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Adult Orthodontics: Debunking the 8 Most Common Myths

Whether you never had the option to straighten your teeth as a teenager, or it wasn’t a major concern, you may worry you’ve left it too late now you’ve reached adulthood. 

Maybe you’re more aware of your smile and want to straighten your teeth. Or, you know, there are other health benefits you want to take advantage of. However, unhelpful myths and assumptions may put you off seeking treatment. 

If you decide to straighten your teeth, it’s natural to have many questions. Is it too late to straighten your teeth as an adult? Will orthodontic treatment hurt? 

In this guide, we’ll separate fact from fiction and tell you what you need to know about straightening your teeth as an adult. 

MYTH 1: It’s Too Late to Straighten Your Teeth

When teeth straightening is mentioned, teenagers often spring to mind. Teenagers often get their teeth straightened. But does this mean it’s not a treatment for adults?

The Facts…

We often aim to straighten teeth as early as possible to give people the best oral health future. Straightening their teeth reduces the risk of oral health problems throughout a patient’s life. A straighter smile can also help teenagers with their confidence.

However, none of this means teeth straightening is only for children and teenagers. —Far from it. Countless patients of all ages opt to straighten their teeth every year. Adults enjoy the same success as younger patients. It’s never too late. 

MYTH 2: Teeth Straightening Treatments Stand Out

Fixed braces are a common option for straightening teeth. They’re a tried and tested method which have been used for decades. But as an adult, you may worry about embarrassment while wearing obvious orthodontic appliances. 

The Facts…

Orthodontics has come on a long and exciting journey in the last two and a half decades. Gone are the days when the only option for straightening teeth was to wear fixed metal braces. 

Now, you can straighten your teeth using clear removable aligners from Invisalign or have fixed braces hidden behind your smile courtesy of Incognito lingual braces. If you want to take a more traditional approach, fixed braces have become more subtle too. Tooth-coloured braces blend into your smile for more discreet treatment. 

You may be surprised to learn that many adults undergo orthodontic treatments without anyone noticing their appliance. 

MYTH 3: Teeth Straightening Just Gives You a Nicer Smile

Orthodontic treatments really do improve the appearance of your smile. They close gaps, spread out crowded teeth, and bring crooked smiles into line. But is it worth going through treatment for cosmetic reasons later in life?

The Facts…

While there’s no upper age limit on looking and feeling great, orthodontics offers more than just aesthetics. 

Straightening your teeth makes it easier to clean them. This helps you remove plaque and food debris when brushing or flossing. In turn, it decreases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. 

Improving the position of teeth can also benefit your bite. Orthodontic treatment makes it easier to bite and speak. It also helps prevent jaw pain from conditions like temporomandibular disorder. 

MYTH 4: Straightening Your Teeth Is Expensive

If you’re straightening your teeth as an adult, you won’t get treatment on the NHS. So, is it as expansive as you imagine?

The Facts…

There’s more than one way to straighten your teeth. As such, treatment costs vary depending on which option you choose. You can spread the cost of your treatment with our finance options. This makes treatment even more affordable. 

MYTH 5: It Takes Ages to See Results

Orthodontics is a slow process where teeth move in small amounts gradually. But does this mean you won’t see the results for months or even years?

The Facts…

It is true that orthodontic treatment isn’t immediate. Treatment lengths will vary. However, depending on the extent of the straightening needed, your treatment may only take six months. 

But whether your treatment takes six months or two years, you can see the change before completion. 

Invisalign is a clear and removable aligner system. You can see the difference after a matter of weeks. 

Lingual braces are fixed to the back of your mouth so won’t obscure your view. You’ll see the changes in the mirror in no time. 

MYTH 6: Teeth Straightening Is Uncomfortable

Wearing appliances on your teeth that use force to create a straighter smile is painful. Or is it?

The Facts…

You may expect that constant pressure on your teeth might cause some discomfort. In reality, the force is so small you’ll barely notice it after a while. Whether you choose a fixed brace option or removable Invisalign aligners, you’ll quickly get used to the gentle tension. 

