Think braces are just for children? 4 ways our orthodontist in Harley Street can help adults

Whenever someone mentions the word ‘brace’ many people instantly create an image of a small child in their head, smiling with a large, orthodontic brace – adorable!

childrens-orthodontist

However, while it is more common for children to require a trip to have their braces tightened, many people wrongly assume that the world of orthodontics can only help children achieve a straighter and better functioning set of teeth.

This is simply not true! The world of adult orthodontics is more popular than ever. With the creation of braces such as Invisalign and the Inman Aligner, more adults are approaching members of our team in Harley Street to get a straighter and healthier smile.

Our orthodontist in Harley Street is equipped to help anyone get a straighter smile! If you are aged 8 or 58, if your teeth and gums are in good condition and you are deemed suitable, our orthodontics team can help you get that coveted straighter smile in no time at all.

But what can our orthodontist in Harley Street actually do to help you get that straighter, healthier smile you would like as an adult? Read on to find out.

Picking a brace

It is true that most children wear the same type of brace, the traditional metal or orthodontic brace.

However, as an adult looking for straighter teeth, you have a wider range of options available, each targeted towards correcting a slightly different issue. Depending on your individual clinical situation, our orthodontist in Harley Street will select the correct brace for your teeth, targeting the treatment specifically to your dental requirements.

Custom made

All braces are custom made to some extent, but when you come to our orthodontic team in Harley Street, they will create both a custom-fitted brace and an individually targeted dental plan.

This will aim to reduce your time wearing the brace and to minimise any associated discomfort you may feel throughout treatment.

Check-ups

While wearing any of the adult braces we offer at Harley Street, you will be required to attend both regular dental check-ups and orthodontic appointments.

During these assessments, our orthodontic team may need to take X-rays to examine the progress of your brace, and to make adjustments if required, to help move your teeth correctly and promptly. This can only be performed by an orthodontist, so it is vital you attend these check-ups, or you may be saddled with your brace for longer than you anticipated!

Treat associated conditions

As an adult who requires a brace, chances are you have experienced some of the conditions associated with misaligned teeth.

We are talking about more than a slightly crooked smile in photos; when you visit our orthodontic team for treatment, they can assess the damage caused by misaligned teeth, such as enamel wear, uneven surfaces, and problems caused by nocturnal grinding.

If you are undertaking treatment with a removable brace, our team may decide to create a custom-fitted mouthguard for you, to prevent any further damage to the surfaces of your teeth.

Trying to choose between dentures or dental implants? Five reasons to choose implants in Harley Street

When you have lost a tooth, several teeth or your entire set of teeth, you will obviously want them replaced to restore your confidence and the functionality of your mouth. In years gone by, dental professionals would have been able to offer you either a bridge supported by any surrounding natural teeth and either a partial or full denture.

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However, as dental technology has advanced in recent times, there are now other options available to patients who have a few missing teeth. With the invention of oral implants, patients may now find themselves debating which is better for them; implants or dentures?

At Harley Street Dental, we are proud to be able to offer all of our patients dental implants in Harley Street, regardless of their age. We pride ourselves on using the most up-to-date implant technology, to help you get the best prosthesis to improve your appearance, while also restoring the functionality of your teeth.

Are there any key advantages of getting dental implants in Harley Street? Are they more suitable for you than dentures?

Stability

If you are currently wearing a set of dentures or a bridge, then you may be well aware that your dentures require a great deal of adhesive and maintenance to keep them in place.

When you choose dental implants in Harley Street, they are attached directly to your jawbone and are therefore significantly more stable than dentures; they are immovable!

No rubbing

After you have dentures fitted, your jawline may recede back and become thinner. This can cause your newly fitted dentures to rub against your jawline, causing ulcers, sore spots and redness.

As implants and the prosthesis are fitted snugly to your jaw, there is no possible way they can rub against your jaw. Long term, they offer more comfort for wearers and require no daily removal and fitting each day.

Long life-span

While dentures can offer wearers a long-term solution, implants can also offer a very long life- span once they are fitted.

