DIY Braces – Is this right for me?
By Amy Cuckoo
When we’re looking at decorating our home, normally a trip down to B&Q at the weekend is all we need to get the job done ourselves, no matter our skill set. Does this mean that we should all be opening our own painting and decorating businesses? With my ability, you would hope not!
In recent months, we’ve seen an eruption of DIY brace companies providing a “Do-It-Yourself” solution for teeth straightening. What does this mean and is it right for you?
What are DIY Braces?
“DIY Braces” or “Mail Order Braces” are a series of clear trays, known as aligners, that you use at home to straighten your teeth. There are various companies out there offering the service but they essentially all work in the same way:
Step 1: Order a kit and take your impression at home.
Step 2: A Qualified Dentist looks at your models and calculates your plan.
Step 3: Aligners are manufactured and shipped to you.
Step 4: Wear your aligners and straighten your teeth.
So, what do you need to bear in mind?
There is an art to taking dental impressions that can take nurses and dentists weeks to learn professionally and with the 3D technology we use at Aura Dental we can take your impressions without the need for putty material. As this is likely to be the first dental impression you have taken, this can open your treatment up to errors. If the initial impression is wrong, this could cause an impact to treatment and potentially risk your desired outcome altogether, leaving your teeth worse than when you started.
When assessing for braces in a dental practice, you are recommended to have a panoramic radiograph. This allows the dentist to check for suitability of tooth movement, bone availability, gum recession and other contributing factors when looking at orthodontic treatment. Without doing one is like putting a car through a MOT without ever looking under the bonnet. Not ideal right?
So, what do you need to bear in mind? These systems will be straightening your teeth absolutely but they are not looking at the overall bite of how you bite together. This in itself can cause issues down the line in regards to tooth enamel wearing away.
We only get one set of teeth so please, just speak to any dental professional before taking the decision of proceeding with DIY braces.
What is the official word?
The British Orthodontic Society (BOS) is a charity-led society formed to act as the national representative of all orthodontists and below is the grand finale of their official statement!
¹ “The British Orthodontic Society strongly advises the public not to undertake such treatments. If you are considering braces please seek the advice of your dentist first.”
You can access the full article below in the references but let me summarise the concerns the BOS has:
- No clinical examination has been carried out by a professional to ascertain whether orthodontic treatment is in the best interest of the patient.
- There are various orthodontic solutions available to patients and patients need to be aware of the solutions and risks associated with them.
- The potential for less than desirable outcomes due to the treatment being unsupervised by a professional.
All our consultations are complimentary at Aura Dental so why take the risk?
References
¹ British Orthodontic Society: https://www.bos.org.uk/News-and-Events/BOS-Statements/BOS-Statement-Do-it-yourself-braces
How dental implants in St John’s Wood can work for you
Unless you live a very sheltered life, you must have heard of dental implants. In fact, dental implants have significantly changed the idea of dentistry in the 21st century, since they can replace missing teeth effectively and provide patients with predictable and long-lasting results.
At Aura Dental, we firmly believe that dental implants in St John’s Wood can improve your oral health and overall quality of life. Over the years, we have helped many patients regain the functionality of their teeth with dental implants in St John’s Wood. To book a consultation appointment please call us today, and arrange an appointment for you right away.
Why are dental implants more versatile?
Dental implants replace the root of the missing tooth instead of simply sitting on the gums just like bridges and dentures. By doing so, they interact with the jawbone through a process known as ‘osseointegration’. Once they are fused with the jawbone, dental implants in St John’s Wood keep the bone structure and density strong and encourage the growth of fresh bone tissue.
Dental implants in St John’s Wood can replace a single, multiple or all of your missing teeth. Whereas single missing teeth are supported by implant-retained crowns, multiple missing teeth can be replaced with implant-retained bridges or dentures. This process is done in stages, but in some cases it can be completed in a single day (All-on-4 or immediate loading dental implants).
Who can have dental implants?
With the recent advances in implant technology, almost everyone can have dental implants. Your dentist will examine your teeth thoroughly, discuss your dental and medical history and explain your choices. Just like most dental procedures, a dental implant operation carries some risks. These can be easily minimised with the right dentist and we can assure you that all of our implant dentists are very experienced in dental implants and have performed many operations over the years. However, if you have a history of smoking or if you are diabetic, you should let us know, because your body may react differently to dental implants.
Questions? Our experienced and friendly implant dentists are eager to answer all your implant queries.
A modern solution to straightening teeth
Traditional braces aren’t appealing to many people. They can be uncomfortable and make wearers feel self-conscious or be too hard to maintain. Invisalign in St. John’s Wood is a modern alternative to traditional braces that could work for you instead.
How it works
If you need Invisalign in St. John’s Wood, Aura Dental is a competent and modern clinic that can provide this treatment. Invisalign is a transparent brace made of a smooth, clear material that’s moulded into tailored aligners to fit your teeth. The aligner is renewed every 7-10 days to enable the teeth to adjust into the desired position.
The benefits
One reason our patients prefer Invisalign in St. John’s Wood is that it’s subtle and not visible to others. Invisalign is lightweight and made of a soft material, which means that it’s comfortable to wear. It can easily be taken out to clean and provides a highly effective result for your teeth. They’re light and comfortable in your mouth. They need to be worn for 20-22 hours a day and are treatment usually takes around a year on average.
Follow-up appointments
While wearing Invisalign in St. John’s Wood, it’s important to visit your dentist every six weeks so that they can make sure they’re having an effect and see that there aren’t any issues with the teeth.
Whether Invisalign is right for you
At our clinic, our dental team will carry out a full assessment and talk with you about whether Invisalign will have the impact you need. Depending on the issues present, using a more traditional set of braces may be more suitable you.
