Clear aligners are an orthodontic tool used to straighten teeth and can often be used instead of a brace. You may have seen them advertised on TV or online, as some providers will offer them directly to patients without using local dental clinics.

Even in clinics where clear aligners have been available for about 10 years, we are seeing more use of clear options over traditional brace use. If you do need orthodontic work, should you wear an aligner or a brace? How do the two treatment options compare?

Aesthetics of the treatment; during and after

The clear aligners are often called invisible braces, which is used to get across the idea that it works as a brace but cant been seen. This is a half-truth, the aligners available by Invisalign in Bromley are very thin, light and translucent, making them as close to invisible as possible but the way they re-arrange teeth is quite different. A standard brace applies pulling force to a tooth from the archwire to the brace, which is glued to the middle centre of the tooth. The aligners have contact points across the tooths front, back and upper surfaces allowing them to push on them from different angles. This, along with the smarter application of force, allows more tooth movement with less force and therefore less discomfort.

This alone is enough for most patients to adopt clear aligners over braces. The awkward brace wearing phase associated with adolescents can be avoided, and among adult working professionals the idea of using a metal brace is distasteful, once again heightening the popularity of clear alternatives.

How do aligners feel?

Patients with complex orthodontic conditions who have experienced using both aligners and regular braces consider aligners less painful and easier to eat with.

This is mostly to do with the adjustments that are made to braces; brace adjustments are made by an orthodontist usually every 6 weeks but each aligner is only worn for two weeks. These smaller and more regular adjustments, along with the more forgiving plastic resin of the aligner compared to the rigidity of metal braces, make the latter more tolerable. With braces, users often have to take paracetamol and eat softer food for several days after adjustments, but with aligner users reporting not having to alter their food choices or use pain relief.

Clinical effetiveness

The clinical effectiveness of braces is very well established with more than a hundred years of use in dentistry. The clear aligners have less than 20 years but have shown themselves to be effective when applied correctly. One of the biggest issues in determining the effectiveness of aligners is their possible misuse. Braces have always only been available in clinics provided by fully licenced dental professionals, but aligners are available in at-home kits. Without the guidance of a dentist, it seems the success rate of the at-home kits is significantly lower than clear aligners used with the oversight of a local clinic.

In concussion or TLDR

Aligners are not always appropriate; if your condition involves altering the position of molars or changes to your palate size, braces are the only effective treatment. If clear aligners are appropriate for you, they are more comfortable, less disruptive and are just as effective.

If a patient is looking for a Dentist Richmond to improve their smile, then they are in the right place. The practice has over one hundred years of experience, this has allowed the team of professionals to create the best level of service and customer support. The practice is committed to giving patients the best access to all kinds of dental treatments. Every effort to ensure that patients are given the most pleasant experience. This practice is committed to allow patients to enjoy their dental experience rather than feeling stressed and not at ease. It is believed that beautifully sculpted smiles have the capacity to change lives, so scientific backing and collected knowledge can be used to allow patients to create the smile that they have always wished to own. If a patient is looking for a dentist or hygienist then they can read on to discover what treatments are on offer to them.

What treatments are available?

As a potential patient of Dentist Richmond, the a patient could have access to a whole host of different treatments. If a patent is looking for a treatment that will improve the appearance of their smile then they could consider Cosmetic Dentistry. This branch of treatment includes offers such as White Fillings, Porcelain Veneers, Teeth Whitening, Gum Contouring, Smile Makeover, 1 Visit Smile and CEREC. If a patient is looking to restore their smile into its former glory then they could consider Restorative Dentistry. This includes access to Bridges, Dentures & Denture Stabilisation, Crowns and Inlays & Onlays. It is also important for patients to consider taking care of their mouth in a preventative sense. This includes access to advice such as Dental Hygiene, Sensitive Teeth, Children’s Teeth, Smoking Cessation, Mouth Cancer Screening and Pregnant Women. For missing teeth patients can consider treatments such as dental implants. General dentistry is also offered, this includes access to Emergency Dental Care Extractions, Oral Surgery and Canal Therapy. Assistance with issues such as Jaw Problems and Snoring is also available. Orthodontics can be used to straighten teeth, products available include Invisalign, Incognito Braces alongside fixed and removable Braces. Facial Aesthetics such as Anti-Wrinkle Treatments can also be done in practice. Patients could consider reading onto the next section to see what they should do next in order to access one of these treatments.