If you look after your oral health, attend your biannual dental check-ups, do not consume excessive amounts of alcohol or smoke, then your oral implants can last up to 40 years! Now that’s a good investment in your smile!

Improved bite

We have all seen denture adhesive adverts stating that certain glues can allow you to eat corn on the cob or bite into an apple without issue.

However, if you choose to have oral implants fitted, there is no messy adhesive needed to secure them and wearers report having a stronger bite and better levels of precision. With implants, you can eat corn on the cob, apples or even toffee without worrying that they will come loose or fall out.

Higher confidence

Our dentists at Harley Street will match any oral implants that we make for you in colour, size and shape, with your remaining natural teeth, ensuring that when you smile, all of your teeth look as natural as possible.

And that is enough to boost anyone’s confidence!

Want to try out dermal fillers? Come to Harley Street Dental Clinic! No, we aren’t joking!

Going to your dental practice for facial aesthetic surgery? Has the world gone upside down?

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Many people associate facial aesthetic procedures with high-class spas, hospitals, and specialised clinics. Nowadays, however, you can walk into many dental surgeries around the UK and have minor facial surgeries in the dental chair!

At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we are proud to be able to offer our patients facial treatments at our dentist in W1. Our team is trained in how to apply many anti-wrinkle or plumping agents to the face and can ensure that any procedure performed will be to the highest standard.

So, why should you choose our dental surgery for your facial treatments?

Benefits of dental based facial work

Not many people are aware, but all dental practitioners have extensive knowledge of the facial muscles and tissues; this allows them to easily identify where to inject things like dermal fillers or other age-defying chemicals.

Our dentist in W1 can perform the following procedures and many more at our clinic in Harley Street, to leave you looking younger and full of vitality!

Chemical peels

A great way to remove dead skin cells and exfoliate, chemical peels are increasingly popular at Harley Street.

The peels that our dentist in W1 uses work on many levels to transform your skin. They promote faster cell turnover and eliminate the old damaged skin layer, allowing the fresher underlayer of skin to come through naturally, giving you a silky rosy glow.

Our peels also remove any damaged skin and promote the production of elastin and collagen leaving your skin looking plumped, fresh and healthy.

Dermal fillers

If you want to get rid of those stubborn wrinkles around your eyes and mouth, dermal fillers may be an option for you.

An ever-growing procedure in Harley Street, dermal fillers involve minor injections into the facial tissue, to plump the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

Other uses of our dermal fillers include plumping of thinning lips, enhancing shallow holes in the skin and improving the overall appearance of scar tissue. Depending on the injection site, dermal fillers may last anywhere between 6 months to 2 years and may take up to 1 month to integrate into the facial tissue, so a bit of patience is required!

There may also be some minor bruising around the injection sites post-procedure; this is normal and if you have any concerns, contact our team as soon as possible.

Derma pen

Similar to dermal fillers, the derma pen works by creating skin-boosting collagen around specific sites on the face.

At Harley Street Dental, we use derma pens to help enhance the appearance of your skin or help eliminate the appearance of lines and wrinkles. If you have acne scarring, our team can apply the derma pen to your scars and they will reduce in appearance. Derma pen treatments are also popular among those who have stretch marks on their hips, breasts, thighs or have enlarged pores around the facial area.

Did you know Invisalign can improve your physical health? 4 ways this aligner can improve your life

Cosmetic dentistry has come a long way in recent years and now there are more benefits than ever to approaching your dentist for cosmetic treatment.

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Unlike most cosmetic surgeries or treatments, dental cosmetics can also resolve issues caused by having less than perfectly straight teeth, such as oral grinding or bruxism. This means that when you visit your dentist for cosmetic dental work, you may be killing two birds with one stone!

One of the most popular areas in the world of cosmetic dentistry is that of adult orthodontics. Anyone who has ever had braces as a child is aware of how a brace can correct misalignment problems, making this a perfect solution for adults who have a misaligned smile and who grind their teeth at night.

