Curious if Invisalign is for you? 5 FAQs answered by our team at Aura Dental
When it comes to braces in adulthood, it seems that the traditional metal brace is being replaced with either clear or invisible braces.
Of course, if you have a more severe or complex case of misalignment, then our dentists and orthodontists will recommend a metal brace, but for the majority of cases involving misalignment, you can now have them treated more subtly. This is a major step forward in allowing sometimes reluctant patients to feel having their teeth aligned is something they are happy to do.
As the name suggests, clear and invisible braces are visually discreet and as such, no one will be able to notice you are wearing them. With certain invisible braces, you can even take the brace out to eat, meaning no brushing underwires to remove food debris.
At Aura Dental, we are proud to be able to offer suitable adult and teenage patients clear and invisible braces, especially Invisalign St John’s Wood. Custom fitted to slot over your teeth, this brace gently pushes on your teeth to straighten them, without the need for tightening or adjustments. You can even take it out!
Curious to learn more about Invisalign St John’s Wood? Here, we answer some of the most commonly asked questions that our team at Aura Dental is asked about this brace.
Is there an upper age limit?
In a word, no!
Provided that you have good overall oral health, there is no upper age limit on Invisalign St John’s Wood.
However, if you are a teenager who wants this brace, our team will need to assess that your dental roots are fully formed before using it, which usually occurs when you are about the age of 17 years old.
How long does the process take?
One of the key benefits of this brace is that, thanks to its ever-evolving technology, it can straighten a greater range of orthodontic problems.
However, depending on the severity of the orthodontic case you have, you may be wearing it for anywhere between 3-18 months. And of course, if you take it out too regularly, this can slow down its efficacy concerning straightening your teeth.
Does it straighten your jaw?
No, it doesn’t.
If you need to have your jaw straightened, our team will probably suggest a metal brace as a starting point and then, if your jaw straightens via this process, you may be able to wear this brace at a later stage.
However, the overall treatment process depends on the severity of your orthodontic case.
Does it make your breath smell bad?
As this brace is removable, it shouldn’t make your teeth smell bad.
But when you take the brace out to consume food, our team will recommend that you brush your teeth before putting it back in. Not doing so can allow bacteria to become pressed against your enamel, which can lead to bad breath and of course, tooth decay.
Can I take the aligner out for an entire day?
No; this aligner must stay in your mouth for at least 22 hours per day for you to notice its benefits as predicted.
Unsure if your wisdom teeth need removing? A guide from our dentist at Aura Dental
When your adult teeth come in at about the age of 7-11, it can be a time for relief; no more teething issues, or uncomfortable swellings to contend with.
Sadly, for 80-90% of the population of teenagers, there are another 4 teeth that need to erupt and will do so between the ages of 13-17. Known as wisdom teeth, these 4 teeth appear behind the second molars on both the upper and lower jaw. While this may sound straightforward, they rarely come without their own set of issues and can cause havoc with your already erupted adult teeth.
Luckily, we can help! Our team at Aura Dental knows how uncomfortable wisdom teeth can be and can assess yours as they begin to erupt. Our dentist in St John’s Wood will be able to identify any potential issues with these additional teeth following an examination, allowing you to decide if you want to have your wisdom teeth removed.
But what are some of the more tell-tale signs that our dentist in St John’s Wood needs to remove your wisdom teeth?
Eating issues
As wisdom teeth rarely erupt straight in the way that other teeth do, they can cause issues with eating. If you notice that your wisdom teeth are preventing you from removing food debris, or ache when pressure is applied, you need to see our dentist in St John’s Wood to discuss your options.
Gum inflammation
As you may or may not remember, when teeth erupt, the surrounding gum becomes sensitive to touch due to inflammation.This is part of the process for wisdom tooth eruption too, except over 40% of patients experience gum inflammation once the teeth have finished erupting, making brushing and eating harder. If your teeth have erupted and your gums still look red and are sore to the touch, contact our team at Aura Dental.
