anchor for the new tooth, known as the crown.

Once it has been decided that the bone quality and quantity is good enough the procedure can go ahead. This is done firstly through preparation and involves drilling a precise hole, or holes, into the bone where the implant(s) will be placed with a surgical drill that the titanium implant will sit in. This ends the first half of the procedure and a healing time is then needed, usually lasting between 3 and 9 months. Commonly a temporary crown will be placed if the tooth to be replaced is in a very visible area.

After the area has healed the patient will be fitted with their permanent dental crown. This crown will have been coloured to match the surrounding teeth and after the procedure should look as natural as any of the patient’s other teeth.

Cosmetic dental treatments

Cosmetic dentistry has become incredibly popular during the last few years and more and more people are visiting the dentist to get their dream smile. Celebrities have gone mad for cosmetic treatments and many have followed in their footsteps in a bid to recreate the Hollywood style smile. Adult orthodontics has also enjoyed a boom period, as new treatments have become readily available and treatment times have been reduced.

The aim of cosmetic dental treatments is to improve and enhance the aesthetics of your smile. It is rare to have a naturally flawless smile and there is now a huge range of treatments, from tooth whitening to a smile makeover, which can give you a beautiful smile.

Which treatment should I go for?

If you want to give someone a special, unique gift this Christmas there are a number of treatments available.

Tooth whitening is an ideal gift because it produces results quickly, affordably and creates a glowing, radiant smile. If you fancy giving something a little more dramatic, you could opt for veneers, adult orthodontics or a smile makeover.

Research has consistently shown that the majority of people believe their smile is their most important physical feature, so buying somebody a gift to give them a beautiful smile will show them that you really care and would give them a huge confidence boost. You can also spread the cost of your gift if you cannot afford to pay the total cost up-front. Your loved one will never expect to receive a dental treatment in their stocking and it will make a welcome change to socks and bubble bath.

Orthodontic problems, including crooked, twisted, gapped and crowded teeth, can put many off treatment due to the daunting prospect of bulky, ugly braces being fixed to teeth. If this is the perception you have of orthodontic treatment, you will probably be surprised to hear that ugly braces are a thing of the past and there is now a myriad of options, including innovative appliances and extremely discreet braces.

Treatment options

Orthodontics has come on in leaps and bounds over the course of the last ten years and an amazing array of treatments are now available, including Invisalign and Clearstep, which are clear aligners systems. Other innovative and modern brace systems include Damon braces, Six Month Smiles, lingual braces and the Inman aligner. Invisalign and Clearstep are very popular because the aligners cannot be seen by other people, meaning nobody need know you are wearing a brace.

Damon braces are fixed braces, which are made from very fine wires and brackets and can achieve a great deal of movement in a short space of time and are much more aesthetically pleasing than traditional fixed braces. Six Month Smiles braces are also fixed but work extremely quickly, producing a straight set of teeth in just six months. This is ideal if you are preparing for a major event, such as a wedding or graduation ceremony.

Lingual braces are another ideal option for people who are worried about the appearance of their teeth. Unlike traditional braces, lingual braces are fixed to the backs of the teeth, meaning they are invisible when you smile; Incognito is a leading lingual brace system.

Why have treatment?

The idea of orthodontic treatment may fill you with dread, but it could make a huge difference to your appearance and, in turn, your self-esteem and confidence. Treatments are now discreet and work incredibly quickly, so you won’t have to wait too long to show off your new smile.

Orthodontic problems are very common and can cause children to feel self-conscious, especially when they smile. In the past, there was only a very limited range of treatments available, but now there is a host of different treatments, including invisible braces.

Invisalign Teen

Invisalign is an amazing orthodontic system, which uses a series of clear plastic aligners to move the teeth into the correct position. The aligners are custom-made for the individual and each one is worn for two weeks before being replaced with the next in the series until treatment is complete.

Invisalign Teen works in exactly the same way as traditional Invisalign aligners, but with some differences that have been specially designed to make the treatment process simpler for teenage patients. The aligners are marked with coloured strips to remind you to change them and there are replacements for any that you lose or misplace. Invisalign Teen aligners can be removed, which makes it easier for patients to eat and drink and also reduces the risk of oral health diseases. You can brush your teeth properly and there is no danger of food and plaque clinging to wires and brackets.

Why choose Invisalign?

The teenage years are all about image and the thought of wearing ugly braces for months on end may be daunting. Invisalign provides an incredible alternative to conventional braces and the Teen aligners are ideal because they too are invisible and can be removed for special occasions. Your child can benefit from a beautiful, straight smile without anyone else even knowing that they have had treatment. A healthy, attractive smile helps to boost confidence and self-esteem and your gift will provide a lifetime of happiness.

Over the course of the last decade or so, a whole host of innovative treatments, devices and appliances have become available and patients with orthodontic problems now have a huge choice of treatments.

Traditional fixed braces

Traditional fixed braces have always been regarded as a highly effective solution for teeth straightening problems, crowding, tooth gaps, crooked and twisted teeth and issues relating to bite (meeting of lower and upper arch). However, they are highly visible and can be very uncomfortable, especially when the bands are tightened. Braces are also prone to trapping food particles, which can increase the risk of decay and gum disease.

Fixed braces are suitable for most people because they can achieve a great deal of movement. However, many people are put off fixed braces, as they are very prominent, especially in comparison to newer, discreet brace treatments.

Lingual braces

Lingual braces are an excellent example of how far the field of orthodontics has come and are the most invisible brace available today. They work in a similar way to traditional fixed braces, but are instead attached to the back of the teeth (known as the lingual side) so they cannot be seen when you open your mouth.

Lingual braces have become popular because they enable people to get a straight, beautiful smile without anyone being able to see that they are wearing braces.

Incognito and STb lingual braces

The idea of lingual braces may seem a little daunting and you may assume that the braces are painful due to the proximity of the brackets to the tongue. However, lingual braces are very fine and discreet and Incognito and STb braces use special technology to prevent friction. Lingual braces are very effective and provide an amazing solution for people who want to have treatment without worrying about how they look during the treatment process. However, they are not suitable for everyone and if you have small teeth or a certain bite, you may be advised to choose a different treatment.