Category: Invisalign

We have been supplying Invisalign in St. John’s Wood, for many years and have had great experiences with seeing our patients through treatment schedules using invisible aligners, let’s talk more about them.

What are invisible aligners?

Invisible aligners are an orthodontic tool; it’s role is to progressively straighten your teeth over time. They are in thin plastic forms which you wear over your teeth; they fit very snuggly to the point of being slightly tight, but this is the sensation of the system pushing on your teeth over time. It is that consistent pressure which will coax your team to adopt a new position;exactly which position this is depends on the shape of the aligner.

This makes the shape of the aligners the most critical element for treatment. Unlike a brace which is worn for the entire patient orthodontic journey, clear aligners are only worn for 2-weeks each, as part of a series of aligners making up the length of the treatment. This could be anywhere between 4 months and 2 years depending on the starting and finishing position as well as how the patient’s teeth respond to treatment.

Are invisible aligners invisible?

Invisible aligners and one of their earliest manufacturers options that we use in the clinic are not strictly invisible but due to being completely translucent and very thin, they are hardly noticeable when being worn.

Invisalign in St.John’s Wood has been particularly popular with adult orthodontic patients; this seems to be due to a higher expectation amount. Our adult cohorts as teenagers and young adults usually use NHS funded braces, and have to wait to see the results of the orthodontic care when they finally have their braces. But this is not true with Invisalign in St.John Wood.

Another aspect that makes clear aligners more appropriate for adult patients is the removability; you must, of course, return them to your mouth and wear them for 22 hours each day for the treatment to work.

Computer-aided dentistry

The most innovative aspects of invisible aligners is the use of computer aided design and the 3D scan of the patient teeth in order to design and iron out the treatment schedule. This gives better predictive results, so we can show our patients a real-time example of how their teeth will look upon completion.

It is this computer aided design that allows aligners to be sent through to 3D printers and manufactured. It can take as little as four weeks for a set of aligners to be produced from a 3D scan and sent to our clinic, allowing you to start your treatment promptly.

Due to how critical the shape of an aligner is to an effective treatment, there are certain do’s and don’ts with your aligner; they can be quite sensitive to heat and easily warped in a washing machine or tumble dryer. This can easily occur by cleaning your aligner in hot water, so take care to not throw your aligner in with your washing or into a tumble dryer!

There is no answer to the phrase which is better; a more useful question would be which is a more appropriate treatment for me in my personal case, Invisalign in St. John’s Wood or their braces? What are the pros and cons?

Braces suitable to a wider range of conditions compared to aligners, which have convenience and comfort in their everyday use to their advantage. This is a loose generalisation, so let’s look more closely at them.

Standard metal braces

The focus of the traditional orthodontic metal brace is around it’s arch wire. This is a metal rod that is around the arch of the mouth (where it gets its nickname). Attached to the arch wire is the bracket glued to the front of the teeth. When a similar arrangement is glued to the back of the teeth it is called a lingual brace. This is related to the standard metal brace but it’s much harder to fit and less noticeable.

The brace allows an orthodontist to apply pressure to the patients teeth, which is done by tensioning the arch wire. Once under tension, the archwire will continue to press on the teeth and the brace loosens. This is done during a trip to your orthodontist every 4 weeks throughout the treatment and is called brace tightening. It can be quite uncomfortable and over-the-counter pain relief is recommended for a few days after a tightening.

Invisalign style clear aligners

The aligners we use (Invisalign in St. John’s Wood) are a lightweight plastic othoditic tool looking very similar to a gum shield only transparent and less noticeable when worn in public. This is what has led to the nickname invisible braces even though they are technically not a brace.

They are only worn for about 2-weeks each and one is used in a sequence, which comes together to cover the course of the treatment. This can be anywhere between 6 months to 2 years. Each of the aligners is a slightly different shape and the force that pushes on the teeth comes from the elastic tension and the tight fitting. Aligner adjustments occur every two weeks compared to the 4 weeks with an orthodontist. They are smaller steps making some far more comfortable than a brace tightening.

Maintenance and everyday use

Traditional metal braces are fixed in place and they have to be worn when eating and drinking. This can lead to missing certain foods when making your meal choices, like sticky toffee and popcorn, as these have a habit of becoming stuck between the brackets and the archwire. After you finish eating, you have to take care to thoroughly clean your braces. If you have any food left which is stuck so close to your teeth, it will become a cavity risk.

This is not an issue with Invisalign in St. John’s Wood, which you can remove before eating. As long as you brush your teeth before replacing aligners there should be no increased cavity risk and this is much easier than maintaining a brace.