Sinus issues
Wisdom teeth that grow in the upper jaw can press against the sinuses once they have fully rooted and developed.
And as you know, blocked sinuses can lead to congestion, pressure and extremely painful headaches. If you have been having congestive issues since your upper set of wisdom teeth erupted, then our team can take an X-Ray to assess if the issues are related and then discuss a treatment plan with you to alleviate the pressure.
Stiff jaw
From the upper jaw to the lower jaw!
As the more mobile of the jaws, if you notice that there is stiffness in your jaw, such as pain when you are trying to bite into food or when you yawn, your wisdom teeth may be at fault once again. This is caused by the wisdom teeth pushing against your other teeth and leading to pressure in the jaw, or stiffness. If you have a hard time opening your mouth, talk to our team.
Pressure
Or you may just experience a sense of pressure in your jaw, which can feel like a persistent ache. If you do, contact Aura Dental today!
Unsure if your child will benefit from braces? 5 advantages that you may not have thought of
When you have children, it is hard enough to get them to go to the dentist without the added pressure of orthodontics coming into it.
While unpopular, orthodontics and aligners are more common than ever these days, especially when it comes to young children and teenagers. Why? Because the link between having straighter teeth and better oral hygiene in later life has long since been established, meaning that more dental surgeries than ever before are eager to ensure that your children grow up to have healthy, straight teeth.
At Aura Dental, our team share this vision and are happy to offer suitable children discreet braces St John’s Wood. We will aim to conduct an orthodontic assessment by the time your child is 7 years old and, with the help of some additional tests and computer software, we will choose the most suitable aligner to assist in the straightening of your child’s teeth. Perfect!
But is it worth it? Read on for some of the most overlooked advantages of braces St John’s Wood for children.
Better oral health
It is well known among dentists that straighter teeth are easier to clean.
And so, if your child comes to us for braces St John’s Wood, one of the long-term advantages is improved oral health. As crooked teeth allow gaps for plaque to hide in, this can increase the risk of gingivitis and tooth decay – simply because your child can’t reach those areas easily.
Using aligners to straighten teeth reduces these hiding spots and prevents these issues (and others) from forming.
Improved speech
Misaligned teeth can also cause speech issues; try sticking your finger behind one of your teeth and talking; notice how it impacts on your vocal patterns?
This is because the tongue can move properly when all of the teeth are straight and so if there are any protruding teeth, it can cause lisps. Having orthodontics at an early age can help your child develop better pronunciation and inflexion which will add to their confidence when speaking.
Better chewing and digestion
Teeth are made for biting and chewing and so, if your child’s teeth are misaligned, it can cause incorrect eating techniques.
In turn, larger chunks of food reach the stomach and cause excess acid production, worsening the chances of acid reflux and heartburn. Straighter teeth allow for better chewing and grinding of food and reduce the likelihood of gastrointestinal issues.
No headaches!
Teeth that are not aligned can grind when your child is asleep, causing the muscles in the facial and neck areas to become overtired and tense. This results in a higher incidence of headaches and even migraines, which is something no child should have to endure.
An aligner equates to straighter teeth, which reduces grinding; therefore no headaches! Simple!
Boosts confidence
And of course, if your child wears an orthodontic appliance when they are younger, they are more likely to be confident when they are older, due to straighter teeth, improved facial symmetry and clearer speech. What’s not to like about that?
Unsure if you need to see our emergency dentist? 5 issues that need urgent attention
Following 2020, many dental patients are a bit apprehensive about stepping back into dental surgery. There have been many changes over the last year and understandably, fewer people are as concerned about their teeth as they have been previously.
With the ongoing pandemic, social distancing and other restrictions in place, many people are puzzled about the rules surrounding dental emergencies; are they still the same? Are you able to see an emergency dental team on the same day?
At Aura Dental, we are proud that our dentist in St John’s Wood can keep our doors open and we are currently seeing emergency dental cases every day. We will aim to see you on the same day that you contact us, allowing you to get back to your daily life pain and stress-free. Simple!
