Getting dental implants in St. Johns Wood with Aura Dental How we can help you regain your confidence

When choosing to have dental implants fitted, we at Aura Dental know there are many questions you may have about the procedure.

If you are choosing to have dental implants in St.Johns Wood, you are no doubt looking forward to having a straight, gap free smile, but may be concerned about potential repercussions. After all, no surgery is risk free, but our team at Aura Dental want to assuage your fears and help you come to the best decision for yourself and your desire for a stunning smile.

Dental Implants in St Johns WoodHow are dental implants fitted?

Depending on whether you are having one dental implant fitted, or several, the procedure can vary a lot. Before you undergo the procedure, our dental surgeons will discuss with you what they are going to do and how long they estimate it will take. Please be aware that undergoing dental implant surgery is in no way a quick procedure, so be prepared for it to take up to 9 months.

Having the dental implants in St.Johns Wood fitted has several stages. Assuming there are no teeth to be removed, an implant or titanium screw, is placed into your jaw line. If you have bone loss, this step may also require bone grafting.

Once in place, your dentist will wait for ‘fusion’ to occur, as basically, your new implant must fuse with the surrounding bone. This can take up to six weeks and in the interim, you will be given false teeth to wear if you wish.

During this time, your new tooth or teeth will be constructed. Once your dentist is confident that your jaw and the titanium implant have fused, the top part of the implant will be put into place.

This is a basic outline of the dental implant procedure and depending on your case, there may be more stages.

Are dental implants painful?

A common question we are asked at Aura Dental regarding dental implants is whether the process, in its entirety, is painful.

Over the years, we have performed this surgery many times and have been told by our customers that the process hurts less than a simple tooth extraction and obviously, doesn’t leave you with a big gap in your smile.

If you are concerned about the level of pain you are experiencing post-surgery, please contact us immediately.

How do I look after them?

Dental implants need a lot of care.

Luckily, the care that they require does not differ from having real teeth and you can easily clean your dental implants with a manual or electric toothbrush with no issue.

As you may have interdental gaps post fitting, we advise you to invest in some interdental brushes and floss, this will prevent germs from settling and keep your gum line clean. You should also aim to have your new teeth professionally cleaned by a dentist 2-4 times a year as standard.

Alternatives to traditional braces; Invisalign in St. Johns Wood and other orthodontic treatments

When you are told you need braces, you may feel your confidence get knocked down a few pegs. The images of large, metal braces are off-putting, which deters many people from seeking orthodontic treatments.

Invisalign in St. Johns WoodLuckily, in the field of dentistry today, there are many other options available to help you realign your smile with discretion. The  Invisalign in St. Johns Wood is now commonplace in dentistry and based on your specific alignment needs, there are many different options available.

What are invisible braces?

Clear or ‘invisible’ braces are orthodontic alternatives to traditional braces that are virtually invisible to the naked eye. They are typically made of a clear, flexible plastic that is designed to sit comfortably over your teeth.

They have gained popularity with dental patients due to their minimal appearance, their ease of use and their high levels of comfort.

Based on your individual orthodontic needs, your dentist may advise you to have a specific type of invisible braces. Luckily, all varieties tend to have the same advantages but differ slightly in how they resolve issues with alignment.

Invisalign at St. Johns Wood

The most popular of all the clear braces, this option offers customers a more personalised approach to their dental realignment.

It combines the use of X-rays, computer technology, a set of aligners and small amounts of pressure to gently realign your teeth over a period of 9-12 months.

It is removable, suitable for adults and teenagers and due to the computer technology used, the outcome of the treatment is more predictable than other forms of clear aligner.

During the treatment, you will be given a set of aligners, each for a different stage of realignment process that minimises pressure and discomfort when realigning your teeth. Typically, these aligners may need to be changed every 2 weeks, but this decision will ultimately be decided by your dentist.

Six-month smiles

As the name suggests, this aligner has an average treatment time of around six months.

This is a discreet, orthodontic option that can help treat issues like spacing between teeth, crooked and crowded teeth and symmetry problems. It can also be used to help teeth that require rotation.

Vivera retainers

Even those good old-fashioned metal braces can fail; statistically, if you undergo traditional brace treatment without an aligner afterwards, your teeth are likely to revert back to their original position. This can be extremely frustrating, especially if you have paid for this treatment.

