Author: Aura Dental
Straighten out that smile with braces in St John’s Wood
When someone brings up the subject of braces a lot of older patients are not overly keen on the idea, because of the unfortunate social stigma attached to wearing them. But there are actually a number of benefits to wearing a brace as an adult, we can use them to help straighten out any crooked teeth you may have to improve your smile, but also to improve dental hygiene. Straight teeth make it easier to keep teeth clean and also help to minimise many problems associated with misalignment.
If this procedure has piqued your curiosity, then here is a little extra information on how we use braces in St John’s Wood to help you get that straight looking smile.
What are they?
For some an appointment for braces in St John’s Wood might mean being fitted with the stereotypical bracket and wire setup, but depending on your case, we may also offer an almost invisible alternative.
Known as clear braces, they can be fixed or removable depending on the degree of rectification required. The fixed type of clear braces can have clear or tooth-coloured brackets and wires. However the most popular types of clear braces are see-through plastic aligners that are custom moulded to fit only your mouth and over time help straighten out any troublesome crooked teeth. What makes this particular piece of corrective device different is that it can be removed at any time.
How they can straighten out your smile
The practice of using braces to correct crooked teeth is fairly common and simple. The idea is that the brace will exert a small, gentle and direct amount of pressure on specific areas of your mouth over an extended period of treatment time, with the goal of slowly realigning them to a straighter position.
Generally it can take several months for the desired results to start appearing, although the length of time can depend on the specific patient situation and age, as those that are younger tend to have a shorter turnaround for this procedure. But your dentist will usually discuss this with you and provide an estimate for your particular case.
What does the fitting involve?
The fitting of the brace is fairly straightforward and depending on the type of appliance being used it can take a matter of minutes. The bracket and wire setup of clear brace is normally attached with a special dental adhesive through a simple procedure. This brace, also known as a ceramic brace, is also very unobtrusive whilst giving your dentist greater control over movement of teeth. The removable see-through types of braces involve a short non-invasive scanning session to get the measurements for your aligner as accurate as possible. At Aura Dental our team will fit you with a brace that has been created with a high level of detail and accuracy to provide a comfortable and efficiently fitted aligner.
Is it painful?
A pretty common question that crops up when treatments are being discussed is whether it’s going to be painful at all.
The process of fitting a brace isn’t overly invasive or particularly uncomfortable, although you may start to experience some mild aches in your teeth after wearing them for a few days. This is because your teeth are being forcibly moved, so naturally your body isn’t too happy about that. To counter this just use painkillers if things start to get a little too much.
Hopefully this has helped to clear up a few things about our braces and how we can use them to make your smile a little straighter. For further information about this treatment or to schedule your own appointment, just contact the practice and have a chat with our team.
Saving your smile with dental implants in St John’s Wood
Over time our teeth take quite a battering from the likes of our diet, activities and general oral health routine. This can start to manifest itself in the form of overcrowding, cracks, chips or in some cases an entire tooth falling out or being badly decayed to the point it needs to be removed, leaving you with a gum filled void in your smile.
To rectify this, our team might suggest that implants may be the right way to go to start reshaping and restoring that grin. Here is how we can save your smile with dental implants in St John’s Wood.
What are they?
For those coming for dental implants in St John’s Wood for the first time, here’s a little extra information.
The implants are essentially a manufactured tooth root topped by what is normally a ceramic crown, new teeth that are inserted below the gum line and directly into your jawbone. These new artificial teeth are held in place with a titanium screw that would have been sterilised before the fitting to limit the spread of any bacteria. The goal of the metal screw in your jaw is to provide a sturdy platform for your new tooth crown to rest on whilst the bone heals back around the new addition.
When are they used?
As mentioned previously, our team may suggest this treatment to you as a way to replace any badly broken, damaged or infected teeth. It can also be used to fill gaps in your smile, or even to rectify extreme cases of overcrowding, by replacing the crooked teeth and it can also be used as a way to strengthen surrounding teeth against further damage.