But have the criteria for what constitutes an emergency trip to see our dentist in St John’s Wood changed? Read on to find out!
Discomfort
A universal indicator of a dental emergency is discomfort; it may be intermittent, feel like a burning sensation or may even only occur when you are eating or drinking hot or cold foods and drinks. Either way, if your discomfort is keeping you from focusing or is impacting on your sleep, you need to see our emergency dentist in St John’s Wood as soon as possible.
Swelling
Another indicator that there is an issue is swelling. This could be located on your face, on your gum line or under your jaw.Even if the swelling doesn’t hurt, it still needs to be seen by our team urgently, before it presents an issue to your ability to eat or breathe. Even a painless swelling could point to an abscess or an impacted wisdom tooth, both of which require urgent medical attention from our team.
Loose fillings or crowns
An irritation that can occur with procedures such as fillings or crowns is that they can come loose or even fall out. Like the swelling, even if this doesn’t hurt, you need to book an emergency appointment to see our team to have them replaced. For example, an open or loose filling can allow bacteria to gain access to the pulp, causing further discomfort, decay and maybe even an abscess. If you actually have your lost filling or crown, bring it into our team who will be able to reattach it.
Detached braces
While rare, if you notice that one of your fitted brace brackets is loose or has come away from the tooth, you need to see our team! While we won’t be able to assess any damage in the way that your orthodontist would, we will be able to temporarily reattach it until your orthodontic appointment, where it will be fitted in place.
Cracks and chips
Like a lost filling, such minor damage can seem trivial but needs urgent attention from our team. Not doing so can again allow bacteria to get underneath your tooth’s enamel, and cause issues with decay and infection occurrence.
Just had Invisalign fitted? A survival guide for those first few weeks
When you are learning to cope with something new, whatever it is, it can be a challenge; more so when it is the presence of something in your mouth.
While adult orthodontics has come leaps and bounds in recent years, there are still some aspects that cannot be removed entirely. In this instance, the presence of something new on your teeth (even if it is invisible to the naked eye), can be tough to get used to.
And as many invisible and clear aligners are removable, this can make it all the more tempting to simply remove and forget about. But as you may have guessed, if you fail to keep these remarkable braces in your mouth, you cannot receive the benefits that come from wearing them.
So, how do you adapt to having a brace like Invisalign in St John’s Wood in your mouth? Our team at Aura Dental can provide you with some helpful hints and tips when you come to us for your realignment as an adult, alongside providing you with orthodontic treatments which are second to none. We pride ourselves on our customer care, so if you are an adult who has a question about a recently fitted brace, simply call us and we will endeavour to answer you promptly.
But what are some of our tips for adapting to Invisalign in St John’s Wood?
Consistent wear
While a key advantage of Invisalign in St John’s Wood is that it is removable, in those early weeks of adapting to it, you may want to keep it in your mouth all the time.
This will help you get used to the feel of it against your tongue and cheeks, and will also help you to learn how to speak faster than if you were constantly removing it.
Vocal exercises
Our team at Aura Dental can advise you on oral exercises to help your tongue adapt to the presence of an invisible brace.
While it may sound odd, singing is a great way to get yourself used to a brace as it utilises more facial muscles than talking alone does, so download your favourite songs and get singing!
Same time removal
Once you are comfortable with removing the brace, try to do so at the same time each day; this will build a routine which will help you slot it into your daily life.
While it is out of your mouth, try to eat food and clean the brace as this will aid in the routine forming behaviours needed for this brace to be successful.
Keep it clean
If you do not clean this brace, it will feel uncomfortable in your mouth which will probably prompt you to remove it.
It is easy to clean; simply run it under a cold tap (never hot, as it will warp!), and brush off any debris with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Stay in touch!
Keep in regular contact with our team at Aura Dental about progress and any queries you may have.
