Dental Blog - Harley Street Dental Clinic

Common queries about Invisalign answered

Are you keen to straighten your teeth using clear aligners?

At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we can offer our suitable patients Invisalign Harley Street, allowing you to get the straighter smile you want with the discretion you desire too. It’s a win-win situation!

Eager to know more about Invisalign Harley Street? Here, we answer common FAQs that we receive for your information.

How do you clean the aligners?

Invisalign Harley Street aligners are fairly simple to clean; simply rinse them under a cold tap to remove debris and plaque.

If you have a more stubborn set of stains, do not attempt to remove them with hot water, as this can cause issues and may lead to the aligner warping.

Do the aligners cause discomfort?

When you are given the aligners, you will usually receive an average of 14, that need to be worn for 2 weeks at a time.

And yes, when you change between the aligners, there is likely to be some pressure, soreness and general discomfort as your teeth adjust to the newly shaped aligner.

To mitigate this, we recommend taking over-the-counter pain relief. But if you have concerns about the level of discomfort you are in, talk to our team.

Can I have aligners if I have had composite bonding?

If you have had composite bonding applied to your teeth before you have wanted to undertake invisible aligners, you will need to see our team for suitability.

In most cases, there is no issue with having aligners while also having composite bonding, but if you have had bonding placed between teeth to close a gap, in essence fusing them, and they now require realigning, this can complicate matters.

So, in short, this is a question that can only be answered with a consultation from our team.

Can directly sourced aligners achieve the same results?

In a word, no they can not.

There has been a boom in recent years with patients seeking aligners directly from clubs and companies that proclaim they can straighten your teeth at home without the need to see a dentist. This is not only unwise, but it is also potentially dangerous.

Dental realignment needs to be overseen by a trained professional who can take the mould themself (or the scans) and then help you with the wearing of the aligner. With at-home aligners, there are too many errors that can occur, such as improper mould taking, poorly fitting aligners and lack of instruction that can cause damage to your teeth in the long run.

If you want to have your teeth straightened using any kind of brace or aligner, call our team for advice and consultation.

Can my teeth relapse after treatment?

Yes, they can.

After you have had any kind of orthodontic treatment, if you fail to wear the associated retainers, you are running the risk of your teeth relapsing into their previous positions. Retainers are designed to hold your teeth in place while they adjust to their new location in the mouth and so, you will need to keep your retainer in for as long as our team recommends. And as a retainer is usually visually similar to these invisible aligners, there are no aesthetic concerns to be had.

Dermal fillers; myths debunked

Do you want to refresh your appearance, but have had enough of spending money on face creams? Do you want a way to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but don’t want the extensive procedures that surround surgery?

At Harley Street Dental Clinic, our dentist can offer our patients a range of non-surgical facial aesthetic procedures, including dermal fillers W1. These simple injections can plump your skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and can help to boost the appearance of your lips, while also helping your face to appear fuller and less gaunt.

But in researching dermal fillers W1, you may have read some worrying ‘facts’ that have put you off of the idea altogether. Here, our team discusses the most popular myths that surround fillers to help you separate the truth from untruths.

Myth 1- There will be a lot of bruising

If there is a lot of bruising after you have had dermal fillers W1, then there is a serious issue!

Post-injection, you may experience some minor bruising, swelling and discomfort, but this should be minimal and should not last for longer than a few days.

If the bruising is spreading, or if you feel discomfort that is worsening around the injection site or nearby tissues, please seek medical help immediately and contact our team.

Myth 2- The results will look fake

We have all seen photos of celebrities who have gone a bit too far with fillers, wrinkle treatments and chemical peels.

But, when you come to us at Harley Street, we will aim to provide you with results that look and feel subtle, enhancing your features rather than minimising them. Therefore, the results will look natural and will feel natural too.

Myth 3- The injections will hurt

Filler injections should not hurt, but if you have concerns about discomfort before you have the injections, we can apply a numbing agent to the area where they will be injected to help you feel more comfortable.