At Aura Dental our highly trained team of professionals will expertly shape and shade your new implant to ensure that it blends in and provides you with a natural-looking, sturdy replacement for that tooth you have lost.
Is the procedure going to be painful?
One of the most common questions that our team hears from patients is whether an upcoming treatment is going to feature any discomfort or pain. With implants there may be some mild discomfort as it does involve some minor surgery, but our team would normally use a local anaesthetic to numb the area and reduce the amount of pain you may feel.
Caring for your new implant after treatment
After your new tooth has been fitted your main priority should be to keep it clean and bacteria free, as failure to do so could lead to inflammation and infection setting in, which can cause all sorts of problems in the long run.
So in order to keep your implant sparkling clean we recommend that you give it a light brushing at least once a day as part of your normal oral health routine. Dental floss can still be used to remove stubborn food particles around the implant site, but avoid using mouthwash for a few days after the procedure as the chemicals in some brands can irritate your gums.
These are just a few interesting facts about our implants and how we can use them to restore your smile. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of this procedure then just get in touch with our team at the practice.
What makes Invisalign in St John’s Wood worth it?
As we get older our teeth can start to slowly rotate and change position in our mouths, although extreme cases of misalignment are rare, a crooked tooth or two can put a damper on a once confident smile. To remedy that our team uses a sophisticated invisible brace treatment to help straighten out your smile and restore that dazzle.
So if you have some troublesome teeth you would like taken care of, then here are a few reasons as to why Invisalign in St John’s Wood might be worth a consideration.
What is it?
An appointment for Invisalign in St John’s Wood is fairly straightforward and involves our team fitting you with a custom moulded device that is made from a see-through, plastic material. The goal of this brace is to slowly realign any crooked teeth you may have into a neater and straighter position within your gum line.
This is managed through the gentle application of pressure at specific points in your mouth by the brace. Depending on the treatment you may also have to wear additional braces as your teeth turn in place, to ensure that the amount of force being placed on them is continued at the right time and in the right portions of your mouth. Doing so allows the realignment to progress uninterrupted so you can get that straighter smile you deserve.
At Aura Dental our team will assess your case quickly to find out how we can improve and strengthen your smile, with your very own set of high-quality, professionally-produced transparent braces.
How is it different from a normal brace?
Realigning your teeth can be performed with a normal bracket and wire brace setup just as well as a see-through variety, but there are some minor differences between the two to keep in mind.
For one thing the clear braces are completely see-through, rendering them almost invisible, which is a big plus for those that may feel a little self-conscious about wearing dental gear out in public. Another difference is that the transparent braces are also completely removable, thanks to them being designed like specialised mouthguards that you can pop out for brushing your teeth, eating meals or to give them a clean.
Although, if you do plan on taking out your brace we recommend that you only do so for short periods, as extended removal of it could negatively impact your realignment. If possible, try to keep it in your mouth for at least 22 hours a day
Advice for keeping your brace clean
To keep your new brace sparkling we recommend that you give it a light scrubbing with a recommended cleaning solution at least once every second day. Doing so will clear out plaque, kill bacteria and help reduce any staining that might be building up.
Hopefully this short list has helped to clear up a few facts about our invisible braces treatment. If you would like to learn more about this particular procedure, or to schedule an appointment for your own set of aligners, then just get in touch with our team at the practice.
Essential information about implant-retained dentures and dental implants in St John’s Wood
Have you become accustomed to wearing dentures? Then you are probably not thrilled at the thought of changing over to a new device.
Despite any inconveniences, dentures have served you well for the most part. So why not give them an upgrade so you can continue to wear a prosthesis you can trust?
Implant-supported dentures provide the stability that standard versions sometimes lack, with a similar frame that you have always used.
If you want to improve your dentures without having to switch to another prosthesis, come and have a chat with one of our highly skilled and experienced dentists at our clinic, Aura Dental.
In what cases can this variation of dental implants in St John’s Wood be worn?
If you do not have teeth but possess bone in your jaw, then denture-supported implants could be a possibility for you.
These types of implants are typically used for the lower jaw, which is more prone to becoming unstable over time, but can also be used for the upper jaw.
