Harrow Dental Practice Blog

How long do lip fillers last?

It is very common that when people search for the dermal fillers or lip fillers that they have a range of questions they would like answered, in our latest blog post we seek to answer some of the most common questions and answers about dermal fillers and lip fillers, we finish with answering the question about how long dermal and lip fillers last for.

What is a dermal filler treatment

As we begin to age our face looks more wrinkled as our skin loses its elasticity. This can result in the lines and wrinkles in the parts of the face which move more often, typically around the mouth, eyes and nose.

This is as a result of the slowdown of collagen production in our bodies, which begins in our late 20s. Collagen is a protein which maintains the elasticity of the skin helping it to maintain its youthful looking appearance and bounce back into shape.

Dermal fillers use hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally recurring acid in your body, with the primary function of binding water to help retain moisture. When hyaluronic acid is injected it helps to reverse this process and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

What is the longest lasting dermal filler

It is quite natural for the effects of dermal filler treatment to fade overtime, this is because hyaluronic acid which is injected is naturally occurring in your body and therefore gets absorbed, unfortunately the lines and wrinkles then reappear.

All dermal filler treatments should always be looked upon as a temporary treatment for this reason.

Is botox a dermal filler

This is a question we get asked quite often but the answer is, no. Botox and dermal fillers are often confused as they are both used in facial rejuvenation techniques. Botox, otherwise known as botulinum toxin type A affects the nerves of the injection site, reducing their ability to move, and therefore cause wrinkles. Dermal fillers on the other hand, smooth the wrinkles out by injecting into them.

How to prepare for dermal fillers

There is little actual preparation required. However, we advise:

Consulting your doctor about stopping blood thinning tablets such as aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E or St John’s Wart. This can help to prevent bruising but please always consult a doctor beforehand and do not stop taking prescribed medications.
Do not drink any alcohol for 2 days prior to treatment.

How much swelling is normal after lip fillers

Minimal lip swelling after filler injections is quite normal, this is caused by a reaction to the injection needle. This will normally subside within a couple of days.

Can you drink alcohol after lip fillers

Of course you want your lip fillers to last the maximum amount of time so people often ask questions such as can you drink alcohol after lip fillers and if so, how quickly?

We recommend avoiding alcohol for at least 24 hours after you have had lip fillers. This just ensures that you are accurately able to follow all of our instructions about keeping your heart rate low and avoiding inversion exercise. People that have had too much alcohol tend to forget these instructions which can then impact the length of time that lip fillers last.

How long do lip fillers take to heal

You should find that the healing process is very quick. Normally within 48 hours, swelling and bruising begins to calm down and you should begin to notice the new beautiful shape of your lips.

Are dermal fillers painful

You will always be given a local anaesthetic over the treatment area. This is in the form of a numbing cream which is applied over the skin. This just numbs the skin prior to having the full local anaesthetic injections. Once these have been injected you will feel nothing at all and be completely comfortable.

Can dermal fillers go wrong

The images you see on social media of people with huge lips (just do a search for dermal fillers gone wrong) and swollen faces is usually for one of 3 reasons:

The clinician was not skilled when treating using dermal fillers
The patient requested this look and the clinician complied
The patient purchased the fillers online and tried to do it themselves

Unfortunately, the last option is becoming more common and people are trying dermal fillers themselves, this is highly dangerous and should be avoided. Most people will not have the understanding about the chemicals involved, so will not be able to tell if the fillers are doing the right job. If the fillers are purchased online, who is to say that what it says on the label is actually what it is in the vial?

The anatomy around your head, face and neck is also very complex with lots of blood vessels and nerves. It’s vital that the injections are placed in exactly the right place by someone that has had adequate training and knows what the results will be.

What happens when dermal fillers wear off

We will do everything within our power to ensure that your fillers last for as long as possible. We will also give you instructions on how to ensure fillers last as long as is possible. However, dermal fillers do wear off as the body absorbs the hyaluronic acid naturally.

