Invisalign

What is Invisalign? keyboard_arrow_down

Invisalign treatment consists of a series of nearly invisible, removable aligners that you change every two weeks. At your first appointment you'll see a virtual 3D treatment plan showing the series of movements your teeth will go through over the course of your treatment. This allows you see up front what your smile is expected to look like at the end of your treatment.

Because Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible, no one will even notice you’re in treatment (unless you tell them).

Invisalign aligners are also removable, which means you can eat and drink whatever you like during treatment. You can also remove your aligners to brush and floss your teeth, so you can maintain the very best oral hygiene.

The 3D virtual treatment plan, called ClinCheck, allows you to see what your smile is expected to look like before you begin your Invisalign treatment.

We understand that cost is an important consideration. Exact treatment costs are dependent on your individual requirements, but typically Invisalign treatment is comparable to traditional fixed braces. In fact, Invisalign could cost you from as a little as £28 per month.

Invisalign aligners move your teeth in a controlled manner. The amount of movement per aligner is carefully considered, so only certain teeth move at a certain time according to each stage of your personal Invisalign treatment plan. This means you achieve results efficiently and comfortably.

Invisalign aligners are made of strong medical grade, virtually invisible thermoplastic material, developed for the Invisalign system and custom made for you.

The duration of your treatment will depend on your individual requirements. Typically, treatment lasts between 9 and 18 months, but we will provide more information during your consultation.

You may experience some very minor discomfort at the beginning of each new stage of treatment, typically described as a feeling of pressure. This is normal, and is a sign the aligners are working. Any discomfort should go away after a couple of days.

Invisalign aligners are completely removable, so that means that you are free to eat and drink whatever you like. Aligners should be taken out before eating and drinking and, to ensure good hygiene, you should brush and floss your teeth after each meal and before putting your aligners back in.

You should only take your aligners out to eat, drink, brush and floss your teeth.

Most patients have no problems at all, however you may find there is a minor adjustment period while you get use to wearing the aligners.

We advise that you remove your aligners for all meals, snacks, chewing gum or smoking to keep your aligners clean and bright.

You should brush and clean your aligners regularly using lukewarm water. We also recommend using Retainer Bright daily to keep your aligners fresh.

Don’t forget to brush your teeth after each meal and before putting your aligners back in to help maintain good oral hygiene.

Whitening

Do professional teeth whitening treatments work? keyboard_arrow_down

Yes! "Professional” being the operative word. Teeth whitening treatments performed by us as dental professionals have been tried, tested and scientifically proven to whiten teeth. All of our teeth whitening products contain the correct amount of the special peroxide-based ingredient to whiten teeth safely and effectively.You must avoid seeking any sort of teeth whitening treatments from anyone that is not a fully qualified and registered dental professional.

No. Teeth whitening treatments will not change the colour of your fillings, crowns or veneers so these may need replacing after your treatment.

Our teeth whitening treatments can whiten teeth by up to 16 shades! Results will evidently vary but, if used correctly, all teeth will whiten dramatically. If you opt for our complete tooth whitening package, we guarantee at least a shade B1 result.Natural teeth will very rarely appear too white. Very white crowns or veneers can look unnatural because they are made of porcelain.

Absolutely, our teeth whitening treatments are completely safe. Our teeth whitening products contain ingredients used within dentistry for over 100 years and will not damage your teeth or gums at all.For this reason again, we strongly advise you against buying any form of teeth whitening products over the counter or online - you simply do not know what is contained within them.

During the course of your teeth whitening treatment, you may experience some increased tooth sensitivity. Some minor irritation of your gums can also occur if too much gel is placed inside your trays. These side-effects will completely disappear at the end of your treatment. Prior to starting your treatment, you shall be provided with a list of hints and tips to help prevent any sensitivity during your treatment, such as the use of specific sensitive toothpastes.Should you have any concerns during your treatment, you must contact us.

Our home teeth whitening treatment will usually take 2-4 weeks to complete, depending upon the advice of your dentist. Occasionally, for more severe staining, we may advise that you need to whiten your teeth for longer. This shall be discussed with you during your initial consultation.

