Category: Orthodontics

Information, articles and blog posts about orthodontic treatments and straightening crooked teeth by your Harrow dentist, Dr Nishan Dixit

Does Invisalign hurt?

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit is the founder and principal dentist of Blue Court Dental. Patients enjoy his relaxed, friendly and gentle approach while experiencing his meticulous attention to detail. He has a special interest in providing smile makeovers, natural-looking white fillings and cosmetic braces, but also provides a range of treatments from preventative and general dental care to complex dental rehabilitation.
Dr Nishan Dixit

Latest posts by Dr Nishan Dixit (see all)

As more and more people are prescribed Invisalign to straighten teeth invisibly, inevitably more people turn to the Internet to look for answers to their questions, in this blog post we are going to tackle the popular question of does Invisalign hurt?

Before we begin, let’s take a quick look at what the Invisalign treatment entails.

Orthodontic treatments utilise the principle that if you put a continuous gentle pressure on teeth then they will move. Studies have shown that the key factor  is to have gentle continuous pressure, rather than short bursts of lots of pressure, this same principle works for traditional braces also. For this reason orthodontic treatments often take up to 2 years to achieve the desired result.

Each orthodontic system puts pressure on the teeth in a different way, some use removable appliances with springs and wires, others use brackets which are permanently bonded to your teeth and Invisalign uses clear aligners. These clear aligners fit over your teeth and put pressure on them to move them in the desired direction. You replace the aligners once every 2 weeks, this is how Invisalign achieves the continuous pressure on your teeth.

So where does the pain come from?

Pain can come from a couple of causes:

  • the aligners themselves causing irritation
  • the movement of the teeth causing pain and/or sensitivity

Sharp edges on Invisalign

braces can have sharp edgesVery rarely the Invisalign aligners may have sharp or rough edges which are initially not noticed by Align Technologies when they send the Invisalign trays back to your dentist. If you find that the trays have sharp edges DO NOT try to adjust yourself. The material can warp if it is heated excessively and this warping will affect your trays ability to align your teeth. If you notice any sharp edges then tell your Invisalign dentist who can then book you in for an appointment to have the trays adjusted.

Invisalign hurts to take off

Sometimes you may find that a new set of aligners is a little difficult to remove initially and causes pain for the first week. This is because it is an active appliance and is actively pushing on your teeth, and therefore might be quite tight to remove.

To remove the aligner we don’t recommend pulling one side excessively and then the other, this can cause the aligner to flex which can result in a tear or fracture down the middle of the aligner. Instead, we recommend loosening one side very slightly, then loosening the other and then finally pulling on both sides at the same time to remove the aligner in one go.

If you’re still having trouble removing the aligner and it is causing you pain then let your dentist know as they may be able to help with more details and personalised instructions on removing the appliance.

Invisalign pain in one tooth

It might seem odd to experience pain in a single tooth but if an aligner is working on single tooth movements then this may be the reason why. Your whole Invisalign treatment will be planned from start to finish, at the beginning you may find that one tooth is being moved and/or rotated. Further aligners may then begin to move other teeth. If you have Short term pain in a single tooth don’t worry, this is probably part of the plan to move that single tooth before the others. Please do tell your Invisalign dentist if the pain persists.

Toothache with Invisalign

Because there is continuous pressure being put on your tooth you may find that you occasionally have toothache. This can usually be relieved with over-the-counter pain relief and should only last for a few days. Please do not be tempted to take your aligner out too often, you should be wearing your aligner for at least 22 hours a day in order to ensure that your Invisalign treatment stays on course. If you take the aligner out, you may find that the treatment takes longer than prescribed and may end up costing more in the long run due to an increased number of visits to the dentist.

Invisalign drinking with a straw

only drink water with InvisalignFor good oral hygiene it is recommended that you only drink water whilst wearing your Invisalign braces. Occasionally people recommend drinking other drinks through a straw, whilst this is better than drinking them from the glass it can still leave sugar covering your teeth as it washes around the aligner. This sugar then forms the food for the bacteria which excrete acid as they digest it, this acid can then lead to tooth decay.