Vivera retainers are customised, flexible aligners to help keep your teeth aligned following any type of brace treatment. Removable and discreet, these are perfect for the everyday lifestyle and do not cause issues with comfort or hygiene.

Remember, that clear brace treatments are not suited to everyone. Indeed, most clear braces used by dentists are suitable for minor to moderate alignment issues and therefore people who have severe alignment in their mouth are unlikely to benefit.

Contact Aura Dental for more information.

Interested in dental implants in St.Johns Wood? Aura Dental’s list of benefits when choosing oral implants

Although many people are only just learning about dental implants within the UK, the first dental implant was successfully fitted to a human volunteer in 1965. Even then, this implant boasted superior quality to dentures, relating to stability, durability and appearance.

Dental Implants in St Johns WoodToday, dental technology has evolved, and dental implants in St.Johns Wood are becoming a more popular option for many dental patients who want to rejuvenate their smiles and boost their confidence. This growing popularity has also prompted more dental surgeries to offer them to suitable patients and has caused the overall costs of having them fitted to drop too!

Benefits of dental implants

Dentures and bridges were once considered the traditional methods for filling gaps in teeth, or to help those who had lost many teeth to bite and chew food.

However, dentures came with their drawbacks. Many people felt that even with the highest quality denture glues, their dentures still moved and made it difficult for them to bite or chew food effectively. Dentures also created the issue of rubbing against the jaw line, causing sore spots and recurrent ulcers.

Comfort

The dental implants in St.Johns wood are attached directly to the jawline with a small, titanium screws. As they are perfectly aligned with your jaw’s natural shape, there will be no painful rubbing or pressure sores.

Many patients worry about the discomfort of having implants fitted but don’t worry. At Aura Dental we are experienced in fitting implants and have been told by customers that having them fitted is less painful than having a tooth extracted.

Confidence

All dental implants are designed to look like your natural teeth. If you still have teeth in your mouth or we have access to previous x-rays of your teeth, we will aim to match the shape, colour and texture of your original tooth/teeth.

There will be no differently coloured or shaped teeth in your mouth, meaning you can smile with supreme confidence in your newly fitted teeth, No one will be able to tell the difference!

Appearance

If you don’t want the gleaming Hollywood smile, we can design your implants to fit your desired appearance.

We will take our time to design, shade and shape the implants so they look as natural as possible, creating a visually pleasing look. If you want to go for the full ice white look, we can do that too! Whatever appearance you are aiming for, we can create it.

Security

Once fitted, dental implants do not move and cannot fall out of your mouth, unless severely damaged in a high impact collision.

You can eat and drink the same things you did before, without having to worry about the implants moving or falling out. Customers who have switched from dentures to implants have reported that their ability to chew has significantly improved along with their bite and that they now enjoy eating tougher foods.

Concerned about having your braces fitted? Aura Dental has the solution to braces in St. Johns Wood

Even in adult life, a trip to the dentist for a check-up may result in you being told that you require braces.

Traditionally associated with children and teenagers, braces are used to straighten your teeth. However there is the drawback of traditional options being thick, metal braces fitted at the front of your teeth. This has the obvious problem that their use could quite possibly impact your confidence on several levels.

Invisalign in St. Johns woodAt Aura Dental, we understand that this can be difficult for our patients and so, we offer a range of different options when helping you achieve your perfect smile.

What types of braces are there?

Depending on the amount of realignment your teeth require, there are a few different options that our dental team will suggest. Aura Dental offers a varied selection of braces to suit every mouth, from retainers to Invisalign in St.John’s wood

Lingual braces

Traditional braces are fitted to the front of your teeth, making them noticeably visible to not only yourself, but other people too. This can affect your confidence if you are already a shy individual.

Lingual braces are metal braces but unlike traditional ones, they are fitted to the back of your teeth, making them less visible. Perfect for realignment work and a great boost to your confidence.

Invisalign

A type of brace suitable for those with mild to moderate alignment problems, Invisalign is a brace that can be worn while also being difficult to detect by the naked eye.

Unlike fitted braces, Invisalign in St. Johns wood are customised to fit your mouth and can be removed when you need to eat or clean your teeth. When you begin treatment with Invisalign, our dental team will use a 3D computer imaging technology, called ClinCheck, to plan and predict how your teeth will be moved to their desired finished position. This breaks down the entire process and makes the finished arrangement more predictable.