What should I do next?

If a patient thinks that one of these treatments could be for them, then they should consider their options moving forward. The practice is committed to ensuring that all patients have access to the treatments that they need. Patients can learn more about these treatments through the website as well as asking any enquiries. Patients can also get in contact with the practice directly by calling the practice to discuss what treatments could be a good fit for them and their family. Patients are encouraged to work with their dentist to discover what treatment could allow a patient to access the smile that they have always wanted. The practice is always keen to meet new patients, so if a patient is looking for a new dentist, then they are in the right place.

Living in modern society has brought the idea of ‘the face you wear matters’ to the fore which is probably why an increasing number of individuals are turning to cosmetic dental treatments such as Invisalign St Albans and other facial aesthetic procedures (non-surgical) to enhance the looks that Mother Nature gave them.

In the case of straightening the case of crooked teeth, there is much more to this worthwhile endeavour than just improving dental appearance (and thereby one’s attractiveness). This highly-approved dental goal also answers to improved oral hygiene and optimal dental health. Of equal importance to these desirable outcomes, is a boost in confidence and self-esteem and the patient reaps the rewards of a metaphorically rich and fulfilling life.

Why the preoccupation with first impressions

No matter on which side of the for-or-against side of the fence you sit, the fact remains that in this image-obsessed modern world, we are judged according to our looks. It is interesting to note that this judgement does not only come from external sources but also from within ourselves. In an enlightening report on self-perceptions on body image, results from an online survey showed that 34 percent of adults in the UK experienced feelings of shame due to dissatisfaction over how they looked.

It takes only a split second for others to make inferences about our personality and character with a first glance. The potential of a human being is narrowed down to whether they are friendly, intelligent, confident and capable – all in a blink of an eye. Provided you have an attractive smile, others are more predisposed to allocate positive personality traits to you along with a greater likelihood to succeed in life. While it may take about a second to make social inferences, these can have weighty and life-long consequences.

The appearance-bias that is often seen in practice in the workplace, prejudices against individuals who are deemed unattractive, and therefore, incapable. Individuals can be looked over when it comes to being hired or looked over for promotion opportunities. Outside the workplace, this prejudice can filter into the playground in the form of bullying and into one’s personal life when one experiences difficulty in forming friendships and finding love and acceptance.

The answer to the question, from where do we learn to evaluate facial appearance and facial expressions may lie in a research study that looked at how babies gain meaning from facial signals. It seems that it is human instinct to study faces for information for we have been responding to faces from the time we were born. Only a few days after being born, babies are able to tell the difference between facial expressions, a happy face, sad face and surprised face.

The British Orthodontic Society together with the Oral Health Foundation have expressed concern about individuals seeking to straighten their teeth without the supervision of a professionally qualified dental practitioner. The Safe Brace campaign is the result of this partnership that aims to inform and educate anyone interested in braces to fix their teeth about how to go about this in a safe and effective way.

It is only a practising dentist that can provide trusted advice and oversee a proper teeth-straightening treatment for safe and reliable results. For more trustworthy information on orthodontic treatments from experienced dental practitioners, contact UK Dental Specialists.

If you are looking for a dental treatment to help straighten your teeth, but don’t want to have constant dental appointments or metal braces, then Invisalign in Welwyn could be for you. It involves you being given multiple aligners which are made out of a soft, clear plastic material. Each of the aligners will be different to gradually straighten your teeth over time. The average treatment time is usually between 6-18 months, but it all comes down to your individual needs.

What’s the process?