When this happens you will find that the wrinkles slowly reappear and you will have to get booked backing for another treatment. This is typically anywhere from 6 months to 12 months after the initial treatment although some treatments last longer, up to 18 months.

How long do lip fillers last?

The various factors which govern how long a dermal filler lasts include:

The type of dermal filler. Some of them are absorbed into the body faster than others.
The site of the dermal filler treatment.
Your lifestyle. If you are particularly active then your increased heart rate and metabolism may mean that the hyaluronic acid get absorbed quicker.

How to make dermal fillers last longer

To ensure your lip fillers last the longest amount of time we recommend that immediately after treatment we recommend that you take no exercise aside for walking for 48 hours. This should keep your heart rate under 100. You should also not do any kind of inversion such as found with gymnastics or yoga for the same period of time, however, always follow the instructions of a doctor.

It’s also recommended that you will avoid squeezing or massaging the area for a few hours as this could change the location of the filler and therefore the result. Your clinician will have precisely placed the filler in exactly the right place, so it’s best to not massaged the area too much.

Most dermal fillers will last at least six months some treatments such as Restylane can last from six months to a year.

How to Get the Best Teeth Whitening and Fast Results

When you pay for teeth whitening you, of course, want to get the best result teeth whitening and fast results. This blog post identifies some of the best ways you can achieve this in a safe and effective way.

We’re going to go through a few different areas of teeth whitening, starting with cleaning your teeth and then going through some facts & myths.

Cleaning your teeth to get the best teeth whitening result

Very simple way to help your teeth look brighter and whiter is to ensure they are as clean as possible.

Each day a thin layer of biofilm builds up over the surface of your teeth, this is a thin sticky layer which, if not cleaned off will harden into tartar. This tartar can then attract surface stains which look dark. This is particularly true if you smoke or drink lots of tea, coffee or red wine.

Electric toothbrushes

Using an electric toothbrush can be a really effective way to brush your teeth and keep your pearly whites as bright as possible.

Which is the best toothbrush for uneven teeth?

It can be rather difficult cleaning around uneven or crooked teeth, this is one of the reason that straighter teeth can be beneficial. However, if you have uneven teeth then an electric toothbrush will probably be better.

If you use a conventional manual toothbrush to clean your teeth then not only do you have to be sure to hold it at the correct angle whilst moving it around every single tooth, you also have to manually pulsate it in order to clean properly. With an electric brush you simply focus on the exact area you wish to clean and new electric toothbrush will pulsate or rotate in exactly the right way to clean your teeth most effectively.

Can brushing alone whiten teeth?

It depends upon the reason for the teeth being darker in the first place. If it is due to staining then yes, brushing alone may be able to whiten your teeth slightly. You may also see a slight improvement if you use a whitening toothpaste.

However, because toothpaste is not especially designed to remove stains you will find the best result comes when you use professional teeth whitening from your dentist.

Teeth whitening , Fact or Myth?

Teeth whitening with oil pulling

How does coconut oil whiten teeth?

Coconut oil pulling requires you to take a small amount of edible oil, typically a teaspoon and often coconut oil, this is then swished around the mouth to care for teeth. Some people claim that this offers various benefits like whitening teeth. There is however no scientific evidence to support this claim.

Another problem is that people may be tempted to use this technique instead of using conventional toothpaste, this could actually result in damage to your teeth. Conventional toothpaste will contain fluoride which helps the teeth re-mineralise and stay hard and resistant to acid attack. Without this fluoride your teeth will be more prone to attack and you will stand a higher chance of getting tooth decay.

Is it true that the usage of coconut oil makes whiter teeth?

There is no scientific evidence that we are aware of which demonstrates that coconut all makes teeth whiter. In order to make teeth whiter the substance used needs to either:

Remove surface stains by abrasion.
Bleach the surface of the tooth.