Another thing that you might expect to cause discomfort is the brackets from fixed braces. Although these can rub against parts of your mouth, you can use orthodontic wax to improve comfort levels. 

MYTH 7: Adult Teeth Take Much Longer to Straighten

Given that orthodontic treatments are often offered to teenagers, you may assume it takes much longer when you’re older. 

The Facts…

When you’re an adult, your teeth and jaws are fully developed. This can increase the duration of the treatment. But it might be by less than you’d expect. 

Factors that affect treatment duration are similar across age groups. These could include the extent of the treatment needed, the straightening technique used, lifestyle, health, and how well you adhere to the process. 

Treatment lengths can vary between six months and two or more years. 

MYTH 8: DIY Orthodontics Are Better for Adults

Online aligner brands without the need for dental supervision may offer convenience and promise discretion, making them perfect for adults. But are they really perfect, or more hassle than they’re worth?

The Facts…

In recent years, many DIY orthodontics brands have popped up and disappeared. Some have endured. They promise to take the fuss out of treatment and save you money too. As a busy adult, this may appeal to you. But there are some major drawbacks. 

Before commencing any orthodontic treatment, it’s essential to undergo a full clinical assessment, including X-rays. Your progress must also be assessed throughout the process. 

Our treatments follow bespoke plans centred around your specific oral health needs. You won’t get this from an online treatment. 

Finally, after a DIY treatment, you won’t receive the ongoing support to ensure your results stay. Retainers are essential for preventing your teeth from relapsing to their old position. 

The lack of planning, assessment, and aftercare means your treatment won’t be efficient or safe! 

Whatever your age, it’s always best to straighten your teeth with a treatment from a dental professional. 

Adult Teeth Straightening in London

Adult orthodontics are effective and discreet. You can choose between the convenience of Invisalign aligners, the subtlety of tooth-coloured braces, or the complete discretion of Incognito lingual braces.

Call today to book your initial consultation.

Going Incognito: How Hidden Lingual Braces Work

There has never been a better time to straighten your teeth. Orthodontic companies strive to create innovative ways to perfect your smile with minimal disruption to your life. One of the biggest reservations people have about traditional braces is that they stand out. 

Wearing a metal appliance on the front of your teeth for up to two years will yield exceptional results and give you a beautiful smile. However, the treatment process can leave you feeling self-conscious. 

This is why aesthetics is an important consideration in the design of many modern orthodontic appliances. While many treatments find ways to make a treatment appear more subtle, Incognito braces go a step further and hide them from view completely. 

Also known as lingual braces, these hidden appliances work just as well as more established treatments with the added beauty of ultimate discretion. In this guide, we’ll look at Incognito braces, explore how they work, and discuss everything you need to know. 

What Are Lingual Braces?

Much like traditional fixed braces, lingual braces use metal wires which are attached to your teeth using metal brackets. Unlike traditional braces, these are on the backs of your teeth instead of the front. The word “lingual” means near or next to the tongue. 

The treatment is ideal for anyone who is image-conscious, but wants to straighten their teeth either for cosmetic or health reasons. Teenagers and adults both find this treatment beneficial. 

How Do Incognito Braces Work?

Traditional braces use metal brackets to anchor a metal arch wire to your teeth. Small rubber bands are wrapped around each bracket to hold the wire in position. 

Tension along this wire creates small tooth movements. Throughout treatment, these wires are gradually tightened to move teeth until they appear straight. 

Incognito braces work in exactly the same way. However, instead of facing out from the fronts of your teeth, the brackets and wire are discreetly hidden from view. 

To get the best results, we use customised braces that are designed to fit your teeth perfectly. Just like traditional braces, we will adjust the tension along the brace’s wire at various stages throughout your treatment. 

Can Anyone See Lingual Braces?

Because of their position, nobody will ever know they are there. This makes treatment using Incognito braces perfect whatever your age. 

Why Straighten Your Teeth?