The recommendation therefore is only drink water whilst wearing aligners and taken out to drink anything else, this includes drinking alcohol with Invisalign, particularly as alcohol often has a higher sugar content.

Do not drink any hot drinks whilst wearing your aligners as this can warp them meaning you have to have new trays made, this could be quite an expensive exercise!

 

Invisalign pain relief

If you are experiencing mild tooth ache with Invisalign then we recommend taking over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol. Invisalign pain should last longer than a few days each time you switch to a new aligner. If you have severe pain or the aligner seems to be rough then please inform your Invisalign dentist who can then make modifications to either the treatment plan or the aligner itself.

 

 

 

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit is the founder and principal dentist of Blue Court Dental. Patients enjoy his relaxed, friendly and gentle approach while experiencing his meticulous attention to detail. He has a special interest in providing smile makeovers, natural-looking white fillings and cosmetic braces, but also provides a range of treatments from preventative and general dental care to complex dental rehabilitation.
Dr Nishan Dixit

Latest posts by Dr Nishan Dixit (see all)

So many people ask questions about the length of time that Invisalign takes, whether that be to get the aligners in the 1st place or to resolve a particular dental problem. This blog post will take a detailed look at some of the most common questions that people ask about this modern cosmetic treatment. We have also included some Invisalign results in the relevant sections so that you can see how long it takes to achieve the ideal smile

let’s start at the beginning of the Invisalign process.

How long does Invisalign take to make?

The process for the Invisalign starts with an initial consultation. After this consultation, you will have your 3-D digital scans. The 3-D scans will be used to design your new smile and allow the computer software to calculate the number of aligners required. After all of these calculations have been done and you have approved the look of your new smile Align Technologies Inc can begin the manufacturing process. The actual manufacture of Invisalign often only takes a few hours as the most advanced 3-D manufacturing processes are used. Once the trays have been manufactured they can be sent to the practice.

How long does it take to get Invisalign trays after scans?

Once you have had all of your initial scans the trays will usually be sent to the practice within approximately 2 weeks. You will then be invited to revisit the practice to ensure that the train is 6 and that you are comfortable with taking them in and out.

How long does Invisalign take to put on?

You might find that initially, it takes you a little longer to put the Invisalign trays in each day, although it shouldn’t take much longer than 30 seconds each time to remove your aligners or to put them on, as you get used to how the trays clip in you should be able to pop them in and out in only a couple of seconds each time. This makes them extremely convenient, especially as you will need to remove them for eating and drinking.

Treatment times for different types of case

Treatment times for Invisalign will always vary, the general rule of thumb is that moving front teeth is quicker than removing back teeth and that the smaller amount of movement required takes a shorter amount of time.

How long does Invisalign take to close a gap

If you just have a couple of small gaps between your front teeth then you may be suitable for Invisalign Go, this treatment typically takes around 6 months. However, you may find that other forms of treatment such as cosmetic bonding or even dental veneers may be more suitable, particularly if you want results in a shorter period of time.

Invisalign results for closing a gap

“This lady was always unhappy with the gaps between her teeth. After discussing the various options with her we decided on Invisalign treatment followed by a course of teeth whitening. She is delighted with the results. Her next step will be some simple composite edge bonding should she desire. Invisalign followed by teeth whitening +/- bonding is a great non invasive way of achieving a new smile.” – Dr Nishan Dixit

Invisalign results for closing the gap

How long does Invisalign take for crowded teeth

Front crowded teeth can usually be corrected in between 6 and 12 months, depending on the amount of crowding. One point to note is to be aware of the fact that the reason teeth are often crowded it because there isn’t enough room for them in the jaw. There may, therefore, need to be additional treatments undertaken prior to Invisalign, such as possible extraction of teeth in order to make enough room. Whilst the Invisalign treatment may take between is 6 and 12 months, this additional treatment will add to the overall treatment time for crowded teeth.

