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The importance of a healthy smile

Whilst a crooked or overcrowded smile may not be the end of the world, the impact that it can have on the individual wearing that smile can be rather devastating in terms of self- esteem and overall confidence in their appearance. A confident smile can help you get the job interview you have been waiting for, it can help you create a positive memory to look back over in years to come and it can help you approach your social life with confidence.

The impact of a healthy smile on both yourself and those who see you can be staggering which is why starting the day with a smile that brightens up your face and adds a sparkle to it should be a reality instead of a dream.

What is Invisalign in Cornwall?

Sharpening up your smile through tooth realignment has never been easier. These transparent aligners which come in sets are not only removable, but are also designed to your own mouth specifications ensuring that the fit is snug and comfortable. Whilst this may all sound a little too easy, the hardest part for you is to stick to the plan and ensure that you wear the aligners for the recommended 22 hours a day. After all, it can be easy to take them out for a clean and forget to put them back in, so your commitment to your alignment plan is key for success.

Starting your Invisalign in Cornwall journey

Once a discussion with our dentist has taken place regarding your tooth realignment options, you will be booked in for a consultation. This will help our dental team identify whether or not Invisalign in Cornwall is the best treatment for your individual case. To do this not only will a discussion about your goals take place, but a physical examination of the area will be needed. If the treatment looks good to go ahead, a series of digital scans, photographs and potentially X-rays will be taken followed by the creation of your own personalised 3D plan. This plan not only allows you to see the visible result of how the treatment would work on your teeth, but also enables the dental team to understand the full extent of your misalignment. Once both you and our dentist are happy to proceed the digital scans will be used to create your own aligners. This takes approximately 1 to 2 weeks.

Once the aligners are created, an appointment will be made to show you how to wear the aligners and how to follow your own plan effectively. This information is of great importance as the majority of the treatment is carried out at home by you, with check-ups on the progress happening every 4 to 6 weeks.

The timing of the treatment depends entirely upon your individual misalignment problem along with your commitment to the realignment treatment. However, once the end result has been achieved, a new aligner will be provided which is to be worn ongoing. This aligner helps maintain the new positioning of the teeth ensuring all your hard work stays in place.

It is important to fully understand all treatments mentioned within this article and therefore patients are encouraged to seek further information and advice from our dental team before undergoing treatment.

Here at Archway Dental Surgery, we are a supplier of Invisalign in Cornwall as well as traditional metal braces. We are seeing so many patients who have used both that we know that they are similarly advantageous in treating alignment issues, so let’s talk more about the options.

Overall Invisalign in Cornwall has been considered very efficient for mild conditions; we feel this reflects a very cautious position when it comes to adopting new orthodontic tools and considering how sensational some online providers of aligners have been, we can understand why the British Orthodontic Society has chosen to be conservative in this regard.

We have used clear aligners in order to help with many orthodontic issues and found them to be highly efficacious when implemented in certain situations.

Crowded teeth

With clinically crowded teeth, sometimes space in the jaw simply does not permit them to align straight and the teeth often rotate in order to fit and are severely crooked. There can be issues with the build-up of plaque and tartar due to not being able to floss between them.

Very spaced out or gappy teeth

With too much space between the teeth, whistling and other speech impediments can become a problem. Also it is not possible for the teeth to form a well matching bite, putting additional stress on the few teeth that do make contact with each other.

Crossbites

Crossbites are caused when the slope of the outside teeth extends inside the lower jaw line; they can affect a single tooth or the entire jawline. For single tooth crossbites, we have found Invisalign to be effective, creating better meshing bites, which results in the fact it can be easier to eat, particularly removing the filling of a ham sandwich!

Deep bites

Deep bite is a form of overbite where the lower teeth extend out of the mouth.This leaves the patient with a permanently opened bite even when their molars are clenched closed. As the incisors are completely taken out of the equation when it comes to eating, it forces the patient to use their molars to eat sideways when cutting and tearing into food. Making them overly dependent on their canines which increases their wear and tear.

