Invisalign is the method of straightening misaligned teeth in both children and adults. It is a cross between a gum shield and a brace, but is best described in layman’s terms as a removable brace. Being transparent in appearance the brace is simply fitted over the top or bottom teeth, and left to do its job while the patient goes about their daily routine. The brace is changed usually every fortnight and works exactly the same way as a conventional brace, albeit that it is removable and replaceable by the patient. The problem with conventional braces is that they are cumbersome and awkward; the patient finds it difficult at times to carry out simple oral hygiene care. The pressure of common braces is also a damaging factor on the teeth as it often causes more wear on them. The Invisalign method allows the patient to remove the device for eating, drinking and cleaning of the teeth, it also allows X-rays to be taken which aren’t possible with conventional braces. However, one disadvantage is that the dentist has to rely heavily on the discipline of the patient to keep the device in place for the maximum period each day. The treatment isn’t available or recommended to all patients, some teeth that are particularly misaligned will not benefit from using an Invisalign brace. It is made from a polyurethane material and this can cause an allergic reaction in certain patients, although that is very rare. A London W1 dentist says that most western countries are in favour of the use of these braces, especially in children who traditionally have been subject to bullying in schools. Adults favour them as well as it allows them to remove the braces when they are socialising or networking.
Category “Orthodontic Treatment”
A London W1 dentist explains the facts about Invisalign treatment
February 15th, 2010Posted in Orthodontic Treatment | No Comments »
Inman aligner as explained by a City of London dentist
February 14th, 2010
An Inman aligner is a brace for all intent and purposes say a City of London dentist, it works in a slightly different way to other braces in that it used springs to bring badly aligned teeth back into formation. It is quite easy to have fitted, and is almost invisible except for the main bar that controls the devices pressure on the teeth. It is very similar to the Invisalign system in that the Inman appliance is also a removable device. It works by moving the misaligned teeth over a set time period. It operates by creating a force using a coiled spring on the inside of the set of teeth. It is attached to a bar that sits across the front of the teeth; this literally squeezes the teeth slowly into position by pulling, pushing and easing them into the required position of alignment. The treatment period is usually a lot shorter than that of the most common used of the invisible brace applications. Treatment periods can be eight to sixteen weeks or slightly longer in some extreme cases. The treatment period will be often determined by the length of time each day that the patient decides to wear the device. The Inman aligner brace can be taken off whenever the patient decides to remove it. It goes without saying though that the longer the patient wears it each day, the sooner they’ll see the end result. It is normally recommended for the patient to wear the aligner for up to 20 hours a day, that’s every day of course to get the quickest and best results. It isn’t suitable for every patient and a consultation with a dentist will also need some tests to be done, however the good news is that the system has a high success rate and more dentists are plumping for this method every year.
A Central London dentist gives the low down on teeth straightening
February 6th, 2010
There are various ways to fix crooked teeth, the most common and the most economical way, is by the use of braces. That said there are a variety of designer braces available to help not just the teeth, but the patient as well, according to a Central London dentist. The NHS uses braces and has done so for many decades, this like the use of NHS glasses has become somewhat of a stigma to youngsters, who are the main range of patients getting this treatment. Long gone is the geeky looking kid with the braces that look like they are welded to the teeth as some kind of punishment. Fixed Orthodontic Braces are fitted to the front of teeth using braces (hence the name), these are periodically tightened to steer the growth of the teeth into a set format. Basically they help the teeth as they grow, so they grow straight. The length of the treatment depends on the seriousness of the misalignment and can take years in some cases. In cases where the patient is uncomfortable about wearing braces, the dentist can apply Lingual braces that attach to the inside of the teeth formation. This makes it harder to see the brace and makes the patient feel more confident, however they do have their downside in that they are more uncomfortable to start with, and take longer to get used to. Lingual braces are mostly used in cases where the misalignment is quite severe, and tackling the problem from the inside-out, so to speak, makes it more affective and the treatment quicker. Invisalign is another more modern method that suits adults more, it is a simple gum shield that fits over the teeth and does the same job, they are taken off when eating or cleaning the teeth and are replaced with a tighter one fortnightly.
Straighter teeth and fuller profile with Damon braces from City of London dentist
December 17th, 2009
Damon braces are not just an updated version of the conventional fixed-metal brace, they are a completely new way of straightening teeth. The key difference with the Damon brace system is that it involves no painful extractions of otherwise healthy teeth or palatal expanders to create the necessary room for straightening. This traditional approach to straightening takes longer and causes far more discomfort to the patient, and also creates a much narrower dental arch and flatter profile. The Damon brace aims to achieve a natural, healthy looking ten-tooth smile specifically designed to improve profile and the overall facial appearance of each individual patient.
The three main goals of the Damon brace system are to deliver straighter teeth faster, with fewer appointments and less discomfort. To achieve this, the Damon team had to create new innovative technology such as self-ligating wires and shape-memory wires. The self-ligating wire eliminates the need for elastic or metal ties removing the need for regular tightening and also being more hygienic. The shape-memory wires allow teeth to be moved faster and with fewer adjustments.