Invisalign results for crowded teeth

“This lady had enough of her crowded lower teeth and decided to have them straightened. She had always found it difficult to keep them clean and free from staining due to the instanding tooth.  After a discussion of the various options available to her she decided on treatment with Invisalign clear aligners. We completed the short course of treatment in approximately 16 weeks.  She was very pleased with the result and also rewhitened her teeth again to give them a brighter look. This patient had mildly crooked teeth and so Invisalign treatment was relatively straightforward and simple.” – Dr Nishan Dixit

Screenshot 2020-02-27 09.53.33

“A course of Invisalign was the ideal treatment for this young man to correct the alignment of his teeth .” – Dr Nishan Dixit

Screenshot 2020-02-27 09.51.24

Screenshot 2020-02-27 09.51.27

Screenshot 2020-02-27 09.51.30

How long does Invisalign take for overbite

An overbite is one of the more complex problems to resolve with Invisalign. It may involve moving a larger number of teeth, particularly back teeth which have larger roots and are therefore more difficult to move. Typical treatments for an overbite with Invisalign can take up to 2 years.

How often should I use Invisalign cleaning crystals

If you decide to use the Retainer Brite Invisalign cleaning crystals it is recommended that these are used every day. the cleaning crystals are a great way to remove the biofilm which will build up on your Invisalign appliance each day. This biofilm is a naturally occurring layer which forms over your teeth, if it is not cleaned off it can then harden into tartar which can look unsightly and even make it difficult to get your Invisalign braces in.

Summary

Invisalign will always take a different amount of time depending on your clinical situation. Treatments anywhere between 6 and 12 months are to be expected. If you would like to book a consultation at our dental practice in Harrow,  please do visit our appointment request page.

 

What are my options for straight teeth quickly?

With such busy and hectic lives we know how things can often be overlooked, perhaps you are getting married and have just realised you’re not happy with your smile? Perhaps you have a big birthday or other celebration coming up and have suddenly realised you need to look good for the photos?

Depending upon how long you have got there are a few options available to get fast results, let’s take a look.

Quick correction of mildly crooked teeth

If you have just a single tooth which is mildly rotated or twisted or perhaps even a couple of front teeth then this can often be corrected with dental bonding. Dental bonding is where your dentist as a small amount of tooth coloured composite material to the visible part of your tooth, this material can be built up to make your teeth look straight.

Dental bonding to correct mild crooked teeth

How quickly can I have straight teeth with dental bonding?

The process is done with you sitting in the dental chair and can take anywhere from 45 min up to a few hours, depending upon the number of teeth you want straight. For fast results, dental bonding certainly beats every other form of straight teeth treatment but it is only suitable for correcting very mildly crooked teeth.

Quick correction of moderately crooked teeth

If you have moderately crooked teeth, in other words, a few teeth which are quite crooked or many crooked teeth then dental bonding is a possibility as are veneers and orthodontics.

Dental veneers work on the same principle as bonding, they cover the surface of your tooth, leaving your natural tooth where it is and simply building out areas of your tooth to make it look straight. Dental veneers are more permanent than dental bonding and will last longer. A big advantage with dental veneers is that you are able to have instant straight white teeth as the veneers can be made any colour and as white as you like.

Moderately crooked teeth can also be straightened quickly using Invisalign Go.  This is a clear removable brace which moves teeth rapidly compared to other orthodontic systems. The Inman aligner is also a system able to straighten moderately crooked teeth rapidly. The Inman aligner works by simultaneously pushing and pulling teeth on different parts using a revolutionary new spring system.

How quickly can I have straight teeth with Inman aligner?

Typical treatment times are between 12 and 16 weeks, assuming you only have moderately crooked front teeth.

How quickly can I have straight teeth with Invisalign Go?

Typical treatment times range from approximately 4 to 7 months, assuming you only want the front teeth straightened.

How quickly can I have straight teeth with dental veneers?

From start to finish we recommend allowing at least four weeks. This will give you time to have a consultation with the dentist, have some initial diagnostics done to work out the final shape of your teeth and then have the teeth prepared by the dentist and veneers made by the technician.

