Straighten your teeth discreetly with Invisalign clear aligners

More and more adults who want to straighten their teeth with Invisalign clear aligners. At Surrey Braces dental practice in Weybridge, our dentists are highly experienced in using clear aligners to straighten teeth.

What are the benefits of Invisalign?

invisalign clear aligners Unlike other orthodontic options, Invisalign provides an entirely invisible way to correct a wide range of mild to moderate orthodontic problems. The aligners are made out of clear plastic that fits snuggly over your teeth, so nobody will notice you are wearing them.

The Invisalign system is also removable, unlike fixed braces, meaning that you can take them out to eat and clean. This is beneficial to your dental hygiene, as braces can be difficult to clean around properly.

How does it work?

If you are interested in straightening your teeth with clear aligners, the first step is to come into Surrey Braces in Weybridge for a consultation with one of our dentists.

Should they agree that Invisalign is the best solution for your needs, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and send them to the Invisalign laboratory in the USA. After approximately three weeks you’ll be called back to our Weybridge practice for a clinical check, using 3D models to show how your teeth are predicted to move during treatment.

So long as you are happy with these predicted results, your dentist will prescribe a series of aligners, which you will need to change every two weeks or so as your teeth move.

You will need to pay a deposit for the manufacture of your aligners; we have a range of payment options for you to pay off the balance over a period of 18-24 months.

For more information about Invisalign treatment, contact our Weybridge practice today.

Introducing Incognito – how lingual braces can straighten your teeth discreetly

Incognito braces are among the most popular orthodontic treatments at our Weybridge dental practice. They employ the traditional principles of orthodontics, but there’s one big difference: they are lingual braces, which means they are placed on the back of your teeth. This means that they are highly discreet.

incognito lingual braces Lingual braces are suitable for correcting a wide range of orthodontic problems in patients of all ages. At Surrey Braces dental practice in Weybridge, we have used them to treat a wide range of orthodontic issues successfully.

How do lingual braces work?

Incognito lingual braces work in the same way as conventional braces, using a system of wires and brackets to gently move your teeth into a more desirable position. The major difference is that they are placed on the back of the teeth, next to the tongue, meaning that nobody will know you are having treatment unless you choose to tell them.

Although other lingual brace systems are available, Incognito is the only 100% customised appliance system for invisible orthodontics currently available in the UK.

The latest technological advances are used to create braces entirely customised to the shape of your teeth and your dental needs. At Surrey Braces in Weybridge your orthodontist will create a unique prescription for Incognito lingual braces to produce the ideal results.

Further advantages of Incognito braces

As well as being able to smile with confidence during treatment without a hint of metal on show, Incognito braces also produce fantastic and predictable results, thanks to the 3D imaging technology used by orthodontists to create your bespoke set of braces.

There is no need to remove your braces to eat and drink, and while it may take a few days for your tongue to get used to the braces, they are also renowned for being highly comfortable.

As with all orthodontic treatment, you will need to ensure that you clean around your Incognito braces carefully. Your dentist or hygienist will be able to advise you on how best to do this.

Orthodontics for adults: the options

Many adults are concerned about the alignment of their teeth, but think that orthodontics means metal braces. This can be understandably off-putting for busy adults, with the thought of wearing traditional “train-track” style braces more distressing than the issues that make them embarrassed to show their smile. At Surrey Braces dental practice in Weybridge, we have a wide selection of discreet, fast orthodontic options perfect for busy adult lifestyles.

orthodontic options Traditional braces remain a predictable and effective way to straighten your teeth. Discreet orthodontics takes these traditional principles and modernises them, using tooth-coloured braces or clear aligners to correct a range of orthodontic problems. Many of these products also act more quickly than traditional braces.

Here are some of the popular orthodontic options offered at our Weybridge dental practice:

Clarity

Clarity applies the traditional principles of orthodontics to clear ceramic brackets. These advanced brackets are also smaller in size than their traditional metal counterparts, providing the ideal combination of performance and aesthetics.

Average treatment time with Clarity braces is 18-24 months, and they can correct a wide range of orthodontic problems.

Damon Clear

Damon braces are one of the most popular choices in modern orthodontics. They use tieless brackets and high-technology archwires to move teeth quickly, comfortably and discreetly. Damon Clear uses a passive slide mechanism that enables teeth to move freely and quickly, reducing friction and binding for a higher degree of comfort.

Clear aligners

Orthodontics isn’t all about braces. Many patients benefit from treatment with clear aligners such as Invisalign, which in addition to being comfortable and invisible are also removable, meaning you can take them out to eat, drink and clean.

If you are interested in discreet adult orthodontics, please get in touch with Surrey Braces in Weybridge to discover how our dentists can help you get the smile of your dreams.