Teeth straightening has several benefits. These include:

Improved Appearance

Whether your teeth are crooked, spread out, or crowded close together, the appearance of your smile is affected. Straightening your teeth improves the appearance of your smile and gives you a confidence boost. 

Teeth Become Easier To Clean

Misaligned teeth are difficult to clean. Whether your teeth are spread out too much or too close together and set at an angle, bacteria and food particles can accumulate in the areas your toothbrush cannot reach. This can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease and cause bad breath. 

Aligning your teeth makes it easier to keep your smile fresh and healthy. 

Fix Bite Problems

Some misalignments affect your ability to close your mouth properly while putting strain on your jaw. This makes biting and chewing difficult. It can also cause pain in your jaws, face, head, neck, shoulders, and back. 

Lingual braces can fix complex bite problems like overbite, underbite, crossbite, and more. 

How Long Does It Take To Straighten Teeth Using Lingual Braces?

Every smile we treat is unique, and as such, treatment lengths vary. Mild alignment issues can take as few as six months to treat using Incognito braces. Other, more complex issues can take up to two years. 

Before your treatment starts, we’ll assess your teeth and jaws. Once we know how far we need to move each tooth, we can gauge the extent of your treatment. This helps us determine how long treatment will take in your specific case. 

Do Lingual Braces Affect Your Speech?

Because lingual braces are on the inside of your teeth facing your tongue, they can cause speech problems. These are usually only temporary. 

Speech problems occur because your tongue will naturally try to avoid touching the braces. When this happens, it effectively shortens your tongue leaving you with a slight lisp. 

You may feel conscious about this change in your speech. This can cause anxiety. Some people avoid speaking out of embarrassment. 

The best thing you can do is to continue speaking as normal. Your tongue will soon learn to adapt to the brace’s presence. Over the course of a few days, you’ll regain confidence in your ability to speak. Soon, your speech will return to normal. 

Do Lingual Braces Cause Discomfort or Pain?

As with any dental treatment, you may have concerns about pain and comfort levels. This is perfectly natural. On the whole, lingual braces are painless and discomfort-free. You may experience some soreness as you get used to your new braces and whenever they are adjusted. 

This soreness is temporary and will pass quickly. You can reduce any discomfort using painkillers like paracetamol.

You may find that your tongue touches your braces occasionally. Some people’s tongues also subconsciously play with their brace. If you find the metal uncomfortable, you can use orthodontic wax to improve how your brace feels. 

How Do You Keep Lingual Braces Clean?

It’s important to`keep your lingual braces clean at all times. Food debris and bacteria can easily build up under the wires and around the brackets. This can increase your risk of developing cavities. 

Because you can’t see your braces, you’ll have to rely on frequent and thorough cleaning. Brushing your teeth after every meal, ensuring you spend time on each surface is essential. Rinsing with mouthwash and flossing will improve your overall dental hygiene.

It’s worth paying attention to what you’re eating. Certain foods are more likely to get trapped in your brace, so avoid these where possible. 

Lingual Braces in London

Incognito lingual braces give you the reliability of traditional fixed appliances, with the added benefit of complete discretion. 

Contact us today to schedule your consultation and find out whether lingual braces are right for you.

10 Ways to Maximise the Success of Your Invisalign Treatment

Since its launch over two decades ago, Invisalign has revolutionised how we straighten teeth. This subtle and convenient transparent aligner system is now one of the leading orthodontic treatments. 

Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners that create a precision force on your teeth. Over your treatment, you’ll start to see the change, and you’ll love your new smile. 

Because your aligners are not fixed in place like metal braces, you’ll need to ensure you follow the best practice advice we give you to get the expected results. 

Here are some of the best ways to set yourself up for success when using Invisalign. 

1. Don’t Forget to Wear Your Aligners!

This might sound obvious, but you won’t straighten your teeth if you’re not wearing your aligners. 

Invisalign treatment plans are designed around near-constant aligner wear. Of course, one of the benefits of Invisalign is how easy it is to take your aligner out to eat or brush your teeth, but you need to remember to replace it immediately. 