Coconut oil does not have the ability to do either of these.

Teeth whitening with charcoal

It has been claimed that charcoal can help whiten teeth. Activated charcoal has many tiny holes in its surface, this allows it to absorb a wide range of chemicals making it highly suitable for use in filters etc. The reality is that the dental community doesn’t know enough about activated charcoal at the moment.

It’s not clear whether the activated charcoal actually absorbs chemicals and cleans teeth better making them look whiter or whether it is just because it is an abrasive substance which abrades your tooth enamel and makes it look whiter.

In either case there are a few things to look out for:

Using activated charcoal clean your teeth could wear away the teeth and damage the gums if the charcoal is abrasive.
Using activated charcoal alone to clean your teeth may mean that you are not using conventional toothpaste which contains fluoride. The result could be that your teeth are more susceptible to decay as they don’t have the re-mineralisation assistance from the fluoride.

LED Teeth whitening

Does teeth whitening with a LED work?

The LED whitening lights which are commonly available for home use may, in some circumstances very slightly increase the effectiveness of the whitening. Some dental practices also use a high-intensity LED lights for 30 minutes.

However, in our opinion the best teeth whitening treatment with fast results can be attained by home teeth whitening. This is using researched, tried and tested techniques of a custom fitted tray with a bleaching agent and a whitening tray, similar to mouth guards. You wear this tray overnight for approximately 14 nights.

This also is very effective for people with sensitive teeth. If you find your teeth get overly sensitive you can simply stop the treatment immediately. Your teeth although the cover over the course of the day.

Using home teeth whitening like this means you can control how wide your teeth go to achieve the optimum result.

On the whole we don’t recommend over-the-counter teeth whitening products such as teeth whitening strips. In order to have the adequate strength in order to whitening your teeth they will need to be provided on prescription by dentist, commonly purchased products typically don’t have a strong enough active agent to make a large difference.

I think I might have gum disease, what can I do?

One of the primary causes of tooth loss is the progression of gum disease if it’s not treated and caught early. We therefore decided to dedicate this entire blog post to looking at some of the most common questions and answers that people have about gum disease (gingivitis)

What is gum disease?

Gum disease or gingivitis occurs when the delicate gums around your teeth become inflamed. Gum disease progresses painlessly on the whole so you may not notice it until it is at a more severe stage.

How will I know if I have gum disease?

The first sign is that your gums may be slightly puffy, read or inflamed. At first this will be very mild and barely noticeable unless you look extremely closely (just as a dentist would during your regular dental health check).

As the gum disease progresses you may find that the gums bleed occasionally during cleaning with a toothbrush. You will also find that if you clean between your teeth with a brush or floss that the bleeding can be worse.

The problem is that people at this stage then tend to layoff cleaning their teeth quite so much as the gums bleed and become tender, however this can mean that the gum disease can progress further underneath the gum.

If the infection spreads below the gum line it can then turn into the more serious periodontitis which affects the bone and can ultimately lead to tooth extraction or loss.

Is it possible to catch gum disease?

No. Gum disease is not an infectious disease and is caused primarily by poor hygiene. However, if you have lower standards of oral hygiene without healthy gums your teeth may be more susceptible to any additional bacteria which are introduced into the oral environment.

What are the causes of gum disease?

because of gum disease is a buildup of plaque over the teeth, this is a sticky substance which if not removed daily can build up into hard tartar. This is where bacteria lurk, these bacteria are producing acid as they digest food and it is this acid which causes tooth decay.

In addition to poor oral hygiene there are additional risk factors which increase your likelihood of developing gum disease, these are:

Smoking. Smoking as a tendency to dry out your mouth, this drying out means there is less saliva to wash away food stuff and neutralise the acid attack.
Changes in hormones. Particularly in girls and women, hormone changes can lead to sensitivity in the gums making gingivitis more likely.
Your genetics. Unfortunately some people are more prone to developing gum disease than others.
Diabetes. There are direct links between people with diabetes and gum disease.
Your medications. Any medication which alters the flow of saliva can leave you more susceptible to developing gum disease. There are also some medications which promote abnormal growth of the gums, these can then be difficult to clean.