Treatment effectiveness

Both treatments have limitations; this is particularly pronounced with clear aligners who are only considered an effective treatment on the front 4 teeth and lack the necessary force to alter the position of molars in any significant way.

There are many different issues that may affect the way you feel about your smile  and rest assured that you are not alone.  Many people are sitting at home looking at before and after pictures on dental websites and daydreaming about how they can improve the look of their smile. Does that sound like you?  Don’t worry, we have all done it! In response to the increasing demand in dental cosmetics and in line with advances in technology, dentists have developed Invisalign. Invisalign is a modern and revolutionary method of addressing the issues with your smile at your comfort, convenience and discretion. If your teeth are clean and healthy then this is the perfect treatment for you, speak to us at Aura Dental and find out about Invisalign in St. John’s Wood today.

How does Invisalign work?

Dentists have been using Invisalign in St. Johns Wood since 1998,  there is no need for you to settle with the way your teeth look any longer. Many hundreds and thousands of patients have undergone treatment using Invisalign in St. Johns Wood, so speak to us at Aura dental today, we are here to help you. At the first appointment, your dentist will carry out a full examination of your mouth to make sure that your teeth are clean and healthy and you do not have any underlying issues which may affect the invisalign treatment or get worse with invisalign treatment.  Once this has been verified then x-rays and scans will be carried out of your teeth which will be used to help tailor your invisalign treatment. A 3D scan of your mouth will show you what a successful course of Invisalign can do for your teeth, those all important before and after pictures that you have been dreaming about! Once you and the dentist come to an agreement about your expectations and what you are looking for then the x-rays and scans of your mouth will be sent off to the laboratory to have the Invisalign aligners created specifically for you. The Invisalign aligners come in a series and each aligner is designed to move your teeth gradually into the correct positions so that once you have worked your way through the whole set of aligners that have been designed for you then you will reach the final look that you were hoping for.

Advantages of Invisalign

The Invisalign aligners are invisible as hinted in the name, which makes them extremely convenient if you are self-conscious or embarrassed by conventional metal braces. You can take them out whenever you need to, which means they do not hinder any of your daily activities and you can eat and drink whatever you like when you like as you just take them out before your meal and then put them back into your mouth when you  have finished.  They are also very easy to clean and they are comfortable to wear as they have been specifically made to fit your mouth precisely.

Speak to us at Aura Dental today to find out how you can address the aesthetic issues of your teeth and find out more about how Invisalign in St, John’s Wood can help you.

Factors affecting the Aesthetics of your teeth

Everyone knows the importance of good oral health and you may have an excellent dental hygiene routine and visit your dentist on a regular basis, but still be unhappy with the aesthetics of your smile. There are many different factors which affect the aesthetics of your teeth and these can include misaligned teeth, crooked teeth, wonky teeth and protruding teeth. These issues can detrimentally affect the look of your smile and may in turn affect your self-confidence and have a negative impact on other aspects of your life. We at Aura Dental want you to smile beautifully and happily and we are waiting to hear from you.

Many adults have not undergone orthodontic treatment when they were younger, however it is something that they are now considering in their adulthood. There is no need to settle with the way your teeth look anymore as advances in Dental Technology means that orthodontic treatment has become more convenient, comfortable and accessible than ever before. Previously adults have been put off by the thought of conventional braces which are made out of highly visible metal wires and brackets. Because of this reluctance, dentists have developed Invisalign. Speak to us at Aura dental to find out about Invisalign in St. John’s Wood and how this can help you address the aesthetic issues of your teeth and smile.

Invisalign in St. John’s Wood was introduced over two decades ago and has attracted many hundreds and thousands of patients to correct the aesthetic issues of their teeth. Invisalign is an Invisible orthodontic treatment which uses transparent, metal-free aligners to correct the alignment of the teeth. If you have clean and healthy teeth then Invisalign in St. John’s Wood could be the perfect treatment for you. Speak to our team here at Aura Dental to find out more today.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign in St Johns Wood, as suggested in the name, is a discrete form of orthodontic treatment which is why it is an attractive alternative to traditional braces especially in adults who have increased self-consciousness and are put off by the visibility of metal wires and brackets in their mouth. The dentist will carry out a full examination of your mouth to make sure that you have no underlying issues which may affect the treatment procedure or be exacerbated by the treatment itself. Once the dentist is assured that your teeth are clean and healthy they will carry out x-rays and three-dimensional scans of your teeth full stop these will be used to show you what successful treatment can do for your teeth but also to create a series of aligners which are individually tailored to your mouth to to provide comfort and accuracy of the treatment. These aligners are worn 2 weeks at a time, and they will gradually push the teeth into the correct positions as moulded by the aligners.