Is the device permanent?
It is up to you whether you want dentures that are permanent or removable. If you are not sure about which type is better for your needs, our dental practitioner will provide you with all the information you need to assist you in making an informed choice.
If you choose detachable dentures, you should remove them as you would with standard dentures and soak them in a solution overnight to prevent them from drying out.
More people are opting for dental implants in St John’s Wood that are permanent; that way, they do not have to remember to take out their device before bed.
Do I have to incorporate new steps into my teeth-cleaning regime?
If you choose removable implant-supported dentures, then you probably are no stranger to the rigorous cleaning routine that comes with a device of this kind.
To keep the device from getting dirty, stained or to prevent it from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria, you must remove old food particles after eating.
Before you go to sleep, pop the device in a cleaning solution or water to ensure it does not dry out; never use hot water because the heat can warp its shape.
Permanently attaching dentures onto dental implants in St John’s Wood is bound to simplify your teeth cleaning routine. Remember to brush and floss daily, and then enjoy life unimpeded by a faulty tooth restoration device.
How do you attach the device?
This depends on whether your dentist uses bar-retained or ball-retained dentures.
Bar-retained dentures comprise of a thin wire, which follows the shape of your jaw and is attached to your implants. Clips are added to the wire to which the set of dentures are fastened.
Ball-retained dentures work differently. An implant holds an attachment which fits into another attachment affixed to the denture.
Is there anything else that I should know?
Dentures are made from a durable material, but they are susceptible to wear and tear. If they crack or gradually loosen, resist fixing the device yourself and come and pay us an urgent visit.
Improve your dentures with us to better your quality of life!
Straighten your teeth with an array of modern braces in St John’s Wood
Braces are not as stigmatised now as they were in the past, when adults wearing straightening aids seemed unthinkable.
Why this might now be the case is that there are several different types and methods of correcting crooked teeth that take account of people’s unique issues, as well as their lifestyle needs.
If you hate the way your teeth look, why not step into our practice at Aura Dental for a consultation regarding braces in St John’s Wood?
Taking a closer look at our methods of treatment
- Invisalign
Invisalign should need no form of introduction. But in case you have not heard about it, Invisalign is a device that straightens teeth without wires – clear, BPA-approved plastic retainers are used in their place.
Invisalign corrects overbites and realigns overlapping, rotated, and irregularly-shaped teeth invisibly. Friends, family, and work colleagues will not know that you are wearing braces, yet the device is hard at work, pulling your teeth into their desired position.
Another reason for its popularity may be due to the technology we use for invisible braces in St John’s Wood. Utilising our digital imaging machine, you can see the predicted results, even before you have started treatment.
We also use it to check the progress of your teeth and to ascertain whether you are on course with your treatment.
- Six month smiles
One complaint that we hear all the time is about the longevity of treatment, people do not want to wait for one to two years before they can flaunt perfectly straight teeth.
‘Six month smiles’ might be a more fitting solution for you if you are impatient and want to fix your teeth quickly.
However, bear in mind that the braces in St John’s Wood we use do not work more rapidly than the conventional types but only partially straighten your teeth. Only the teeth that are visible when you smile are corrected.
- Inman aligner
An Inman aligner is similar to six month smiles in that only targeted teeth, such as protruding front teeth and overcrowding is addressed. However, you can enjoy the freedom of removing the device when you see fit.
- Damon
Not everyone likes the detachable nature of Invisalign, and some people’s dental issues cannot be adequately fixed with six month smiles. Damon braces are a permanent orthodontic device that differs from traditional braces in that a clip mechanism replaces the ligatures and archwires.
Its users have reported the clip mechanism as being more efficient than the original wiring system of braces, because it allows for hassle-free adjustment. Not only that, but without the ligatures, the brace is less noticeable.
- Removable orthodontic retainers
People forget how important it is to maintain newly straightened teeth, this requires a retainer.
Like braces and other straightening devices, the device might feel unfamiliar, bulky, or uncomfortable at first, but your mouth and teeth will eventually adapt to its presence.
