There are 2 main ways of whitening your teeth: in surgery treatment using a laser and heat activated whitening gel and professional home whitening kits.  Both use bleaching techniques to whiten the teeth.  Your dentist will assess your suitability for teeth whitening and advise which method is best suited for your teeth.

Enlighten Deep Bleaching:

is one of the market-leading methods of teeth whitening.  It involves a 2-week at home treatment using bespoke super-sealed trays, followed by whitening treatment undertaken by your dentist in London.

Ramp Home Whitening:

as its name suggests this treatment is ‘ramped up’ over a 2 week period to whiten your teeth gradually without causing too much sensitivity. This involves a 3-step programme at home – condition, whiten, blast! The first step is a gel that conditions the teeth and prepares them for whitening. Next a higher concentration of gel whitens the teeth. Finally an even higher concentration gives teeth the final blast, for lift off to a dazzling smile!

Zoom! Laser Teeth Whitening:

uses a laser and a heat activated whitening gel. Lasers are used in a variety of procedures these days from tattoo removal to teeth whitening. Zoom! is an in-surgery treatment  and uses a special lamp to heat and activate the whitening gel. This procedure usually takes approx 1-2 hours, with results that can be immediate and it can brighten your smile by up to 10 shades in as little as an hour. This is great for special occasions where instant results are required.

Orthodontic treatment has come a long way since then and thanks to computerised technology, patients in London can choose from a range of teeth straightening methods that are less invasive, more comfortable and above all – more discreet.

At Umbrella Smiles there is a wide choice of brace systems, which vary in technique and treatment time.

Among those available are:

Invisalign:

is a see-through teeth aligner, which gently moves your teeth to give you an almost effortless straighter smile. For many, the real selling point is that no one will know that you are wearing braces, but you can also remove Invisalign braces to eat and to brush your teeth.

Incognito Lingual Brace:

is placed on the back of the teeth and uses gentle pressure to push the teeth into shape, thereby minimising damage to the front surface of the teeth. They are invisible and have little effect on your speech.

6 Month Smiles:

focus on the teeth visible when you smile, using tooth coloured wires to provide a simpler, faster and cheaper alternative.

The Inman Aligner:

is designed specifically for the front teeth and because there is a lot of pressure exerted on the teeth, the changes are achieved quickly so it can be cost-effective. In addition, because the Inman Aligner is removable, it allows for good oral hygiene, as you are able to brush your teeth and floss easily.

Our highly trained orthodontic team at Umbrella Smiles can advise you on the best system for you.  The difference a brace and a specialist orthodontist can make to your smile is quite simply amazing. If you have been put off by thinking that braces are unattractive, time-consuming and painful, then think again and smile- after all it is one of the first things we notice and a beautiful smile is the best accessory we have!

What other advantages are there to 6 Month Smiles?

The wires for a 6 Month Smile brace are smaller and are made from nickel titanium, which blends in with the natural colour of your teeth and are only visible when close- up. Discomfort is reduced too, as the teeth are gently re-positioned using low forces.

Who Is 6 Month Smiles Suitable For?

6 Month Smiles is a subtle alternative to traditional metal braces and will suit patients in London with crooked teeth, gaps between their teeth, crossing over of teeth, overbites, and underbites, but the emphasis is on the cosmetic appearance of your teeth rather than the position of your bite. Your dentist will be able to advise you if you are a suitable candidate for 6 Month Smiles and whether this will give you your desired smile makeover.

What does the 6 Month Smiles Procedure involve?

The initial step is to see your dentist and establish whether or not 6 Month Smiles will work for you. Moulds of the teeth are taken and sent to the 6 Months Smiles Laboratory, where trained technicians make the bespoke braces that your dentist will apply. You are advised to visit your dentist once a month so that adjustments can be made, to ensure your teeth are always receiving treatment. Once your smile is straight you may have to wear a retainer to stop your teeth reverting back to their old position, but this can be fitted to the backs of your teeth, so no one will see it.

What conditions can Damon Braces treat?

Damon Braces can solve a whole host of orthodontic problems, including gaps between teeth, overbites, crowding, overjets, underbites and crooked teeth. The fixed, discreet brace is also able to manage a great deal of movement for even the most complex of cases.

How long does Damon Braces treatment take?

