St John’s Wood smiles for all
Our dedicated staff and highly qualified, expert dental practitioners have been devoted to providing residents of the St John’s Wood community with a bespoke, patient driven dental experience like no other. Part of what gives the area of St John’s Wood its reputation as one of London’s most esteemed areas for health and dental care, is not just through the quality of the services provided – but largely due to the longstanding relationships that are formed between the dentists and the members of the surrounding community – founded on trust, understanding and respect. Treatment here at Aura Dental is only carried out by a practitioner of the patient’s choosing, whom they trust wholeheartedly and with whom they share a good rapport..
Hidden orthodontics
One treatment which is particularly popular here amongst young adults and teenagers is the installation of discreet dental alignment procedures such as Invisalign retainers. Popularity of such treatments being favoured over typical fused braces or orthodontics comes from the fact that they are practically undetectable when worn, and as such, allows patients to undertake essential dental alignment, without affecting their outward appearance and attracting unwanted attention from peers or colleagues as a result. The process of installing an Invisalign retainer initially consists of a custom fitted mould – constructed from a patented SmartTrack plastic, chosen for its firm yet malleable nature – being made of the patient’s teeth. After this mouthguard is created, the patient can then take it away with them and begin wearing it at a time that is convenient to them – such as when sleeping or at home. When worn, pressure points within the retainer gradually push the patient’s teeth together over the course of treatment – which varies depending on the extent of the dental alignment needed, but typically last around twelve months. Treatment of this sort has grown vastly in popularity over recent years as it is non-invasive and far more discreet than typical fused ‘train-track’ braces, which can often deter patients from seeking dental alignment as they are concerned with how their appearance will be affected for the length of treatment.
Behind the curtain
Another discreet dental alignment service we offer here at Aura Dental is the installation of Lingual braces in St John’s Wood. These are different to Invisalign as they are constructed as a fused, non-removable form of alignment similar to conventional braces – however Lingual braces are fitted to the backs of a patient’s teeth. The benefit of Lingual braces in St John’s Wood is that they are practically invisible from the front, and as such allow patients to undertake orthodontic realignment, without attracting any unwanted attention or scrutiny. It is for this reason that Lingual braces have become increasingly popular with teenagers and young adults who are self-conscious about their appearance, yet who also require dental alignment to achieve the smiles they deserve. The benefits from Lingual braces in St John’s Wood are that patients’ smiles are restored to their fullest potential, without visibly altering their appearance in the process. This can vastly boost their self-esteem and find them with not only a renewed smile, but also renewed confidence.
Bringing the residents of St John’s Wood together
At Aura Dental, we are an established pillar of the St John’s Wood community. It is our mission statement to, ‘provide unwavering clinical excellence in a calm, professional and friendly atmosphere.’ Our longstanding relationship with our patients and the surrounding area is a testimony to the fact we have met this goal wholeheartedly. At Aura Dental, we offer a contemporary, holistic approach to dentistry – believing that providing patient centred, bespoke dental care that is catering to the specific needs of each individual patient, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, is the best way to establish trust and respect. We understand a trip to the dentist can be somewhat traumatic for some – especially our younger patients – so we hold empathy, care and consideration highly within our founding principles. Treatment from us is only carried out by a practitioner of the patient’s choosing, whom they trust wholeheartedly and have a longstanding relationship with. Patient recommendations have helped us grow as a practice since the early days, and we are proud of the many referrals and recommendations we have achieved from satisfied patients as well as taking some pride in the smiles we have improved.
Invisible aligners
At Aura, a large part of our practice concerns the installation of dental alignment aids and implants. Invisalign in St John’s Wood is one such treatment we offer here and is widely favoured amongst teenagers and young adults over contemporary dental alignment procedures such as fused braces. The basis of Invisalign in St John’s Wood treatment is the use of a custom-made retainer mould, constructed from patented SmartTrack malleable plastic, being created of the patient’s teeth. This retainer, when worn over the course of treatment – which depends on the severity of the case, but generally lasts around 12 months – gradually aligns the patient’s teeth to the specifications set out with their chosen practitioner, before undertaking treatment. One of the reasons for Invisalign’s popularity over conventional orthodontic treatments is that, when worn, the retainer is practically invisible to the naked eye. Thus, patients can undergo essential corrective dental alignment, without attracting any unwanted attention from peers or colleagues. Another reason for the success of Invisalign in St John’s Wood is that the retainer mouthpiece is removable – unlike fused braces – and as such can be worn at a patient’s leisure, at a time that is convenient to them, such as when sleeping.