For the first three months after wearing your braces, you need to wear the retainer for at least sixteen hours a day, and after that, keep it in at night.
There are various ways to straighten your teeth – why not find out from us!
Your options considering dental implants in St John’s Wood
You have probably heard about dental implants in St John’s Wood and might even know people whose lives have changed for the better because of them.
However, what you might not know is that there is more than one type of implant available. The implant you can have depends on the extent of your dental issues and your preferences.
Whether you need replacement teeth, want to make the switch from dentures to implants, or your natural teeth are rotten, we can help you achieve a smile makeover.
Single and multiple dental implants in St John’s Wood
Have you knocked your tooth out whilst playing football or eating an apple? As anxious as you might feel about losing your tooth you can have it replaced.
Tooth implants not only look identical to your natural teeth, but also function like real ones, something you will notice when you eat, chew and talk.
If you have worn dentures for ages, you will know that while these devices do have their merits, there are times when they are inconvenient and ill-fitting.
The good news is that a single tooth implant can hold up to four adjacent crowns, making the prosthesis a considerable time and money saver.
Are there circumstances where implants are not a viable form of treatment for patients?
Unfortunately, there are restrictions on getting implants, which could delay the process of sporting new teeth.
The first requirement is that you must have healthy gums. If you are suffering with diseases, such as gingivitis, we will need to treat the condition before we can move ahead with your implant surgery.
One way of reversing the effects of gingivitis is with scaling and root planing, which removes harmful plaque and hardened tartar deposits between your teeth, and above and below your gum line.
A deep clean of this type takes one or two sessions to complete and does require a local anaesthetic to numb any pain and discomfort.
You also need to have enough bone in your jaw in which to embed the implant. Generally, if you have put off replacing your missing tooth for a while or have worn other types of replacement teeth for an extended time, you may possess insufficient bone to support implants.
Telltale signs that you lack bone is a shrunken facial appearance around the jaw area.
If you still want tooth implants despite this, a bone graft is an option available to you that can regenerate the growth of bone. A bone graft involves transplanting bone from other areas of the body and grafting it to your jaw. Over time, the graft creates new bone, which can take months to achieve.
Teeth-in-a-day
Waiting for months on end is not an option for some people, because they do not want to sport a gummy smile or unpredictable prosthesis for an indeterminate amount of time.
Teeth-in-a-day can replace teeth in the upper or lower jaw using only four to six implants. We will drill the implants wherever there is bone, thus rendering bone grafts unnecessary.
Are you embarrassed by the gaps between your teeth or a prosthesis that has stopped giving your mouth support? Dental implants in St John’s Wood might be the answer for which you have been looking.
Keep smiling with Invisalign in St John’s Wood
Thanks to modern orthodontics, a straighter smile is easier to attain now than ever, but not everyone is thrilled about the idea of wearing conventional braces.
Want to correct your smile without having to wear unattractive metal on your teeth? We always recommend Invisalign in St John’s Wood to our shy patients who do not wish to draw attention to themselves or for adults who think wearing metal braces at their age is inappropriate.
Who are we and what can we offer you?
We are Aura Dental, a reputable dental practice located in the heart of London. We offer a wide range of procedures to treat various problems, but we are particularly enthused about Invisalign in St John’s Wood, a groundbreaking treatment in the field of orthodontics.
What makes Invisalign in St John’s Wood different from traditional straightening aids?
Invisalign or invisible braces comprise of transparent custom-fitted braces that can be removed to eat and brush your teeth.
The device is appealing because it is virtually unnoticeable in your mouth, so you can wear it in public, to work and around friends without anybody knowing.
How can these invisible braces work without a functional wiring system?
Standard methods of straightening teeth use archwires, ligatures and metal brackets to pull your teeth into place. The same amount of pressure is placed on your teeth at once and your teeth slowly move into position over a period of one to two years or longer.
On the other hand with Invisalign, your teeth are moved incrementally using multiple aligner trays which must be replaced every two weeks for the treatment to be effective.