Underbites

An underbite is one of the more common forms of dental misalignment; it is when the lower teeth overlap the upper ones. Mild forms of underbites are common in children’s teeth and will usually resolve themselves when adult teeth come through.  When adult teeth continue to show the same underbite is when orthodontic intervention needs to be considered, in order to avoid higher risk of cavities due to focused erosion of the enamel, as well as halitosis and nighttime breathing issues.

If you have suffered or are suffering from any of these orthodontic issues, please feel free to get in contact with our clinic and we would be happy to assess you for Invisalign in Cornwall. There are some situations where aligners would not be appropriate due to the severity of  misalignment, but there may be options for hybrid therapy where treatment is started using a metal brace before the patient graduates on to an aligner. This allows a wider range of conditions to be treated whilst the time spent in the brace is minimised.

Clear aligners have grown in popularity, and we are proud to be a top distributor for Invisalign in Cornwall. Let’s take a look at exactly how we deliver this treatment!

In order to get the most out of treatment with invisible aligners we have established a standard treatment schedule and everybody starts with an initial assessment. This is where we check that invisible aligners will be suitable for you and an effective form of treatment. Some very severe dental misalignments cannot be resolved using aligners, so we will suggest alternative treatments in these cases.

If everything meets our Invisalign criteria, we will go on to take a set of X-rays in order to ensure that your tooth roots are in good condition; orthodontic treatment involves placing consistent pressure on teeth, this would be unwise if you had a structurally compromised tooth and we cannot be sure of that without performing X-rays.

We have found that by performing 3D scans in order to record the positioning of your teeth rather than a dental mould, it offers better overall results. This is partially due to the resolution of our intraoral scanner and another advantage is that it also eliminates the inherent risks of moulds warping during transportation.

After scans are complete, we will be able to show you a mock-up of your treatment schedule, almost like seeing a flip book of the future positions of your teeth and how they will move,

That will be the completion of your aligner fitting and we will have to wait until your series of aligners are then delivered. This is usually accomplished in approximately four weeks from the time of the scan. We will contact you so you can pick them up from the clinic and begin your treatment.

In order to get the best out of your aligners, you’re going to have to follow a few rules. One of them is wearing them consistently 22 hours a day;  this is considered the minimum effective time. You can remove your aligners in order to eat and are recommended to do so, as eating hard foods while wearing aligners seriously risks damaging them. They are also fragile in high temperatures so always wash them in cool water.

If one of your Invisalign in Cornwall does become damaged or goes missing, please get in contact with the clinic and we will have a new one manufactured for you within a week. It may be tempting to try to skip forward or continue to wear your current aligner even if it is damaged, but this will only slow down your treatment. It could also result in further misalignment of your teeth and if you end up with your teeth out of sequence with the treatment, this could force a restart in the treatment.

We recommend that our aligner-using patients visit the clinic every four to six weeks. This is just to make sure that they are progressing as intended and to nip any issues in the bud. Obviously if you do have any concerns you are recommended to contact the clinic immediately.

And it’s usually as simple as that. If you have any further questions or are curious if Invisalign in Cornwall might be just what you need, please call us, we would only be too happy to help.

When you are using Invisalign in Cornwall, this orthodontic tool performs like a brace, but  actually it is not a brace in the traditional sense at all. Come to Archway Dental Surgery to find out more.

For one thing, you’re unlikely to ever notice somebody wearing this aligner, especially when compared to a brace. Here we talk more about their advantages and differences.

Invisalign in Cornwall comprises a set of clear plastic aligners, each playing the role of pushing your teeth further towards a desired final position. Unlike a brace, which is placed on your teeth and then adjusted throughout the treatment by an orthodontist using wires and brackets, invisible aligners are pre-designed with all of those adjustments worked into the final set of aligners. What makes this possible is the capturing of a 3D model of your teeth, which is then used to calibrate an anatomically correct simulation of your mouth.