Is it possible to reverse gum disease or cure it?

Yes, it is possible to reverse gum disease. Depending on how severe the disease is and how far it has progressed depends upon the best course of action. The very simplest thing you can do is to start a more thorough oral health care routine ensuring that you are brushing your teeth at least twice per day for 2 min with the fluoride toothpaste (This helps to strengthen your tooth enamel) and that they are cleaned once a day with an incidental brush or floss.

Do people with gum disease die early?

The recent any research to indicate that people with gum disease necessarily die early, however there is research which links gum disease to certain other conditions including heart attacks.

There has been research undertaken which is shown that people with heart conditions have the same bacteria present in their heart as is present with gum disease. More research is needed to establish if there is a causal link between gum disease and heart disease, however what is clear is that there is indeed a link between the two conditions.

What are some complications?

Additional complications from gum disease can include, but are not limited to:

Tooth removal. If your gum disease is not kept under control then it can turn into the more serious periodontitis which can then lead to floss.
Strokes. Studies have shown that up to 40% of the bacteria that cause the fatty deposits in People that have had a stroke come from their mouths which have inflamed gums.
Respiratory disease. Because dental plaque harbours a considerable amount of bacteria it is inevitable that some of these could be respiratory pathogens, therefore a complication of gum disease could potentially be pneumonia, emphysema and chronic obstructive lung disease.
Heart disease. Because the body is a complete system connected by its blood supply then any bacteria which gets into the blood in your mouth can make its way to your heart. These bacteria have been shown to lodge inside the walls of the blood vessels causing blood clots to form.
Gastric ulcers. The same bacteria that cause gastric ulcers are also responsible for gum disease, this means that if you have a particularly high bacteria count in your mouth then as you swallow your food these bacteria are transferred to your stomach.

How to prevent gum disease

Preventing gingivitis is relatively straightforward and involves:

Regular dental checks by your dentist and hygienist to ensure that you are cleaning your teeth adequately.
Being aware of the food and drinks you consume to keep sugar amounts lower.
Ensuring that you have a good daily oral health care regime.
Watch out for the early warning signs like bleeding gums and if it doesn’t clear up contact your dentist.

Is there a link between the desire for Botox and Social Media use?

It’s a common sight to see people glued to their mobile phones, checking their Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook or any other social media feed.

But is there any harm to this? Is the way people are using social media affecting their desire to seek out botox, dermal filler or any other form of skin clinic treatment?

A report in the Guardian looked at the amount of cosmetic dental treatments conducted in the UK in 2016. The report said:

According to data from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), the number of cosmetic operations conducted last year fell 40% to a near-decade low from a record-breaking high in 2015.

And yet, at the same time, market research agency Mintel has found that up to 31% of 25 – 34 year-olds have had this form of treatment compared with just 21% compared to the whole nation.

So treatment with fillers and injectables are definitely on the increase, but is this down to social media use?

One extremely important point to note is that there are medical uses for botulinum toxin (Botox), including hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and gummy smiles, we don’t know if the actual use of these treatments was taken into account in any of these studies, this could skew the figures if it was not.

a study undertaken by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics In June of 2017 came to the conclusion that:

New developments and marketing have made an increasing range of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures – including botox, dermal fillers, implants, and skin lightening, as well as newer techniques such as ‘fat freezing’ and ‘vampire’ treatments – big business and widely accessible

In their study they reported that they were shocked by some of the evidence they saw, particularly of mobile phone apps focusing on gains targeting girls as young as nine, encouraging them to modify their faces with cosmetic surgery on the game.

