Removable Braces London

Why Choose Removable Braces In London?

Removable braces are made of clear plastic trays that fit over your teeth to straighten your smile. The treatment includes a series of removable trays or aligners that you change every few weeks, with each set of trays applying gentle pressure on the teeth moving the teeth ever so slightly, till your teeth have moved to their desired end positions by the end of the last set of trays. The trays or aligners at the start of the treatment will look different than those at the end of the treatment as they move teeth over the course of the treatment. Treatment duration can range from a few months to over a year depending on the amount of teeth movement needed. A number of removable braces brands exist on the market, with Invisalign removable braces being the most popular with patients. Spark aligners are a new entrant to the market.

To find out more about our full range of braces in London, feel free to get in touch with our reception team.

Removable Braces London - Frequently Asked Questions

What are the advantages of removable braces?

Removable braces such as Invisalign have revolutionized the braces market since they were first introduced. For correcting teeth misalignment conditions, they have several advantages that are very popular with patients –

• Removable braces are made of clear plastic material – this makes them virtually invisible to other. Most people won’t be able to notice you are even wearing them
• Removable braces can be removed – especially when eating, drinking and cleaning your teeth. This means you can still enjoy your favourite foods and clean and brush your teeth properly
• Removable braces typically require fewer number of visits to the orthodontist in London
• Removable braces can often be less expensive as compared to traditional braces
• Removable braces reduce the risk of poor oral hygiene during treatment, something that’s often associated with fixed braces.
• Removable braces are easy to clean.
• The length of treatment with removable braces is often shorter as compared to that associated with fixed braces.
• Removable braces are relatively discreet – they will not be very noticeable at important events such as weddings.

How often do you need to wear removable braces?

Removeable braces need to be worn for most hours of the day and night. Invisalign braces for example, the most popular removable braces brand recommends wearing Invisalign braces for 22 hours a day. Their effectiveness can be compromised if they are worn for less than the recommended time.

Are removable braces just as effective as traditional braces?

Removable braces are by definition removable – however, they do need to be work for 22 hours a day or more.  If they are worn less than the recommended duration, their effectiveness can reduce, and the treatment duration can lengthen as a result. A 2018 study found that Invisalign braces, a brand of removable braces, was effective at correcting teeth crowding conditions described as mild to moderate.  The same study also indicated that Invisalign braces were effective at moving front and canine teeth, however, the study didn’t confirm the effectiveness of Invisalign braces for more significant orthodontic conditions. At Whites Dental, our dentists have treated several relatively complex orthodontic conditions successfully with removable Invisalign braces. That is not to say that Invisalign removeable braces are suitable for all orthodontic conditions. We will be able to provide you a more definitive answer once our dentists have had a chance to assess you.

Are removable braces painful?

Removable brace treatment can cause some discomfort initially. You can expect to experience some soreness for 3 to 5 days each time the brace is adjusted by the orthodontist. We advise our patients to use painkillers when necessary to help with the sore teeth. You should always make sure you read the instructions on the back of the packet.

You could also experience soreness as a result of the brace rubbing against the inside of the cheek or mouth. If this is the case, you should call the orthodontist to book an appointment where the orthodontist will make adjustments to the removable brace.

How else might a removable brace affect me?

For some patients, removable braces can affect your speech initially till you get used to wearing the brace. We suggest you practice speaking with the removable brace in place by reading out a book loudly to yourself. This will assist in returning your speech back to normal in a few days.

You may also find yourself swallowing a lot more as a result of wearing the removable brace. This is due to the mouth producing more saliva as a result of the new addition to your mouth. This is considered normal and will pass in time.

Will I be able to eat normally if I am wearing removable braces?

After having your removable brace fitted, you should be able to eat normally. It’s important to keep the brace on while doing so, unless the orthodontist has mentioned you don’t need to. Eating with the removable brace on might be a little difficult initially, however it will become easier the more you eat with the brace on. After eating a meal, remove the removable brace and clean / rinse your mouth with water. Also brush the removable brace with a toothbrush to remove any food debris.