Myth 4- The fillers require too much maintenance

For the first 24-48 hours after they are injected, you will need to take care not to place too much stress on the injection site, as this can cause the fillers to move out of position.

But, once that time period is completed, the only real maintenance the fillers will need is for you to stay hydrated; this will help keep the skin moist and springy, aiding the fillers to have the longest lifespan possible.

Myth 5- All fillers are the same

No, they are not, and one of the key advantages that comes with attending our dental clinic to have them injected in, is that we will only source the hyaluronic acid from reputable, medical sources. Many spas and other places that offer fillers may look online for fillers, often trying to get the best deals and a better return on the procedure. But this can lead to poor quality fillers, which in turn, leads to less impressive results.

However, all good-quality fillers have similar chemical compounds and will not be bulked out with other filler material.

Dental implants; how they can help with speech

Have you considered the role that your teeth play in your general speech? Have you thought about having the gap left by a missing tooth filled to enable clearer speech habits?

At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we can help conceal gaps and improve your speech using dental implants Harley Street. Secure, realistic prosthetics that are the closest thing you will get to restoring your natural teeth.

In this short article, we look at how missing teeth can impact your speech and how having dental implants Harley Street fitted can help.

Missing teeth and speech

We all remember being young and losing one of our front baby teeth; this created the adorable whistle effect when we spoke, which is linked to children in that age range.

However, if you are an adult and have a missing tooth at the front, this once cute sounding noise can become a hindrance, and it may make it difficult to speak without feeling self-conscious.

Dental implants Harley Street are placed into the jaw and, over around 3 to 6 months, they fuse to the bone, acting as a stable root to have a prosthetic tooth (crown) attached, a fitted bridge or secured denture.

This not only allows you to close the gap(s) that have been creating this issue with your speech, but with the added security of the implant holding the prosthetic in place, you don’t have to worry about your tongue moving incorrectly, which can also create clearer speech patterns in the long term.

Gaps in teeth

Aside from having a missing tooth, you may have gaps in between your teeth that you want to fix with oral implants if braces are not an option.

Much like a missing tooth, these gaps can create odd sounds when talking and pronouncing ‘th’ sounds, especially if they are at the front of your mouth.

If you and our team have decided to have an implant-supported bridge fitted at the front of your mouth, then this will offer all of the advantages mentioned above, but with a subtler effect when you say words that have an ‘s’ in them.

Speaking with oral implants

It is easy to highlight how oral implants will benefit your speech and vocal patterns, but it is worth noting that after the prosthetics are fitted, they will take some getting used to.

When you first have your implants fitted, our team will ask you to speak to ensure that the implants are aiding in your pronunciation, and not hindering it; if there is an issue, we may need to move the location of the implant, but this is a very uncommon occurrence.

A simple way to speed up adapting to oral implants is to do facial exercises whilst looking into a mirror each day; our team will be able to offer you guidance on this and it will help your facial muscles adapt to the new positions of your teeth, along with your tongue.

Remember, based on the size of the prosthetic, how many implants you received and your body’s healing time, it can take up to 3 weeks to get used to speaking with oral implants, so patience is key!

Menopause and your mouth; risks higlighed by our dentist

Most women know that if they are pregnant, or have just had a baby, they will need to keep a very close eye on their oral health, to ensure that the hormonal fluctuations caused by the pregnancy do not cause long term damage to their teeth or gums.

But what about women who are going through perimenopause, or even menopause itself? Can this natural process cause issues with dental health too?

At Harley Street Dental Clinic, our dentist W1 is trained and able to help women cope with every stage of their life, ensuring that any hormonal changes that are created by pregnancy, childbirth, menopause or hormone replacement will not create long-term problems with their dental health.

So, what issues can perimenopause and menopause create in your mouth? Our dentist W1 provides the following guide.

Periodontal disease

It is nothing short of an annoyance that menopause can cause gum disease.