Damon braces produce results on average six months faster than conventional metal braces and require significantly fewer office visits during the treatment. Because fewer tightening appointments are needed, the level of discomfort during treatment is kept to a minimum.
Damon braces are creating new orthodontic technologies that are becoming more and more popular with City of London dentists. The faster, more comfortable treatment combined with the care taken to produce a strong profile is attracting more and more patients to the Damon system.
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Fast cosmetic teeth straightening with Inman aligner from London W1 dentist
December 16th, 2009
The Inman aligner has been described by orthodontic dentists as the ‘greatest innovation in cosmetic dentistry since the porcelain veneer’. This is a bold claim given the incredible transformative power of porcelain veneers but the results attainable using the Inman aligner do seem to suggest a revolution in orthodontic straightening.
The Inman aligner is an incredibly effective and easy way of straightening teeth with results visible in most cases in a remarkable six to sixteen weeks. If you have always wanted straighter teeth but never liked the idea of having brackets stuck to your teeth, the Inman aligner straightens quickly but is also completely removable, making eating a lot less of an ordeal than with fixed braces.
Inman aligners are perfect for aligning teeth prior to the application of veneers and in some cases the results are so effective that veneers are not even needed after straightening.
The aligner works by using the power of a coiled spring to create room for the front incisors to move into and straighten. By concentrating the efforts on the visible front teeth, the aligner is able to gain such rapid straightening results. The only part of the brace visible to others is a small and discreet metal bar that runs along the front of the teeth but given the speed of treatment most people won’t even have time to realise you are wearing a brace.
The Inman aligner is available now from London W1 dentists to provide you with the perfect straight-teeth smile you have always wanted. Its remarkable straightening power combined with the short treatment time make the Inman aligner the ‘missing link’ between cosmetic dentistry and orthodontic straightening.
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Invisible braces for teens with Invisalign Teen from West London dentist
December 15th, 2009
Being a teenager isn’t easy at the best of times but being told you have to wear braces to straighten your teeth can be an added burden in the most emotionally unstable of developing years. Metal braces can make you stand out from the crowd and cause a loss of self-confidence and esteem at a time when you need it most. This was the thinking behind the development of Invisalign Teen invisible braces, by orthodontists who specialise in teenage patients.
Invisalign braces are made from one millimetre thick clear plastic that is virtually impossible to see unless standing very close to the patient. This completely reduces the visual impact of conventional braces minimising the impact on the life of the patient. This is also achieved in other ways, as the retainers are completely removable meaning they can be taken out for eating and social activities. Each retainer is worn for a period of two weeks before it is replaced with another computer-designed and manufactured brace. Each retainer makes small adjustment to gradually move teeth into the desired position providing beautiful straight teeth.
The limited impact means that teenagers are more inclined to wear the braces than they are other removable straighteners. Invisalign Teen braces also come with special tabs that indicate how long the brace has been worn for, so parents can check if their child has been wearing the brace for the correct amount of time. This and other innovations such as allowing for the development of further molars make the Invisalign Teen brace the brace of choice for parents and teenagers alike. West London dentists are using the Invisalign system to produce discreet straightening to achieve perfect life-long smiles.
Straight and white teeth with Clearstep braces from Central London dentist
December 13th, 2009
For patients who are unhappy with their smile but unwilling to face the pain and discomfort of fixed metal braces, a revolutionary system called Clearstep could be just the solution they have been looking for. Clearstep is an affordable and effective way of straightening teeth that comes with the huge advantage of being almost completely invisible.
The Clearstep system can be used to straighten teeth that are suffering from overcrowding, overlapping or all forms of bite misalignments. The system uses a series of thin plastic aligners to reposition teeth. Because the aligners are made of such thin and clear plastic they are very hard to notice, especially from any kind of distance. They are also completely removable so they can be taken out for important occasions. They can also be removed when eating food so the annoyance of having to miss out on certain foods because of fragile braces can now be avoided. Clearstep braces can also be used in tandem with whitening gels to help remove stains and discolouration in a remarkable time saving innovation.
The benefits of the Clearstep brace system clearly include the discretion the braces offer to more sensitive wearers. But further advantages also include a greater degree of comfort and less irritation to the soft tissue in the mouth. As the braces are removable, there is no hindrance to cleaning which often occurs with fixed bracket braces.
The cost of Clearstep varies but most Central London dentists will offer the treatment for between £1,500 and £2,500 depending on the level of treatment required by the individual patient. An initial consultation with a dentist will allow you to gain a clearer picture of the exact cost of treatment.
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Low visibility Invisalign braces from City of London dentist
December 10th, 2009
Invisalign braces are an invisible and genuinely effective alternative orthodontic straightening method to old-fashioned fixed-metal braces. Made from one millimetre thick clear plastic, Invisalign retainers are almost impossible to see unless you are aware the patient is wearing them. For many patients who have always wanted straight teeth but been too afraid or concerned by the ugly wire and bracket metal braces, Invisalign is the straightening answer they have been searching for.
