Does it seem like everyone in your peer group is fixated on having straighter teeth? Well, there’s a couple of reasons why it has become so important to have teeth that line up well.

People notice what your teeth are like

Over many thousands of years, we have evolved to take a great deal of notice of each other’s teeth. These days, it may seem like we are just being fussy, but in the not so distant past, checking out each other’s teeth was a way of working out how safe it was to be around someone.

Imagine you are out and about in Banbury in the middle ages and you run into some new people. Before you get too chatty with them, you are going to want to take a good look at their teeth. If they are yellow and stumpy and their breath is not so fragrant, you’d probably elect to stand a few paces back, so that you did not pick up any infections they might have been harbouring.

These days, we are much less likely to be wandering about with any really nasty diseases that are contagious, but we still subconsciously focus on each other’s’ mouths and take note of what we see there.

So, if you feel like everyone notices that your teeth are not perfectly straight, that’s because they do.

Straighter teeth mean healthier mouths

When you have teeth that aren’t straight, over time it can lead to several problems.

Firstly, wonky teeth provide more places for bacterial plaque to build up and harden into calculus. Once that happens, and it takes about 3 days, you can no longer brush the plaque away. Meanwhile, under the calculus that plaque is still reproducing and giving off acids that will rot your teeth and attack your gums, eventually causing them to fall out, either through decay or gum disease. Straighter teeth tend to last longer than wonky ones.

Secondly, if some teeth are bearing the brunt of all your chewing, they may well crumble away after some years. Uneven chewing pressure can also cause a lot of pain.

So, come into Amsel & Wilkins and find out how we can help you get straighter teeth.

If you want to feel like you are seriously up-to-the-minute technology-wise and get your teeth straightened at the same time, you need to get Invisalign clear aligners. These are the technology superstars of the braces world. In fact, if it wasn’t for digital technology, they wouldn’t even exist.

Invisalign clear aligners were the brainchild of an American college student who wished he could have worn something more like his retainer instead of brackets and wires to straighten his teeth.

It took a long time to get the funding together, and put together a manufacturing process, but since Invisalign first came on the market in the late 1990s, more than 4 million people have had their teeth realigned with this innovative treatment.

How Invisalign is made – digital consultation

Getting your aligners all starts with a consultation with us at Amsel & Wilkins in Banbury. We take detailed digital measurements of your teeth using the Itero handheld scanner, which works by taking hundreds of pictures of your teeth. As they are taken, they are built up into a 3D picture of your teeth on a nearby screen, which we can move around to look at your teeth from any angle.

We also put the image through a programme that shows how the teeth will need to be moved to reach their correct positions, and what they will look like once they are all beautifully straight.

3D printing

We send all that information over to the Invisalign factory in the USA. Because it goes over the Internet, it takes no time at all to get there, whereas sending putty impressions in the post can take several days.

Your aligners are then 3D printed, several of 80,000 such aligners that roll over the 3D conveyor belt every day at Invisalign. These do need to be sent by post, so they take a few days to get to us and then we can fit them for you.

None of this would be possible without digital technology, which is why we think Invisalign is pretty amazing.

Have you noticed how more people have lovely straight teeth these days? Is it because they were born that way? No. Sadly few westerners have good arches and good straight teeth, our diet isn’t good enough. The reason is that more children and more adults are getting their teeth straightened.

Looks great, doesn’t it? But isn’t it just pure self-indulgence? Well, no, at Amsel & Wilkins we think that there is much more to straighter teeth in Banbury than pure vanity.

Cleaning

The most important thing about straighter teeth is that they are much easier to keep clean. If you want to keep your teeth for as long as possible, you need to remove that plaque at least twice a day. Plaque is the sticky film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth throughout the day, multiplying as it feeds on the sugars left from food and drink in your mouth. As they feed, the bacteria give off acids, which erode your tooth enamel (leading to decay) and irritate your gums (leading to gum disease). Leave plaque in place and you’ll lose your teeth to decay or gum disease eventually. But, if you have fewer nooks and crannies for plaque to hide in, your teeth will last longer.

Chewing

Straight teeth that line up along the jawbone evenly distribute the strong forces created when we chew. If your teeth are wonky in some way, chances are that only a few of your teeth are bearing the burden, and, with forces of up to 97kg or 200lbs being created when we chew, it’s easy to see how teeth can just crumble away before their time.

Connecting

Our smile is our most important non-verbal tool of communication. We use it to say hello and signal that we are warm and friendly. People are hardwired to look at smiles to work out if this is a friend or a foe. If you suppress or hide your smile because you are embarrassed, people will probably misinterpret this as a sign of coldness. Using your smile smooths your path through life.

So, there you have it, three very good reasons to invest in straighter teeth. Come and see us to find out more.