Visiting the dentist during the treatment procedure will help ensure that your teeth are moving correctly and that no underlying issues are occurring in the meantime. The duration of the treatment will depend on the extent of movement necessary to achieve the smile that you are looking for and speaking to your dentist here at Aura Dental will help you find out more and answer any questions that you may have. Speak to our team today, we are always here to help you.

When you are looking to straighten your smile as an adult, you may think that the only course of treatment open to you is going to involve traditional metal or orthodontic braces.

And as an adult, you want to avoid that!

But orthodontic technology has come a long way over the last 20 years and today, the majority of dental surgeries are able to offer their patients either clear or invisible braces or aligners. As the names suggest, these are visually discrete and can provide you with the same movement that you would have once only been able to achieve with a metal brace.

At Aura Dental, we have not fallen behind the times and can offer our suitable patients clear braces, while also being able to offer the world-famous Invisalign in St Johns Wood. As the name suggests, this aligner is the closest aligner on the planet to being visually invisible and is custom-fitted to your mouth. Removable, comfortable and easy to clean, it is no wonder why it is so popular!

However, you may have heard some myths about Invisalign in St Johns Wood which make you question its effectiveness. Here, our team breaks down some of the most popular myths about this aligner.

Myth- It’s only suited for adults

Fact- Invisalign in St Johns Wood is used primarily on adult patients. However, this is due to adult patients being more reliable per se, and not taking the aligner out for hours on end, which can delay treatment.

We do offer this brace to teenagers and there is even a set of these aligners being trialled in children, so one day, your child may be able to wear this brace too!

Myth-It can’t treat bite issues

Fact- Invisible braces have become exceedingly powerful over the last few years and now, the majority of them can treat overbites, underbites and indeed crossbites.

However, if there is a misalignment with your jaws, you will probably need a metal brace.

Myth-It takes longer than traditional braces

Fact- Many people remember that one friend in school who wore metal braces for seemingly years on end. And it stands to reason that as invisible aligners provide less force when they are realigning teeth, that the treatment will take longer.

But, as this aligner is best at treating mild to moderate cases of misalignment, the average treatment time is between 3-6 months. So, very short!

Myth- It’s painless

Fact- We truly wish that all orthodontic treatments were comfortable but the fact is that when it comes to moving teeth, there is going to be discomfort.

When wearing an invisible brace, we recommend using over the counter pain relief, such as anti-inflammatories to keep discomfort levels low.

Myth It’s more expensive than traditional braces

Fact- It can be cheaper but this will depend on how long you need to wear it for.

Which is one reason why we advise patients to keep aligners in their mouth’s for 22 hours per day; to keep costs down!

So, you’ve seen our team and have been given the green light to go ahead and have invisible aligners fitted. How exciting!

As you wait for your custom-fitted aligners to be made, you will probably be thinking that, well, there is nothing else to do but wait. However, as is the way with all orthodontic procedures, there are a few things you can do to make your transition into wearing invisible braces a bit easier for yourself.

Why? Because you are probably going to struggle a little bit with wearing your new invisible aligners and to ensure that you don’t give up on your treatment, we have written the following tips.

At Aura Dental, we know all about the struggles that our patients can have with orthodontic pieces and want to help you to achieve that gorgeous smile. While we know that invisible braces like Invisalign in St Johns Wood can be easier for many patients, we also know that they can also create a set of unique challenges that can take some getting used to.

So, here are our top survival tips for those first few weeks with Invisalign in St John’s Wood.

Invest in a small toothbrush

When you take Invisalign in St Johns Wood out to eat food, you are going to need to brush your teeth before putting the aligner back into your mouth.

And to ensure that your teeth stay as clean and healthy during your treatment, we recommend buying a travel toothbrush to carry in your pocket.

You will need dental wax!

OK, so we have already spoken briefly about how invisible braces are more comfortable than regular ones.

But, just like regular ones, we will recommend that you use dental wax to protect your tongue and inner cheeks. Those newly crafted edges of the invisible aligners can be hard, and rough, creating friction against the softer areas of your inner mouth and so, to keep you comfortable, we will provide you with some dental wax.

Pain relief

Back to comfort!

Invisible aligners are comfortable, yes, but they are still moving your teeth. And to ensure that you stick with the treatment as planned, you should invest in pain relief. We recommend anti-inflammatory pain relief, such as Ibuprofen to keep inflammation-based discomfort to a minimum.

If you feel you are experiencing excessive levels of discomfort, however, feel free to call our team for a consultation.

Use the case

A key appeal of this invisible brace is that you can take it out.