Lingual Braces
Another dental alignment procedure we offer at Aura is the installation of Lingual braces. These are similar to conventional fused ‘train-track’ braces, however they are fitted to the inside of a patient’s mouth – and as such are virtually undetectable from the outside. To install lingual braces, an impression of the patient’s teeth is made, by requesting they bite down on a piece of silicone – or by taking a digital rendering. After this, a custom-made metal bracket frame is constructed to the particular dimensions of a patient’s mouth. Then, after the brace has been constructed, it is fused to the backs of the patient’s teeth, allowing the alignment process to begin.
How Aura Dental can help you get dental implants
If you have been considering dental implants but have either physical, emotional or financial concerns that are preventing you from taking the next step, at Aura Dental we can help you overcome these worries. With our special interest in the area of dental implants, we have proven success rates that can ensure successful implantation no matter the barrier. Here are a few common reasons people put off dental implants in St John’s Wood:
Low jawbone density
Dental implants are inserted into the jawbone during a simple surgery. The jawbone then grows onto the surface of the implant, anchoring it in place. This process requires a healthy jawbone with a good density.
If your jawbone has suffered any deterioration, you may need a bone graft. This is a fairly common procedure where bone is taken from elsewhere in your body, a donor or an animal source, and added to the existing jawbone. It knits into place over time and, if successful, your dental implants can then be fitted. Although this may add some additional time, it will ensure a successful implantation.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a very real response to what may seem like an invasive procedure and could be standing in the way of you receiving dental implants in St John’s Wood. However, with our care and professionalism we can ensure your experience includes all the necessary support to reduce your fear. We will keep you fully informed throughout from first consultation through to the final check-ups, helping you to reduce feelings of anxiety. We can also offer you sedation along with local anaesthetic. We can also look at full general anaesthetic if this is the right treatment for you.
Financial concerns
It is true that dental implants are not a low-budget solution. This is due to the work involved and the high quality and longevity of the results. We offer financial plans to anyone over the age of 18, from 0% interest to 7.9% depending on the length of payment plan. It is subject to terms and conditions and could help you spread the cost. Talk to us today and we can start you on your journey to dental implants in St John’s Wood.
Straighten up with Invisalign in St John’s Wood
You maybe wanting to straighten your teeth to improve your overall appearance, but perhaps due to the media’s portrayal of train track braces, and your own memories of childhood, you’ve decided against it. We’d like to give you the opportunity to straighten your teeth without compromise, so read ahead to find out how we can support you to straighten your teeth in a way that you may never knew existed.
At Aura Dental we offer a range of discreet brace options including Invisalign. Invisalign offers a removable, discreet brace experience that works efficiently over an 18-month to 2-year period. Since it is fully removable and is made specifically to fit your mouth, you need no additional apparatus to hold it in place. This makes it less invasive than other options and incredibly easy to use.
While many people may think that having your teeth straightened as an adult is purely a cosmetic decision, misaligned teeth can actually compromise your oral health. Wonky teeth can be more difficult to clean which could lead to cavities and decay. They can also cause strain on your jawbone and adjacent teeth, leading to headaches and problems for the long-term health of your gums and jawbone. Straightening teeth resolves these issues and strengthens your overall oral health.
If you would like to straighten your teeth, Invisalign can assist your transformation. Here’s how.
How Invisalign in St John’s Wood works
Invisalign consists of a series of customised, transparent, removable aligners. These are worn like a mouthguard and steadily straighten your teeth over time. As the treatment proceeds, you insert a new Invisalign aligner every 7 to 10 days in order to move your teeth into their new position. The best part of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable, so you don’t have to change your lifestyle or diet. Simply take off the aligners when you eat, brush or floss.