Because of this they came to the conclusion that:

The Council believes it is unethical that there is nothing to stop completely unqualified people from providing risky procedures like dermal fillers. It says that anyone offering invasive cosmetic treatments should be trained and certified before being allowed to practise.

As we walk through this discussion about the use of social media marketing and Botox it would be good to take a quick look at what Botox is, how it may be used and who can use it.

What is Botox?

Botox is the most popular brand name for botulinum type C toxin. It’s a little like the headache tablet Anadin, Anadin is the brand but the actual drug used is aspirin. In the case of Botox, Botox is the brand and botulinum type C toxin is the active ingredient. Other brand names are also available.

Most commonly this type of treatment is used for antiwrinkle treatments around the face and neck although there are other uses including hyperhidrosis and treatment of a gummy smile.

The injections are divided to treat various skin conditions such as crow feet, Lines around the nasolabial folds, Frown lines and the treatment of lines and wrinkles.

They are often offered in conjunction with filler treatments, this is where a clinician will inject filler (hyaluronic acid) into the chosen area to plump out lips and/or deep folds.

Who can administer antiwrinkle injections?

At the moment in the UK there is a complete lack of legislation around the delivery of these type of injectables. Theoretically this means that anyone can administer the injections.

Scary!

There are many athletically trained dental and medical professionals which offer this service, think about it, particularly a dentist will have detailed knowledge of the nerves, muscles and blood vessels around the head, face and neck. This makes dentists ideally suited to administer this type of treatment.

Health Education England looked at the Education and scope of practice around this very issue, Saying that:

Patients are members of the public who elect to have cosmetic interventions should be able to expect to receive safe standards of treatment and care, with the opportunity to select proficient practitioners who have had the appropriate training to deliver high quality services.

In our opinion, only medically trained professionals could meet these highly exacting standards, particularly around the knowledge of injections, anatomy of the head face and neck and cross infection control.

The dos and don’ts of reading about Botox on social media

Don’t trust everything you read online, especially from beauty therapists who don’t have adequate medical training.
Learn about the science of ageing and do everything you can to slow the process down and look after your skin, as well as considering Botox. Particularly understand how your facial muscles work as exercises can really help.
Bruising afterwards is fairly common.
Be realistic about what you want to achieve and speak to your practitioner, letting them know your ideal results.
Know that not all social media photographs are genuine photographs, the temptation for more unethical providers to use airbrushing on fine lines to make celebrities look great is tremendous.

Is it safe to buy Botox and dermal fillers online?

The simple answer to this question is no. Botox injections via botulinum toxin are a prescription only medicines meaning they are regulated, however it is possible to buy Botox online!

Dermal fillers don’t have such regulation so the use of fillers by non-qualified professionals is far more prevalent than Botox. Dermal filler treatments can be just as harmful if not used by professional, some good things to think about are:

How much filler should be used?
Are fillers actually the right type of treatment?
What is in the filler being used?
Can you guarantee that what is on the package of the filler is actually what is contained?

Only by purchasing these types of treatments through medical or dental professionals can you be a short but the treatment you are receiving is the treatment you actually want!

Invisible Braces & Orthodontics – An Overview

Conventional dental braces have been a very effective and popular orthodontic device for correcting a wide range of orthodontic problems like misaligned teeth, crooked teeth, teeth with excessive or uneven gaps etc. One of the problems associated with braces was poor aesthetics due to their metallic appearance. Naturally, people who were conscious of their smile and appearance did not like wearing braces, except where absolutely clinically necessary.

These metal fixed braces were a rather un-aesthetic way of improving your smile. Orthodontists and technologists realized this problem and have come up with some alternative orthodontic solutions which are invisible to various degrees. If you are not happy with wearing conventional steel braces but need orthodontic correction, you can look at the alternatives below.

1. Lingual Orthodontics

To move the archwire and the brackets out of sight of people, dentists can give you braces with the archwire and the brackets on the tongue-side (or lingual side) of the teeth. Teeth straightening with this type of brace is called lingual braces. Lingual braces are aesthetically far superior to the conventional braces and are particularly popular with adults because they are more conscious of their looks.