From there, we can make all the adjustments we wish to by moving your teeth from their starting position to the idealised endpoint.

With the start and end points set, the aligner can now work it’s real magic. Each aligner is developed alongside a set software that, once you have given it a start and finish location of the teeth, can plot a smooth transition from one to the other.

This technology accurately calculates the amount of force that would be required to alter the position of the teeth every step of the way; this is called a vector map. From these vector maps, the aligners are designed and once they are placed over the patient’s teeth, they will generate the desired forces to allow them to achieve that final end state. This method of manufacturing all of the orthodontic corrections into the aligners provides several big advantages.

One is saving the time of highly trained dental professionals. The other is saving the patient’s time by reducing the number of visits they require during the course of their treatment with Invisalign in Cornwall. The third is allowing each of the adjustments to be done far more incrementally; one aligner is changed every two weeks, unlike an orthodontic tightening of a traditional brace that occurs every four weeks. These larger changes, mixed with the more uncomfortable materials used in traditional braces can make dental orthodontic adjustments very uncomfortable; this is far less of an issue using clear aligners

This is a very different way of seeing orthodontics and by having a series of aligners which are only expected to operate for two weeks each, it means they can be far thinner, lighter and generally more convenient than a brace ever could.

But with these advantages come a set of potential issues; you as the patient are responsible for keeping the aligner in your mouth for the set period, and the temptation to remove it can prove problematic. If you fail to keep the aligners in your mouth for the set time, your teeth may revert into their former positions, and you may have to start treatment from the beginning again, wasting both time and money.

Also, a thinner aligner has the potential to become damaged, which can create a delay in the treatment while our team orders a replacement aligner. To avoid these issues, keep your aligners in their protective casing when they are not in your mouth.

Many people can look in the mirror and be unhappy about what they see, when they view an uneven smile and think that they are stuck with it. This does not have to be the case. A beautifully aligned smile can help you feel good about yourself and the world you’re in. It can help you alter your outlook on life and give you the tools to have confidence in every single aspect of your life. A confident smile can help you feel self-possessed when socialising, when at work and when you look in the mirror. Today, we will take you through the ins and outs of a treatment that could straighten your teeth, the reasons we think this could be of benefit to you if you suffer from misaligned teeth, and how this treatment works.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign in Cornwall could be a good option for those looking to straighten their smiles without the use of traditional braces. This treatment is an invisible, convenient and comfortable way for you to straighten your smile. It has been continuously evolving for nearly 25 years and has been specially designed to give patients a series of clear aligners that are used to transform their smile. These aligners fit smoothly around your life, so you can straighten your smile without hindrance. They are comfortable and very discreet, they gently and slowly move the positions of your teeth in small incremental steps and conveniently they are removable, making sure you can keep up good dental hygiene levels.

Why should I have this treatment?

If you have ever thought about your wish for a straighter smile then Invisalign in Cornwall could be a clear path to a straight and healthy-looking smile. This treatment can address a lot of ailments such as overly crowded teeth, widely spaced teeth, crossbites, deep bites and underbites. These aligners are customised to suit your own unique presentation, ensuring that your teeth get the guidance they require to move into their preordained, finished alignment using 3D technology and thin plastic sets of trays. Each aligner will have built-in pressure points to ensure gradual and comfortable alignment of your teeth, specified by the scans taken at your initial consultation. Your dentist will always be on hand to make sure that you understand the process and you are comfortable with each step. They will be available to answer any questions you may have about the treatment.

How quickly does Invisalign work?

Invisalign in Cornwall as a treatment takes approximately 9 to 18 months, depending on the severity of the alignment issue that needs to be corrected. You will first meet with our dentist who will provide you with the treatment plan detailing how your treatment will work and for how long. Using this plan a series of aligners are then manufactured. You will wear your aligner for 20 to 22 hours every day to ensure a successful result . When instructed to do so, you will move onto the next aligner and this will cause the teeth to slowly begin to move to their end position.

