The straight story on orthodontics in Harley Street

Here at Harley Street Dental Clinic, we like to offer high quality dentistry of every kind from dentists who have gone through the extra years of training on top of their general dentistry qualification. One area of dentistry that is particularly important no matter what your age is orthodontics in Harley Street.

Orthodontics in Harley StreetWhat many people do not realise is that your teeth can move around in your jawbone at any age. Because most orthodontics in Harley Street takes place when our patients are young, usually around the ages of 9-13, people think that after they reach adulthood, their teeth can no longer be shifted. But they can. Braces for adults are becoming increasingly common as this information filters through and people realise their mild to moderate or even some severe misalignment issues can be fixed, as long as it’s only the teeth; the jawbones set hard around age 18 so they can’t be changed after that age.

Even seniors can have braces

Teeth can not only be moved around, they can also drift about of their own accord, which is what often happens if people lose a tooth or two. Imagine your teeth as trees on a hillside. As one topples over the ones above it start to slide into the gap and can even topple into it too. This is what happens with gaps in the teeth. Lined up well, teeth support each other in their alignment. Take one out and that support is gone, like losing a house in the middle of a terrace.

Tooth loss can happen at any age, but it gets increasingly likely as people age and their teeth finally succumb to a mixture of erosion, attrition, bruxism, decay and gum disease. The resultant gaps mean their other teeth can start moving about. If people have lost several teeth and some time ago, it is not unusual for them to need orthodontics in Harley Street to realign their remaining teeth before they can have restorations in the form of partial dentures, fixed bridges or dental implants.

It might be embarrassing to find yourself wearing braces in your 70s, but we offer clear or invisible braces, so you can keep your dignity as you undergo realignment.

Come early

A trip to the orthodontist in Harley Street should be on the list of must-dos for every parent with young children. Bringing your child in for a check-up with the orthodontist at Harley Street Dental Clinic when they are around seven years old will allow us to find out what the future holds for the alignment of their teeth. And if there are problems on the way, knowing what’s in store means we can formulate a treatment plan to deal with problems as they appear rather than waiting until they have arrived and settled in.

Orthodontist in Harley StreetIn the past, parents expected to bring their children to the orthodontist in Harley Street when they were 11 or 12 years old, and most, if not all, of their adult teeth were already descended and in place. Nowadays however, we can accurately predict how the teeth are going to descend and what problems, if any, there will be. This means we can correct the position of the teeth by guiding them into the right place with suitable braces, rather than waiting for them to have settled into their misalignments that we can have to correct. It makes sense really.

Jaw issues

Although more and more adults are now getting braces for their wonky teeth, nothing beats getting your teeth realigned when you are a child by the orthodontist in Harley Street. Indeed, there are certain issues related to the jaw that need to be treated in childhood when the jawbones are still malleable. If the arches are too narrow to comfortably accommodate the teeth, they will come through crowded and some may not descend properly. We can widen the jawbone when your child is still young. If issues such as this are left until after the age of about 18, the bone will have set hard and will not be able to change.

Braces for kids

We have a wide variety of braces for kids. We often find that young children are far less self-conscious than teenagers and so are happy to have metal braces, and these can be brightened up and made a feature of by adding colourful elastics to them.

What is Orthodontics

Orthodontics is increasingly popular around the world and it is little wonder considering the progressive advances being made in its field. Orthodontic treatment is designed to improve the appearance and alignment of teeth and jaws through the use of braces, aligners and other devices. Orthodontics in Harley Street focuses on the alignment of crooked, protruding, crowded or gappy teeth. Orthodontic treatment also focuses on the fixing of malocclusion which is anything to do with the teeth not meeting correctly when they bite.

Orthodontics in Harley StreetHarley Street Dental Clinic has a team of experienced and understanding dentists who focus on orthodontics in Harley Street. Their main priority is getting your teeth into the correct position. Straight teeth are healthy teeth and healthy teeth means a healthy you. There are a great number of benefits of receiving orthodontics in Harley Street. Depending on the severity of your teeth, you could be reducing the risk of damaging prominent teeth, getting fewer headaches due to misaligned jaw, risk of tooth decay or tooth loss and of course, you will be improving your appearance. A lovely smile can turn your world upside down, not just for you being able to smile with confidence but for the response your receive from the people you smile at.