Quick correction of severely crooked teeth

Severely crooked teeth will almost certainly require extended treatment with orthodontics. Whilst bonding and veneers are excellent at straightening rotated teeth, if the body of the tooth is not in the correct position then orthodontics will most likely be the best option. There are orthodontic systems to give fast results however these generally only work on the top or bottom front teeth. If you need other teeth to be moved as well then more complex orthodontics maybe your best option.

Orthodontic systems such as Invisalign and Six Month Smiles are ideal options to straighten more severely crooked teeth.

How quickly can I have straight teeth with Invisalign?

Typical treatments with Invisalign take between 12 and 24 months, depending upon the severity of your crooked teeth.

Summary

There’s no one size fits all solution to having straight teeth quickly, it depends upon your clinical situation and budget, the best way to find out which technique is best for you is to visit your dentist for an initial consultation.

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit is the founder and principal dentist of Blue Court Dental. Patients enjoy his relaxed, friendly and gentle approach while experiencing his meticulous attention to detail. He has a special interest in providing smile makeovers, natural-looking white fillings and cosmetic braces, but also provides a range of treatments from preventative and general dental care to complex dental rehabilitation.
Dr Nishan Dixit

Latest posts by Dr Nishan Dixit (see all)

 

 

Why is orthodontics so expensive?

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit is the founder and principal dentist of Blue Court Dental. Patients enjoy his relaxed, friendly and gentle approach while experiencing his meticulous attention to detail. He has a special interest in providing smile makeovers, natural-looking white fillings and cosmetic braces, but also provides a range of treatments from preventative and general dental care to complex dental rehabilitation.
Dr Nishan Dixit

Latest posts by Dr Nishan Dixit (see all)

The costs of having straight teeth are often considered to be quite expensive, with treatments often coming in at more than £1000. So why is this? In this post we take a detailed look at teeth straightening procedures, discuss what some of the more affordable options might be an find out what makes orthodontics so expensive.

What makes up the cost of orthodontic braces?

The typical cost of orthodontics is made up as follows:

  1. The planning stages prior to beginning treatment.
  2. The orthodontic system/brace itself.
  3. Multiple appointments during the teeth moving process,  typically lasting between six months and two years.
  4. The time of the dentist, their team and possibly specialist involvement.

We will now take a look at each of these in a little more detail.

The planning stages

The planning stages are especially important to get right, we must work out together the final look of your smile and relationship of your teeth to one another before we begin treatment. This is where you are given the opportunity to let your dentist know exactly how you want your new smile to look. For Invisalign there is also what is known as a Clincheck©, This is where your current smile is digitised and sent off to Invisalign  directly, they will then create a digital and animated view of your teeth moving. This gives you the ability to see exactly what you will look like at the end of treatment… A very valuable stage in the orthodontic process.

The planning stages of orthodontics may consist of 2-3 appointments, depending upon the complexity of your case.

Here is an example of a Clincheck© in action.

The orthodontic/braces system

Once the planning stages have been undertaken and the orthodontic system chosen your dentist can then move onto have the system manufactured. As with all the systems offered here, including Invisalign, Inman aligner and Six Month Smiles they are all manufactured by highly dedicated and skilled team of technicians, in some cases using the most up-to-date CADCAM technology to manufacture your braces.

Investment in CADCAM technology which allows you to have invisible braces produced rapidly comes at a high cost and so these systems are quite expensive to have manufactured.

Appointments throughout your treatment

With any of the orthodontic systems you will need to have regular appointments throughout the process, this ensures that your teeth are moving in the correct way and that there are no unforeseen problems. As with any dental appointment there will be costs to the dentist of having the team available and paying for the surgical equipment.

The time of the dentist and the team

Taking into account the planning stages and appointments throughout treatment is just one of the factors in the time involved. In addition to this there is the initial training for each orthodontic system which the dentist and the team must go through. This involves many hours away from the dental surgery and paying for this extended and postgraduate education.

How much do orthodontic braces cost?