It’s important to take care of your teeth and removable brace over the course of the teeth straightening treatment. We advise all our patients to avoid the following food and drinks –

• Boiled or sticky sweets, toffee, chewing gum, bubble gum and other forms of gums should not be consumed. They can get stuck in the teeth and brace and cause issues.
• Fizzy drinks should be avoided. This includes diet drinks. You should also avoid drinking large amounts of fruit juice.
• Hard foods should also be avoided. Crunchy apples or crusty bread rolls and nuts for example could damage the removable brace. However, if you cut the hard food items into small easy to chew bits, you can eat them as long as you do so with care so as not to damage the removable brace.

How should I brush my teeth if I have a removable brace?

Once the removable brace is fitted, we advise all our patients to brush twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste. If at all possible, you should carry a toothbrush for brushing your teeth after having your lunch as well. This will help keep your teeth and gums healthy and keep the fixed brace clean.

We also advise use of a fluoride based mouth wash to be used at night after brushing your teeth. It’s vitally important to maintain good oral hygiene during the course of the treatment. Healthy gums and teeth is an important requirement for successful teeth straightening treatment. Failure to do so can lead to complications down the line.

Can I remove the removable brace?

Our orthodontists advise removing the removable brace only for cleaning purposes. You may also remove the removable brace while playing contact sports. The treatment duration can increase if you remove the brace frequently. Also, please try to avoid flicking the removable brace with your tongue as this can bend or potentially break the wires connected to the brace, increasing the treatment time.

How long will the removable brace treatment last?

Removable brace teeth straightening treatment typically takes 6 – 12 months. However, this depends on the severity of the teeth mis-alignment. Severe cases take longer than relatively minor cases. Treatment times also increase due to failed or missed appointments and not following the instructions from the dentist.

Can I play contact sports if I am undergoing removable brace treatment?

You can carry on playing contact sports while undergoing removable brace treatment. You should take off the removable brace for the duration of the play and wear a gum shield instead. You should place the brace in a protective box when it’s not in use. Our orthodontist can provide you with one.

I play a mouth instrument – what should I do?

You should remove the removable brace while playing a musical instrument such as a flute or clarinet.

What should I do if my removable brace breaks?

If you break the removable brace, book an appointment with the dentist as soon as possible. Please do not wait for your next scheduled appointment as the breakage will cause a gap in your treatment and slow down the treatment process. The breakage may also be associated with damage to the teeth, which you should have investigated by a dentist right away. If your brace breaks repeatedly, the orthodontist may advise suspending your treatment to prevent any damage to your teeth.

Removable braces vs fixed braces – which ones are better?

If you are wondering whether to take up removeable braces, we have provided some pros and cons of removable braces below –

Removable braces – advantages

Removable braces are virtually invisible as they are made of clear plastic aligners. Most people won’t be able to even tell you are wearing braces. Removable braces can be taken out for eating, drinking, flossing and brushing. You can even take them off for those key events such as an important date and work meeting. They therefore have minimal impact on your lifestyle. Removable braces also need fewer number of visits to the dentist and can often be cheaper than traditional braces.

Removable braces – disadvantages

Removable braces are typically not well suited for correcting complex orthodontic cases. Traditional fixed braces are likely to be more suitable for complex cases. Removable braces can accidentally break or be lost given they can be removed when not being worn. You also need to avoid acidic or sugary drinks that could damage the trays.

Removable braces – how much do they cost?

The cost of removable braces treatment using removable braces depends on the amount of teeth movement that’s required and also the brand of braces you choose to use. At Whites Dental, we offer Invisalign removable braces as our go-to removable braces system. It’s the most popular removable brace brand on the market and hugely popular with patients. The treatment cost can range from £1,500 for a mild case to a little over £3,000 for more complex cases. On average, treatment with removable braces can be cheaper than traditional braces. Why not book a free consultation with one of our dentists to get an accurate cost for your braces treatment?

For more information on the cost of braces and to compare the price of different types of braces you are welcome to contact us via any of the call/chat/message solutions provided or arrange a free consultation.

At Whites Dental, our braces team try very hard to provide all our patients a comprehensive removable braces treatment package in order to help them create their perfect smile. If you are considering removable braces to straighten your teeth, we suggest a complementary consultation with one of our dentists here in London Waterloo or London Marble Arch.