We recommend wearing your aligner for at least 22 hours each day. If you skimp, it won’t be effective, and you won’t progress as planned. 

2. Swap Your Aligners As Instructed

Every two weeks, you’ll get a new aligner to wear. Although it might look exactly the same as your last aligner, it’s not. 

Because each aligner is custom-made for your smile and designed to be used at a specific stage in the treatment, it’s vital that you wear them in the order we provide them. Wearing each aligner too long could prolong your treatment or minimise its effectiveness. 

3. Don’t Throw Your Last Aligner Away

Although you need to move on to the next step as directed to achieve the expected results, keeping hold of your last aligner is always a good idea. 

In the rare event that you lose or damage your aligner, you should call us immediately. How we address the problem depends on how long you have worn your current aligner. 

If you’ve only recently changed your aligner, we may suggest wearing your last aligner until we can get a replacement for the current one. While this doesn’t progress your treatment, it will stop the teeth from moving backwards until we can get you back on track. 

4. Learn to Adjust to Wearing Your Aligner

Although Invisalign is comfortable, some people experience tenderness during the first day or two of wear. In addition, you may develop a slight lisp as you get used to wearing your aligner. 

It may be tempting to stop wearing your aligner or wear it less. Don’t. It can take a couple of days to get used to your aligner, but you will adjust quicker if you continue wearing it. 

Sucking ice can help reduce tenderness. While you get used to wearing your aligner, you may also want to avoid eating anything chewy or crunchy. 

Any slight lisps will quickly pass once your tongue gets used to the aligner being there. The best thing to do is keep wearing the aligner and speak normally. 

5. Keep Your Aligner Clean

Because you’ll need to wear your aligner all the time, it’s essential that you keep it clean. Bacteria and food particles inside your aligner will be pressed against your teeth for prolonged periods of time, increasing plaque and tartar build ups and raising the risk of decay and gum disease. 

Clean your aligners at least twice a day. Use lukewarm water and either a special aligner cleaner or toothpaste. You can also use a soft toothbrush to remove debris from the aligner.

6. Keep Your Teeth Clean

Maintaining good oral hygiene is always important, but never more so than when you’re wearing aligners for most of the day. Keep on top of your morning and evening routines by brushing and flossing. Where possible, brush your teeth immediately after eating too.

It’s also worth keeping a travel toothbrush and toothpaste with you when you’re out and about to brush your teeth when needed. 

7. Don’t Eat or Drink While Wearing Aligners

One of the reasons people love Invisalign is the convenience. You don’t need to worry about what you can or can’t eat, because you can remove your aligners at mealtimes. 

But because your aligners are barely noticeable after you’ve worn them a while, it’s important to remember to take them out before eating or drinking. Food and drink could stain your aligner, or worse still, damage or distort it. 

Cold unflavoured water is the only thing you should consume without removing your aligner. 

8. Keep Your Aligner Safe

When you do take your aligner out, keep it somewhere safe. Don’t put it loose in your bag or pocket, and leave it loose on the table or wrap it in tissue. Storing your aligner in this way could damage your aligner and increase bacteria. 

Keeping an aligner case with you at all times means you can safely store it whenever you take it out. 

9. Don’t Skip Your Checkups

Unlike fixed braces, there are no adjustments during your Invisalign treatment. That said, we will need to check on the treatment’s progress. It’s important to attend these checkups as they helps us determine whether you’re on the right track. 

Although Invisalign is predictable and as long as you’re wearing your aligner as directed, f there is an issue that needs addressing, it’s better to do this sooner, rather than later. 

These checkups will also look at your overall dental health. If you maintain exceptional oral hygiene throughout, it will reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease, but a checkup will check there are no hidden issues. 

10. Wear Your Retainer After the Treatment Ends

Invisalign is fantastic for straightening teeth, but after the treatment ends, you will want to keep the new smile you’ve worked hard for. 

Although your teeth may have moved to a new position, they could risk sliding back. A retainer is similar to an aligner, but instead of moving teeth, it’s designed to keep them in the same position. 