Advanced technology is also used to monitor your progress, right from the start of your journey with us. We use Clincheck, a 3D imaging technology which shows us whether your teeth are moving correctly and also gives us – and you – an accurate prediction of how your teeth should look post-treatment.
By knowing what the results will be of your treatment, you are more likely to stay motivated and remain disciplined in consistently wearing your aligner for eighteen months to two years.
What are some benefits of Invisalign?
Apart from being invisible, and an efficient straightening aid, there are other advantages of becoming an Invisalign user. For one thing, you will not have to worry about ulcers and mouth sores developing, as can happen when metal braces rub against the skin, which can be uncomfortable and painful.
The smooth plastic of Invisalign aligner trays will not result in you nursing unpleasant mouth injuries.
The detachable nature of invisible braces means you can take them out whenever you want to, but it is better to keep them in for twenty-two hours per day. You can remove the device before you brush your teeth, allowing for you to remove bacteria and leftover food in those hard-to-reach spaces.
In this way, your oral health is not compromised by your straightening aid. The same cannot be said for metal braces, which make cleaning teeth more of a challenge where plaque easily accumulates if you are not careful.
It is never too late and you are never too old to have your teeth straightened. Interested? Call us today at Aura Dental.
The difference between dental implants and dentures
When looking at your options, you may have been given several choices regarding replacing your teeth and are perhaps confused about the terminology that is frequently going around.
We wanted to take this opportunity to offer some insight into what options are available and why some treatment plans are recommended to you over others. It is good practice to always be informed of all of the available options that you have, so that you can make an informed decision as to what you believe is the right course of action for you to take.
By highlighting the advantages and potential risks of every different treatment, our dentists at Aura Dental are gifting to you their many years of experience and training so that you can make the best possible decision.
Sometimes, you can feel cornered and confused, unable to take an option that seems right for you due to cost or other factors. By speaking with our compassionate, friendly and non judgemental staff, we can work through these concerns and reach an understanding whereby you are happy and at peace with your decision.
Dental implants in St. John’s Wood can be expensive. This is because they are not often covered by insurance or the NHS and therefore need to be paid for out of your pocket. We have considerate and favourable finance plans that allow you to achieve the health goals that are important to you. We will be happy to go through these with you when you come in to speak with us.
Dentures are an affordable option, but come with some drawbacks that might leave you feeling like your quality of life has been diminished. You may find eating certain foods to be difficult, if not impossible and over time you can lose confidence in your ability to laugh and talk without losing your teeth.
Thankfully, you can rectify this concern with dental implants in St. John’s Wood. The all-on-four treatment system enables you to securely attach your dentures onto four titanium rods placed strategically around your mouth for optimal support and comfort.
These titanium rods fuse with your jawbone and create a very long lasting and strong support system for your dentures to be attached to. They can be clipped into place and removed again for cleaning at your own convenience.
Dental implants in St. John’s Wood can give you back your confidence in your smile whilst maintaining jawbone health and strength. We strongly believe that for those people who do not want to feel inhibited by their smile but rather liberated by it, they should look into this procedure in depth to see if it is right for them.
How long does the treatment take?
Depending on whether you need to have some treatments performed initially to ready your jawbone for the insertion of the titanium rods, this treatment can take anywhere from several weeks to several months. However, ‘same day teeth’ is a common term used for this treatment because you can have the four rods inserted and a temporary denture plate placed into position on a single day, giving you a brand new smile in a single appointment.
A lot of this time is given to allowing correct fusion between the implant and bone, and this is monitored over several months to ensure that everything is going to plan.
Endless options of braces are now available
Gone are the days where traditional braces in St. John’s Wood were the only teeth straightening devices available to both teenagers and adults who were looking to correct their smile and enjoy a healthier mouth.
Now, thanks to the continual advances in technology, we are able to provide you with a range of options that can meet your expectations and blend in with your lifestyle choices to match. We understand that many people are hesitant to bring about this positive change in their lives, because of the potential effect that the journey will have on their working or social lives.