The final cost of your orthodontic treatment will depend upon your own individual clinical situation, as a rough guide orthodontics at our practice start at £2200 and go through to £3300 dependent upon the complexity of your case. We may also be able to offer extended payment plans and finance.

Easy & Quick Straight Teeth

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit is the founder and principal dentist of Blue Court Dental. Patients enjoy his relaxed, friendly and gentle approach while experiencing his meticulous attention to detail. He has a special interest in providing smile makeovers, natural-looking white fillings and cosmetic braces, but also provides a range of treatments from preventative and general dental care to complex dental rehabilitation.
Dr Nishan Dixit

Latest posts by Dr Nishan Dixit (see all)

More more people are realising the benefits of having straighter teeth, not only to the way they look but also making teeth easier to clean and therefore keep healthy. With modern lifestyles it’s becoming increasingly common to want to have orthodontic braces  as quick as possible,  without having to wait months or even years for the result.

As an Invisalign approved provider we are proud to introduce you to Invisalign Go, the fast braces system for rapid results in Harrow.

Am I suitable for Invisalign Go?

Quick results can be achieved with this system because we are only attempting to move the anterior (front teeth).  It is typically these teeth in the aesthetic zone of your smile which have the largest cosmetic impact on the way you look. By just focusing on these teeth, which have smaller roots and therefore move quicker,  we can achieve straighter teeth quicker than many other systems.

So are you looking to straighten your front teeth only? Then you may be a candidate for Invisalign Go.

How quick is quick?

The average treatment time is 7 months, this means your individual treatment could be slightly less or possibly slightly more. If you wish to straighten both the top teeth and the bottom teeth this can be done at the same time and need not necessarily lengthen the treatment time from having one single arch only treated.

How will I know if these braces will work?

The beauty of using Invisalign is its ability to track and plan  your progress.  You will typically have  review appointment every 8 weeks and you will be changing  your fast aligners every 2 weeks.  It’s also possible for us to take digital photographs of your teeth and compare them against the digitally produced treatment plan which is done right at the beginning. The digital  treatment plan before you start treatment will work out where your teeth should be at any stage throughout the process, we can then use ongoing digital photography to compare progress against the plan.  Revolutionary!

What does Invisalign look like when being worn?

Almost invisible braces
Compare Invisalign to conventional braces

Because Invisalign Go uses clear aligners they are almost imperceptible and virtually invisible.

Take a look at the image here, if you look extremely closely you can just about see the edge of the Invisalign braces around the gum margin of the teeth in the image at the front. Invisalign really is virtually imperceptible in normal everyday living.

This means you can wear your clear aligners all day long with no one else knowing, a huge move forwards in orthodontic technology.

How do I get started with Invisalign Go?

The simplest way to get started is to request an appointment for a review, your dentist can then take a look at your overall dental health to ensure you are suitable  for this type of rapid brace, digital photographs may be taken as well is impressions which can then be used to create your digital plan treatment.

Treatment can then begin in a matter of weeks… Why not book your appointment today

Did you know that 48% of people believe that a smile is the most memorable feature after first meeting someone?

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit is the founder and principal dentist of Blue Court Dental. Patients enjoy his relaxed, friendly and gentle approach while experiencing his meticulous attention to detail. He has a special interest in providing smile makeovers, natural-looking white fillings and cosmetic braces, but also provides a range of treatments from preventative and general dental care to complex dental rehabilitation.
Dr Nishan Dixit

Latest posts by Dr Nishan Dixit (see all)

Everyone should be able to smile with confidence, did you know that 48% of people believe that smile is the most memorable feature after first meeting someone And people are 57% more likely to get a date based on the picture alone if they have straight teeth.

These statistics led let us to create the following infographic helping you understand more about straight teeth treatments with Six Month Smiles here at Blue Court Dental in Harrow.

We hope you enjoy and please feel free to share…

DO YOU WANT STRAIGHTER TEETH-

Why You Should Have Straight Teeth, This Might Surprise You.