Malocclusion (misaligned jaw or teeth) can not only have an impact on your self-esteem but in some severe cases it can also have an effect on speech and eating. It is usually first detected in children at an early age. At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we encourage children you to bring your children to us so that we can uncover problems early.

Orthodontics in Harley Street are usually in the form of braces, which are affixed to your teeth, or aligners, which are removable. Braces have now advanced so greatly that we can offer fixed braces that are unnoticeable to the untrained eye. Lingual braces are in fact attached behind your teeth so during the treatment, you can smile all you want and no-one will be able to tell you are wearing braces. We also offer Invisalign aligners, which are removable and made of clear plastic so again, unnoticeable to the untrained eye.

In-depth knowledge of tooth alignment

When you need to see an orthodontist in Harley Street, it helps if they are backed by a large team of colleagues whose knowledge and experience covers every aspect of dentistry. Here at Harley Street Dental Clinic, we know that dental problems can be complex and do not fit neatly into silos of knowledge. You may come in to see us because your teeth are wonky, but when we examine you, we could find other problems that dentists with different skills are required to solve.

Orthodontist in Harley StreetWhen you use Harley Street Dental Clinic as your dental practice in London, you will have access to a large team of highly trained and experienced dental professionals, who work together when needed to solve your dental problems. You, or your children may come in for a check-up, but if you have problems with the way your teeth and jaws meet together, there is no need for us to refer you on to another practice for help. We already have an orthodontist in Harley Street right here in our clinic. In fact, we have more than one. These dentists have been trained beyond the normal requirements for general dentistry and have an in-depth knowledge of how to diagnose and treat issues with the way your teeth and jaws line up.

Why bother with an orthodontist in Harley Street?

Teeth that don’t line up properly tend not to last as long. If they are crowded or twisted or have gaps between them, they offer all sorts of difficult-to-clean places for plaque-forming bacteria to hide out and proliferate. These bacteria give off acids that cause decay and gum disease. Also, if only a few teeth are bearing the brunt of your chewing forces, they may well crumble away before their time. Misalignments of the teeth and jaws can also cause pain in the jaws, head, neck and shoulders.

An orthodontist in Harley Street has many more techniques and devices to hand these days to make alignment faster, more comfortable and more discreet. Why not come in and see how we can help you solve your alignment problems?

Complex orthodontics in Harley Street

Very few people are naturally blessed with perfectly aligned teeth and jaws, but the vast majority of patients only need a little help with orthodontics in Harley Street to untwist or straight up their teeth. Sometimes however, things are more complicated and the jaws need realigning as well as the teeth.

Orthodontics in Harley StreetIdeally, this kind of work is carried out when the jaws are still malleable and have not yet set hard, that is when you are under the age of 18. However, not everyone can get this kind of treatment at the right age. This may be because they are living in a country where complex orthodontics are not available.

If you are one of those people who has grown up with jaws that do not meet together properly do not despair, here at Harley Street Dental Clinic, we have put together a team of dentists under one roof who work together to solve this kind of complex dental problem.

We have a team of consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeons upon whom we can call to work with our orthodontists to solve the problem of badly aligned jaws and teeth. This involves maxillofacial surgery to move the jaws. Often it is a case of moving the lower jaw forward very slightly so that the teeth will line up properly, and then the patient might also need to have some braces to make sure the teeth are all pointing in the right direction and are evenly distributed along the jaws.

Dr Emma Laing spends all her time here at the clinic working in orthodontics in Harley Street. She has also spent time working in maxillofacial surgery so she knows when surgery is the right step for alignment issues. Emma can call on three maxillofacial surgeons: Mr Peter Hardee, Mr Paul Norris and Ms Helen Witherow. Dr Laing also has other colleagues who are orthodontists. Dr Ahmed Abdullah also works with children’s dental issues.

Here at Harley Street Dental Clinic, we believe that having a large team of dentists available under one roof makes life so much easier for our patients who need orthodontics in Harley Street.

What is an orthodontist?

If you’ve only ever needed general dental treatments, you may not have a clue what an orthodontist in Harley Street is, or what they do. An orthodontist is a regular dentist that has done an extra qualification to focus on this particular area of dentistry.