How does it work?

When using Invisalign, your teeth are moved gradually and therefore, you may require a selection of different aligners and retainers to achieve the finished look you desire. This is to improve comfort and to not put additional pressure on your teeth and jaw. Mild cases of misalignment can need up to 14 different braces and have an average treatment time of 9-12 months.

Invisalign is not only for adults, these braces have been designed for teenagers and children too (aged between 6 and 10 years old).

Is it expensive?

The cost of Invisalign treatment can be spread out over several months. At Aura Dental, we know that it is unlikely that you will have the full payment available immediately, so we offer 0% finance and payment options. Remember that the cost is not fixed, it will vary depending on the amount of work required and how many braces your treatment will need.

Contact Aura Dental for more information.

Opting for braces in St John’s wood?

Here at Aura Dental, for over thirty years, our committed team have been providing a bespoke dental care to the residents of St John’s Wood, like no other. At Aura Dental, we adopt a more holistic approach to dentistry than some of the other dentists across the country. We believe that the individual needs and requirements of each patient should be at the forefront of any and all treatments, rather than adopting the one-size-fits-all approach that is common throughout some practices. In our mission statement, we decree that we wish to ‘provide unwavering clinical excellence in a calm, professional and friendly atmosphere’ and – as can be seen from our lengthy and extensive positive patient referrals – we believe we have achieved exactly that, and hope to continue doing so for many years to come. Treatment here at Aura is only carried out by a dentist of the patient’s choosing, with whom they share a good rapport and trust unwaveringly. Prior to beginning any treatment here at Aura, patients must first undertake some informal consultations between themselves and a practitioner of their choosing, and only begin treatment once they are aware of the basics of the process and feel they are ready.

Invisalign in St Johns WoodInvisible ingenuity

One treatment which is widely popular with some of our younger adult and teenage patients, is the installation of braces, such as Invisalign in St John’s Wood. Treatments of this sort have grown vastly in popularity over recent years, particularly with young adults, as they allow patients to undertake essential dental alignment, without affecting their outward appearance. As such, treatments like Invisalign are now favoured largely over established methods of orthodontic alignment, such as typical fused ‘train-track’ braces, which are often uncomfortable and greatly alter the appearance of their users. Invisalign is a removable plastic mouthpiece, which – when worn – gradually aligns the patient’s teeth to the specifications established with their trusted dental practitioner, prior to undertaking treatment. Created from a patented SmartTrack plastic, the Invisalign retainer is removable, and when worn, gradually pushes the patient’s teeth into their correct position using built in, custom fitted pressure points within the retainer. When worn, an Invisalign mouthpiece is practically undetectable, which may explain its popularity amongst teenagers as – unlike ‘train-track’ braces – it affords them the ability to undergo essential dental realignment, in a discreet fashion that does not attract any unwanted scrutiny from peers. Another reason for the popularity of Invisalign in St John’s Wood over contemporary orthodontics is that the retainer is removable, and as such treatment can be carried out a time that is convenient to the patient – such as when sleeping, or at home.

Bridging gaps

Also offered here at Aura dental is the installation of dental implants. These are another method of discreet orthodontics, however they are typically only used in instances where a tooth has been lost or damaged beyond repair. Dental implants act as a prosthetic solution to large gaps in patients’ teeth, and can have a massively beneficial impact on their self-esteem and confidence, by restoring their smiles. The process of installing dental implants requires a brief dental procedure whereby a small hole is drilled into the roof of a patient’s mouth where the missing tooth (or teeth) would be, and a titanium screw is inserted. Afterwards, a replica tooth is screwed into the mouth and the gap is filled with a tooth indistinguishable from the rest in the patient’s mouth.

Considered getting dental implants in St John’s Wood?

Here at Aura Dental, our committed staff have been providing the local residents of St John’s Wood, and beyond, with a bespoke, patient centred dental experience like no other. It is our belief that the individual needs and requirements of each patient are as unique as the patients themselves, and as such we adopt a somewhat holistic approach to contemporary dentistry – rather than the one-size-fits-all method that is common practice in too many clinics across the country. This ethos of individuality in our approach to dentistry is reflected in our mission statement that ‘we provide unwavering clinical excellence in a calm, professional and friendly atmosphere’ and as can be seen from our numerous patient referrals we’ve received – which have helped us continue to grow and develop our practice – we like to think we’ve achieved exactly that. Treatment here at Aura is only carried out by a practitioner in whom the patient trusts wholeheartedly, and only begins after lengthy informal consultations have taken place – detailing the procedures available and why they are suited to the patient’s needs.