According to our dentist W1, this is due to the fluctuating hormone levels, which can lead to the gums becoming hypersensitive to the presence of plaque and bacteria in the mouth. In normal circumstances, this bacteria would not be problematic, but due to surging and decreasing hormones, it can create an extreme response from the immune system, leading to inflammation and gum disease.

If you have noticed that your gums are sore, bleeding or inflamed, please contact our team for a check-up as soon as possible.

Dry mouth

Many people experiencing menopause notice that their mouths become dry more easily, due to an underproduction of saliva.

This may not seem like an issue, but it can in actuality increase the chance of tooth decay. Saliva in the mouth plays an important role in the daily removal of bacteria and plaque from your teeth and so, if it is being underproduced, it can lead to consequences such as an increased risk of cavities and tartar formation.

Our team can mitigate this issue by applying a fluoride sealant to your teeth, to prevent the chance of decay from forming and providing an extra barrier against plaque and bacteria.

Tooth decay

In the same way that hormonal fluctuations can cause the gums to swell, they can also cause the calcium in the teeth to reduce. And, if you have a family history of conditions like osteoporosis or another degenerative bone disease, then you may begin to notice a higher incidence of tooth decay around the time of menopause.

In this instance, we recommend that you talk to your doctor and we can help by applying fluoride sealants alongside performing white fillings as and when they are required.

Tooth loss

Don’t panic, but menopause and associated issues can lead to tooth loss.

Declining oestrogen levels in the body can lead to bone loss in areas such as the hips and the spine, but can also cause bone loss in the jaw, which can lead to tooth loss and jawbone loss. We can aim to restore teeth that have been lost in this way using dental implants, depending on the extent of the bone loss or dentures.

Why the dentist is important; a guide for older children

Hello to all those children out there!

We know what you are thinking; your parents are trying to get you to go to a dental surgery to have your teeth looked at and you don’t want to go!

You will be happy to learn that you aren’t alone; as many as 1 in 3 children don’t like having their teeth looked at, but at our practice, we are trying to make dental care as fun as possible!

At Harley Street Dental Clinic, our dentist Harley Street knows how boring or scary getting into the dental chair can be. And so, we take pride in offering our child patients a friendly welcome, while also helping you learn how to look after your teeth. Great!

But why should you listen to your parents and attend your upcoming check-up with our dentist Harley Street? Read on to find out!

Smiling is fun!

When you smile, you are showing off all of your teeth and, of course, you will always want your smile to look its best!

But if you don’t come in to see our dentist Harley Street when you are told to, this can lead to your smile not looking the way you want it to. You may begin to notice brown spots on your teeth which can make you feel a bit unsure about showing your smile. These brown spots are called cavities and, if they are left for too long, they can get bigger and will begin to hurt.

But our team can fix them!

Health is important!

Your teeth and gums are part of your body and, just like every other part of your body, they need to be looked after.

In the same way that you go with your carer, parent or older sibling to the doctors and opticians for a check-up, you should always aim to do the same with our dental team. This can help us prevent issues before they happen; remember the brown spots we mentioned earlier? By cleaning your teeth and applying a special varnish to them, our team can prevent them from happening.

Braces

Now, we know what you are thinking!

You don’t want to go for a check-up, because you have a friend who has braces and you are worried that you will need them too.

But braces can be a great thing to have; they straighten your teeth, they improve your speech and dental hygiene and they can be personalised with your favourite colours.

As you get older, it can become harder and more expensive to have your teeth straightened, so it is worth doing it when you are younger. That way, when you grow up, your smile will look great!

Also, we can offer a different range of braces than we could in the past; you may even be able to get a clear brace!

Brushing and education

It is important for your oral health that you know how to brush your teeth properly; that way, you can get rid of plaque, which can lead to cavities and sore gums. But our team can also talk to you about what foods are good for your teeth and which ones are not so good. That way, you can keep your teeth strong and healthy!