Orthodontic Breakages: Be Careful What You Bite Into

When you first get your braces, you will need to avoid certain food items as they can actually impede the process of aligning your teeth. Some of the food items on the ban list are quite obvious, but there are some that, although may seem harmless, can actually do long-term damage to your teeth straightening appliances.

Crunch and Bite

Weybridge orthodontics As a general rule, food items that you have to exert more effort into biting or chewing can seriously damage your braces. Crusty bread, such as bagels or the actual crust of pizzas, are what you want to avoid as they can pop the brackets of your braces or bend its wires. If the wires start bending in different directions, your teeth will conform to their position and this can be extremely painful.

Snacks like popcorn, nuts and seeds, and hard candy are things you should also watch out. As you will be spending more time crunching and chewing these foodstuffs, you will be adding unnecessary strain into your braces and eventually, it will start wearing out.

Bits and Pieces

Some food items leave bits and pieces when you eat them; you do not need to stop eating these entirely, but you should take extra care when you do eat them. Sweets, especially caramel or softer candies often leave pieces behind your mouth. They do not necessarily damage your braces, but they are more difficult to clean.

Since these are sugars, they tend to attract bacteria when left unattended and that means you risk developing plaque or even tartar in hard to reach places, such as behind the wires of your braces. As your teeth tend to be more vulnerable when you have teeth straightening appliances, eating or sugary food or drinks may cause your teeth to decay faster.

While there are a lot of foodstuffs that you have to avoid when you get braces, there are also some that we suggest eating in order to strengthen your teeth. Anything with calcium, such as cheese, yoghurt and milk, help strengthen your teeth. If you want filling meals, we suggest eating noodle dishes as they tend to go down easily.

At Weybridge Orthodontics, we understand how serious breakages are and how certain food items can cause this. Visit our website at https://www.surreybraces.co.uk/ for more information about our orthodontic treatments, or arrange a consultation with us today.

Breaking Orthodontics: The Dangers of Chewing Gum

Sticky and hard foods are things that you need to avoid once you get teeth straightening treatment. Not only do they impede the repair and realigning process of your teeth, but they may also potentially damage your teeth’s inner mechanism. While the list of things you should not chew and eat is long, chewing gum is the one thing that stands out, thanks to its availability and relative popularity.

The Dangers of Gum

braces While harder food items can physically knock off and break the brackets off your braces, chewing gum bends the wires. Normally, the wires of the braces are straight to align your teeth perfectly. Constantly chewing gum bends these wires, and since your teeth follow the contours and shape of the braces, it will follow where the wire bends. If you keep chewing gum while you have braces on, it does the exact opposite of correcting your teeth, making it even worse, and potentially lengthening the time of your treatment.

Pain is something you will also experience when you constantly chew gum while you have braces on. Your teeth extend far below into your gums, and are firmly rooted within the bone. When you chew gum, the wire bends in unusual positions, which in turn causes your teeth to move around in its place. Within your gums, its roots will also start to move around, which can be quite painful and may even cause your gums to bleed.

Plaque Risk

The movement of your teeth into different and unusual directions may also cause holes and spaces between your teeth to form. Not only is this counterproductive to what your braces are trying to achieve, but you are also placing yourself at a greater risk of accumulating plaque. This colourless film of bacterial waste settles between the spaces and gaps of your teeth, and due to its acidic nature, it breaks down the enamel of your teeth. If left unattended, it may even turn into a more serious gum disease.

Our team at Weybridge Orthodontics understands how dangerous a little bit of gum can be when you have braces. Visit our website at www.surreybraces.co.uk for more information about our orthodontic treatments like Invisalign and Incognito. Arrange a consultation with us today.

3 Dental Problems Senior Citizens Often Face

The golden years typically come with new health concerns that you or your aging parents may have never considered before. In the UK, the population of those aged 65 and above numbered at 10.8 million as of mid-2012. By 2032, 22.4% of our country’s population will be aged 65 and above, up from the current 17.2%.

Weybridge Orthodontics With this change in population age comes a change in attitude among our elderly loved ones. The 2009 UK Adult Dental Health Survey shows a continuing decline in the number of seniors with no teeth. It also reveals that most older people want to keep their teeth.

As you age, certain dental and health problems are likely to arise, which is why regular visits to the dentist become that more important. Awareness of these problems helps in treating them early or preventing them all together.

Dry Mouth

Calcium and phosphate in the saliva is how our mouth protects against tooth decay. A common side effect of medications taken by seniors is dry mouth. Without protection from oral bacteria, you are at higher risk of developing tooth decay. Sugar-free gum, special over-the-counter products, and drinking adequate amounts of water can help relieve the dryness, but if the problem persists, have it checked by your doctor or dentist.