Damon Braces treatment times will differ according to the complexity of your dental problem. On average the treatment is 6 months faster than traditional fixed braces. Also, due to the self-ligating technology and memory wire, Damon Braces require fewer appointments to ensure your usual routine is not disrupted.

Does Damon Braces treatment hurt?

All orthodontic treatment comes with a little bit of discomfort at first, but this will soon wear off after a couple of days. The self-ligating technology of Damon Braces also means decreased forces and less friction for a greater feeling of comfort.

Umbrella Smiles welcomes patients from London who are interested in advanced treatment with Damon Braces.

Good oral hygiene

Daily tooth brushing and flossing help to prevent oral infections and six month check-ups allow the dentist to identify any signs of potential problems. Teeth cleaning and scaling also help to maintain good oral and gum health.

Gum infections and diseases

Poor oral hygiene, lifestyle factors and genetics can lead to gum infections like gingivitis. Gum disease can be progressive with detrimental effects for the whole body and should be treated immediately.

Gum recession

Incorrect tooth brushing techniques, hard-bristled toothbrushes and plaque can cause gum inflammation and recession. Gums can recede away from the gum line and supporting tooth structures, exposing surfaces and increasing painful sensitivity of both the gums and teeth.

Gummy smiles

Excess gum tissue on the front of teeth can cause gummy smiles and make the teeth look smaller. Uneven gum line impacts tooth definition, how a smile looks and general confidence. Gum contouring can reshape the gum line, allowing teeth to look their natural length.

Bone cavity degeneration

Gum disease can cause ligament loss around the tooth bone. This can lead to the degeneration of bone and gum tissue, having a negative effect on the way a smile looks. Suitable treatment can help to stop this problem.

As a society we can sometimes underestimate the importance of taking care of our teeth and gums. But when we think about how important our mouths are in daily communication, we may just wonder why this is the case. Early detection of oral health problems, healthy lifestyles and patient understanding can save the aesthetics of smiles in many cases.

• Gaps between the teeth.
• Misaligned teeth.
• Front teeth crossing over bottom teeth or vice versa (cross-bite).
• Skew or crooked teeth.

Causes of bite problems

• Hereditary irregularities like cleft palate.
• Genetic conditions or diseases.
• Childhood habits, such as thumb sucking.
• Bruxism or teeth grinding.
• Facial and oral injuries.
• Incorrect use or fit of orthodontic devices.

Untreated bite problems

If bite problems are left untreated other medical complications and symptoms can arise:

• Chipped, fractured or broken teeth.
• Teeth and gum sensitivity.
• Bite irritation.
• Inability to control bite for oral functions.
• Jaw clicking.
• Headaches and pains in the neck.
• Blocked ears.

Not having proper care for malocclusion can be detrimental to oral and overall health. It can also be indicative of other health conditions that need treating, which is why appropriate treatment from London dentists is so vital.

Treatment for bite problems

Bite problems can be treated with orthodontic options, which include:

• Tooth removal.
• Root canal treatment.
• Crowns.
• Dental implants.
• Orthodontic braces.
• Orthodontic functional devices.
• Jawbone remodelling.
• Jaw surgery.
• Facial reconstruction.

Get in touch with us for further information about malocclusion problems and treatment options available. We personalise care and carry out a thorough examination to determine proper diagnosis and treatment.

Causes of tooth staining

Teeth can become stained through a number of contributing factors, including:

• Age.
• Overall health.
• Poor dental hygiene.
• Certain medications.
• Acidic foods.
• Tea and coffee.
• Red wine.
• Smoking.
• Chewing tobacco.

As we get older so do our teeth. Natural wear and tear can contribute to teeth discolouration. Overall health and whether or not you take certain medications can also have an impact on the colour of teeth. Not brushing and flossing can leave food stuck the between, contributing to tartar and plaque build-up. This is also a contributing factor to stained and yellow teeth.

Our diet, such as the foods we eat and the beverages we consume, particularly if high in acid content, can also lead to tooth stains. Lifestyle factors like smoking and chewing tobacco also play havoc on the health and aesthetics of smiles.

Preventing stained teeth

There are a number of lifestyle and teeth whitening options to stop staining. These include:

• Practise regular good oral hygiene at home.
• Visit the dentist for dental check-ups and teeth cleaning, scaling and polishing.
• Avoid acidic foods and beverages, such as tea, coffee and red wine.
• Try not to smoke and chew tobacco.
• Use dentist home teeth whitening kits.
• Have dentist tooth whitening treatment in-house.