Firstly, as with any dental treatment that is given, you will have a consultation appointment with your dentist. This is vital in ensuring that you get all of the information you need to go forward, and to allow your dentist to take scans. The scans taken in this appointment are important so that your dentist can have a better look at your teeth and jaw, and then they can be sent off to a dental laboratory so that your aligners can be custom-made. By using X-rays to influence the shape of your aligners, it means that they fit perfectly around your teeth, increasing both effectiveness and comfort.

After your consultation appointment, you will then wait a couple of weeks for your custom-made aligners to be created. And once you receive them, your teeth straightening  journey can truly begin! The aligners are removable, meaning that you can change between the different appliances easily and from the comfort of your own home. It is recommended to wear your aligners for around 20 hours a day, which may sound like a lot, but due to the added comfort from the thin plastic material, it won’t be a massive inconvenience. When you are going through the treatment, you will only have to visit your dentist every 6-8 weeks for a quick check-up to make sure everything is going as planned.

Once you have completed the treatment, you will be advised to wear a retainer to make sure that your teeth don’t retract to their original positioning. This is typical with any treatment that involves teeth alignment , as sometimes your teeth will try and move back to where they were before. This is why it is important to wear a retainer for a certain amount of time afterwards to ensure that this doesn’t happen.

What are the advantages?

There are so many great advantages to this treatment that you can enjoy, whether it is for health reasons or appearance.

The most common benefit that people enjoy about this treatment is how the aligners look when you have them in. As mentioned above, the material used is a soft, clear, thin plastic that fits snugly around your teeth, meaning that anyone else won’t even be able to see that you have them in.

Another advantage of this treatment is the ease of the whole process. It does not involve any invasive mould taking, and you can administer it from your own home by changing each aligner when due to. This is great if you are someone who feels more nervous about coming to the dentist, as you will only have to go to your dental practice for scans and a few quick check-ups.

Some people may walk around for much of their adult life with a row of bad teeth that they feel are too difficult or expensive to fix, often these teeth will eventually fall out or have already been knocked out due to some or other facial trauma. The quality of their life goes downhill because they become self-conscious about gaps in their smile and find eating to be quite difficult, but at the Cosmetic and Dental Implants Clinic Stockton, we can fix bad teeth and close gaps easily with the use of crowns and bridges to not only transform a smile but restore the functionality of the teeth as well.

What are crowns and bridges and how are they made?

Crowns – these are used as a cap for the top of a broken or chipped tooth or a tooth that has had major endodontic work like root canal therapy. They are commonly made from dental porcelain which exactly mimics the colour and transparency of real teeth making for a convincing restoration of the tooth, however, they can also be composed of a resin or dental composite which also looks like real teeth but instead of being carved out of porcelain they are moulded and sculpted to fit the tooth on the spit. In some cases people may opt for a restorative crown to be made of stainless metal or gold, this is an expensive option and a wholly aesthetic choice on the part of the wearer.

Bridges – this is a row of false teeth all stuck together perfectly alongside each other to replace two or more missing teeth. Most commonly these are made from porcelain which can last a very long time and feel like real teeth but in the case of a patient who is on a tight budget they can be made out of a coloured resin material.

Can they close very large gaps?

Yes, dental bridges are designed to replace a row of missing teeth without having to go in and replace each tooth, in turn, one long row of fixed teeth are set in place at once. These are often supported by crowns which are fixed to the top of the teeth on the side of the row to hold the bride in place, hence the name bridge, however, this method can sometimes see the bridge coming loose or breaking.

Can they be fixed in place?

Yes, a dental bridge can be fixed in place with dental implants. A dental implant is a small titanium screw that is set into the jaw bone, attached to this screw is an abutment which sits above the gum and dentists can then attached the bride of teeth to the abutment in order to secure them in place, a single implant can hold two or 3 teeth in place while two implants can support a much larger bridge. If patients would like to go for this option they need to know that they may have to wait 6 months for the implant to properly fuse with the bone before any bridges can be fixed to it, during this waiting period they will have to wear a temporary bridge in order to close the gap.

When it comes to choosing the right restorative method to give you that glorious smile you once had, there are many treatments to choose from.