Your teeth whitening results after treatment with us should last indefinitely, so long as you perform regular maintenance using our top-up gels. How frequently such maintenance top-ups are required will depend upon your lifestyle and diet, such as whether you are a smoker and how frequently you drink tea or coffee.

Yes, certain drinks especially will affect the efficiency of your teeth whitening treatment. Before you proceed with your teeth whitening treatment, you shall be provided with a list of foods and drinks we advise you avoid. Examples include red wine, tea and coffee.

No. There are a lot of toothpastes on the market that claim to whiten teeth. Whilst these toothpastes may remove some surface stain, they do not intrinsically whiten your teeth in the same way that our teeth whitening treatments do. For this reason, we strongly advise against the use of any so-called whitening toothpastes, especially in the long term, as they can be extremely abrasive and do more harm than good.

Implants

What are dental implants? keyboard_arrow_down

Dental implants are one way of replacing missing teeth. They represent the closest substitute to a missing tooth that we have because they are fixed in place and do not damage your own natural teeth.
Having teeth missing can really affect one’s mental as well as physical health. Replacing missing teeth means you can eat all foods you can with natural teeth, at the same time as helping boost one’s self esteem.
Dental implants are composed of three components. First, a small titanium screw is accurately inserted into the jawbone. An abutment is then attached to the implant once it has fused to the bone and finally, the restoration is placed over the implant (either a single crown, bridge or denture).

Dental implants can be used to support a single tooth, a few teeth or even an entire set of teeth.
Just two dental implants can be used to support a complete lower denture - a common complaint from denture wearers is that their lower denture is always loose and preventing them from eating the foods that they would like to enjoy.

  • They are fixed in place and look and perform as close to natural teeth as is possible
  • There is no need for any dental adhesives
  • They preserve facial features and restore a natural smile
  • They replace missing teeth without damaging your remaining healthy teeth
  • They help preserve bone following an extraction
  • They will improve your appearance, confidence and ability to eat all the foods you want to enjoy without worrying about your teeth
  • If well maintained, they can potentially last a lifetime

When placed correctly and if properly maintained as instructed, dental implants can last as long as your natural teeth. This means they could last you a lifetime making them an extremely worthwhile investment.

Almost everyone that has lost a tooth, several teeth or even all of their teeth is a candidate for dental implants. Age is most certainly not a barrier to having dental implants. There are very few situations in which implants are not suitable, however your medical and smoking history could have an impact. Your suitability will evidently be assessed before you undergo any treatment.

It is completely normal to carefully consider the financial aspect of any serious investment. On average, a single implant fully restored with its crown and all the associated appointments, will cost £2,500. Remember, not only do we we offer a range of finance options to help spread the cost of your treatment, but this is a long-term investment that will potentially improve your quality of life, function, confidence, and appearance.

Absolutely. Implants can be used to either support a set of dentures or a bridge, meaning that the need for dental adhesives is eliminated.

During the procedure itself, a local anaesthetic will be administered to make it as comfortable as possible. Sedation can also be provided for those who are a little more anxious regarding having dental treatment. As with any oral surgical procedure, you can expect some associated post-operative discomfort which can be controlled with over-the-counter painkillers.
It is important to note though that most implant patients comment how surprised they were at how minimal and short lasting the discomfort was.

On average, from first visit to your final dental restoration, the process will take between 3-9 months. This is totally dependant upon your needs and your presenting situation and a more precise estimate can only be given following an initial assessment with our dental implant clinician.

Absolutely yes. Whilst further treatment, such as a bone graft, may be needed prior to placing your dental implants, even teeth that have been missing for several years can be replaced with dental implants.

Dental implants require a certain amount of bone of a good enough quality to allow them to be placed. If your teeth have been missing for several years, the amount and quality of bone may not be sufficient to allow implants to be placed. A bone graft allows us to replace and improve the quality of that bone in order for implants to be placed successfully.
You will only know if you need a bone graft following both your initial dental consultation as well as a special 3D CT scan.