Been told you need a root canal? 5 things our dentist wants you to know
Whether you have recently had a serious accident which has damaged your teeth or you are recovering from a dental infection, you will probably be told that you need a root canal.
One of the least popular of all the restorative procedures, a root canal involves a member of our team drilling into the pulp of your tooth, removing the infected material and then refilling the cavity with packing material. However, as straightforward as this process seems (and is for our team) many patients who are told that they need a root canal performed would rather opt for an extraction which can have some serious long-term consequences.
At Aura Dental, our dentist in St John’s Wood will always take the time to explain every treatment option to you, ensuring that you are fully informed to make the choice you feel is suitable for you. As our team has helped thousands of patients restore their smiles using root-canals, we know this process inside and out and can assure you that its unpopularity is not justified at all!
So, what is the consensus from our dentist in St John’s Wood about root canals?
They aren’t painful
Firstly, many patients worry that root canals will be painful, but this is untrue; in fact, having a root canal is more likely to alleviate discomfort than to cause it.
Our dentist in St John’s Wood will always ensure that your mouth is numbed before the process begins and once it is complete and will advise you on suitable aftercare, as there may be an initial feeling of bruising. But compared to the sensation of an abscess, that is certainly going to be an improvement!
It can save a fortune!
Many patients worry that a root canal is a costly procedure which will likely fail.
Compared to dental extraction, it can save you money as there it does not cause the same long-term issues with aesthetics or functionality that extraction does. Many adults who have had extractions required more extensive processes to restore their mouths functional and aesthetic appeal, such as dental implants which are more costly and time-consuming.
It can preserve your smile
A root canal is topped with a white filling or crown, thus preserving the aesthetic appeal of your smile which could be lost with an extraction.It also preserves functionality and hygiene which once again may be impacted with an extracted tooth.
It doesn’t kill the tooth
It is a myth that a root canal kills the tooth; it simply involves removing infected material from the pulp.Your tooth will still retain the required sensation for correct functioning, such as biting and chewing while also visually looking no different from any other tooth in your mouth.
It won’t cause your tooth to change colour
And finally, a tooth that has had a root canal does not turn black.
It stays the same shade as the surrounding teeth but may become slightly darkened over time, but can be corrected with whitening procedures. Fantastic!
Looking for a gorgeous smile as an adult? Braces we can offer you at Aura Dental
In years gone by, if you wanted to straighten your smile as an adult, you may have been told that the only suitable option was a metal appliance.
We are happy to say that while an orthodontic aligner will always have its place in dental care, it is no longer the only option for adults who want to improve their smiles. Recent advancements have seen an upsurge in the number of clear and invisible appliances across the UK and at Aura Dental. We are happy to have a myriad of different types to offer.
At Aura Dental, we believe that everyone should be happy with their smile, so whether you have a cosmetic alignment issue or have a more pressing issue such as an over or underbite, one of our braces in St John’s Wood can help. With many different brands to choose from, we will endeavour to find the perfect aligner to help you get that straighter, healthier smile as soon as possible.
But what are some of the different braces in St John’s Wood that we offer? Read on to find out!
Invisalign
Exceedingly popular with adults and teenagers alike, these braces in St John’s Wood are removable, invisible and can straighten your smile on average in 6 months.
Worn for 22 hours a day, they require changing every 2 weeks but do not need to be tightened, making the entire process more comfortable for you.
Damon
A fitted alternative, the Damon aligner does not need tightening; instead, it utilises a set of sliding brackets that adjust as your teeth are moved, making them more pleasant to wear.
Like Invisalign, these can correct an array of issues from overbites to overcrowding and can straighten your smile in as little as 6 months.
Lingual
When you think of a metal aligner, you probably envision a metal wire and brackets affixed to the front of the teeth.
While a Lingual appliance is composed of a metal wire and brackets, they are attached to the back of the teeth, making them invisible to the naked eye. They will need adjusting throughout the treatment but this allows them to treat more specific and complicated problems. Depending on the severity of your misalignment, you will need to wear them for an average of 12-18 months.