Depending on which aspects of your smile you are aiming to bolster, you and your dentist may be more inclined to lean in a certain direction. For example, if you want to straighten a minor misalignment at the front of your mouth, it may be recommended that you undertake a cosmetic brace like Invisalign.

But in other instances, the decision is not so clear cut; many cosmetic dental options can offer similar advantages depending on a patient’s presentation, so you may be stuck between choosing from 2 very similar treatments.

In this article, 2 cosmetic options will be compared and contrasted; professional dental whitening and porcelain veneers in Wagga.

How are they similar?

If you want a whiter smile, it is likely you will approach your dentist to discuss how to make this happen. Depending on the type of staining you have, your dental team may be more inclined to use either an at-home whitening kit or may suggest cleaning your teeth in the surgery, sometimes they will combine both!

However, with the invention of porcelain veneers near Wagga Wagga, there is now an alternative to using traditional bleaching methods. Allowing patients to experience the same benefits that they would from traditional whitening, without the bleach, veneers may be more suited to patients who suffer from issues with sensitive teeth.

So, which one is more suitable for you?

Time

In simple terms, porcelain veneers will take longer to make; so you may be waiting up to 10 weeks for them to come back from the dental technicians.

Whitening, however, takes a maximum of 14 days with most dental methods, allowing you a whiter smile in a shorter period.

Quality of results

Interestingly, the porcelain which is used to make the cosmetic coverings is less porous than enamel. Ergo, in the long-term, they will be less susceptible to staining and will provide you with a longer-lasting, whiter smile.

While traditional dental whitening with oxidising gels will provide long term results, if you consume a highly acidic diet, you may notice that the staining reoccurs.

Sensitivity

When it comes to sensitive teeth, it can be less than appealing to have a dental professional use bleaching products. While your dentist will take every care to ensure that your gums are protected, if you have sensitivity but want a whiter smile, you may want to choose porcelain coverings.

Price

While the price you pay for whitening your smile will depend on the method used, in general whitening via a dentist and an at-home kit is often more cost-effective. However, should you wish to also conceal a crack, chip or minor gap in your teeth along with whitening your smile, you may be more suited to having porcelain coverings fitted.

If you need any more guidance regarding treatment suitability and sustaining a brighter smile, talk to your dentist.

DISCLAIMER

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

When it comes to restorative dentistry, oral implants have paved the way for more patients to receive both the smiles they want and the bite strength they need.

Differing from traditional dentures or bridges, implants are fitted to the jaw and, after a period of fusing, a prosthetic tooth or set of teeth are attached, allowing the patient to bite into food with no concerns about movement. Great stuff!

While this all sounds relatively straightforward, there are strict criteria that have to be adhered to by all dental practitioners to ensure that once an implant is fitted, it will offer a long-term solution to the missing tooth it has replaced. If your dentist discovers that your jawline is too thin, or has been damaged, this may disqualify you from having the traditional endosteal implant fitted. Why? Because this implant type is either too wide or too long to offer the required support for a prosthetic to be placed on top.

And, while traditional dental implants in Melbourne may not sound large (an average of 3.5 mm), there are even smaller alternatives that you may be suited for.

What are micro-implants?

Well, it’s in the name!

Based on traditional endosteal implants, micro dental implants from Melbourne are an average of 3.0 mm in size.

Unlike endosteal implants which are composed of 3 parts; the implant, the abutment and the prosthesis, mini dental implants near Melbourne are made from only 2 parts; the implant and the prosthesis. Like regular implants, they are attached to your jaw but they do not take the same amount of time to fuse as regular implants, offering a faster turn around when it comes to fitting your false tooth or teeth.

Do they offer any advantages over regular implants?

Yes!

As they are smaller and less complicated to attach, they can be fitted in just one day.

The surgery to attach them is generally considered less invasive than regular implants, which allows for faster healing too. You may not even need pain relief once the surgery has been completed.