With maturity come wisdom teeth!

Our normal quota of teeth is thirty-two and the last of those to arrive are usually the molars or wisdom teeth Harley Street. They invariably arrive anywhere between seventeen and twenty- one years of age and there are usually four of them. They aid the chewing process and will normally come through your gum naturally, sometimes, with mild discomfort. They are referred to as wisdom teeth Harley Street because of their late arrival and have nothing to do with how intelligent you are!

Molars can cause problems

The biggest problem with rear molars is that they can become trapped under your gums and we refer to that as being impacted. If your new molars have not come through in the correct position that will make flossing difficult and this can cause food to become trapped, allowing bacteria to grow in cavities that may have occurred. In some cases rear molars only get partially through the gum also causing infection from bacteria. Sometimes the new molars may cause crowding which can damage your adjacent teeth. The roots of nearby teeth can be damaged by a cyst that the new molars have caused and this can affect the bone loosening other teeth nearby.

Highlighting the importance of routine dental care

Preventive dentistry is extremely important to identify problems before they occur especially at this crucial age of seventeen and older. We encourage parents to start bringing their children to the surgery at an early age so that we can identify any problems that may be developing. Rear molar development can be monitored if you attend your regular six-monthly dental visits. This can avoid complex rear molar problems from developing. If you have neglected your regular dental visits we have a team that can help, but it makes sense to stick to your dental regime to avoid serious problems.

A team of experienced clinicians ready to help

Our clinic has a highly experienced dental team who can help to sort out problems with your wisdom teeth Harley Street. Each patient is unique and you will react differently to a similar problem experienced by another patient. Before we prescribe any treatment for wisdom teeth we will conduct a thorough examination of your mouth and take numerous X-rays and in some cases a scan, so that we can identify exactly what needs to be done. We will always try to save a tooth, but in some cases it is not possible and it could be necessary to remove a wisdom tooth if it is causing severe pain and infection.

A practice proud of its service

Our practice is a modern, well-equipped dental surgery with many decades of experience treating patients in this area. We are now treating second and third generations of patients which is testament to the quality of service which we offer. From treating impacted wisdom teeth to teeth whitening we have the skills and the equipment to be able to handle any dental problem that you may be experiencing. In response to our patients’ requests we also offer a wide variety of facial aesthetic treatments in our sterile treatment rooms.

A guide to lip fillers from Harley Street

Looking for a way to refresh your appearance?

At Harley Street Dental, we provide lip fillers Harley Street to rejuvenate your face without the inconvenience of surgery.

Here, our team provides a brief guide to lip fillers Harley Street.

The filler

Before we inject your lip fillers Harley Street, we will numb the area with a local anaesthetic to ensure that you don’t feel any discomfort.

The fillers that we use at our surgery are made from hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring protein in the body that, when injected under the skin, plumps it up and smooths out any fine lines and wrinkles.

Not only that, but hyaluronic acid has also been linked to the production of collagen under the skin which prolongs the effects of these injections.

The injections

As mentioned before, when we inject the fillers, we will numb the area first; while we are certain that our team will be gentle, we want to ensure that you are comfortable for the entire procedure.

Depending on the amount of filler we use, you will be able to see the results immediately. It is common after the injections to experience some minor swelling and bruising, so don’t be concerned if when you leave our surgery your lips look a bit swollen.

It is highly unlikely that you will experience an allergic reaction to hyaluronic acid, as it is a naturally occurring protein. However, if your lips feel excessively sore or bruised, if you are having problems breathing or you feel dizzy, please seek emergency medical treatment.

Aftercare

The aftercare for these fillers is very much the same as the aftercare for general dermal fillers.

But of course, as you use your lips to eat food and talk, it is a bit more tricky!

Try not to apply too much pressure to your lips after the injections have been applied, as this can cause them to move out of position.

Also, refrain from excessive exercise for 24 hours, along with attending a sauna or any other activities that can make you sweat. Such things increase blood flow, which can dislodge the fillers and cause them to move, shortening the effect that they have on your lips.