What are my next steps?

If you think that this treatment could allow you to enhance your smile for the better, then you should consider getting in touch with us here at Archway Dental Surgery. We always look forward to welcoming new patients and being able to help them achieve their smile goals.

When you have been given the green light for adult orthodontics it can be an exciting time. More so if you are beginning treatment with invisible aligners! Who wouldn’t want to get a straighter smile without using metal braces?

But, as invisible aligners have grown in popularity, there have been more rumours and mistruths floating around online about these orthodontic options. And while it can sometimes be easy to spot an obvious mistruth about invisible aligners (like they don’t work and are a waste of money), if you are a newcomer to the world of adult orthodontics, it can be tricky.

At Archway Dental Surgery, we know how these myths can deter people from seeking the straighter smile they deserve and we are here to debunk some of the most common myths surrounding Invisalign in Cornwall. We have extensive experience of using this aligner with our patients, and know enough about its function to spot an untruth when we see one!

So, what are some of the most common myths that surround Invisalign in Cornwall? Read on to find out!

You can’t take the aligner out

You can!

When you use Invisalign in Cornwall, it is recommended that you wear the aligner for 22 hours per day, so it can realign your teeth. But, there is a 2 hour period during which you can remove the aligners to eat, drink and even brush your teeth.

Just be sure that you put it back in afterwards!

The aligner is uncomfortable

OK, it is worth considering when you visit our team for any orthodontic treatment that the aligner or brace that is used is going to move your teeth. And that is likely to cause a bit of discomfort.

However, the everyday wear of this invisible aligner is more bearable than many patients are aware, and thus it can come as quite a surprise. You can even sleep with it in your mouth without issue!

If you do however notice some discomfort while wearing this aligner, please take over-the-counter pain relief. If this does not work, or the pain becomes unmanageable, please contact our team.

The aligners don’t fit well

Towards the end of the 2 weeks that you are required to wear each aligner for, they may start to feel loose and wobbly. This is normal.

Before this, the aligner should fit comfortably and simply slot over your teeth.

The aligners stain and become visible

The aligners can stain but if you look after them correctly, such as rinsing them under the cold tap to clean them and removing any debris with a soft-bristled toothbrush, then they should stay stain-free and remain discreet.

Remember, each aligner is only worn for 2 weeks, so you won’t have to tolerate any stains that are stubborn for long.

It takes longer than using regular braces

Actually, on average, it doesn’t.

With invisible aligners, the average treatment time takes between 3-6 months, whereas, with regular orthodontic braces, it can take up to 36 months with complex cases.

When most people hear about adult orthodontics, they become concerned about visible braces and discomfort. But of course, there are now many other options that you can use to realign your smile that will not use metal brackets or wires and will not cause extensive discomfort. Welcome to the world of clear and invisible aligners.

These options are visually discreet and can correct issues that are considered mild to moderate. And so, if you are eager to correct a couple of protruding teeth at the front of your mouth, or indeed to have those gaps in your smile closed, you could be suitable!

And if you aren’t sure about your suitability for Invisalign in Cornwall, come along to Archway Dental Surgery and we will assess if you could proceed with an invisible aligner. At Archway Dental, we have extensive experience in the use of these aligners and will choose one that is best suited to correct your misalignment needs.

So, with that in mind, what are some of the advantages of using Invisalign in Cornwall? Read on to find out our top 5!

Improved oral health

Straighter teeth are easier to clean.

And whenever you begin treatment with a brace or aligner like Invisalign in Cornwall, as your teeth straighten, they will be easier to clean, floss and maintain. As a result, they will be less likely to suffer from cavities and gum disease, thus boosting your dental health.

Improved physical health

Plaque in your mouth can cause a myriad of short-term health issues, such as the increased risk of ulcers, cold sores and even gastrointestinal issues.

When you use invisible braces to straighten your teeth, the harmful levels of plaque in your mouth will reduce and will benefit your mouth, your stomach and your overall health.