Six Month Smiles
As the name suggests, these aligners are typically worn for 6 months!
Unlike the other appliances in this list, these are used to treat purely cosmetic issues and are attached to the front 6 teeth in your mouth. They will require adjusting but can get you that straighter looking smile you want in as little as 12 weeks.
Inman Aligners
A mixture of Invisalign and a metal aligner, the Inman Aligner is a discrete way to straighten your front teeth while also being removable.
Using a set of titanium coils, this aligner moves the misaligned teeth into the correct position and requires a check-up with our team every 2-weeks so we can assess its progress.
Fed up with constant headaches? How our dentist can help to alleviate them
Do you frequently wake up with a stiff neck, a headache or the start of a migraine?
Does that new memory foam pillow not seem to be helping?
In the UK, many people suffer from headaches and, worryingly, there is a growing increase in the number of people who report having migraines. While your doctor can prescribe medications to alleviate these issues, this does not address or explore the potential root of the issue. Surprisingly, it is rarely in your head!
At Aura Dental, our team frequently sees patients who report suffering from chronic migraines and headaches, to which our dentist St John’s Wood can offer a simple solution. After an examination of your mouth, we can determine if your teeth or jaws are involved in your recurrent head pain and can begin designing a treatment plan to help you get a good night’s sleep and fewer headaches.
But which dental conditions can cause recurrent headaches? Our dentist St John’s Wood answers that question below.
Temporomandibular joint disorder
Also known as TMJ, temporomandibular joint disorder causes inflammation and discomfort around your jaw joint and subsequently, can impact on your ability to open and close your mouth correctly.
Our dentist St John’s Wood will be able to spot indicators of TMJ, the most common one being a click when you open your mouth and will be able to offer you a dental splint and a series of oral exercises to perform before bed and in the morning, which will alleviate any associated headaches.
Bruxism and grinding
Commonly linked to medications, bruxism or grinding of your teeth often occurs while you sleep and can present many associated issues
The key one which causes those irritating morning headaches is the overuse of the muscles in the jaw which in turn leads to pain in the neck. This can cause migraines and headaches when you awake, and also disrupted sleep. Our team can once again offer a dental splint or mouthguard to prevent bruxing and help you get a refreshing 40 winks!
Molar misalignment
With a large surface area, misaligned molars can cause headaches as and when they are rubbed against each other, causing persistent neck pain and migraines.
Often an aftereffect of eating, headaches associated with misaligned molars can be alleviated with orthodontic treatments designed to help your molars fit together properly.
Missing or rotting teeth
It should come as no surprise that a tooth which has succumbed to decay can cause headaches via nerve pain, but missing teeth can also cause your upper and lower jaw to be misaligned, thus putting pressure on the surrounding muscles.
Our team will explore restorative options with you if your rotten tooth needs to be extracted or if you already have a missing tooth, which will prevent further headaches. Brilliant!
Wisdom teeth
Partially erupted wisdom teeth can cause head pain, neck pain and migraines and so, our team will endeavour to remove the offending teeth, resolving the pressure issues thus helping the uncomfortable sensations to reduce.
Can you eat while wearing Invisalign? Dos and don’ts of using this invisible brace
When you want to achieve straighter teeth as an adult, you will probably have spoken to at least one dental professional about adult braces.
While relatively commonplace, clear and invisible braces are new to many adults who want to get a straighter smile and as their names suggest, the discretion of these aligners makes them exceedingly popular.
At Aura Dental, our team are proud to be able to offer our suitable patients clear and invisible braces, and can even offer the infamous Invisalign in St Johns Wood. We will oversee every part of the fitting, treatment, and will advise you on how you can get this remarkable brace to work for you as an individual.
If you have been looking online at invisible braces, you may have read conflictual advice.
Our team at Aura Dental discusses some good habits to get into while using Invisalign in St Johns Wood.