If you feel that the area is sensitive, gently apply an ice pack to it.

If necessary, take over-the-counter pain relief, but avoid ibuprofen and aspirin, as these can thin the blood and worsen the bruising.

Contraindications

If you have an active autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, then you should discuss this with our team before having fillers injected. This is because the medication used to treat autoimmune diseases can slow the body’s response time, meaning it can take longer to heal and increase the risk of infection.

If you suffer from severe allergies, it is also worth discussing these with our team before having the injections.

Longevity

Depending on your lifestyle and your age, your dermal fillers can last anywhere between 6-9 months. To promote longevity, we recommend avoiding smoking or drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and that you maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Invisalign FAQs answered

When it comes to straightening your teeth, our team can offer you Invisalign W1. Sleek, custom-fitted and easy to fit around everyday life, these aligners are one of our most popular treatments. Let’s find out more about them with the following FAQs.

Do invisible aligners hurt?

Invisalign W1 is one of the more comfortable types of adult orthodontic treatment, as it relies on pushing the teeth into their desired positions rather than pulling them.

But as they are provided in a set of around 14 aligners, with each one needing to be worn in succession, you may notice some pressure after you have changed between them.

Do they take longer than regular braces?

On average, invisible aligners take between 3-6 months to straighten mild to moderate misalignments.

But it is worth remembering that regular braces are more suited to correcting complex issues surrounding dental positioning, and therefore, they will take longer to straighten your teeth than aligners. Invisible aligners can also straighten complex cases, but in such instances, the treatment itself may take longer than 6 months. The treatment time also relies heavily on you keeping your aligners in your mouth for around 22 hours per day or as directed by our team.

Will I be able to afford them?

At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we are happy to offer our suitable patients 0% finance options, which will help you spread the cost of the treatment into affordable monthly chunks.

If you would like to know more about the financing options that we may be able to provide you with, please call our friendly reception team for more information.

How do I look after them?

Invisible aligners are very easy to care for and, as they do not require alterations or tightening, they can easily be fitted into your daily routine.

We usually advise that you clean them twice a day by rinsing them under a cold tap. But, if you have stubborn debris or staining, you should use a toothbrush to remove it and not attempt to clean it off using hot water. This can cause the aligners to warp out of shape, after which you would need to order new ones, thus delaying the treatment time.

When the aligners are not in your mouth, we recommend placing them in the containers provided and not putting them into your pockets or a bag, as this can inadvertently cause them to become damaged.

Will they affect my speech?

It is likely that the presence of an aligner in your mouth is going to affect your speech.

But, it is probable that if you have had misaligned teeth for a while, that your speech patterns have already been altered by the position of your teeth. And, while it may seem strange, developing a different vocal pattern when wearing an aligner can be a good thing, as it means your teeth are shifting and your tongue is moving correctly.

As a result, any speech impediments you had, such as a lisp, may reverse completely. If you would like more information about how wearing Invisalign W1 can help you or a family member, please feel free to contact our team.

Composite bonding myths dispelled by our team

Do you want to undergo dental bonding, but have heard the results don’t last long?

Our team has been providing composite bonding Harley Street for over 10 years and knows all there is to know about this simple, effective and affordable procedure.

But some rather persistent myths surround having composite bonding Harley Street and in this article, our team aims to dispel them so you can explore if this is the right treatment for you. So, read on to learn more!

Myth 1- The process is uncomfortable

There is no part of having composite bonding Harley Street that is uncomfortable.

Our team applies the composite to your teeth and then, using a set of precision drills, shapes it. Once you are happy with how it looks, we use a UV light to cure or harden it into its final shape. What could be easier?

Myth 2- It doesn’t last long

There is a common myth that when you have dental bonding performed, the result doesn’t last very long. And, for some reason, many patients prefer the idea of having dental veneers fitted instead of bonding due to this myth, which is unfortunate.