Dental Implants in St Johns WoodInvisalign treatment

Some widely popular procedures here at Aura Dental in St John’s Wood are the installation of braces and implants. These methods of discreet orthodontic aligners such as Invisalign are a replacement treatment to conventional fused braces, often referred to as ’train-tracks’ – which are both uncomfortable, and clearly visible from the outside. Invisalign treatment is a non-invasive, and discreet form of orthodontics which uses a removable retainer to gradually align the patient’s teeth into their correct specifications – set out with a dental practitioner of the patient’s choosing, prior to beginning treatment. Created by Dr Zia Chashti, a 1997 Stanford University graduate, the retainer is constructed from a patented SmartTrack plastic – chosen especially due to its durable, yet malleable qualities. The process of installing an Invisalign mouthpiece initially consists of a custom made mould being created – in house – of the patient’s teeth. This retainer can then be taken home, and when worn over the course of treatment gradually aligns the patient’s teeth to their correct specifications. The duration of treatment varies depending on the severity of each patient’s need, but typically lasts around twelve months. One of the main reasons for Invisalign’s popularity over conventional braces for teenagers and young adults is that, when worn, the mouthpiece is practically undetectable, which unlike braces, allows patients to undertake essential dental alignment, without attracting any unwanted scrutiny. Another reason for the success of Invisalign is that the retainer is removable, and as such treatment can be carried out a time that is convenient to the patient, such as when at home or sleeping.

Bridging the gaps

Another service which we offer here at Aura is the installation of dental implants in St John’s Wood. Implants are only utilised in instances where a patient’s teeth have been lost or damaged beyond repair, and act as a prosthetic solution to gaps in a patient’s mouth. The process of installing a dental implant initially consists of a small hole being drilled into the patient’s gum, within the gap between the missing tooth, or teeth. Then a titanium screw is inserted, and left to heal. After a brief healing period – during which time the titanium fuses with the bone in the patient’s gums – a replica tooth (or denture) constructed from porcelain or plastic is screwed in place, and thus the gap is bridged with a virtually indistinguishable tooth from the rest looking as good as new. The benefits of receiving dental implants in St John’s Wood are that it can vastly boost a patient’s self-esteem and confidence as it once again affords them the ability to smile fully, without fear of exposing gaps within their teeth.

Holding the community together

Here at Aura Dental in St John’s Wood, we have been providing local residents with a bespoke, patient orientated dental experience for some time. We work on the specific requirements and needs of each individual patient independently. It is the approach to dentistry that has helped us to achieve the level of esteem we enjoy with the local St Johns Woods community. By establishing a longstanding relationship with the residents, we have become a staple in the area and are proud to continue to serve residents and help bring smiles to their faces.

Invisalign in St John’s WoodDiscreet orthodontics

One procedure which we offer here at Aura Dental is the installation of discreet dental aligners such as Invisalign in St John’s Wood. This is an alternative form of dental realignment to conventional fused braces, sometimes referred to as ‘train-tracks’ which are often uncomfortable, cumbersome and largely impact a patient’s outward appearance. Invisalign in St John’s Wood treatment consists of a custom made retainer being created from the patient’s teeth that, when worn, gradually aligns their teeth to the correct specifications set out with a practitioner of their choosing prior to beginning treatment. By using pressure points within the retainer – which is constructed from a patented ‘SmartTrack’ plastic, chosen for its malleable yet durable qualities, teeth are slowly moved into their correct positions. Invisalign treatment typically lasts around twelve months, but varies depending on the severity of the treatment needed. When the retainer is worn, it is practically invisible, and as such, is greatly preferred to conventional metal braces as it allows patients to undertake essential dental alignment without attracting any unwanted attention from peers or colleagues. Another benefit to Invisalign in St John’s Wood treatment over typical, fused braces is that the retainer is removable and as such can be worn at a time that is convenient to the patient – such as when sleeping or at home.