The cost of Invisalign
If you have dental insurance, it may be worth checking if your policy covers the cost of Invisalign treatment, as some do. The cost of treatment, which can be managed with a payment plan, starts at £1,500 for Invisalign Lite, but will vary depending on what’s needed.
To find out more
Please get in touch if you have more questions about Invisalign in St. John’s Wood, where one of our dental team will be glad to answer your questions.
Looking after your braces in St John’s Wood
Bad breath, cavities and gum disease are some of the conditions that may affect your oral health if you fail to take good care of your teeth and gums. That’s why we are encouraged to establish a thorough oral care routine from an early age.
Brushing and flossing our teeth is as important (if not more) when we are undergoing treatment for teeth straightening with braces in St John’s Wood. If you are not sure how to take proper care of your braces (whether fixed or removable), our experienced dentists at Aura Dental can help by giving you tips and advice and showing you the proper brushing and flossing techniques. This will help you reduce the amount of plaque that builds on your teeth and braces.
Brushing and flossing
As we’ve already mentioned, brushing and flossing are really important, especially when you are wearing braces in St John’s Wood. If you are planning removable braces or aligners such as Invisalign, then we have good news. You can continue brushing and flossing your teeth as you normally would – there’s no need to change your daily routine. If your braces are fixed (i.e. clear braces, Damon braces), then you should invest in a good quality toothbrush with soft bristles and clean your teeth thoroughly around the brackets to ensure that all food remains are gone. Your dentist may also recommend an interdental brush that’s specifically made for braces.
Foods to avoid
If you are wearing removable braces or Invisalign, you are lucky – you don’t have to change your diet. You can keep eating your favourite foods as long as you remove your braces or aligners before each meal. Patients with fixed braces should be more careful because some foods spell trouble for braces. Hard, chewy and sticky foods can damage your brackets and jeopardise your treatment. Crunchy fruit and vegetables are also dangerous for your braces, but you can consume them safely if you cut them in small pieces. Last but not least, it’s really important to avoid chewing on ice cubes or eating corn on the cob or meat on the bone.
Getting replacement teeth
Replacing your natural teeth can conjure up different feelings, from sadness and embarrassment, to annoyance and disappointment. It’s not easy when this happens and can affect self-confidence. However, there’s options available to replace missing teeth and get your confidence back. Whereas many people turn to dentures, dental implants in St. John’s Wood may also be an excellent option available for you.
Dental implants explained
An implant is a small screw that is fitted into your jawbone to attach an artificial tooth. This can be tailor-made to your individual jaw. An artificial tooth can then be securely attached to the implant, providing a far superior way of replacing missing teeth.
Why choose us
Aura Dental offers quality dental implants in St. John’s Wood in a modern clinic with highly trained and experienced dental staff. Our ambition is to provide effective results for our patients, creating long-term relationships built on trust, integrity and respect. We understand that patients need to have a dentist they can turn to and feel confident in, as well as who can make them feel reassured. It’s our job to provide this to you in every aspect of treatment and at every appointment.
The process of getting implants
From the beginning to the end, getting dental implants in St. John’s Wood consists of several steps. This starts from an initial assessment to see if you need any treatment first to prepare your jaw and teeth for implants. Once your teeth are the healthiest they can be, our dentist can start to prepare your implants. Before they’re inserted, you’ll be given anaesthetic to numb the part of your mouth. The implants are then inserted and need a few months for the gums to heal and the implants to integrate with the jawbone.
After this time, the artificial tooth can then be fitted. You’ll be asked to attend an appointment for the dentist to arrange for a crown or bridge to be designed to fit your mouth and your teeth.
Get in touch today
We are here to answer all of your questions about getting dental implants in St. John’s Wood. It’s simple. Either give us a call or pay us a visit to find out more.
How to straighten your teeth with Invisalign in St John’s Wood?
While the image of a braceface is one we tend to think of during our teenage years, crooked teeth affect more adults than you probably realise, and everyday more and more adults are seeking solutions for their teeth. Many adults feel that the look of traditional metal braces can take away from their maturity in professional, social or romantic settings.
So what other options are there for adults seeking to straighten up their teeth and achieve their dream smile? Luckily, with all the advancements in dental technology, adults hoping to realign their teeth can use Invisalign. In St John’s Wood, our team here at Aura Dental has helped many adults achieve their dream smile using Invisalign.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign in St John’s Wood has become a popular dental treatment that aligns teeth using transparent custom fit aligners that can be taken out during meals and brushing. The aligners should be worn at all times of the day except when eating and cleaning teeth. At Aura Dental, we use a 3D computer imaging technology, ClinCheck, to map out the movement of teeth to achieve a perfect smile.
What does the treatment look like?
You will wear your clear aligners all day every day except meals and brushing for 7 to 10 days before replacing with your next set. You should visit the dentist to check on the movement of your teeth every 6 to 8 weeks, and the average treatment lasts 9 to 12 months. But when planning to get Invisalign in St John’s Wood, you should discuss your treatment and time frame with your dentist.
Is Invisalign just for adults?
Invisalign is not only for adults. At Aura Dental, we offer 4 types of Invisalign in St John’s Wood: Express, Lite, Comprehensive and First. Invisalign First is designed for ages 6 to 10, which helps develop jaws to make room for existing or incoming teeth. Express, Lite, and Comprehensive are all suitable for adults and teenagers. Express is for slight movement, typically only 7 aligners, and Lite is around 14 sets of aligners. Comprehensive is for a more in-depth orthodontic work lasting 6 to 12 months.
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