They are also ideal for patients who have suffered from substantial bone loss. Unlike regular implants which may require bone grafting or augmentation to attach, mini implants don’t require such extensive measures. These implants also stimulate bone growth the way regular ones do too!

Is everyone suited for mini implants?

Unfortunately, no. Some criteria may disqualify certain people from having them.

Mini implants (just like regular ones) are best suited to people who do not have periodontal disease, as this will shorten their longevity.

Mini implants cannot be used for patients who are looking to have molars replaced; they are more suited to restoring teeth at the front.

Also, as your dentist will tell you if you smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol regularly, it is not advisable to have mini implants fitted. As they are not as deeply set in the jaw as other implant types are, a smaller amount of inflammation can cause them to fail.

DISCLAIMER

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

The world of orthodontics is expanding rapidly. Braces are no longer predominantly worn by children but individuals of all ages who want to to improve their smile and overall dental health.

Since their inception, braces have evolved, now boasting a sleeker design and more comfortable fit. One straightening aid stands out among the rest: invisible braces in St John’s Wood.

Why choose invisible braces?

Invisible braces, Invisalign or clear aligners all refer to the same method for fixing crowding, space issues or irregularities that negatively impact your smile and in turn, your confidence.

This orthodontic device has several noteworthy features. And while all these make your braces-wearing experience convenient and problem-free, its virtually undetectable appearance is what draws people to the aid in the first place.

What do invisible braces look like?

Invisible braces consist of multiple sets of aligners made from medical-grade, BPA-free plastic. These aligners are uniquely designed to move your teeth into the desired position by placing pressure on the tips of your teeth. This method differs from regular braces that work with consistent force placed on the root.

Each set of aligners is a different version to the last, targeting specific teeth and slowly shifting them into position.

Are invisible braces permanent fixtures?

The detachable nature of the aligners is another attractive feature that enhances the user’s experience.

You won’t have to be picking spinach from your wires or having to use specialised tools to clean underneath the brackets of your braces. Remove the plastic aligner and enjoy the food you like to eat, without embarrassing yourself or breaking your straightening aid in the process.

Will I be wearing my orthodontic devices for a long time?

The average patient wears invisible braces between six months to a year. However, the time varies between patients.

That said, Invisalign users generally wear their aligners for a shorter period than individuals using metal braces.

Advantages of the device

• An investment for your teeth

Although the cost of invisible braces outweighs standard braces, the higher price point grants you a more pleasurable user experience.

If you’re on a tight budget and don’t want to delve too deeply into your savings, there are cheaper, equally reliable methods you can consider instead.

• Detachable

Removing your aligners before you eat is hugely convenient because you can still enjoy your favourite food. Just remember to take them out before taking a chunk out of an apple! Additionally, be sure to wear the device for the prescribed 22 hours daily to optimise the device’s effectiveness.

• Less painful

Although you might experience some level of discomfort with invisible braces, the user experience is far more comfortable. Your teeth will feel pressure while adjusting to this foreign object, but these feelings of tenderness eventually fade.

• Advanced technology

Thanks to advancements in technology, Invisalign users won’t have to endure unpleasant procedures while their dental practitioner takes impressions of their teeth using moulds. A minimally invasive scanner is used instead, which is far more precise and quick.

Modern day dental practices focus heavily on the prevention of dental issues rather than simply working on providing restorative treatments for their patients. Prevention is usually better than cure!  This allows for a healthier smile that can give people many years of enjoyment from their teeth and gums.

Healthy smiles and gums can be achieved thanks to innovative advances in dental technology, giving dentists the means to identify accurately and quickly, early signs and stages of decay that may not have been detectable in previous years. Many dental health care professionals ensure that their routine dental examinations take full advantage of these new practices, so that their patients are able to benefit from this technology.

A dentist in Mackay is pleased to see new and existing patients on a regular basis in order to ensure that their personal oral hygiene techniques are suitable and to assess the condition of their teeth. By educating patients in an interesting and informative manner, dentists are able to teach patients on what they, personally, need to know in order to improve the health of their whole smile.