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit is the founder and principal dentist of Blue Court Dental. Patients enjoy his relaxed, friendly and gentle approach while experiencing his meticulous attention to detail. He has a special interest in providing smile makeovers, natural-looking white fillings and cosmetic braces, but also provides a range of treatments from preventative and general dental care to complex dental rehabilitation.
Dr Nishan Dixit

Latest posts by Dr Nishan Dixit (see all)

Presentation1One of the main reasons people decide to have orthodontic braces to get straighter teeth is because straight teeth look better, but from a purely dental and health point of view this is not the main reason you should consider straighter teeth. Did you know that straight teeth are easier to clean? And being easier to clean means they are healthier…

Irritable Bowl Disease

Recent research has shown a link between oral bacteria and a flareup of irritable bowel disease, The research identified that the bacteria invaded the bloodstream which then aggravated any existing irritable bowel causing the flareup, these bacteria are commonly found in the mouth! This research is linked to additional research which shows that the bacteria associated with gum disease and the more severe periodontitis can act as a keystone bacteria, this means their presence can instigate other processes and pathogens in the human body which can lead to Colon cancer and other inflammatory diseases.

So it’s clear that not only will keeping your teeth clean ensure that your teeth are healthy, it also helps to promote overall body health… So where do straight teeth fit in?

Straighter teeth are far easier to clean as you can get into those difficult to reach areas between your teeth. If your teeth are crooked or overlapping then it is harder to reach these areas, particularly with floss. This can lead to a buildup of these harmful bacteria which could eventually lead to the onset of other inflammatory diseases around the body.

So now that you know the importance of straighter teeth, let’s look at some of your options if you decide to have braces.

Option 1: Cfast

cfast Orthodontic braces with clear brackets and tooth coloured wiresCFast is one of the most modern option for orthodontic braces in our Harrow dental practice. These braces is a combination of tooth coloured wires and clear brackets to straighten the front 6 teeth on the top and bottom jaw only.

Because we are only straightening these front teeth we can move them much faster than standard braces which may also be moving the back teeth also. This makes CFast excellent for cosmetic orthodontics and also helps to straighten the teeth making them easier to clean.

 

 

 

Option 2: Six Month Smiles

Six Month Smiles is is one of those orthodontic systems which does exactly what it says on the tin, straighter teeth in approximately 6 months!

Before and after six month smiles

Once again, this is the modern alternative to classic train track braces and works with a trademarked clear bracket which is bonded due tooth.

These brackets are barely visible and are able to achieve a predictable result using low forces with short overall treatment times which means the treatment is more comfortable, safe and allows you to keep your teeth cleaner, which is great if your overall body health.

The results with six months miles can be quite amazing.

Option 3: Inman Aligner

Inman alignerThe Inman aligner offers an alternative type of orthodontic brace. Both of the options above are fixed orthodontics, the Inman aligner is a removable option. This has the advantage of being able to use different forces in the way of springs to move your teeth.

As you can see in this image these braces push and pull your teeth at the same time, working from inside your mouth and outside in unison with one another. This unique way of using braces means we can achieve a straighter smile in approximately 12 to 16 weeks, much faster than any other orthodontic system.

You would need to ensure that the where these braces for a minimum of 20 hours per day, removing them only to eat and clean your teeth. This means your commitment to wearing braces needs to be high with you strongly motivated to achieve your straighter smile.

Once again, the Inman aligner is only used for the front six teeth to straighten them out providing you with an easier to clean smile.

Option 4: Clear Braces

Clear bracesThese braces, once again, do exactly what they say on the tin, they are clear! These clear braces work by applying a small amount of pressure to your teeth in the direction required to move them. Once this small amount of movement has been achieved you will replace the removable clear brace with a new one. Typically replacing each race every two weeks.

Treatment times are approximately one year with this system, depending upon how much your teeth need to move. Once again we are normally only moving the front six teeth into a straighter alignment to achieve a more cosmetic result which is easier to keep clean.

As with the Inman aligner you will need to wear your clear braces for approximately 20 hours per day, only removing them to eat and clean your teeth. You can even continue to wear them in full view of the public, perhaps whilst teaching or giving a presentation, nobody else will ever know!