Introduced at the start of the new millennium by Align Technologies, the Invisalign system involves wearing a series of these clear plastic retainers (usually about 20 to 25 in total) for periods of two weeks each. Each retainer has been designed and manufactured using computer-guided technology to make small adjustments in the teeth gradually moving them in to the right position.
The obvious advantage of the Invisalign system is the level of discretion provided but also important to remember is that the retainers are completely removable. This means they can be taken out for big social occasions and crucially for eating. This greatly limits the impact of the braces on your lifestyle meaning for the first time there is a brace that fits around you and not the other way round.
The cost of Invisalign braces will vary depending on the nature of treatment required but will usually be competitive with most other forms of straightening treatments. This is just another reason why City of London dentists are seeing more and more patients opting for the Invisalign system.
Invisalign is a flexible and effective way of straightening teeth. The retainers will have the minimum impact on your life and the maximum impact on your smile.
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Straighter teeth with invisible Invisalign braces from West London dentist
December 2nd, 2009
Having straight teeth is fundamental to having a beautiful smile. For many of us not blessed with naturally straight teeth there is the option of orthodontic teeth straightening. This involves fitting a device around the teeth to gradually move them into the desired position. As you are surely all aware, this is called a brace and its most common form is that of a fixed metal bracket and wire system, often more commonly known as ‘train track’ braces. These fixed metal braces can be quite unattractive and very uncomfortable for the wearer but for years they were considered a necessary evil to have straighter teeth.
However, orthodontic technology has come a long way in the last ten years. There are now available a whole new range of more aesthetically pleasing straightening devices that offer a much higher degree of discretion. By far the most discreet brace available is the Invisalign retainer. Introduced in 1999 by Align Technologies, the Invisalign retainer is a one millimetre thick plastic retainer that is designed to fit over the teeth making small adjustments. Each retainer is worn for a period of two to three weeks before a new retainer is used, again with a small adjustment. In all, an average of twenty retainers are used throughout the course of the treatment, although this varies on a patient-to-patient basis.
As most braces are fitted to patients in their teenage years, the level of discretion offered by Invisalign is invaluable. In the emotionally charged and difficult teen years nobody wants to stand out from the crowd, so a virtually invisible Invisalign retainer could be perfect for straightening teeth and retaining the patient’s confidence. Similarly for more mature patients keen to avoid the stigma attached to wearing braces at a later time in life, the Invisalign system can offer teeth straightening while maintaining the patient’s mature and professional appearance. One of the other major advantages of the Invisalign system is that the braces are completely removable. This means they can be taken out for meal times and important meetings or social occasions.
Invisalign braces were not the first clear plastic retainers on the market but they are certainly the first that offer an authentic straightening power. The retainers offer the best of both worlds for patients eager to have the perfect straight toothed smile. If you are considering teeth straightening treatment, speak to a West London dentist about Invisalign braces.
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Straighter teeth in six weeks with Inman aligner form City of London dentist
November 20th, 2009
The Inman aligner is a type of orthodontic straightening device that can be used to straighten overcrowded or unevenly spaced teeth. The Inman aligner is perfectly suited for the straightening of slightly overcrowded upper and lower front teeth, the teeth most commonly seen when smiling. Serious or heavy overcrowding may need some prior orthodontic treatment or extractions before the Inman aligner can be effective. A consultation with a City of London dentist will determine whether you are suitable for an Inman aligner.
Similar to other modern straightening devices the Inman aligner is completely removable. This means it can be taken out for teeth cleaning, sports, important social or professional occasions and most importantly eating. Eating with any kind of orthodontic appliance can be messy and unpleasant and some food can even be impossible to eat. The Inman aligner can be removed so the impact of the retainer is reduced.
The Inman aligner works by using the power of a coiled spring to move the lateral teeth out to create room for the front teeth to move into. A bar that runs along the front of these teeth straightens them by pushing and pulling them into position. This metal bar is the only part of the retainer that is visible. This is more discreet than the old-fashioned fixed metal braces but not quite as discreet as some of the modern day invisible plastic retainers.
The Inman aligner may lose out slightly on discretion but it more than makes up for this with speed of treatment. Treatment times usually average between six and sixteen weeks, depending on how long the patients wear the retainer for each day. This is an incredible 75 per cent faster than other treatments, including most transparent retainers.
The Inman aligner may be slightly uncomfortable when initially fitted but this usually fades after a few days. Most orthodontic appliances will be similarly sensitive when initially used. After this there is very little discomfort experienced by most patients. The cost of treatment usually varies between £1,250 and £1,500 depending on the scale of treatment needed by the patient and who is fitting the aligner. Make an appointment to see a City of London dentist to find out more about the Inman aligner.
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