In order for your new dental implants to succeed, it is crucial that you care for them properly, just as you would and should your own natural teeth. This will include tooth brushing and inter-dental cleaning. Our dental health care professionals will demonstrate your personal hygiene routine to you following the placement of your implants and new dental restorations.
You will also need to visit our dentists and hygienist on a regular basis for maintenance reviews. Once again, this shall be explained to you in detail throughout your treatment journey with us.

If you would like to know more about dental implants and your potential suitability, please book in for a free consultation with our treatment coordinator.

Cosmetic Orthodontics

Why does it only take 6 months? keyboard_arrow_down

With a cosmetic fixed brace, we are focussed upon moving just your top and/or bottom front 6 teeth. These are what we call your “social six” teeth, because these are the ones that are mainly seen when you smile. For the reason that we are moving fewer teeth, your treatment takes less time.
6 months is an average, meaning that treatment can even be completed in as little as 3 or 4 months.

Yes, most definitely. Retention is a lifelong commitment to ensure your teeth stay beautifully straight. Teeth have a tendency to continually move throughout your lifetime so wearing retainers at the of your treatment is vital.
As part of our fixed cosmetic brace packages, we provide not only a fixed retainer, but also uniquely provide each patient 3 sets of Invisalign’s removable vivera retainers. This puts you well on your way to maintaining your straight teeth for life.

All orthodontic treatments carry a small possible risk. However, before starting your treatment, you will have a full oral health assessment, including x-rays and photographs, to ensure that any possible risks are discovered and discussed with you.
All of our dentists are extremely experienced with providing cosmetic fixed braces and will not carry out any treatments that they believe not to be in your best interest.
We have performed quite literally hundreds of these treatments at Smile Stylist and pride ourselves in putting your health and well being first. It is for this reason that we have had no reported issues following such treatment.

The vast majority of people with mild to moderate spacing and crowding will be suitable for a cosmetic fixed brace.
Quite simply, if you would like to straighten your teeth using a cosmetic fixed brace, book in for a no-obligation free consultation with our treatment coordinator to find out if you are suitable.

Our fixed cosmetic braces are custom-made to fit each patient as comfortably as possible. As with all orthodontic treatment though, a fixed cosmetic brace will take a couple of weeks to get used to but you will soon adjust to your new appliance.
There may be a mild dull ache for the first week that can easily be controlled with over-the-counter painkillers, but this can be seen as a positive sign that your treatment is already starting to work! To help with any rubbing of the brackets against your cheeks you will also be provided with special orthodontic wax. There will certainly not be any long-term discomfort though.

In order for your treatment to work as efficiently as possible, you will typically be seen every 2-4 weeks. We offer flexible opening times to suit all diaries and ensure your treatment runs smoothy.

We strongly advise against chewing gums during your cosmetic fixed brace treatment because you risk de-bonding a bracket - it may also be difficult to clean up!

We strongly discourage smoking for obvious oral and general health reasons. It will not affect your treatment progress though. Should you want any smoking cessation advice then please speak with one of our dental health professionals.

Most patients report little or no effect on their speech during the treatment. However, similar to traditional orthodontic braces, some patients find an initial adjustment period associated with having something new in your mouth. All patients seem to adjust quickly to this change.

For the reason that you risk breaking one of your brackets, we advise that you avoid sticky or chewy foods. Your dentist will discuss this with you in more detail during your initial appointments.

Facial Aesthetics

How does the treatment work? keyboard_arrow_down

When Botulinum Toxin is injected into a muscle, it temporarily relaxes it by blocking the nerve signals. Whilst the muscle is unable to contract, dynamic wrinkles (the lines that occur when you move your facial muscles) are not formed. This results in giving your facial skin a softer, smoother and more youthful appearance.

Botulinum Toxin treatment has an excellent safety record when used correctly by professionally trained clinicians. It is used in adults and children to treat a variety of medical conditions and has been used cosmetically to treat facial lines for over 15 years. It is now one of the world’s most popular and frequently used cosmetic treatments.