Tooth Decay

Yes, you can still get cavities at 50, and these can appear on surfaces of teeth that were never a problem area before. You can also get these around old fillings or at the root. This is because as we age, the root of our teeth becomes softer, more exposed.

A quick remedy is fluoride, which only about 10% of the country’s total population have access to in the form of water from the tap. Add a daily fluoride rinse to your oral hygiene habit, or ask your dentist about a fluoride prescription gel.

Tooth Overcrowding

As we age, our teeth shift, and this becomes problematic not because it might change your look (or facial structure), but because it might make cleaning more difficult, which leads to more decay. The misaligned teeth also pose a risk of erosion and damage to surrounding bone and tissue. Add to that the likelihood of seniors developing some sort of periodontal disease, and they could be losing their even quicker.

If your teeth are indeed shifting, you should see one of our orthodontics experts who may prescribe getting a retainer or some other teeth straightening appliance, depending on the extent of the problem. You may also need to see the dentist more regularly for cleanings. Modern brace treatments like Invisalign and Incognito can also provide a suitable design to fit in with your lifestyle.

No matter your age, we can provide the right orthodontic care for your needs. As one of the largest orthodontic practices in South East England, Weybridge Orthodontics can provide the appropriate treatment to keep your smile healthy and beautiful.

Teeth Straightening, Crooked Speech: Lisp and Orthodontics

A person wears teeth straightening appliances like Invisalign or Incognito to correct their set of crooked teeth. However, while primarily a corrective action, braces sometimes impede speech fluency. Slightly slurred speech and other difficulties are to be expected as a normal response to the initial adjustment period.

weybridge orthodontics Although it may sound very disheartening, know that it is not a hopeless situation. With enough practice and getting used to, you will be able to go back to being fluent once again. Unfortunately, some develop a lisping effect in their speech due to neglect.

While there are lingual braces available that help improve speech ability, our team at Weybridge Orthodontics believes all it really takes to conquer any type of speech impediment caused by braces is exploring the tongue, the mouth and the teeth’s ability to form sounds.

It’s Only Temporary

Any speech impediment or difficulty resulting from adjustment to wearing dental braces is temporary and not permanent. The tongue may be having difficulty reaching places and you may find yourself lisping at times.

Lisp occurs when a person cannot articulate fricative or affricate consonants, such as /s/, /z/, /sh/, /ch/ and other variations of the same sounds. The lisp is primarily a misarticulation that results in unclear speech and is mostly due to error in tongue placement within the mouth.

Corrective Action

When a person wears braces that are too thick or wrongly fitted, the tongue protrudes beyond the front teeth. This would obviously result in heavy speech impediment. However, even if the braces are a perfect fit, it could be the strange sensation the wires bring that cause difficulty in pronunciation.

The most efficient way of correcting a lisp or speech impediment due to the braces you are wearing is working on correcting your articulation. Isolate sounds and work on correcting each sound in isolation. The phoneme, or the basic sound, is selected as target for treatment.

You can consult with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) or tell us about your concern so we can look at the possibility of other orthodontic treatment that may be friendlier to your condition. We at Weybridge Orthodontics take great pride in the use of dental appliances that combine comfort, aesthetics and function.

Book an appointment today for beautiful teeth and a smile that will not compromise your speech.

Brackets and Bands for Years? Stop Delaying Orthodontic Treatment

The first thing many orthodontic patients ask is this: ‘How long will I have to wear these braces or aligners for?’

Children usually wear orthodontic appliances for almost two years, while adults wear them for about 12 to 20 months. Some patients, however, wear their braces or aligners for about four years and above—mainly because they fail to follow the rules that come with orthodontic treatment.

This does not need to be the case for everyone. Patients can stay on track and avoid delays in orthodontic treatment by following these guidelines.

Avoid Certain Types of Food

Gum, toffee, chips, and nuts are some of the foods to avoid when undergoing orthodontic treatment. It takes a lot of self-control, but these foods can do damage to orthodontic appliances. When they do, it will go a long way toward ensuring that the treatment timeline stays on schedule. For those wearing braces, each broken band or bracket adds about a month to the overall treatment.

Maintain Good Hygiene

Some orthodontic appliances are notorious for trapping food and allowing plaque and tartar to build up easily. Those undergoing treatment need to pay more attention to their hygiene more than ever to avoid complications.

We recommend brushing with a prescribed toothpaste after every meal, as well as using mouth rinses and flossing daily. For those wearing metal braces or other similar appliances, it is especially important to brush after eating sweets. Sugar can erode the cement keeping the braces in place.

Schedule Appointments Regularly

Those who have broken a bracket or stained clear aligners should schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible to prevent delays.

Patients should schedule appointments regularly as well, and avoid cancelling them. Each cancellation of an appointment extends the overall treatment by weeks—sometimes even months.