Improved speech

Misaligned teeth at the front of the mouth can create issues with speech, especially when pronouncing letters such as ‘s’ or words that begin with ‘th.’

By straightening your teeth, your tongue can correctly connect with your teeth, and enable your speech to become clearer, which will help with your pronunciation and inflexion.

Improved sleep

Interestingly, if you have misaligned teeth, you run a higher risk of nocturnal bruxism and tooth grinding.

Why? Because your teeth are not fitting together properly and when you fall asleep and your muscles relax, they do not fit together correctly and will grind. This has been linked to poorer quality sleep, headaches and migraines.

So, by correcting these misalignment issues you are reducing the incidents of bruxism, improving your sleep and of course, getting rid of those painful headaches and migraines.

Improved long-term outcome

The link between plaque in the mouth (on the teeth and gums) has been made to countless long-term conditions, such as the increased risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

And so, by wearing invisible braces that help with the cleaning of teeth and gums, you are reducing the chances of developing long-term, serious health disorders, such as the ones mentioned before.

There are many advantages to having straighter teeth in adult life. For one thing, they boost your confidence and are easier to take care of and maintain.

But if you don’t have perfectly straight teeth, you may feel that the only option open to you is to wear large, metal braces that will attract attention and make you feel concerned about your smile.

However, depending on the severity of your misalignment, you may be suitable for treatment with invisible aligners.

At Archway Dental Surgery, we have extensive expertise in relation to invisible aligners, especially Invisalign in Cornwall. Made from clear plastic, lifestyle-friendly and visually discreet, these aligners can help you get the smile you want, bypassing all of the negative attention that comes with traditional braces. Perfect!

So, what are some of the advantages of using Invisalign in Cornwall to straighten your smile? Read on to find out!

Affordable

You may have heard that Invisalign in Cornwall is pricey. And while it would be if you had to pay for the cost all at once, at Archway Dental Surgery, we are able to offer payment plans to help you spread the cost of these aligners, enabling you to have easier access to them.

Life-long results

Provided that you stick to the treatment plan as laid down by our team and follow their aftercare advice about retainers, your newly aligned smile will last a lifetime.

Should you have concerns that your teeth are moving into their previous positions once you have completed all the steps required, talk to our team.

Invisible

As you may have guessed, these aligners are the closest thing you will ever get to an invisible orthodontic appliance.

Made from clear plastic, they slot over your teeth and are easy to clean if they become stained. So, no one will be able to spot that you are wearing them.

Great for confidence!

As this aligner is invisible, easy to clean and removable, many patients find that it boosts their confidence in wearing it.

After all, what’s not to like about wearing a visually discreet brace that causes minimal disruption to daily life while getting your desired smile?

No tightening

OK, so one main reason why these aligners are popular is that they are so comfortable to wear in daily life. Of course, when you change between your aligners, there will be some discomfort, but as they do not rely on pulling and pushing in the same way that traditional braces do, there is minimal to no discomfort.

Excellent results

Many patients have concerns that because these aligners have no wires or brackets, that they will not be effective.

However, if used correctly (and with a customised retainer) your newly aligned teeth will be indistinguishable from teeth that have been straightened with regular orthodontic braces.

Removable

A big plus for many patients in relation to invisible aligners is that they are removable.

That means you can take them out to eat, drink and of course, to play contact sports and when you are giving talks at work.

Having misaligned teeth can be a source of concern for many patients and for those who have gone through the ‘wonder years’, they may feel that they’ve missed the boat for realigning them and getting a smile they can be proud of. Having a mouth full of metal may be the last thing you want when you’re not in school anymore; heading to the office and negotiating a business deal while others stare at your mouth would just be too distracting. At Archway Dental Surgery, we have been treating patients since 1983 and we have moved with the times to be able to provide you with a solution for realigning your teeth discreetly with Invisalign in Cornwall.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an alternative treatment to fixed metal braces which consist of brackets and wires. Instead, Invisalign comprises of clear plastic aligners that apply pressure to the teeth to gently move them into the position prescribed by your dentist based on digital scans, taken with iTero technology before treatment begins, from which your aligners are made bespoke for you. The aligners are removable and need to be worn on average for 22 hours each day. After treatment is completed, you will then need to wear retainers as well. They are used to treat mild to moderate alignment issues such as crossbite, over and underbite, overcrowding and gapping.