The downside of Lingual Braces

· Inconvenience – despite being less conspicuous, lingual braces do pose some problems as the brackets come in between the tongue and the teeth. As a result, the tongue movement is hampered because of the reduced space available, and you will also feel a little odd for some time.

· Difficulty in Playing instruments – Also, if you play wind instruments, you may have some difficulty operating them with lingual braces.

· Special Training Required – Not all dentists are trained in providing treatment with lingual braces. Special training is required in addition to the basic dentistry degree to be able to apply lingual orthodontics.

You will need to have a full smile assessment prior to having this type of virtually invisible braces in order to determine your suitability.

2. Clear Brackets with Tooth Coloured Wires

This is yet another cosmetic alternative to the standard braces. The archwire is made tooth coloured to reduce its visibility against the background formed by your teeth. And the brackets are made of transparent plastic or tooth coloured ceramic so that they are not noticed. In addition, clear or transparent ligatures are used to enhance aesthetics.

Generally, the ceramic brackets are designed in such a way that they do not stain easily. However, the ligatures tend to stain easily, but this is not a big issue as they will be replaced on each visit.

The Price of Improved Aesthetics with Ceramic Braces

Ceramic clear braces are weaker than the conventional metallic braces. Therefore, they require a longer treatment time as orthodontists apply milder forces to make sure that the brackets are not overloaded. In addition, treatment with ceramic braces is costlier as compared to the conventional metallic braces.

Having a confident smile is extremely important during treatment as well is after, so straight teeth with this type of orthodontic brace can be really beneficial. No one need know you have braces fitted.

3. Invisalign Clear Aligners

In the category of orthodontic teeth alignment appliances, the Invisalign™ aligners sit at the top of the lot. A product created by engineering and dental technology the Invisalign treatment is very popular. It has really taken the orthodontic field by a storm.

How Invisalign Works

The treatment consists of wearing a custom-made plastic aligner looking like a teeth guard for two (or one week, in some cases) which moves your teeth through a pre-planned shift. Then the next numbered aligner is put on for a similar period. Successively numbered aligners move your teeth through pre-determined stages, and by the time you remove your last aligner your teeth have moved as planned to give you an excellent smile.

Some patients may be suitable for Invisalign Lite which is a reduced time system suitable for moving cosmetic front teeth only.

Invisalign Teen may also help with younger patients, these have a series of indicators letting the clinician and parents know whether the braces are being worn for the required amount of time

How You Get the Invisible Aligners

At the start, the dentist takes impressions, photos, and x-rays of your teeth as they are. The impressions are digitized into a computer software which can display these in 3-D. Another specialized software helps the dentist plan a gradual movement plan for your teeth again showing the teeth in their intermediate stages, and the final stage (which you can see). This plan is fed to a computer-aided machining system which makes two to three dozen of numbered aligners which when worn continuously, and in turn, move through the planned stages.

Many practices offer a free no obligation consultation for Invisalign, so it’s worth asking if this is possible from your dental practice.

Wearing retainers

A retainer, another appliance like the last aligner, is worn for about six months to consolidate the tooth movement already achieved. This retainer practice is common with the braces correction.

Invisible braces – The Bottom Line

All orthodontic treatments have their own merits and problems. If you have an orthodontic problem, consult a good orthodontist. In case of mild to moderate orthodontic problems, and if there are no technical limitations, Invisalign often gives the best value for your money. However, for more complex cases, conventional or lingual braces may prove to be the treatment of choice.

Please also see our other blog posts talking about Invisalign and straightening crooked teeth

How much are monthly payments for Invisalign

One of the great things about monthly payments for Invisalign is that it brings the price down to an affordable level for most people, allowing you to have straighter teeth at a cost that is right for you.