Straightening teeth can be a comfortable, non-invasive experience with discreet braces such as Invisalign. In St John’s Wood, Invisalign could be the discreet brace option you have been wishing for. Come in and talk to us about the possibilities of straightening teeth without compromise.
What if my child cannot get braces on the NHS?
By Amy Cuckoo
This is a popular question we get from our parents in clinic and the question
we would type into Google if our children were turned away from the NHS for orthodontics. But what options are available if this does happen?
Firstly, I would like to say that the NHS are fantastic and do an incredible job. This blog post is simply highlighting the difficulty parents are facing getting orthodontics on the NHS and what options are available to them if their child is refused them.
However, before I go to the solutions, let me give you some insight as to why some parents are finding it increasingly difficult to get NHS braces for their child and why they are turning to private practices like Aura Dental to help.
Why is it so difficult?
It is a common public misconception that private practices choose not to provide NHS services, I know I thought this before I worked in Dentistry, however, whilst this is correct for some practices, for others it is extremely difficult to “win” a contract bid.
NHS Orthodontic tenders are available to the most competitive bidder and unfortunately there are very few tenders available. In April 2019, only one practice in the Westminster borough, housing 226,000+ people, will be able to provide NHS orthodontics.
The City of Westminster undertook an assessment of the Westminster population in 2013 and at that time there were 18,975 children aged from 10-19. That’s 18,974 other parents competing with you and your child to get free orthodontic treatment on the NHS. ¹
But why would you not be able to get the braces?
If you have taken your child for an NHS assessment then it’s likely you would have heard about the IOTN rating system, this is the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and is used to assess your child’s eligibility for NHS treatment.
- Grade 1 = almost perfection
- Grade 2 = minor irregularities
- Grade 3 = greater irregularities which normally do not need treatment for health reasons.
- Grade 4 = severe degrees of irregularity
- Grade 5 = severe dental health problems
If you would like to know what is included in these scales, please the British Orthodontic Society page here.
NHS treatment is only available for grade 4 and grade 5 cases. Grade 3 cases are rare and usually judged on an individual basis.
Waiting times
We are always told that “Good things come to those who wait”, however, this is not the same for NHS Orthodontics.
With 18,000 children+ all trying to squeeze in the same funnel the waiting lists for treatment are around 1-2+ years, with the initial consultation having up to a 6 month wait.
Help me!
So, you’ve been waiting for all the baby teeth to fall out, you’ve been waiting for their assessment and been told that they don’t make the IOTN scale, or you’ve been told that they can have them but there is a 2-year waiting list and you don’t want to wait, what do you do now?!
Our first advise is to go to the assessment and see if your child is suitable, if you can get this on the NHS then you absolutely should!
However, if you want to be seen sooner or if they have been declined on the NHS, Dr Korosh Majidi at Aura Dental has a special interest in Orthodontics and extensive experience in children’s orthodontics. Dr Majidi will be happy to see you complimentary!
Seeing us at Aura Dental mean no fees for weekend or out of school appointments!
I hear your next question, “how much is this going to cost me though?”. The initial assessment is completely complimentary and with braces starting from £1999 for a single arch, £2800 for both arches and finance packages available, where there is a will there is a way!
References:
Getting what you want from braces in St John’s Wood
If you have bite issues, misalignment and even gaps you may be considering braces. If your career demands perfect appearance or you are style conscious, especially working in the city, the idea of using teeth straightening apparatus may have you stalling what could be a very quick fix. At Aura Dental we can assess your teeth and provide you with solutions to all of your teeth straightening concerns that will not compromise the way you look.
Dental options that may not mean braces
As your dentist we will work with you to find the best possible solution for your issues. This doesn’t have to just be about the treatment – you may have other concerns such as cost and time. During a thorough examination we will be able to advise you on a variety of options that you may not be aware of or believed couldn’t work for you.