Tooth whitening is a great way to remove the symptoms of discoloured teeth. Speak with a member of our team for further information.

Whether we are the butt of an April fool’s day joke or playing the joke on another, no one wants their smile and braces to be the source of the entertainment. However, never fear as Damon Braces can prevent this brace related humour.

What are Damon Braces?

Damon Braces are a self-ligating brace system. They are designed to straighten teeth and correct orthodontic irregularities, such as misaligned teeth or teeth with gaps.

How do Damon Braces work?

No elastic or metal ties are needed as with conventional metal braces. Damon braces use a slide mechanism instead, which reduces friction and applies orthodontic tension to move teeth into alignment. Damon brace models growing in popularity include Damon 3, Damon Clear and Damon Q braces. These are designed for a greater level of discretion, extreme comfort and effective results. Damon braces are available at our clinic in London.

What makes Damon Braces discreet?

Damon Clear braces have tie-less brackets and are made of transparent ceramic material. They are a comfortable alternative to traditional metal braces, the look of the braces blending in with natural tooth colour for utmost discretion.

Reasons to get Damon Braces

Damon Braces come with many benefits that will make sure your smile isn’t the source of an April Fool’s day joke:

• Damon braces are not obvious to others, meaning your braces needn’t cause you embarrassment.
• They are more easily cleaned because they are tie- and elastic-less.
• Faster treatment time for healthier straight teeth and a beautiful smile.
• Being able to wear the braces even at special occasions when photographs are taken is a great bonus.

Incognito Braces

Incognito Lingual braces available from dentists serving clients in London are the 007 of the orthodontic world. They sort out unruly teeth out quickly and effectively and, because they are disguised behind your teeth, no-one will even know they are there.

What are Incognito Lingual braces?

Incognito braces are fixed braces made from a hypoallergenic gold alloy. The brackets are made-to-measure and the brace is fixed behind your teeth so it is hidden from view. The braces exert a constant gentle pressure on the teeth, gradually moving them into the desired alignment. At the end of the treatment the braces are removed and a retainer is worn for a short period of time in order to ensure that the teeth remain in their new position.

What are the advantages?

• These braces are the only fixed braces on the market that are custom-made to fit your teeth and are built with your desired tooth alignment in mind.
• They are the perfect alternative for patients who are allergic to nickel-based braces.
• They can be worn by anyone of any age.
• They will not damage the front surface of your teeth.
• Like their name suggests – these braces are disguised ‘incognito’ behind your teeth. People won’t notice that you’re wearing braces, but they will notice your new smile!

Our specialist service

At Umbrella Smiles, providing for patients from London, we are lucky enough to have one of the finest orthodontists, Dr Darsh Patel. Dr Patel is an award-winning Specialist Orthodontist with many years of experience in the field. He is an expert in the latest orthodontic techniques and a registered provider of the most advanced braces in the market. Our highly-skilled team at Umbrella Smiles are dedicated to providing patients with the best service and creating beautiful smiles that will last a lifetime.

Revolutionary braces we just can’t keep mum about

Many people are reluctant to wear braces in adulthood. When we think of braces, we often picture the unsightly traditional metal braces that many people were forced to wear as teenagers. Thankfully, orthodontic products have evolved with the adult brace-wearer in mind and there are now a number of ‘invisible’ braces that will correct misaligned teeth discreetly. These braces come in many shapes and sizes and include:

• Clear Aligners – Clear aligners are popular amongst patients who want discreet braces that can be removed for eating, cleaning and activities such as playing sport. Examples include: Invisalign, Clearstep Braces and Simpli5.
• 6 Month Smiles – The 6 Month Smile treatment is both quick and effective because it focuses on correcting only the teeth that can be seen when you smile. These braces are made of nickel titanium wires that are the same colour as your teeth, making them extremely difficult to detect and you’ll have a perfect smile in just six months!
• Incognito Braces – Incognito Lingual braces are placed behind the teeth and cannot be seen from the front. They are comprised of a hypoallergenic gold alloy and are bespoke to suit your teeth specifically.

Do something life-changing for your mum this Mother’s Day – book her a consultation with Umbrella Smiles.