Why should I choose Invisalign in Cornwall?

We don’t like to brag, but at Archway Dental Surgery we believe in giving our patients the best care possible and treatments are centred around your needs. We will never force treatment upon you; we prefer to collaborate and listen to your concerns and aims for your smile, arming you with the information you need to choose a treatment that suits you best from those that are available. With Invisalign, there are so many benefits to discuss!

Invisalign aligners are highly discreet and when worn, they are virtually impossible to see by other people. You have flexibility surrounding when you wear them and you can remove them when you eat and drink which means you don’t need to change your diet. You can also brush and floss as normal, maintaining good oral hygiene. The aligners are virtually impossible to break being made of plastic, and they are comfortable to wear being made-to-measure. From the iTero scans, we can also show you a 3D animation of what your smile will look like after treatment, before treatment begins, allowing you to visualise the results whilst you do the work of wearing them – it’s great motivation!

What do I need to do to get my hands on them?

If you are keen to find out more about Invisalign, simply book in for a Case Assessment with us and we can check that Invisalign will work for your alignment issues. If it is an option and you decide to go ahead, we will then do one or more of the following: take photos, x-rays, impressions and a digital scan of your mouth.

For a super smile, our friendly team at Archway Dental Surgery are looking forward to giving you great treatment and making you feel even better, so seize the day and grasp the opportunity with both hands!

You may have read that invisible aligners are the new big thing in dentistry and orthodontics.

But, you also may have read that some of these aligners are failing to produce the results desired by patients and you may be wondering why. It’s simple really; fewer and fewer patients are wearing these aligners for the required amount of time, causing them to experience minimal changes to their misaligned teeth.

Why is this happening? Because patients are simply unprepared for the challenges that come with wearing an invisible aligner. Yes, they are easier to manage than a traditional brace, but that does not mean that they don’t come with their own trials and complications!

At Archway Dental, we know that the wearing of any kind of brace or aligner like Invisalign in Cornwall can be tricky, and so, we are here to support you at every step of the way. We can provide you with targeted advice on how to maintain your orthodontic appliance, while also ensuring that any device we recommend is suitable for your orthodontic needs.

So, what are some of our key survival tips for wearing Invisalign in Cornwall? Read on to find out!

Get a mini toothbrush

When you take your aligner out to eat, you will need to clean your teeth before putting it back in.

And so, when you begin treatment with Invisalign in Cornwall, we recommend that you invest in a small toothbrush to carry with you to work, or on days out etc.

This will help you to clean your teeth after meals and will keep your smile whiter and cavity free.

Clean it!

This aligner is invisible and in order to keep it that way, you will need to clean it daily.

Luckily, this isn’t difficult; simply rinse it under a cold water tap to remove surface staining and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove debris. Do not rinse the aligner in hot water as it could warp and do not use mouthwashes to clean it, as this can cause staining.

Use the carry case

This aligner is tough but also fragile; when you receive it from our team, it will come with a carry case. We suggest that you use it.

Throwing the aligner into your bag or coat pocket can cause it to become damaged and may delay your overall treatment time if we have to create a replacement aligner. So, use the carry case!

Time it

You need to wear this aligner for 22 hours per day for it to be effective and so, in the earlier stages of wear, we recommend that you time how long you wear it for each day.

This will help you to get used to it and will also ensure that you are wearing it for the correct amount of time.

Attend appointments

You will need to attend any appointments with our team to ensure that this aligner is working correctly.

If it isn’t, this allows us to make changes and suggest different orthodontic appliances if needed.