And while you are out with friends or family eating in restaurants, we recommend placing them safely within the cases that they came with. This will prevent it from becoming damaged, warped and of course, will keep it clean!

Keep an eye on the time

For invisible braces to be effective, you need to wear them for 22 hours per day.

We advise you to build up a routine of checking your watch until you become acclimated to wearing the aligner correctly.

Want straighter teeth as an adult, but don’t want the hassle of metal braces?

In the last 10 years, orthodontists have designed an array of new appliances to help adult patients get straighter teeth, without the undertaking of a traditional metal brace, via clear and invisible aligners.

At Aura Dental, we have helped hundreds of our adult patients get the straighter teeth they want using Invisalign in St John’s Wood. An innovation of design and functionality, this aligner provides you with a discreet way to straighten your teeth, without the need for metal brackets.

Curious to learn more about Invisalign in St John’s Wood? Read on for answers to 5 popular invisible brace related FAQs.

How do they work without attachments?

Invisalign in St Johns Wood works due to its custom-fitted design.

When you come to us to begin using this aligner, we will take a 3D scan of your teeth to begin making the aligners. Using digital technology, we will plot the required movements that the aligners will need to make to straighten your teeth.

When you wear your first aligner (and every one in the sequence thereafter), you will notice that they feel tight; this is what helps them to move your teeth into their new positions. When the aligner feels loose, (usually 14 days later) move on to the next one!

Can they treat an underbite?

They can, but remember, this aligner cannot be used to treat severe or complex cases. So, if you have a more complicated underbite, then our team may recommend you undertake treatment with a clear aligner or even with metal braces.

Are they uncomfortable?

Sadly, there is no such thing as completely comfortable orthodontics.

While this aligner is more bearable for many patients, many report feeling pressure on their teeth when they change between aligners; this is normal and is part of the orthodontic process.

But if you have worn metal braces in the past, you may be in for a pleasant surprise relating to how agreeable these aligners are in daily life.

How long do most people wear them?

The average treatment time for wearing an invisible aligner is between 3-6 months.

But you must remember that the length of time you wear these aligners will depend on how severe the misalignment is and if you stick to the regime set down by our team. We know it can be tempting to leave any removable orthodontic treatment out, but to see the desired effects in the set time frame, please keep them in for a minimum of 22 hours per day.

Aren’t they expensive?

It is a concern for many patients that this aligner is going to be outside of their price range.

However, our team at Aura Dental is aware that most people will need a bit of help spreading the cost of orthodontics as adults, and so, we are able to offer our suitable patients’ financing options.

Talk to our team today to see if you are applicable.

With the rise in celebrities talking about orthodontic treatment, chances are that if you have a crooked smile or a minor misalignment, you have looked into having it fixed using braces or aligners.

And if you are like most adults, you want a brace or aligner that is subtle but can offer you the strength of a regular brace without the metal affixed to your teeth. If you are suitable, then you may be able to undertake a clear or invisible aligner.

As the names suggest, these orthodontic options offer a visually discrete alternative to regular braces but can provide the necessary movement required to straighten teeth.

At Aura Dental, we are exceedingly proud to be able to offer our patients many different types of clear and invisible braces, including Invisalign in St John’s Wood. This world-famous aligner is custom-fitted to your teeth and it is simple to fit into a busy schedule, making it ideal for older teenagers and adults.

Are there any other advantages to trying Invisalign in St John’s Wood? Read on to find out!

Better oral health

Unlike conventional braces, when you try Invisalign in St John’s Wood, you can maintain good oral hygiene.

As this aligner is not fitted, it offers you the ability to clean your teeth as you would every day and it doesn’t provide plaque attracting sharp angles on your teeth. You can even take them out when you visit our team for a check-up!

Removable

OK, so as highlighted in the previous point, this aligner is removable.

And while that has obvious advantages for hygiene, it also offers you the chance to take them out when you eat, play sports or even give talks at work. As tempting as it is to leave this aligner out for as long as possible, you must remember to wear it for at least 22 hours a day to see any benefit concerning orthodontic straightening. So, keep them in!

Accelerated

Interestingly, clear and invisible aligners offer patients an accelerated treatment time too.

On average, it can take a regular brace up to 2 years to move teeth but with an aligner, this can be accomplished in 6 months. Remember, this will be based on the severity of the misalignment you have and if you don’t keep the aligner in for the time required each day, this will slow the procedure down.

Comfortable

As invisible braces gently push your teeth into their new positions, there is no need for adjustments or ‘tightenings’ to be made.

This means there is less pressure on your jaw overall, which equates to a more comfortable experience while wearing this aligner. But, you may feel some pressure when you change between aligners, which is to be expected.