Some cosmetic dental procedures can be used to address gaps and misalignment issues without the need for St John’s Wood braces. In addition, we have some brace styles that could realign your front teeth in as little as 4 to 16 weeks in the case of Inman aligners.
The height of discretion
Many of our braces styles are highly discreet. This is achieved through the use of tooth-coloured or clear apparatus that hide in plain sight. If discretion is key to your requirements, we will look at which option can achieve the results you desire in the shortest time, with the least compromise to your look.
We can offer you braces such as Invisalign that are fully removable, so if you do need to go to a special function or high priority meeting, you never have to be concerned about your braces.
Even overbites addressed with discreet braces in St John’s Wood
Some of our braces can even work with more complex problems such as mild or moderate overbite issues discreetly and in short time spans. With Six Month Smiles, brackets are made from clear material and the wires are tooth-coloured, making them far less visible than traditional braces.
Contact us for a full consultation so we can offer you the best solution that address all of your concerns.
Growing older shouldn’t leave you with ill-fitting dentures
Over the years we lose teeth for many reasons, accident and misadventure, gum disease or trauma and of course, ageing has an effect. However, many of our patients still believe that ill-fitting dentures that slip and cause problems are the only answer when teeth are lost. At Aural Dental in St John’s Wood, dental implants are the preferred solution, providing complete teeth restoration that doesn’t compromise your look or lifestyle.
No more slippage and no more shrunken cheeks
Dentures over the years have been given a bad reputation, which is often not based in reality. Modern dentures are made from high quality dental materials and designed using the latest in technology. They not only look like real teeth, they offer a good, solid restoration should you lose multiple or all of your teeth. However, jawbone shrinkage is a reality and will eventually cause your dentures to become ill-fitting and compromise how you look. This happens because of root loss when teeth fall out.
The tooth root works in a symbiotic relationship with your gums and jawbone. Both structures provide stimulation for natural, healthy growth. So once one is compromised the other is lost. When our gums and jawbone become infected, teeth are lost and equally, when teeth are lost the jawbone and gum recede. St John’s Wood dental implants prevent this, providing healthy development of gums and jawbone alike.
How do dental implants work?
Dental implants are small surgical grade metal screws that are placed in the jawbone. Once in situ your jawbone is stimulated into growing onto the surface of the implants. This bonding process creates a strong base for your dentures or a fixed bridge to then be fixed onto.
The benefits of St John’s Wood dental implants
Once your restorations are fixed in place they will not slip or fall out. Full bite force is fully restored and you will never have to compromise on what you eat or how you look, no matter your age. Cleaning of your new teeth couldn’t be simpler, all you need to do is brush and floss as normal, visiting your dentist every 6 months for check-ups to maintain good oral health.
Invisalign in St John’s Wood, creating perfect teeth invisibly
Did you avoid teeth straightening as a teenager but find you now wish you hadn’t? Or are you a teenager with mild to moderate bite or misalignment issues? You may have stalled your journey to straight teeth due to cosmetic concerns. If this is the case, Aura Dental has an innovative tooth straightening solution that will never compromise your smile. We offer a treatment that can straighten your teeth invisibly in as little as 9 months.
Invisalign in St John’s Wood offers many advantages over other teeth straightening options; they are discreet, effective, easy to maintain and fully removable. This provides you with flexibility and choice since they can be removed during eating and even for the odd special occasion.
So how do they work?
Treatment with Invisalign consists of a series of aligners that you progress through, inserting a new aligner every 7 to 10 days. These aligners are made of transparent, high quality plastic and are 3D printed to fit your teeth perfectly. Each aligner is individually manufactured, following a treatment plan developed by us and the Invisalign labs. With every aligner your teeth are guided through small, incremental steps towards a perfectly straight set of teeth.
Unique benefits of Invisalign invisible braces
Being virtually invisible alone is an incredible benefit, offering even the shyest of teenagers an effective alternative to traditional braces. However, they offer other benefits including ease of wear. Due to their bespoke design, the apparatus hug your teeth perfectly and won’t rub or irritate the lining of your mouth or gums.