Many high-priced items such as cars and luxury goods offer monthly instalment payments and Invisalign is no different.

What follows is a range of monthly payments* for different Invisalign scenarios:

Invisalign i7 monthly payments

Invisalign i7 (A new addition to the Invisalign treatment family offering an easy and convenient solution especially for minor tooth movement at the front).

Full cost of treatment £2000
12 months 0% interest. 12 monthly payments of £166.67 per month
60 months 9.9% interest. 60 monthly payments of £42 per month

This brings the treatment of Invisalign down to an amazing £1.38 per day, less than a cup of coffee!

Invisalign light case

An Invisalign light case would typically involve movement of multiple teeth, not just the cosmetic anterior teeth as in Invisalign i7

Full cost of treatment £4500
12 months 0% interest. 12 monthly payments of £375 per month
60 months 9.9% interest. 60 monthly payments of £94.51 per month

Invisalign comprehensive or complex case

A complex or comprehensive Invisalign case with involve movement of multiple teeth, possibly with complex bite involvement to rearrange posteriorly teeth and how they meet together.

Full cost of treatment £5500
12 months 0% interest. 12 monthly payments of £458.33 per month
60 months 9.9% interest. 60 monthly payments of £115.51 per month

The company we use, Chrysalis Finance offer a customised monthly payment calculator, you can access their payment calculator here.

Our dental practice in Hornchurch, Essex also offer a range of special offers on Invisalign, please visit our Invisalign page to find out more

*Subject to status. Conditions apply.

How painful is Invisalign

Does Invisalign hurt?

In order to move your teeth then needs to be some pressure applied to them, in some cases people can describe this pressure as pain although this is rarely the case. Invisalign can sometimes be a little bit uncomfortable when you first begin a new aligner as this is when the pressure on the teeth will be greatest, however, this will subside after a couple of days.

Is Invisalign more painful than any other form of orthodontics?

Absolutely not. Invisalign is generally considered one of the most comfortable for the orthodontic treatment.

Conventional orthodontics using brackets bonded to your teeth and wires between the brackets can be considerably more uncomfortable than Invisalign. These brackets and wires have a tendency to scrape the inside of your cheeks and can cause ulcers, whilst wax is usually provided by your orthodontist to cover these wires wax can dislodge.

Invisalign utilises a completely different system from moving teeth and is constructed of a completely clear and smooth aligner. The aligner is fitted over your teeth so there is nothing sharp to catch the inside of your cheeks making Invisalign and extremely comfortable way to straighten your teeth.

Any pain from Invisalign is usually classified by patients as a dull ache, rather than actual pain.

How to make Invisalign more comfortable

When you first begin wearing a new aligner (which will happen approximately every two weeks) start wearing the new aligner when you go to bed. This will give your teeth time to adjust whilst you are asleep and generally not putting any other pressure on your teeth.
With each new aligner give your teeth time to settle in, approximately 3 days. This means avoid eating particularly crunchy or hard food which could put undue pressure on your teeth and make sensitivity worse.
Be sure to wear a sports guard if you play any sports, this should be a custom-made guard made by your dentist to give you the maximum amount of protection and prevent your teeth being knocked and made more sensitive.
Do what you can to reduce stress and be mindful of grinding or clenching your teeth, this grinding and clenching can put pressure on your teeth and exacerbate any mild sensitivity caused by the new aligner.

How long does it take Invisalign to work

Invisalign begins to work immediately, as soon as you wear your first aligner Invisalign is working, you won’t however be able to see any tooth movement happening. Invisalign puts continuous pressure on your teeth to move them in the desired direction, it is only with time that this movement becomes apparent… So the actual question is:

How long will it take to see results from Invisalign?

You should begin to notice very supple tooth movement after about 4 weeks of wearing your Invisalign aligners. One of the problems with noticing this is that the movement happen so slowly that you may think your teeth are not moving. We can assure you that if you wear your aligners for the recommended 22 hours per day then the required amount of tooth movement is taking place.