Orthodontist in Harley StreetOrthodontists are concerned with the harmony of the teeth, jaws and mouth. They aim to bring everything into alignment. This is not just because it looks nice, but also because it’s healthier. Someone with a misaligned jaw may experience jaw pain, headaches, have difficulty chewing, have sensitive teeth, grind their teeth or clench their jaw.

Teeth are also healthier when they are properly aligned – this is because there are fewer nooks and crannies for bacteria to hide in and cause decay and disease. And they are also easier to keep clean as you will be more able to get your brush and floss into all the gaps.

So, if you do have wonky teeth, an overbite or underbite, a crossed, crooked or gapped smile, a visit to the orthodontist in Harley Street could be well worth your while.

What do they do?

In a word – braces. The orthodontist in Harley Street uses a range of dental appliances to correct the teeth and jaws, most commonly braces of various kinds. For teens, the dreaded metal train track braces are often used. This is because they are still the most efficient way to correct serious misalignments of the teeth and jaw. However, things have moved on since the 80s and metal braces are now made of more lightweight materials and can even come in different colours for your image-conscious teen.

For adults, the orthodontist in Harley Street may offer discreet or invisible braces – great if you don’t want to announce to the whole world that you are having treatment. These range from lingual braces that fit to the back of the teeth to clear plastic aligners that fit over the teeth and gums like mouth guards. Certain kinds of fixed metal braces also now come in clear ceramic and tooth-coloured materials to blend into the teeth.

Call in and talk to our orthodontists at Harley Street Dental Clinic about how you could benefit from a straighter smile.

Straighter, healthier teeth

As well as having more visual appeal, straighter teeth are better for your oral health. Wonky smiles often have awkward areas that are difficult for your toothbrush to clean. Bacteria and food particles can hide in these gaps, increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we have many ways to enhance your dental positioning. Our Harley Street orthodontics will give you a smile you’ll be happy to show off.

Orthodontics in Harley StreetThe advantages of Harley Street orthodontics

You might be aware that the appearance of your teeth can be spoiled by small imperfections. Maybe your front teeth stick out a bit too much, or there are small gaps between the teeth where they ought to meet. Poor dental positioning can make eating an unpleasant experience, and misaligned bites can put strain on the jaw. Our friendly team will work with you to find the most appropriate method of straightening your teeth.

Our techniques are efficient, contemporary, and discreet. There’s no need to worry about having to wear highly visible braces. With Invisalign, you’ll be given a series of transparent plastic aligners. Precisely shaped to fit over your teeth, you’ll wear a set of these aligners for around 7-10 days before exchanging it for the next one. Because each set is a slightly different shape, your teeth will be gently pressured into improved positions.

Fixed braces

If your situation requires wire-and-bracket braces, we can attach these to the backs of your teeth. This innovative type of Harley Street orthodontics stays hidden in your mouth while treatment is ongoing. It greatly reduces the potential for embarrassment and self-consciousness that often deters people from having necessary tooth repositioning.

Long-term benefits

After having orthodontics in Harley Street, you’ll enjoy many years of improved oral health and enhanced cosmetic appeal. It takes a little patience to move the teeth into better positions. Typical treatment times can be 18 months or longer, depending on how much movement needs to be achieved. Our comfortable, customised processes minimise disruption while they maximise dental potential. Talk to us today to find out how we can transform your smile.

Improve your dental alignment

The position of your teeth can affect your oral health as well as the visual appeal of your teeth. A crooked smile can be hard to keep clean, which increases the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. If you have a misaligned bite, your jaw is at risk of strain. Overall, straighter teeth make for a more harmonious dental experience. At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we provide a range of contemporary teeth realignment solutions. If you’re looking for an orthodontist in Harley Street, we can improve your smile and enhance your health.

Orthodontist in Harley StreetA modern orthodontist in Harley Street

You might have noticed that relatively minor imperfections can have a major effect on the way you feel about your smile. Our depth of experience in tooth realignment means we can work with you to find the most effective treatment.

If you’re someone who worries that your braces will be highly visible, you might be interested in Invisalign. This involves wearing a series of clear plastic aligners. Precisely shaped for a snug fit, you’ll wear a set of these transparent aligners over your teeth for around 7-10 days, before moving onto the next set in the series. You can take them out of your mouth when you need to eat a meal or brush your teeth. They’re a discreet and user-friendly way to enhance your dental alignment.