Since Invisalign are also fully removable, they are easy to clean and maintain should any debris stick to them and, when removed, you can brush and floss your teeth as normal. This means you’re in control of your oral hygiene and it takes no additional effort to maintain optimum oral health.
Book a consultation today
Invisalign in St John’s Wood is the best way to transform your smile without compromising your day-to-day lifestyle choices. As your dentist we can provide a full, comprehensive examination of your teeth to see if Invisalign is suitable for you. Book an appointment today to start your journey to straight, perfect teeth.
What happens in a dental hygiene appointment?
By Maya Samuel
Visiting your dental hygienist is an integral part of maintaining good oral health. Your hygienist is a dental care professional whose area of expertise focuses on preventing oral disease such as gum disease and tooth decay.
Click here to see our infographic on the importance or healthy teeth!
So, what happens when you first arrive?
Your hygienist will begin by reviewing your medical history which is vital in ensuring safe care. This will include any medical conditions you may have or any prescribed medications you may be taking that could have an effect on the care you receive. They will also enquire about your social history which includes your smoking status and alcohol consumption that also have an influence on your oral health. Your hygienist will also ask about any past dental history, your current oral hygiene regime and any concerns you may have with your teeth.
Having a thorough look
Next, your hygienist will assess your head and neck region, your teeth and soft tissues within your mouth. They will assess the health of your gums and discuss their findings with you and finally, determine the treatment required.
What happens during the treatment?
Treatment may include scaling and root surface debridement (the removal of debris from the root surface) to remove plaque and calculus from the teeth. This is usually done by an ultra-sonic scaler which is a powered instrument producing vibrations and a water jet, as well as hand instruments where required. Your hygienist will then polish your teeth to remove stains and give your teeth a nice gleaming shine.
Sometimes a good clean can prevent the need to whitening your teeth!
Following treatment, your hygienist will then advise you of a tailored oral hygiene regime in order to maintain excellent plaque control at home. Information may include toothbrushing techniques, flossing technique and/or the use of interdental brushes. They may also share information related to smoking cessation, diet advice and the use of fluoride in preventing dental decay.
Based on your oral condition, your hygienist will then determine an appropriate schedule for you to receive on-going care and follow up on any issues raised. Any concerns that your hygienist cannot attend to will be referred accordingly and care for by the appropriate professional.
If you would like to arrange a dental hygiene appointment please give us a call on 0207 722 0040 or email info@auradentallondon.com
St John’s Wood braces straightening teeth with discretion
Modern teeth straightening has come a long way in the last 20 years with a range of braces types being available that can address a variety of issues or target specific teeth whilst also being highly discreet. At Aura Dental we want you to make informed choices which engenders commitment to your teeth straightening process. No matter which option you choose, by fully engaging with the process you can ensure the best results that you are satisfied with. Although a short blog can only tell you so much, we have laid out a few of the options that are available to you so you can start to make an informed choice of how you would like to proceed.
Inman aligners
The Inman aligner is a removable teeth straightening treatment that realigns teeth in a very short time span. The appliance consists of two opposing spring-loaded aligner bars that apply gentle but continuous pressure to the teeth.
The Inman aligner targets the front four to six teeth, reducing straightening time dramatically. Regular visits to the dentist are required throughout the treatment to keep the treatment on track.
Removable invisible braces in St John’s Wood
Full discretion is attained with Invisalign removable aligners, which are virtually invisible. This treatment consists of a series of transparent aligners that are made of high-quality, smooth plastic. Patients wear them for 7-10 days before moving to the next set in the series, until their teeth have reached the final position.
Due to the precision of their manufacture, removable aligners are very comfortable to wear. They can be taken out to eat and clean teeth normally with brushing and flossing. However, patients are recommended to wear them at least 22 hours per day for maximum effectiveness.
Six Month Smiles
Six Month Smiles are more akin to traditional braces in St John’s Wood and are fixed using clear brackets and tooth-coloured wires, making them barely visible. They can address more complex issues such as overbites but in a vastly reduced treatment time, offering adjustment in as little as 4 months but often taking 6 to 9 months to achieve best results.