How long will it take to see the final result from Invisalign?

The final result from Invisalign can be seen once you have finished the full course of a line therapy. At the beginning of treatment you will be told how long this is likely to be but it is typically in the region of 6 months to 1 year, depending upon the severity of your malocclusion, or what you want to achieve.

How will I know how long treatment will take?

At the beginning of any Invisalign treatment your orthodontist will undertake a Clincheck®. This is a digitised scan of your teeth, the digitised scan is manipulated in software to show the final result. Once the software knows how far each tooth has to move it can calculate the number of aligners required, this then dictates the amount of time the whole treatment takes. A typical treatment takes upwards of 26 aligners, you will be given a written treatment plan at the beginning of any treatment so that you know exactly how long treatment would take.

Can you eat with Invisalign in your mouth

No. In order to eat you will need to remove the Invisalign aligner. Once you have finished eating or drinking anything other than water you should clean your teeth and immediately put your aligner back in.

Invisalign aligners are made from a clear plastic which sits over the top of your teeth. If you try to eat sticky food such as pizza you may find that it can pull the aligner out, you could then bite down on it and break it.

Similarly, eating foods which are extremely crunchy or have a very hard texture, such as chicken on the bone can break the aligner if you bite down on that hard substance.

As well as risking breaking the aligner, you could also do damage to your teeth if you eat with the aligner in. This is because small amount of food may creep underneath the aligner and then be held in place against your teeth.

This will give the acid excreting bacteria in your mouth something to live off, as they digest the food hey give off acid which can attack your teeth and cause tooth decay, therefore if you leave the aligner in and don’t clean your teeth after eating you increase the chances of dental disease and decay.

What can you drink whilst wearing Invisalign?

We recommend only drinking water whilst wearing Invisalign. The problem drinking anything else is that if any of the liquid gets underneath the aligner then it can be held in contact with your teeth which can lead to dental decay. To have no risk of this happening we recommend drinking water only.

Can I chew gum whilst wearing Invisalign?

No. You may find that chewing gum whilst wearing Invisalign can pull the aligner is out, this could result in breaking the aligner. Not all gum is sugarfree, so having this sugary gum in your mouth could also lead to dental decay as the aligner may keep this sugar in contact with your teeth for longer.

Can I smoke whilst wearing Invisalign?

Whilst theoretically possible to smoke whilst wearing Invisalign it is not recommended. Invisalign is made from a material which is sensitive to heat, smoking could therefore damage the aligner. Smoking will also discolour the aligner making it very obvious that you are wearing an orthodontic appliance.

How many hours a day do you need to wear Invisalign

You should ideally wear Invisalign for at least 22 hours per day, removing the aligners only to clean them and eat. Try to wear your aligner is first close to 24 hours a day as possible.

What happens if I don’t wear my aligners enough?

If you don’t wear your aligner is all the prescribed amount of time each day then treatment time will increase and your Invisalign result won’t happen as fast as you may have originally thought.

Can I take my Invisalign aligners out during the day?

Yes, you’re aligners Are designed to be removed for cleaning and eating. If you take them out to eat always remember to wait 20 min, then brush your teeth and put your aligners back in as soon as possible.

Are the Invisalign aligners difficult to take in and out?

Some people find they get a little frustrated in the first 24 hours of wearing each new aligner. This is because it will be tight and actively putting pressure on the teeth in the correct direction, to remove the aligner simply put your fingernails around the edge and pull gently, the aligner should snap out quite easily.

I only want to wear Invisalign at night, will this work?

If you’re thinking that you would only like to wear Invisalign at night then it may not be the system for you. You do need to commit to wearing your aligner is for as close to 24 hours per day as possible.

You will however find that Invisalign is so see-through and transparent that it is barely noticeable whilst you are wearing it, you should therefore be able to wear Invisalign throughout the day without any problem at all.