At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we can offer a wide range of adult orthodontic options, that will straighten your teeth to give you an amazing looking, and correctly functioning, smile. Everything from traditional aligners to Invisalign in Harley Street, our team will decide which treatment is best suited to your individual dental requirements.

But how can having Invisalign in Harley Street correct physical health issues? Isn’t it just a cosmetic brace?

It will give you better oral health

Any dental professional will tell you that a set of straight teeth are easier to clean.

If you have misaligned, protruding or gaps between your teeth, then it is likely that certain areas are being missed in your daily dental routine.

When you choose Invisalign in Harley Street, these braces will correct any misalignment or protrusions, giving you a set of perfectly straight teeth that are easier to clean and maintain.

It will reduce headaches

Revisiting night-time bruxism and grinding, both of these issues are caused by teeth not sitting together correctly as you sleep, which can cause you to grind your jaws together.

Come morning, it is likely that you will have a sore throat and a very bad headache!

Realigning your teeth will minimise night-time bruxism and reduce associated headaches, shoulder pain, and migraines.

It will help you sleep

Having a misaligned set of teeth can cause poorer sleep, thanks to issues with bruxism or oral grinding.

If you have crooked or misaligned teeth and are having issues with your sleep, it may be time to ask your dentist if you can try an invisible aligner! What’s the worst that could happen?

It will resolve digestive issues

We often forget that our teeth and our mouths are the first part of our digestive system.

Chewing food with teeth that do not fit well can cause larger pieces of food to reach the stomach, resulting in or exacerbating conditions like acid reflux, heartburn, and indigestion. Wearing any kind of aligner may result in helping you chew your food more thoroughly, leading to fewer digestive issues.

It will boost your confidence

Invisible braces are discreet, and so, you can undertake a cosmetic orthodontic procedure that will not attract stares from strangers or colleagues – now that’s a confidence booster!

Suffering from sudden toothache? Steps to take before seeing our emergency dentist in Harley Street

Life is not black and white and neither are medical emergencies.

We have all visited a hospital at one time or another and seen the variety of people who visit the emergency department; some are whisked off by the medical staff for immediate treatment, while others have to wait to see a consultant.

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While all dental emergencies require urgent attention, it is important to differentiate which require immediate medical attention and what to do if you are required to wait to see a dentist in Harley Street.

We are proud to have an emergency dentist in Harley Street; they are an essential member of our team who is dedicated to getting you out of discomfort sooner. Our team aims to see all emergency patients on the same day that the emergency occurs, helping you get back on track!

However, if you require an emergency appointment in the middle of the night, it is important that you are aware of what to do in order to control any associated discomfort until you see a dentist in Harley Street come morning. We will highlight the steps you need to take in a dental emergency and how to identify when you need urgent medical attention.

Identify the issue

This can be exceedingly tricky or may be very easy.

Regardless, if you are able to manage to pull your lip back to examine the area that is hurting, try to identify the cause; is the tooth decayed? Is it broken? Or is there a large swelling that has suddenly appeared? Is the swelling sore?

All of these will need same-day treatment, but the underlying cause will impact what you need to do to stop the pain.

Clean the area

When your mouth is tender, this can be difficult.

If you are in discomfort, gently rinse your mouth with lukewarm water; if you have lost a filling, a crown or a tooth, this will clean the area of any debris. While waiting for your emergency appointment, it is important to repeat this step after eating or drinking, to keep the area clear.

Gargle with saltwater

When you have an infection or a lost tooth, it is important to gargle saltwater.

Salt is a readily available antiseptic, which will clean the area and keep any infection at bay for the time being. If you have access to clove oil, try putting some onto cotton wool and press it gently to the site of the pain; this will reduce the discomfort and swelling.

Take painkillers

Obviously, if you are in pain, take the strongest painkillers you have. Do not drink alcohol.

If possible, try to take an anti-inflammatory medication to reduce any swelling that may be causing additional pressure to build in the jaw.