Bridging the gaps

Another method of cosmetic dental care we offer here at Aura Dental is the insertion of dental implants. These are only generally utilised in instances where teeth have been lost or damaged beyond repair, and act as a prosthetic solution to gaps in a patient’s teeth. The process of installing a dental implant initially consists of a small hole being drilled into the gums of the patient where teeth are missing. Then a titanium alloy screw is inserted into the hole, and left to heal. After a brief healing period, during which time the titanium fuses with the bone within the patient’s gum, a replica tooth constructed from ceramic or plastic is then inserted on to the screw and thus the gap is bridged. Implants are coloured to match the surrounding teeth perfectly, so that the patient has a good-as-new tooth and their smile restored. Dental implants can have a massively positive effect on a patient’s self-esteem and confidence as they afford them the ability to once again smile to their fullest potential, without having to be concerned or embarrassed by large gaps or spaces within their teeth.

Pillars of the local community

At Aura Dental, we’ve been committed to providing the residents of St John’s Wood and beyond with a bespoke dental service like no other. During our years of service we have firmly established ourselves in the St John’s Wood community through the longstanding relationships we share with our patients, which are based on trust, understanding and respect. It is our mission statement to, ‘provide unwavering clinical excellence in a calm, professional and friendly atmosphere’ and, as can be seen from the numerous testimonials from our regular patients and those from further afield – we have achieved exactly that. It is our ethos that the specific needs and requirements of each individual patient is the most important factor in forming a good patient – practitioner relationship. Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach to dentistry, we offer a bespoke, tailored service that is adapted to suit the individual. It is this approach that has helped us spread and expand over the years through patient referrals.

Invisalign in St John’s WoodDiscreet orthodontics

At Aura, a large portion of the procedures offered centre around the installation of dental aligners and discreet orthodontic treatments such as Invisalign in St John’s Wood. Treatments of this nature have grown greatly in their popularity over recent years, and are particularly successful with teenagers and young adults who opt for them rather than typical orthodontic methods such as conventional fused ‘train-track’ braces. Treatments such as Invisalign allow them to undergo essential dental realignment, without attracting any unwanted attention or scrutiny from peers. The basis of Invisalign in St John’s Wood is to replace fused braces with a removable non-invasive retainer. The process of installing an Invisalign mouthpiece consists initially of a mould being created of a patient’s mouth, in the dentist’s office. This mould is created using a patented SmartTrack plastic that is designed to be both malleable and firm. Once the mould is created, it can then be taken home and worn by the patient. Whilst being worn, the retainer gradually aligns the patient’s teeth to the specifications set out through consultations between themselves and a practitioner of their choosing. Treatment with Invisalign typically lasts up to twelve months, however due to the removable nature of the treatment, it can be worn at a time that is convenient to the patient – such as when sleeping. Another benefit of Invisalign treatment is that when the retainer is worn, it is practically undetectable and as such, allows patients to go through treatment without worrying about their external appearance.

Behind the magic

Another form of alignment treatment similarly offered at Aura Dental, is the installation of Lingual braces. Unlike Invisalign in St John’s Wood, they are fused to the patient’s teeth – a resemblance to conventional ‘train-track’ braces. Lingual braces, however, are fused to the backs of a patient’s mouth – and as such, are virtually invisible from the front. Treatment of this sort is again favoured by young adults and teenagers as it allows patients to undergo essential alignment without attracting any unwanted attention from their peers or colleagues and after treatment has been completed, they find they have the smile they have always dreamed of.

St John’s Wood smiles for all

Our dedicated staff and highly qualified, expert dental practitioners have been devoted to providing residents of the St John’s Wood community with a bespoke, patient driven dental experience like no other. Part of what gives the area of St John’s Wood its reputation as one of London’s most esteemed areas for health and dental care, is not just through the quality of the services provided – but largely due to the longstanding relationships that are formed between the dentists and the members of the surrounding community –  founded on trust, understanding and respect. Treatment here at Aura Dental is only carried out by a practitioner of the patient’s choosing, whom they trust wholeheartedly and with whom they share a good rapport..