Wear it for the allocated time
For Invisalign in St Johns Wood to work, you will need to wear it for at least 22 hours per day.
Failure to do so will result in a slower realignment of your teeth.
Carry its casing with you
When out and about, when you remove this brace, be sure to keep it in the casing it came with. This will keep it dent free and will also prevent bacteria accumulation.
Keep it clean!
It is easy to keep this plastic-based brace clean; simply run it under a cold tap and remove any debris with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Failing to keep the aligner clean may result in bacteria being pressed against your enamel, which could cause decay.
Invest in a small toothbrush
Carry a small toothbrush with you so that after you finish eating, you can give your teeth a quick brush before putting the brace back in.
And here are some tips on what not to do while wearing this invisible brace!
Wear it while eating
Wearing this brace while eating may damage it, which will prevent it from working effectively. Always be sure to remove it before eating meals or drinking anything besides water.
Clean it with hot water
As mentioned before, this brace is made from plastic and, like other items made from this material, it can warp and bend if exposed to hot temperatures.
It is important to avoid cleaning this brace with hot water. Avoid mouthwashes for cleaning this brace too, as they can cause discolouration.
Eat sticky or hard foods
Hard and sticky foods will inevitably damage the brace and, even if you remove the brace while eating sticky foods, it may lead to a film-forming on your teeth which will be hard to remove with your mini brush. And as no-one wants cavities, it is best to avoid these types of consumables altogether.
Avoid check-ups
Even though this brace comes with an app, it is important that you keep your check-ups with our team at Aura Dental, so we can assess if the brace is working correctly.
Why is my tooth pain so bad? 5 dental questions answered by our dentist at Aura Dental
When it comes to dental care, there is quite a lot for the average dental patient to learn.
And, while it can be tempting to simply look for information about cosmetic, restorative and orthodontic dentistry online, there is a lot of misinformation on the internet related to this area.
And of course, you run the risk of coming across articles disguised as advertisements, trying to sell you a dental product which is not as good as it appears to be!
Far from a popular area to research related to dentistry is one of the most important areas; general dental care and hygiene. As any dental team will tell you, before you can have any kind of cosmetic dental care performed, you need to have a solid basis to build it on.
At Aura Dental, our dentist in St Johns Wood takes general dentistry very seriously, and will always endeavour to keep your mouth healthy. Not only is good dental health important for that pearly white smile many people wish to obtain, but it is also key to having good physical health too.
So, in this article, our dentist in St John’s Wood answers some of the most commonly searched general dental questions of 2020. Enjoy!
Why does my tooth hurt so much?
Toothache can be caused by many factors but, if you have a toothache which worsens when drinking hot or cold liquids, then you may have a cavity.
Alternatively, you may have lost a filling or a crown, but regardless, any dental pain should be explored by our dentist in St Johns’ Wood.
Can I improve the appearance of my smile?
Yes, you can!
While basic hygiene is an important part of having a whiter smile, there are many options to make your teeth gleam that doesn’t require extensive cosmetic procedures.
A simple whitening procedure performed by our team at Aura Dental is likely to improve the appearance of your smile.
I have a gap between my two front teeth-are there ways to close it?
Yes, there are many ways.
A gap between the front teeth can be alleviated by either bonding the teeth or may require the placing of custom-fitted veneers. These options are more down the cosmetic line of treatments.
If you want to realign your teeth to close the gap, we may be able to offer you an adult aligner like Invisalign if you are suited.
How can I ensure my children have good teeth?
Firstly, aim to reduce all consumption of sugar-laden food and drinks.
Make the twice-daily brushing of teeth a game; create a song or purchase an interesting dental brush for your children to play with. You could even offer to get them small treats if they brush their teeth twice a day for a week, to create positive reinforcement.
Is it safe to have a filling while you are pregnant?
Yes, having a filling while pregnant is perfectly safe. If you are pregnant, talk to our team about prenatal dental care today!