Go to hospital

Are you feverish? Are you vomiting or do you have diarrhoea? A combination of all three? If you answered yes to any of these, your dental emergency cannot wait until morning and you need to go to your nearest emergency room.

How to get started with a new dental clinic

There are many reasons a patient may want to switch from their current dental practitioner to a new one. Some of these reasons include changing location, the need to find a practice that offers more convenient hours, or one that practises a wider range of dental procedures and treatments. Other reasons could be concern over the quality of dental care they receive from their current practitioner. Whatever the reason is for finding a new dental practitioner, dental health is a priority, which is why a patient should feel comfortable and confident with their chosen dentist.

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How should a patient choose a new dental practice? The first step would be to narrow down the list of potential dental practices according to a preferred list of must-haves that will help patients choose the best dental clinic in W1

One of the critical goals is to make certain that the new dentist can meet the patient’s needs by offering a range of treatments in a professional and compassionate manner. At Harley Street Dental Clinic we strive to not only meet but exceed our patients’ expectations. To do this we believe in fostering positive patient-dentist relationships. We believe this is an essential part of offering the highest standards in best dental care.

Must-have for choosing a new dental clinic in W1

Patients intent on finding a new dental practice are offered a few helpful guidelines here to ensure that this transition is a smooth and painless process. Depending on your needs, the list of criteria a dental clinic in W1 may have to meet could include the following points.

  • How does the convenience of location, treatment hours and processes accommodate your lifestyle?
  • Can the dental practice address all your dental care needs (including corrective and preventive treatments) for yourself and family members? For example would you require paediatric dental care for young children?
  • Are there various payment plans offered should the need arise?

How to choose the right dental clinic

  • Essential questions to ask

Experience, training and ongoing professional development should not be overlooked. A discerning patient will take the time to inquire about the qualifications of the dentist overseeing their dental health.

  • Specialised treatments

Are there any specialised dental treatments offered? It is always more convenient for a patient to find a dental practice that can provide a wide service offering. This way there is no need for time delays in getting treatment records and other patient information from one service provider to another or of dental records getting lost en route.

  • Other general considerations

Once the most important concerns are addressed there are other factors to consider that may influence a patient’s decision. If a patient has a dental phobia, it is important to find out what procedures the clinic has in place – do they offer sedation dentistry for instance?  Do they have a particular policy on missed dental appointments? Is there more than one dental practitioner based at the clinic that would be able to cover for your dentist in case of an emergency?

Are you a patient looking for a new dental clinic? Find quality dental care at Harley Street Dental Clinic. Why not arrange a new patient consultation today? You will find our dental team are always happy to answer any questions you may have.

Do you want to know how dental implants are fitted? A basic guide by Harley Street Dental Clinic

Having gaps in your teeth is rarely fun.

Regardless of your age, if you have a few teeth missing, it can cause you to feel insecure about  your appearance, which may lead you to withdraw from social interactions; talk about a damper on your social life!

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In years gone by, gaps in teeth were corrected using both fitted or removable bridges and of course, if more teeth were missing, a set of full or partial dentures could help conceal the issue.

However, as dental technology has advanced, there are more options available to help those who have gaps in their smile caused by tooth loss.

When you visit our team in London, you may be surprised at the treatment options available to help you get a gap-free smile. Depending on the extent of your tooth loss, our team will be able to offer you a fitted bridge, a single crown or even a complete set of dentures, attached firmly to your jaw by our dental implants in Harley Street. Talk about a great solution to tooth loss!

But what is involved in the fitting of dental implants in Harley Street? How are they attached to the jaw? Read on to find out!

The consultation

When you decide you want to pursue dental implants in Harley Street, you will be called in for an initial consultation.

During this, a member of our dental team will assess the condition of any remaining teeth, your jaw and your overall oral health to assess if you are suitable for the treatment.

Other tests, like X-rays and CT scans, may be performed, so our team can look at the condition of your jawbone too. If all is deemed satisfactory, an appointment will be booked for you to have your dental implants in Harley Street fitted.

The fitting

This is where there is minor surgery involved.