We’ll advise you on how long you should wear your retainer daily. Eventually, the frequency and duration of the times you need to wear your retainer will reduce. 

Invisalign in London

Invisalign is a highly effective and predictable treatment for giving you the smile you’ve always wanted. You’ll need to follow the guidelines carefully if you want to get the most out of your aligner, but we’re always on hand to support you during treatment. 

Get in touch today to book your Invisalign consultation.

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Can Invisalign Fix Crossbite? Everything You Need to Know

In teeth straightening, we often focus on its impact on the appearance of our smiles. Teeth are often crooked, crowded or protruding, gappy or crowded. But bite alignment issues cause significant problems for many people —these malocclusions impact more than just appearance. 

One of the most common bite issues is crossbite. Crossbites occur when the upper and lower teeth don’t align correctly when the mouth is closed. Thankfully, orthodontic treatment can often fix this.  

Invisalign is the world’s most popular clear aligner treatment. It’s comfortable, convenient, and subtle and can straighten teeth with minimal impact on your lifestyle. But can Invisalign fix a crossbite?

This guide explains everything you need to know about crossbite and how and when Invisalign is used to treat this malocclusion. 

What Is a Crossbite?

When your mouth is closed, your upper front teeth should sit just in front of your lower teeth, while the teeth on both arches at the sides and back of your mouth should align. You may have a crossbite if your teeth are misaligned anywhere in your mouth and the upper teeth fit inside the lower ones. 

There are several different types of malocclusion, including overbites, underbites, open bites, and deep bites. A full orthodontic assessment will determine which type of malocclusion you have. 

What Causes Crossbite?

There are several possible causes of crossbite. Genetics can play a big role. The size and shape of your jaw are often passed down from your parents. If your jaw is too small, it can cause crowding, and your teeth may develop at an angle. 

Thumbsucking, sucking on a dummy, and tongue thrusting during childhood are all common causes of crossbite and other malocclusions. 

While sucking a thumb or dummy is normal in early childhood, continuing this habit as the jaw and teeth develop causes the upper teeth to narrow. This, coupled with the tightening of the facial muscles, impacts the development of the jaw. Over time, this becomes a crossbite.

Other factors include delays in the formation of baby teeth, illness, injury, the loss of teeth, and teeth erupting in the wrong position. 

The Benefits of Fixing a Crossbite

If you have a crossbite, it may affect you in several ways. Both your smile and facial features can appear asymmetrical. You may have difficulty biting or chewing your food. This can, in turn, impact your digestive system causing stomach or bowel problems. 

When teeth don’t align correctly, they can wear down quickly. You will also be at a greater risk of developing chips, cracks, and infections in your teeth. The position of your teeth may also impact your ability to clean them effectively. This increases the risk of cavities and gum disease. 

A crossbite can also affect your speech. Forming certain sounds can be challenging, and you may have a speech impediment like a lisp. 

Finally, when your bite doesn’t align correctly, it strains your jaw. This causes tension in the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jaw to the skull. You may also experience pain and discomfort in your face, head, neck, shoulders, and back. 

Fixing a crossbite can positively impact all of these areas, giving you a healthy-looking smile and improved oral health for life. 

How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign is the world’s leading clear aligner system. You will wear a clear tray on your teeth, like a mouthguard. Invisalign aligners are made from a specially designed thermoplastic that applies pressure to your teeth. This constant force is very slight, but over the course of your treatment, the very slight movements add up to a noticeable change. 

Every Invisalign treatment is completely bespoke. We use the latest digital technology to take scans of your smile. These are uploaded to the powerful Invisalign software, and we will create an accurate treatment plan. 

The laboratory will then create your custom aligners. You will need to change your aligner every two weeks throughout treatment. Each aligner step differs slightly from the last and builds on the slight tooth movements it created. 

Invisalign is translucent, meaning barely anyone will see your aligner while you’re wearing it. Because Invisalign is removable, you can take it out to eat, drink, and clean it easily. 

Can Invisalign Fix Crossbite?