Both men and women over the age of 18 years can safely have the treatment. There are situations in which it should not be used however, including but not exclusively:

  • Those with an infection at the proposed injection site.
  • Those reporting a previous allergic reaction to Botulinum Toxin type A.
  • People with certain chronic diseases affecting muscles, such as Myasthenia Gravis and Bell’s palsy.
  • Pregnant women and those breast feeding.

It should be used cautiously in the following situations:

  • Those with an increased risk of bleeding, such as individuals with Haemophilia, those taking anticoagulant medications (e.g. Warfarin, Heparin, Aspirin) and certain herbal remedies such as St John’s Wort and Vitamin EPeople with Chronic Breathing difficulties.

Anti-wrinkle injections with Botulinum Toxin are not allowed in those under 18 years of age. Past this, age is not the decisive factor in determining whether or not you are a suitable candidate. The type of lines (ie whether dynamic or static), depth and number are more important factors in determining whether or not you are a good candidate, or whether alternative facial aesthetic treatments would be more suitable.
In actual fact, Botulinum Toxin treatment works best as a preventative treatment, meaning the earlier you start receiving the treatment, the more successful it will be in the long term in reducing both dynamic and static lines.

Botulinium Toxin injections are relatively painless as they are performed using an extremely fine needle. Anaesthesia is therefore not required. Our clinicians are also incredibly experienced at providing the treatment, making it as comfortable as possible for you. The treatment will take approximately 15-20 minutes and you are able to drive and go to work the same day.

The initial effects may be seen as quickly as 24-48 hours after your initial treatment but the full effects will take at least 2 weeks to fully materialise. You will be seen 2 weeks after your initial appointment to assess the results of your treatment.

Whilst the effects can last up to 6 months, on average they will last between 3-4 months. You will therefore need regular treatments to maintain the effects of your treatment. Regular, repeated treatments though mean that your lines will be far less severe when the effects wear off because your unconscious habit of muscle contraction will have been broken.

Immediately after treatment, there will be slight redness around the injection site which will last about an hour. Mild swelling may occur that will usually disappear after 24-48 hours. On rare occasions, slight bruising may occur but our experienced clinicians evidently do all that is possible to avoid this.
Side effects are extremely rare but may include a slight headache, nausea and flu-like symptoms. As the effects of your treatment develop, those that suffer with tension headaches may actually find that such headaches disappear.
In those having treatments of the upper face, such as frown or forehead lines, the nearby muscle groups may relax causing a temporary drooping of the eyebrow or eyelids (eyebrow/eyelid ptosis). This may last for a few weeks but will fully resolve with time.
As with any medicine, an allergic reaction is possible but this is incredibly rare. It is important to stress that Botulinum Toxin has been used for over 20 years within the medical profession and does not appear to cause any negative long-term effects.

Treatment with Botulinum Toxin can be repeated at a minimum of three monthly intervals once the effects are starting wear off. The effects may last longer in some individuals though, especially in those having regular repeat treatments.

Your treatment will be tailored to your individual needs. The treatment is designed to smooth your dynamic wrinkles and not affect your facial expression.

  • After treatment, repeatedly frown or tense the area for about 1 hour after treatment. This will help the treatment be more effective by increasing the uptake in the targeted muscles.
  • Do not rub or touch the treated area for 3-4 hours.
  • Try to remain upright for 3-4 hours and do not lie down. Try to avoid sleeping on your face for the first night.
  • Avoid exercise for 3-4 hours.
  • Avoid applying make up to the area for 1 hour. After this, apply make up gently for the next 24 hours using a light dabbing motion rather than a rubbing or spreading action.
  • It is not advisable to fly within the first 24 hours of treatment.
  • Do not have any facial treatments for 7 days after this as they may cause ‘tracking’ of the Botulinum Toxin to neighbouring areas.
  • Apply arnica cream to the area should any bruising develop.
  • If you have any concerns at all, please contact us at the practice.