How to get orthodontic braces

We recommend that you do some research online before deciding which dentist to go to to have orthodontics. The systems described above require that your dentist is certified to use them, we suggest you ask to see this certification at your initial consultation. Many dentists offer an initial consultation either at a discounted rate or for free, do spend some time looking at their website to see if this is on offer at the dental practice local to you.

We also recommend that you ask the dentist for a series of reviews of their practice, this will leave you with peace of mind knowing that you have found a practice that other people like.

A good dentist should also have a range of before and after photographs to show you, please ask to see them when you go for your initial consultation. The photographs should be presented nicely and you should clearly be able to see the difference between the before treatment and after treatment photographs. Seeing these images allows you to know that the dentist you have found can actually do what they say they can and achieve the results that you want. Most dentists will have a range of photographs, so asked to see photographs which are similar to your own situation.

If you live in the Harrow HA1 area of Middlesex Then why not pop in to see us on the Watford Road. We are a modern dental practice offering a range of orthodontic braces to help you achieve a straighter and healthier smile… And we also offer a free consultation to anyone considering braces, please click here to download a voucher entitling you to this free assessment.

Have your teeth become crooked again after having braces when you were younger?

 European Society aesthetic orthodonticsOne of the most common reasons for patients visiting the dentist for teeth straightening is relapse after having orthodontics when they were younger. Patients often find that once they stop wearing their retainers that their teeth can begin to move back to where they were before. Coupled with the fact that as we get older our teeth have a tendency to drift forwards and become more overcrowded.
So if you find that your teeth are becoming more crooked again, after having orthodontics as a child, then you are not alone.

So what is the solution?

The European Society of Aesthetic Orthodontics (ESAO) recognises the need for a variety of orthodontic treatments of this nature and ensures that its members provide a qualified, informed choice for patients when considering this type of treatment, Dr Nishan Dixit is pleased to be a member of the ESAO and can offer you a wide range of orthodontic options from his dental practice in Harrow.
Teeth-straightening  can be a relatively simple, speedy and painless option if you have crooked teeth, so let’s look at what those options are:

Rapid Tooth Straightening

Within this category of orthodontics fall 3 particular treatments:
  • Six Month Smiles
  • Inman Aligner
  • CFast

Six Month Smiles

Faith Hill has adult orthodontic bracesAs the name suggests Six Month Smiles offers orthodontics which take, on average, six months to achieve the new look. The system is fixed using tooth coloured wires and brackets to ensure that no one else knows that you have braces fitted. As with most of these aesthetic orthodontic options Six Month Smiles is only used to straighten the front six teeth, often known as the social six.

Inman Aligner

This is a removable appliance, which utilises a revolutionary spring design which both pushes and pulls at the same time depending on where we want teeth to move. The brace can only move your front six teeth by gently  de-rotating them and then realigning them. Unlike six month smiles you can take out an Inman Aligner, you need to resist this temptation as much as possible and ensure that you wear your aligner for around 20 hours per day, simply removing it to eat, drink and clean your teeth.
One of the big advantages with the Inman Aligner is due to the revolutionary technology in the springs which  enable it to move your teeth very quickly, often in around 12 weeks. If you have a short period of time to have your teeth straightened then the Inman Aligner could be your ideal option.

Cfast

This technique is similar to 6 month smiles in that it utilises fixed orthodontics to move your teeth into their new positions. The system also utilises almost invisible orthodontics with clear braces in some instances. This makes Cfast one of the most versatile orthodontic systems around meaning you get the best teeth, straightening result with the minimum amount of hassle.

Almost Invisible Tooth Straightening

Clear Aligners

Clear Aligners - invisible bracesClear Aligners are exactly that, completely clear. They work by moving your teeth a small amount at a time. You will be provided with a series of aligners which you will typically wear for about two weeks each. Each aligner puts a small amount of pressure on your teeth to move them or rotate them to their new position. Once your teeth have moved a tiny amount you will replace the aligner with the next one in the series.
The art with using clear aligners is for  your dentist to choose exactly the right amount aligners for your particular case to ensure that your teeth move gently into their new positions.
Many people like clear aligners as they are virtually invisible to the naked eye, this means that if you have a high profile job or are in the public eye you can have straighter teeth with no one else knowing!