Easy to use

If your aligner needs cleaning, run it under a cool tap. If it needs changing, then you can do it yourself. Best of all, you can send updates to our team about its progress via an app on your smartphone!

When it comes to braces in adulthood, it seems that the traditional metal brace is being replaced with either clear or invisible braces.

Of course, if you have a more severe or complex case of misalignment, then our dentists and orthodontists will recommend a metal brace, but for the majority of cases involving misalignment, you can now have them treated more subtly. This is a major step forward in allowing sometimes reluctant patients to feel having their teeth aligned is something they are happy to do.

As the name suggests, clear and invisible braces are visually discreet and as such, no one will be able to notice you are wearing them. With certain invisible braces, you can even take the brace out to eat, meaning no brushing underwires to remove food debris.

At Aura Dental, we are proud to be able to offer suitable adult and teenage patients clear and invisible braces, especially Invisalign St John’s Wood. Custom fitted to slot over your teeth, this brace gently pushes on your teeth to straighten them, without the need for tightening or adjustments. You can even take it out!

Curious to learn more about Invisalign St John’s Wood? Here, we answer some of the most commonly asked questions that our team at Aura Dental is asked about this brace.

Is there an upper age limit?

In a word, no!

Provided that you have good overall oral health, there is no upper age limit on Invisalign St John’s Wood.

However, if you are a teenager who wants this brace, our team will need to assess that your dental roots are fully formed before using it, which usually occurs when you are about the age of 17 years old.

How long does the process take?

One of the key benefits of this brace is that, thanks to its ever-evolving technology, it can straighten a greater range of orthodontic problems.

However, depending on the severity of the orthodontic case you have, you may be wearing it for anywhere between 3-18 months. And of course, if you take it out too regularly, this can slow down its efficacy concerning straightening your teeth.

Does it straighten your jaw?

No, it doesn’t.

If you need to have your jaw straightened, our team will probably suggest a metal brace as a starting point and then, if your jaw straightens via this process, you may be able to wear this brace at a later stage.

However, the overall treatment process depends on the severity of your orthodontic case.

Does it make your breath smell bad?

As this brace is removable, it shouldn’t make your teeth smell bad.

But when you take the brace out to consume food, our team will recommend that you brush your teeth before putting it back in. Not doing so can allow bacteria to become pressed against your enamel, which can lead to bad breath and of course, tooth decay.

Can I take the aligner out for an entire day?

No; this aligner must stay in your mouth for at least 22 hours per day for you to notice its benefits as predicted.

When you are learning to cope with something new, whatever it is, it can be a challenge; more so when it is the presence of something in your mouth.

While adult orthodontics has come leaps and bounds in recent years, there are still some aspects that cannot be removed entirely. In this instance, the presence of something new on your teeth (even if it is invisible to the naked eye), can be tough to get used to.

And as many invisible and clear aligners are removable, this can make it all the more tempting to simply remove and forget about. But as you may have guessed, if you fail to keep these remarkable braces in your mouth, you cannot receive the benefits that come from wearing them.

So, how do you adapt to having a brace like Invisalign in St John’s Wood in your mouth? Our team at Aura Dental can provide you with some helpful hints and tips when you come to us for your realignment as an adult, alongside providing you with orthodontic treatments which are second to none. We pride ourselves on our customer care, so if you are an adult who has a question about a recently fitted brace, simply call us and we will endeavour to answer you promptly.

But what are some of our tips for adapting to Invisalign in St John’s Wood?

Consistent wear

While a key advantage of Invisalign in St John’s Wood is that it is removable, in those early weeks of adapting to it, you may want to keep it in your mouth all the time.

This will help you get used to the feel of it against your tongue and cheeks, and will also help you to learn how to speak faster than if you were constantly removing it.

Vocal exercises

Our team at Aura Dental can advise you on oral exercises to help your tongue adapt to the presence of an invisible brace.

While it may sound odd, singing is a great way to get yourself used to a brace as it utilises more facial muscles than talking alone does, so download your favourite songs and get singing!

Same time removal

Once you are comfortable with removing the brace, try to do so at the same time each day; this will build a routine which will help you slot it into your daily life.

While it is out of your mouth, try to eat food and clean the brace as this will aid in the routine forming behaviours needed for this brace to be successful.

Keep it clean

If you do not clean this brace, it will feel uncomfortable in your mouth which will probably prompt you to remove it.

It is easy to clean; simply run it under a cold tap (never hot, as it will warp!), and brush off any debris with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Stay in touch!

Keep in regular contact with our team at Aura Dental about progress and any queries you may have.