Fixed braces from a Harley Street orthodontist

We can fit you with discreet and lightweight fixed braces that don’t attract unwanted attention. Made of tooth-coloured and transparent materials, these modern braces do their work with minimal fuss. We can even attach wire-and-bracket braces to the backs of your teeth, to make sure they stay hidden while treatment is ongoing.

Improved outlook

Treatment from a Harley Street orthodontist provides you with an improved dental future. Although the treatments need time and a certain amount of patience, their effects will last for many years after the braces come off.

Find out more

Our friendly team has plenty of experience in straightening teeth and are waiting to talk to you about how we can work with you to find the best way of achieving a long-lasting healthy smile. Give us a call today.

A few reasons why visiting an orthodontist in Harley Street is important

In most cases, people visit the dentist in order to cure oral problems that have already occurred. Prevention is also another reason for visiting the dentist. However, many patients would also benefit from a visit to the orthodontist. Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that focuses on the treatment of dental problems closely associated with misaligned teeth.

To put it simply, an orthodontist is concerned with the shape, size and position of the tooth. Unfortunately, many people are living with crooked teeth because of adult relapse or because they did not have the chance to have their teeth straightened as children. Luckily, all these issues can be solved by visiting an experienced orthodontist.

Orthodontist in Harley StreetAt Harley Street Dental Clinic, we are committed to helping our patients understand how important the role of an orthodontist in their lives is. Even if you take excellent care of your teeth and gums at home, an orthodontist in Harley Street can diagnose and treat any problems you may not be aware of.

How can an orthodontist help?

Just like the rest of your body, you may be unaware that a dental problem exists until it becomes visible or causes pain, which usually happens in the advanced stages.

Crooked teeth are not only aesthetically displeasing, but they can also harbour bacteria and plaque that lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Teeth straightening by an orthodontist in Harley Street will help you keep your teeth and gums clean and less prone to tooth decay. A beautiful looking smile is a great motivation, but improved oral health is a more important benefit.

Patients whose teeth do not properly align may experience jaw-related pain in the long run. This can lead to abnormal wear of the tooth enamel as well as headaches and irregular sleep. Our experienced orthodontist in Harley Street can prevent these problems with specialised treatment.

Contact us

These are just some of the reasons why you should never put off a visit to the orthodontist in Harley Street. Be sure to schedule a check-up with our dental team, so we can keep your teeth in peak condition.

Straighten your teeth in secret with discreet orthodontics in Harley Street

Would you like to straighten you teeth, but wonder if you are too old for braces? Or is it possible that you do not enjoy the idea of having metal brackets and wires attached to your mouth? If you have these concerns, discreet orthodontics may be for you. Unlike metal braces, discreet orthodontics can change your crooked teeth into a healthy smile without anybody knowing that you are undergoing treatment.

Orthodontics in Harley StreetAt Harley Street Dental Clinic, we offer a wide range of discreet orthodontic options that are ideal for teenagers and adults alike. Orthodontics in Harley Street are inconspicuous, comfortable to wear, and can sometimes shorten treatment time by several months. Our experienced dental team will examine your teeth thoroughly and help you decide which treatment is ideal for your individual needs.

Invisalign

Invisalign is an innovative orthodontic treatment that uses clear, plastic, removable aligners rather than conventional metal or ceramic brackets and wires. Invisalign aligners gradually reposition teeth that have mild to moderate alignment and bite problems. Created with the aid of 3D imaging technology, Invisalign aligners are customised to fit each patient’s teeth. Worn 20-22 hours per day and switched out every other week or so for a new pair, the clear braces fit firmly over the top and the bottom teeth, but also are fully removable. With Invisalign aligners you can smile with confidence while still undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Lingual braces

As their name suggests, lingual braces are fixed metal braces that are attached behind the teeth. Unlike traditional braces, lingual braces are completely invisible and will not interfere with your oral function.

Clear braces

Clear ceramic braces combine the efficiency and effectiveness of metal braces with discretion. Ceramic brackets and wires are either clear or tooth-coloured, allowing them to blend in with your natural smile. Just like regular braces, ceramic braces can fix a wide variety of dental issues including crooked, gapped and crowded teeth.

Get in touch

If you are interested in discreet orthodontics in Harley Street, but do not know where to start, give us a call and we will book a consultation appointment for you.