Before the procedure begins, our team will numb your mouth with a powerful numbing agent and ensure that you are comfortable before they begin.

Based on where your implants are to be fitted, our team will cut into your gum line and gently peel it back to expose your underlying jawbone.

Using a specialist drill, they will then create a small hole in your jaw and, when all the drilling is completed, they will fit the implant (which resembles a small screw) into the jaw. After this part is concluded, your gum will be sewn back together with dissolvable stitches.

Prosthetics

After your implant fitting, you will have to wait up to 6 months before your prosthetic teeth or tooth can be fitted.

During this time, you will need to come back and see us on average once a month, so we can check that your implants are not being rejected by your body and to ensure that your jaw is growing around them correctly.

If this stage has gone well, we will then fit your permanent set of false teeth or tooth to your implants, giving you a fully functioning mouth once more.

Think Invisalign braces may be for you? Five invisible brace FAQs answered by Harley Street Dental

Adult orthodontics has never been more desirable!

With the rise in popularity of smile makeovers, more and more adults and teenagers are approaching dentists for ways to improve their smiles. Mix this eagerness for a straighter, whiter smile with advances in dental technologies and you have a myriad of options to choose from, each treatment tailored to correct precise dental issues.

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Harley Street is no exception! Each day, our dentists consult with multiple clients regarding cosmetic options, and we, as a dental surgery, are proud to be able to offer you a wide range of treatments.

In London, our dental team is at the forefront of adult orthodontics and can offer braces to suit every need and budget. From traditional orthodontics to invisible braces in Harley Street, our dentists are trained to work with the different types of cosmetic aligners on the market to leave you with a Hollywood worthy smile.

In this article, we have answered five of the most commonly asked questions about our invisible braces in Harley Street, specifically Invisalign, to give you a better idea of whether you may benefit from them. Read on!

How do they work?

Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign works without using metal wires or tightening.

In traditional orthodontics, teeth are pulled into a new position when the brace is tightened, which can cause discomfort to the brace wearer. With our invisible braces in Harley Street, the mechanism of action involves opposing metal coils, which gently push against each other to move the teeth into a new position.

No pulling, no metal wires, and no discomfort!

How long will I need to wear them each day?

When undertaking treatment with Invisalign, a member of our dental team will discuss with you how long you will need to wear the aligners for each day to reap the most benefit.

Typically, it will range between 16-20 hours each day, meaning you will need to sleep with them in. As they are made from thin plastic and have no protruding pieces of metal, this should not be a problem.

I need a lot of realignment to my teeth – can these braces help?

This will be up to the discretion of our dental team.

While Invisalign can correct the majority of misalignment issues, if you have a more complicated case of protrusions or underbite, for example, you may not be suitable.

Will this brace be uncomfortable?

As mentioned before, Invisalign does not use metal wires to push against your teeth or cause pressure to your jaw, so there should be no discomfort during treatment. If you are worried about the level of discomfort you are in, come and see us straight away.

Isn’t Invisalign expensive?

At Harley Street, we know that money doesn’t grow on trees.

While Invisalign is a fairly expensive treatment, we are able to offer suitable patients a finance plan, to help break down the cost into affordable monthly chunks. Then all you will have to worry about is showing off your glamorous new smile!

Think cosmetic dentistry is all about appearance? Four ways dental cosmetics can improve your health

There are many reasons people undertake cosmetic procedures.

For example, if you are getting married, you will obviously want to look your best on the big day and may invest in some minor facial aesthetics. Similarly, with dental cosmetics, you may have a graduation photo coming up and want your smile to look its best.

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But, did you know, there is more to dental cosmetic work than simply improving the appearance of your smile? Many people are surprised to learn that cosmetic dental procedures can also benefit your overall health too and are therefore more beneficial to you than just having your smile straightened.

When you choose to visit our cosmetic dentist in Harley Street for a cosmetic procedure, depending on which treatment is best suited to correct your smile, you may be able to improve different aspects of your health too, not only in the short-term but for years to come! What have you got to lose?