Braces in St Johns WoodHidden orthodontics

One treatment which is particularly popular here amongst young adults and teenagers is the installation of discreet dental alignment procedures such as Invisalign retainers. Popularity of such treatments being favoured over typical fused braces or orthodontics comes from the fact that they are practically undetectable when worn, and as such, allows patients to undertake essential dental alignment, without affecting their outward appearance and attracting unwanted attention from peers or colleagues as a result. The process of installing an Invisalign retainer initially consists of a custom fitted mould – constructed from a patented SmartTrack plastic, chosen for its firm yet malleable nature – being made of the patient’s teeth. After this mouthguard is created, the patient can then take it away with them and begin wearing it at a time that is convenient to them – such as when sleeping or at home. When worn, pressure points within the retainer gradually push the patient’s teeth together over the course of treatment – which varies depending on the extent of the dental alignment needed, but typically last around twelve months. Treatment of this sort has grown vastly in popularity over recent years as it is non-invasive and far more discreet than typical fused ‘train-track’ braces, which can often deter patients from seeking dental alignment as they are concerned with how their appearance will be affected for the length of treatment.

Behind the curtain

Another discreet dental alignment service we offer here at Aura Dental is the installation of Lingual braces in St John’s Wood. These are different to Invisalign as they are constructed as a fused, non-removable form of alignment similar to conventional braces – however Lingual braces are fitted to the backs of a patient’s teeth. The benefit of Lingual braces in St John’s Wood is that they are practically invisible from the front, and as such allow patients to undertake orthodontic realignment, without attracting any unwanted attention or scrutiny. It is for this reason that Lingual braces have become increasingly popular with teenagers and young adults who are self-conscious about their appearance, yet who also require dental alignment to achieve the smiles they deserve. The benefits from Lingual braces in St John’s Wood are that patients’ smiles are restored to their fullest potential, without visibly altering their appearance in the process. This can vastly boost their self-esteem and find them with not only a renewed smile, but also renewed confidence.

Bringing the residents of St John’s Wood together

At Aura Dental, we are an established pillar of the St John’s Wood community. It is our mission statement to, ‘provide unwavering clinical excellence in a calm, professional and friendly atmosphere.’ Our longstanding relationship with our patients and the surrounding area is a testimony to the fact we have met this goal wholeheartedly. At Aura Dental, we offer a contemporary, holistic approach to dentistry – believing that providing patient centred, bespoke dental care that is catering to the specific needs of each individual patient, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, is the best way to establish trust and respect. We understand a trip to the dentist can be somewhat traumatic for some – especially our younger patients – so we hold empathy, care and consideration highly within our founding principles. Treatment from us is only carried out by a practitioner of the patient’s choosing, whom they trust wholeheartedly and have a longstanding relationship with. Patient recommendations have helped us grow as a practice since the early days, and we are proud of the many referrals and recommendations we have achieved from satisfied patients as well as taking some pride in the smiles we have improved.

Invisalign in St John’s WoodInvisible aligners

At Aura, a large part of our practice concerns the installation of dental alignment aids and implants. Invisalign in St John’s Wood is one such treatment we offer here and is widely favoured amongst teenagers and young adults over contemporary dental alignment procedures such as fused braces. The basis of Invisalign in St John’s Wood treatment is the use of a custom-made retainer mould, constructed from patented SmartTrack malleable plastic, being created of the patient’s teeth. This retainer, when worn over the course of treatment – which depends on the severity of the case, but generally lasts around 12 months – gradually aligns the patient’s teeth to the specifications set out with their chosen practitioner, before undertaking treatment. One of the reasons for Invisalign’s popularity over conventional orthodontic treatments is that, when worn, the retainer is practically invisible to the naked eye. Thus, patients can undergo essential corrective dental alignment, without attracting any unwanted attention from peers or colleagues. Another reason for the success of Invisalign in St John’s Wood is that the retainer mouthpiece is removable – unlike fused braces – and as such can be worn at a patient’s leisure, at a time that is convenient to them, such as when sleeping.

Lingual Braces

Another dental alignment procedure we offer at Aura is the installation of Lingual braces. These are similar to conventional fused ‘train-track’ braces, however they are fitted to the inside of a patient’s mouth – and as such are virtually undetectable from the outside. To install lingual braces, an impression of the patient’s teeth is made, by requesting they bite down on a piece of silicone – or by taking a digital rendering. After this, a custom-made metal bracket frame is constructed to the particular dimensions of a patient’s mouth. Then, after the brace has been constructed, it is fused to the backs of the patient’s teeth, allowing the alignment process to begin.