Dentists make it their duty to preserve the natural tooth structure where possible. Whether it be with a number of preventative treatments that are available for both children and adults or with simple education, they are committed to providing individually tailored treatment plans for patients of all ages.

What are some of these treatments that are on offer?

Preventative treatments range from treating bad breath to dietary guidance and smoking cessation guidance. Fissure sealants are also popular options for both adults and children alike to prevent decay.

For those who suffer from bad breath, it is important to find the root cause of the issue. Mouthwash simply does not work in some instances when bad breath is a symptom of a more sinister condition.

It is important to look holistically at the issue and decide whether bad breath is a sign of some stomach concern or if there are any other symptoms that may be linked with it. A patient can discuss with a dentist what their normal diet and exercise routine may be like in order to give some clues to an underlying cause.

In terms of dental care, bad breath is most likely caused by the build-up of bacteria in the mouth. This can be a hormonal issue or simply because of poor oral hygiene.

Fissure sealants can be a means of eliminating a build-up of bad bacteria which help the patient in many ways. Not only can it reduce the cause behind bad breath, but it can also prevent plaque and tartar from forming.

The molars in the back of the mouth are full of deep grooves which are hard to reach, especially for children. Food can get lodged in these areas and destroy newly formed adult teeth in children, causing potential problems for life.

By applying a sealant to these areas, the teeth are covered and protected from bacteria and decay and can remain in a healthy condition for a long time. If the sealant has chipped or worn away over time, it is easy to reapply again.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Each year, thousands of Britons are seeking essential orthodontic work to achieve a stronger, healthier and more cohesive looking smile. Whilst, on the whole, the numbers of those seeking treatment is on the rise, there is still a large proportion of the population who are dissuaded from seeking out required treatments, out of fear as to how orthodontics will negatively impact their outward appearance. This generally spans from out-dated ideas and mis-information that results in imagery of large, cumbersome head-gear and lisp-inducing braces. This, however, couldn’t be further from the truth, as today there are a number of discreet dental alignment options, such as Invisalign in Weybridge, which afford patients the ability to achieve a straighter looking smile, without attracting any unwanted attention.

Discreetly different

The Invisalign method is a revolutionary new form of orthodontics, developed by Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth in 1997. After witnessing first hand the negative impact that orthodontics at that time could have on someone’s outward appearance and speech, Chishti decided to take matters into his own hands, and despite having no formal orthodontic training, Chishti forever changed what was previously thought possible within the world of orthodontics, with his Invisalign retainer. The basis of the Invisalign method is to negate the need for conventional orthodontic tools and methods – such as fused brackets and metal wires – with a removable, clear plastic retainer, which is constructed from a patented plastic known as SmartTrack, used for its uniquely durable, yet malleable nature. When worn over the duration of treatment (which typically lasts around twelve months, but varies depending on the severity of each case) the aligner uses specifically placed pressure points to gradually push the patient’s teeth back into their correct alignment. Since it’s initial launch in 2001, the Invisalign method has grown vastly in popularity, and has helped restore the smiles of over 7 million happy patients worldwide, with a large portion of these being teenagers.

Invisible ingenuity

One of the primary reasons behind the Invisalign brace’s success within the demographics of teenagers and young adults, is the discreet nature of the process. Each SmartTrack aligner is custom made for each unique patient, and moulded around the specific contours of their teeth. As such, when worn, it fits so snugly over the patient’s teeth that it becomes practically invisible. This, uniquely separates the Invisalign method from other, more traditional forms of orthodontics, as it allows patients to undergo essential dental realignment, without attracting any unwanted attention from peers or colleagues.

Another unique quality of the Invisalign method, is the removable nature of the process. Again, unlike other, more traditional methods of dental realignment, the Invisalign retainer is entirely removable. This allows a patient the ability to choose when they carry out treatment around their own schedules – such as opting out on special occasions. This, in turn, can have a massively positive impact on the self-esteem and confidence of those who are undertaking the Invisalign process, as it allows them the unique ability to achieve a straighter, healthier looking smile, without sacrificing their outward appearance as a result.