But how can a procedure like teeth straightening from our cosmetic dentist in Harley Street improve your health? Read on to find out!

Reduced plaque

When your teeth are misaligned, they are harder to clean correctly.

This can lead to parts of your mouth accumulating bacteria and plaque, which have been linked to higher rates of gum disease, dental decay, and poorer heart health.

When you come to our cosmetic dentist in Harley Street to have your teeth straightened, over time, your straighter teeth will help expose these hidden areas of plaque in the mouth, allowing easier removal and fewer complications.

Lower change of decay

Similar to the prior point, if you have gaps in your teeth or areas that are overcrowded, you may be at a higher risk of tooth decay.

As plaque is harder to remove in a mouth that has misaligned, overcrowded or even overly spaced teeth, this can lead to a higher risk of cavities. Untreated cavities lead to discomfort, gum swellings, and even dental abscesses. Having your teeth straightened with cosmetic braces or even having gaps filled with implants or veneers reduces the risk of bacteria building up and lowers the likelihood of decay.

Preventing periodontal disease

Gum disease can run in families, but it has been heavily linked to plaque above and below the gumline.

When you come to our team in Harley Street, our dentists will remove any stubborn plaque before beginning your cosmetic treatment and, depending on which cosmetic option you pick, will aim to reduce the areas where plaque can accumulate. Fillings, veneers, and implants can all prevent gum disease, leaving you with a healthier and more attractive smile.

Better mental health

Lower levels of mental health have been linked to lower self-confidence and physical health issues like abdominal pain, migraines and back pain.

If you feel confident in the appearance of your teeth, you are probably likely to smile more often.

This prompts your brain to release the feel good chemical dopamine, which is a natural stress reducer.

Do you wish you knew more about your wisdom teeth?

Unlike the rest of your adult teeth, these molars will not come through until you are around twenty years old. It is important that you visit your dental practitioner so they can check on the condition of your mouth, and at Harley Street Dental Clinic we can provide professional treatment and guidance when it comes to wisdom teeth in Harley Street.

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What are they?

When you are finding out more about wisdom teeth in Harley Street it is a good idea to start at the beginning and find out what they are. They are similar to the molars that you already have in the back of your mouth, but they will not necessarily come through for everybody. Some people will go their whole lives without having the teeth protrude above the gumline, whilst others will have their teeth grow without a problem. Sometimes the teeth will need to be removed if they grow through at an odd angle or disrupt your other teeth, but this is something that your dental practitioner can monitor through X-rays and regular check-ups.

When to seek advice about having them removed

If you are having problems with your wisdom teeth in Harley Street then it is recommended you make a dental appointment as soon as possible, so that one of our practitioners can assess your mouth. If you are experiencing any pain or your gums have become swollen it may be possible your tooth could have become infected, and it is important to get treatment for this as soon as possible to prevent further damage from being done to your teeth. Where your tooth has pushed through the gum it is more susceptible to infection, and infection can easily spread to your other teeth.

If your tooth is coming through at an angle then it may not have enough room to grow properly or it may be putting unnecessary pressure on your other teeth, causing them to move and become crooked. This can cause additional problems and discomfort, so your dental practitioner may advise that you have your tooth removed to recreate room for your other teeth.

Removing a tooth depends on what condition it is in. Your tooth may have worked its way all the way out but needs to be removed due to infection or being at an angle, or it may only be protruding slightly from your gum, in which case a slightly different extraction procedure will be used.

After you have had a tooth removed you must ensure you take proper care of your mouth. Your dental practitioner will advise you on how to do so after your treatment, but generally you should not brush your teeth for twenty-four hours and you should gargle with warm salt water frequently throughout the day for a few weeks after tooth removal. You may experience some swelling and redness, but this should go down after a few days and should not cause you any additional discomfort. A little bleeding is normal after your tooth has first been removed, but if you experience continuous bleeding it is recommended that you return to our practice so one of our dental practitioners can make sure that everything in your mouth is healthy.