In many cases, Invisalign is effective for treating crossbites. There are several factors that affect the effectiveness of the treatment. Many of these can be determined during your initial consultation. 

In cases where Invisalign isn’t suitable, we may recommend a full treatment with fixed braces or a two-step process using braces and aligners. 

What Factors Affect Whether Invisalign Can Fix Crossbite?

The first thing we need to consider is the extent of your crossbite. Like any other dental alignment issue, we look at how far we need to move your teeth to correct their position. 

To correct a crossbite, we need to extend the upper arch of your teeth until they align with the lower teeth. Invisalign can fix mild to moderate cases of 2mm or less.

Other factors include your age and your commitment to the treatment. To achieve the expected results, you will need to wear your aligner for at least 22 hours daily. Because they’re so comfortable, sleeping wearing an aligner isn’t an issue. 

How Long Does It Take for Invisalign to Fix a Crossbite?

Invisalign achieves excellent results quickly. Although some Invisalign treatments can take as little as six months, fixing a crossbite takes one to two years. 

What Other Treatment Options Are Available?

Invisalign is convenient and discreet, but fixed brace options have their benefits too. Fixed braces can help in more severe cases, and you don’t have to think about removing them or remembering to put them back in. 

We use tooth-coloured braces with subtle brackets and wires attached to the front of your teeth. During treatment, the wire is tightened. 

Incognito braces are like traditional braces, but instead of being attached to the front of our teeth, they’re discreetly hidden on the back where nobody can see them. 

Invisalign in London

Crossbites cause several health and lifestyle issues, but there is a solution. In many cases, Invisalign can fix it. Invisalign is comfortable and barely visible, meaning you get the perfect smile without people noticing. Call us today to schedule your consultation.

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How Can Botox Help Your Gummy Smile?

If your upper lip rests high above the top of your gum line, it can cause you to become quite self-conscious. 

Generally, when smiling, the only parts of the gum that is visible are the small pink triangles that intersect between each tooth. If you have more gum on show, the result is a gummy smile. This can be caused by your lips, gums, or teeth. 

Don’t worry, at The London Smile Clinic, we are able to address issues with your gummy smile. Using botox injections, we can alter the way that your lip lifts above your teeth and gums. 

Let’s explore how botox can be used to help with your gummy smile. 

What Exactly Is Botox?

Botox is the more commonly used name for botulinum toxin type A. Used in small doses, the drug will weaken or paralyse a muscle. It does this by preventing the release of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. 

Botox is made up of a protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is safe and is often used to reduce wrinkles on your face and around your lips. When injected directly into your lips, botox will improve their appearance, making them cover more of your gum. 

How Can Botox Help Your Gummy Smile?

To address your gummy smile, we’ll inject botox into an area of your lips called the cupid’s bow. This can be found at the centre of your upper lip and is home to the orbicularis oris muscle. This is the muscle used when puckering your lips. 

Once the botox starts working, your lip muscles will begin relaxing. This will make them curl slightly and appear slightly bigger. Whenever you smile after having botox, your lips will cover your gums. 

How Long Does Botox Last?

Your botox treatment will be relatively short, following which you’ll be able to go about your day as normal, without any need for downtime. 

The effects of botox last for between three and four months. Once they have worn off, you’ll need to schedule another appointment, where we’ll inject your lips again. 

Having repeat injections of botox will increase its effectiveness, and you’ll be able to go longer between visits. 

What Treatments Can Botox Be Used In Conjunction With?

Of course, while botox is great for addressing the position of your lips, there are cosmetic dental procedures that can alter the size and shape of your teeth and gums. These include: 

  • Using veneers or bonding to reshape your teeth
  • Having a surgical or laser gum lift to reduce the visible portion of gum

When you make an appointment with our expert cosmetic dentist, Dr Tim Bradstock-Smith, he’ll be able to assess your teeth, gums, and lips to provide you with the best possible treatment combination to create a winning smile. 

Make Your Appointment Today

If you’re ready to see what a difference botox can make to your smile, get in touch today and schedule an appointment.