In Summary

Adult Orthodontics are one of the most popular cosmetic treatments requested by patients in many dental practices around the UK, and certainly, this is the case at our practice in Harrow, Middlesex. By offering you a range of treatments and being members of the ESAO you can be sure that you are offered something which fits not only your budget but your exact dental requirements.
We strongly recommend that you keep an open mind with regards to treatment, the descriptions listed above are relatively simple and there are additional requirements for each of them to be used. It may be that your dental situation is more suited to one system than another. So going to your dentist with an open mind allows you to be free to choose the best option to you.
Blue Court Dental Centre offer a free consultation, with our treatment co-ordinator, for anyone wishing to find out more about aesthetic orthodontics for teeth that have moved after having braces as children. Simply complete the download here to request your appointment.
 
Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit is the founder and principal dentist of Blue Court Dental. Patients enjoy his relaxed, friendly and gentle approach while experiencing his meticulous attention to detail. He has a special interest in providing smile makeovers, natural-looking white fillings and cosmetic braces, but also provides a range of treatments from preventative and general dental care to complex dental rehabilitation.
Dr Nishan Dixit

Latest posts by Dr Nishan Dixit (see all)

Six Month Braces Videos

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit is the founder and principal dentist of Blue Court Dental. Patients enjoy his relaxed, friendly and gentle approach while experiencing his meticulous attention to detail. He has a special interest in providing smile makeovers, natural-looking white fillings and cosmetic braces, but also provides a range of treatments from preventative and general dental care to complex dental rehabilitation.
Dr Nishan Dixit

Latest posts by Dr Nishan Dixit (see all)

There you are a range of Six Month Smiles videos that have been uploaded to the Internet and so to help you in your search we thought it was a good idea to post a few of them here. Six Month Smiles is a revolutionary new orthodontic technique which allows you to have tooth coloured braces that can move your front teeth into a more cosmetic and aesthetically pleasing alignment.

Up until recently the only option for braces was to have the metal train track type – well, no longer is this the case with 6 Month Braces.

Our dental practice is the only provider of Six Month Braces in Harrow
This first video shows what can change in six months…

People are often asking for personal reviews of six months braces and how this treatment could work for them as an individual. Here is one such story of Mia who underwent straight teeth treatment with six month smiles.

Another video on six-month smiles

This video shows some patient reviews of the treatment, and then talks to a dentist about the treatment with braces and whether it could be right for you.

The Videos above have been taken from the six month smiles YouTube channel, however here is another video, again taken from YouTube, but this time taken from a private channel of a happy patient having six-month smiles… Here she gives her own case review.

Can my crooked front teeth be straightened ?

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit

Dr Nishan Dixit is the founder and principal dentist of Blue Court Dental. Patients enjoy his relaxed, friendly and gentle approach while experiencing his meticulous attention to detail. He has a special interest in providing smile makeovers, natural-looking white fillings and cosmetic braces, but also provides a range of treatments from preventative and general dental care to complex dental rehabilitation.
Dr Nishan Dixit

Latest posts by Dr Nishan Dixit (see all)

   

This lady from Harrow wanted to improve the appearance of her crooked teeth by having them straightened quickly and effectively.  She had braces when she was young, but as time went on, her teeth started to shift causing her front teeth to become crooked.  She did not want to have fixed braces again or to be treated by a specialist. She preferred the convenience and speed of the Inman Aligner appliance.

The Inman Aligner is a removable brace which applies gentle pressure to the front teeth that need to be moved.  This gentle process is provided by the spring action of the appliance.

 

Within nine weeks, the teeth were gently guided to an ideal position that the patient was happy with.  To maintain the teeth in place, a permanent bonded retainer was glued to the inside surface of the upper teeth.

  

The patient was delighted with the results.  It allowed her to achieve great results using just one appliance, in a short space of time.