With correct care, bonding can easily last for at least a decade. You will need to see our team every 6 months during this time for check-ups and keep up with your regular dental hygiene regime at home.

Myth 3- Anyone can have it done

Many patients assume that because they want to have a cosmetic or restorative procedure performed that they will be automatically suitable for it.

However, before we can fit any kind of bonding to your teeth, we will need to assess the condition of your teeth to look for evidence of decay or gum disease, both of which would require treatment before the bonding is fitted.

Myth 4- It’s cosmetic

There is undoubtedly a cosmetic element to this procedure.

But dental bonding is far more than having a white layer placed over your teeth! It can be used to strengthen teeth that may have been damaged by trauma and can be used to add additional support to teeth that have undergone an extensive dental procedure like a root canal. Much like veneers, it can also be used to reduce sensitivity associated with microscopic holes in the enamel.

And, should you have cracks or chips in your teeth, it can also act as a way to not only conceal them, but to prevent them from spreading or attracting plaque.

Myth 5- It is expensive

OK, while we cannot stipulate how much this process will cost you without seeing you for a consultation, on average, it is more affordable than many of our patients think. When compared to similar treatments, like veneers, having your teeth bonded is relatively cheap, as there is no third party involved; our team simply applies the composite to your teeth and then shapes it with a drill. If you were to have veneers fitted, we would need to take moulds or scans, have these sent to a laboratory to be made and then sent back, which would not only increase the time of the procedure, but would also increase the cost.

Clear braces; a guide from Harley Street

At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we are proud to be at the forefront of adult orthodontics. And we can offer you clear braces W1, or Invisalign, to help you straighten your smile. Let’s look at a brief guide about what wearing this aligner entails.

Initial consultation

At your initial clear braces W1 consultation, we will assess the severity of your misalignment to see if these aligners will be of benefit to you. If you are suitable to have them, we will take an intraoral scan of your mouth and this will then be sent to a dental laboratory to have the aligners printed.

Wearing

The aligners that you will be given need to be worn for about 22 hours a day; that means they will need to be worn in bed and throughout the day.

If you do not wear your aligners for the prescribed time, your teeth may be slower to move and can even revert to their former positions.

Wearing your aligners should not cause extensive discomfort, but the sensation of pressure is likely; remember, they have to move your teeth and the first few days of wearing a new aligner will probably be the most uncomfortable.

Care

Each aligner you wear will need to be worn for around 14 days. That means that, while their lifespan isn’t overly long, they are powerful and will need to be taken care of to work.

One way you can care for your aligners is to keep them clean; remove debris from them using cold water and a toothbrush. Never clean them with hot water, as it can cause them to warp.

You will also need to keep them in the carry cases provided, and shouldn’t drop them into a bag or pocket when you aren’t wearing them, as it can cause them to become damaged.

If you lose an aligner, please let us know and we will aim to order a replacement as soon as possible.

Retainer

When you finish wearing the aligners, our team will likely suggest that you wear a retainer.

This is to ensure that your teeth don’t move back into their former positions.

It will be custom-fitted but, depending on how likely reversion is (your teeth moving back), we will provide you with an individual prescription time.

You will need to wear the retainer until your teeth settle in place, which will take between 3-5 months. If you have any discomfort with your retainers, please let us know.

Potential complications

There are few serious issues that can occur when you are wearing invisible aligners.

But, if you smoke cigarettes, you run the risk of not only staining the aligners, but may inadvertently heighten the chance of developing gum disease. In turn, this can cause your teeth to become loose and fall out, so our dentist will always advise against this when you are undertaking orthodontic treatments.

Similarly, you will also need to keep an eye open for signs of gum disease when you are wearing aligners, such as bleeding gums, tooth movement or bad breath. If you notice any of these signs while wearing an aligner (or at any other time), please call us right away!

If you would like more information about clear braces W1, then please contact the team at our practice today.

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