These are only a few of the major ways patients can avoid orthodontic delays. If you have some questions about treatment, please give us a call at 01932 831 825. Those who wish to undergo orthodontic treatment may contact us as well.

Orthodontics Change Facial Appearance, Too

Anyone who has ever watched after-school series on the telly look at braces as treatment that is exclusively for kids.

orthodontics in Weybridge2 This, however, is no longer the case these days. Given the availability of more advanced treatments, changes in the appearance of orthodontic appliances, and speed of teeth movement with these appliances, orthodontics in Weybridge are now more accessible for 20-somethings (and over) who would like to correct misalignment.

Moreover, today’s braces do not simply change the appearance of the teeth; the treatments can also change the appearance of the whole face—in a good way, of course.

It is common for the human face to have a certain degree of asymmetry. For some people, however, this asymmetry is more obvious—particularly because of flaws in the mouth, such as crooked teeth, an underbite, and an overbite—and orthodontic treatments slowly and subtly fix the problem.

Underbite

Patients with an underbite normally have protruding chins that create a “moon” shape for the face. Once orthodontic treatment corrects this problem, the face will appear less concave. In addition, the overall features of the face soften and the teeth and lips fit together more attractively.

Open Bite

An open bite causes the mouth and the lips to appear somewhat unnaturally stretched. In severe cases, an open bite prevents the mouth from closing while at rest, and the lips may not cover the mouth altogether. This is an especially noticeable problem, and it is even visible in profile because it causes the upper lip to jut out.

An orthodontic treatment can correct the alignment problem, and at the same time softens the facial area between the nose and chin.

Overbite

A patient who has an overbite, one of the most common alignment issues, will usually have a protruding upper lip and sunken cheeks. Sometimes, much like an open bite, the patient’s lips do not cover the result.

Because orthodontic treatment changes the way the jaw and teeth fit together, patients suffering from an overbite can enjoy better harmony throughout the lower half of their face.

Having straight, well-aligned, clean, and healthy teeth will truly boost your confidence. If you are worried about orthodontic treatments changing your face shape, please note that the change is for the better, and the results are usually subtle.

Schedule a consultation with an orthodontist in Weybridge at our clinic—we can improve your teeth and the appearance of your face. Call us today!

What to expect through having Invisalign Orthodontics in Weybridge

If you are fed up with having crooked teeth then you may have resolved to have orthodontic treatment, and one of the most popular orthodontic systems is Invisalign. It’s a great orthodontic systm and is suitable for most people, and it can be used to treat adults and teenagers. One of the main reasons why it’s so popular due to the virtual invisibility of the clear plastic aligners that are worn during treatment, and which are super easy to keep clean and hygienic. But what can you expect when having Invisalign treatment?

orthodontics in Weybridge You’ll need to make an appointment to see Dr James Stubbs or one of our dentists in Weybridge to find out if this orthodontic system will give you the results you are looking for. We’ll only recommend it if we think it will work well for you. The next step is for our dentist to take photos of your teeth, as well as impressions and x-rays. These are used to create 3-D digital images of your teeth, and to predict the movements of your teeth during treatment. The great thing about this is that you will be able to see a virtual representation of how your teeth will look. Once the dentist is happy with the treatment plan, then your aligners will be constructed.

You’ll be given several sets to take home with you, and each set is worn for two weeks before it is changed for a fresh set. The aligners are very comfortable to wear as there are no sharp edges to dig into your gums or cheeks, but you are likely to feel a bit of discomfort when you first begin to wear them. This is perfectly normal, and is something that occurs with all orthodontic treatment as after all, your teeth are moving! Any discomfort should begin to pass as you become accustomed to each new set of aligners, and should be easily controlled with painkillers form your local chemists. If the discomfort feels as if it is too much, then contact us for help and advice.

You’ll need to pop into Weybridge Orthodontics every six weeks or so, as we will need to see how treatment is progressing and to make sure your teeth are moving as planned. We will also supply you with more aligners to keep you going. The progression of treatment does depend on you wearing the aligners just about all of the time. You can take them out for mealtimes, and for the very occasional special event, but other than that you should be wearing them for approximately twenty two hours each day to ensure treatment will finish when planned. It is important that you clean your teeth and the aligners before you re-insert them. Once treatment is finished, be prepared to wear a retainer to help prevent a relapse. A relapse is where the teeth begin to return to their original positions, but wearing a retainer will help prevent this.

Not everyone will need to have such extensive orthodontics in Weybridge. If you only have a few front teeth out of alignment, or have previously had orthodontic treatment but failed to wear a retainer, then you may be able to use a faster system. The Inman Aligner can correct minor orthodontic problems in just a few weeks or months, and is fully removable and unobtrusive. Contact Weybridge Orthodontics to find out more.

Blog