In response to this, we have produced a number of braces in St. John’s Wood that are fast acting, clear, removable or even invisible, meaning that if any concerns are overwhelming your decision to improve the health and appearance of your smile, then we may have a solution for you.
What are the benefits of straight teeth?
When you have committed to beginning your journey to a healthier mouth with braces in St. John’s Wood, or if you are still considering the advantages and potential disadvantages that you are faced with, it is good to know why having straight teeth is so important.
Crooked teeth are not only unconsciously judged by others in society, leading people to believe you are less trustworthy, successful and intelligent, but they can also stunt your confidence in yourself.
Aside from social conditioning, an incorrect bite and crooked teeth can cause biting and chewing issues, impair speech, leave you more susceptible to injury during a fall or an accident and can even cause bad breath.
Bad bacteria can build up in hard to reach places between tight spaces and where teeth crossover. This bacteria is one of the leading causes of bad breath and can also accelerate enamel erosion and cause cavities. By straightening your teeth, you are giving yourself and your dentist a better chance at maintaining an appropriate level of oral hygiene.
What kinds of devices are available?
Traditional models consisting of wires and brackets are still in frequent use, although they have been modified to be more efficient, meaning that the average length of time that you may need to wear them has been reduced.
More modern removable devices are extensively used and work to great effect on those who have mild to moderate misalignments. Also 3D scanning technology has allowed clear, removable devices to be easier than ever to create and we are able to show you how your teeth will transform using visual aids.
These 3D scans can digitally pinpoint the correct positioning of each tooth and calculate when the optimal time to move each tooth is by certain degrees, to provide the best results in the shortest amount of time.
It is just one of the ways that technology is advancing and improving the methods that dentists have traditionally used to alter your smile for the better.
It is an immensely exciting time to be able to enhance your smile quickly and effectively. By speaking with one of our team members today about what options are available to you, you can see for yourself the diverse range of treatment plans that we have on offer.
What is the dental implant process?
The procedure for dental implants in St. John’s Wood consists of several steps which result in a fully functional and extremely natural looking smile that you can enjoy for a very long time. This almost permanent procedure is able to last many patients practically a lifetime given that they maintain appropriate care of their oral health.
If you are interested in dental implants in St. John’s Wood and would like to speak with a dentist at Aura Dental about how they can improve your life, then we warmly urge you to get in touch so that we can begin the journey towards a healthier and happier you.
If you have lost a tooth, several teeth or have just heard of denture stabilisation using dental implants in St John’s Wood, then this treatment can be tailor made to suit your individual needs and desires. We are able to create a single crown, a bridge or attach dentures to these titanium rods in any way that is best suited for your smile, to provide maximum comfort with minimal healing time.
It really depends on your personal situation and what your smile goals are as to how we will proceed together. The beauty of this treatment is that there are many avenues that we can take to ensure the best possible chances of success and your satisfaction.
Take me through the process
At an initial consultation, we will determine whether you are suitable for this treatment plan. Your medical history and your current state of health will be taken into account, as those with underlying medical and dental conditions may need to control these before continuing with the procedure.
We will then take a series of scans to establish whether you have sufficient bone density in your jawbone to be able to support the titanium rod. If you have worn dentures for an extended period of time and have found that they have begun to slip and frequently fall out, you may be experiencing a natural loss of bone in the jaw.
We are able to insert a small piece of human, animal or synthetic bone into your jaw for an implant to be attached to. If you do not have sufficient bone density to immediately undergo the implant treatment, you can rest assured knowing that we are able to perform this bone graft to set you on your way.
The minor surgical procedure that takes place for the implant involves a small titanium rod to be placed directly into the jawbone. Here it fuses with bone and surrounding tissue to create a permanent and stable site for your crown, bridge or denture to be firmly secured to.
After a period of time to allow your body to heal, we can create a natural looking tooth or teeth that can be permanently placed onto the titanium rod to give you back your smile again.
These false teeth look and feel as real as your original teeth and you can bite and chew without concern. It is with this attention to detail that we have found our patients to be so satisfied with the final results. We are very pleased to be able to offer you this treatment and hope that it can change your life for the better.