At Amsel & Wilkins, we get to see just how much our patients who need teeth straightening love Invisalign in Banbury. And yet, we also know that there are still plenty of people who have never even heard of this revolutionary way to straighten teeth.

It is such a shame because many of those people would leap at the chance to get straighter teeth if they knew there was a way to do so without having to go through the hassle of cleaning stuck food out of their braces, or being on the receiving end of stares and even jokes.

Invisalign totally avoids both of these scenarios by being removable and invisible. It’s one problem with getting it known, no one can see our patients wearing their aligners, so they can’t ask about them and be told, ‘Yes, they’re amazing and I goth them at Amsel & Wilkins’. Instead, people just see teeth magically getting straighter, if they notice at all, because it’s a gradual process. More likely that, someone might say ‘Hey, didn’t you used to have wonky teeth?’ Or more likely not, because we’re British and we don’t do stuff like that.

How does Invisalign work?

Invisalign doesn’t have brackets and wires that are cemented to the fronts of the teeth. Instead it relies on a series of mouth guard-style rigid, very thin, transparent aligners. These snap on over the teeth and are so thin that, at 0.3 millimetres, they disappear when they are in place. Very few people spot them because they’d have to be staring hard into someone’s mouth to do so, and that’s just not polite, is it?

The other great thing about this way of straightening teeth is that Invisalign aligners are removed for eating, and cleaning. This saves a whole lot of time in the bathroom poking about with interdental sticks. It also means that you can continue to eat whatever you like without fear of bunging up or breaking your straightening device.

The aligners do need to be worn for 20–22 hours a day, but people find that doing so keeps their eating on the straight and narrow, and some even lose a bit of weight.

You may have noticed a sustained increase in the number of adults getting their teeth straightened in Banbury. Maybe you haven’t, but at Amsel & Wilkins, we certainly have.

There are a few reasons why you might have noticed the steady increase in adults wearing braces. Firstly, you are probably not obsessed with teeth, so you don’t go about your daily business clocking what everyone is hiding behind their lips, like we do.

Secondly, these days, unless someone has got some serious issues with the way their teeth bite together, the chances are they will be wearing a much more discreet kind of braces than the traditional heavy duty metal braces, affectionately known as train track braces.

Thirdly, if just the teeth are being moved, it’s possible to get straighter teeth in 6 months in Banbury, or maybe even less, depending on what the issues are.

Bracket and wire

There are 3 ways to get your teeth straightened. The fixed bracket and wire braces of old are still available, but, if they are only straightening teeth, they can use much gentler forces to do the job. This means they can get away with using smaller brackets, which are sometimes made of clear ceramic, depending on the brand, and the wires can be tooth-coloured. All this adds up to braces that no longer dominate the teeth.

One brand uses this system, but fixes the brackets to the inside of the teeth, next to the tongue. These are called lingual braces and they are invisible. They can also cope with more complex issues than some other discreet systems.

Invisible aligners

These aren’t even braces, but 3D printed mouth guard style aligners. Instead of having wires to tighten, the patient uses a series of aligners, each of which uses the pressure created from not quite fitting properly to nudge the teeth along. A push rather than a pull. The aligners are almost invisible over the teeth, but can be removed, which makes eating, drinking and tooth brushing as easy as ever.

Front teeth aligners

These uses spring-loaded aligner bows that reposition the front teeth only. This removable appliance also doubles as a retainer and treatment can take as little as 6 weeks.

The thing with being around teeth all day is that you can tend to become somewhat obsessed with them. Sometimes at Amsel & Wilkins, we find that our passion for a really great smile means that even in our private lives it’s impossible not to notice the state of people’s teeth when we first meet them. ‘Oh, she’s got quite some crowding going on there and her incisors never really did descend properly’ or ‘Wow! Now that’s what I call an amazing smile! White but not too white, straight but not overpoweringly uniform teeth.’ Those might be the thoughts going through our minds as we pay for our petrol or chat to new acquaintances at parties.

Sometimes we think, ‘Now if you’d had your teeth straightened 20 years ago, you wouldn’t soon be needing a visit to the dentist to deal with that gum disease that’s forming from all that tartar that’s built up on your teeth.’

Never too late

The thing about braces, is that it is never too late to get straighter teeth. The early teens may be the optimum time for sorting out issues to do with misalignments but that’s because the jawbone is still growing and so it’s possible to deal with misalignments in the jaws, where the teeth don’t meet properly. This is a separate issue from wonky teeth, but wasn’t treated as such back in the day.

Teeth can be moved around in the jaw at any time in life. It’s just a case of applying sustained pressure to the tooth in one direction. After 72 hours of this pressure, the jawbone responds by breaking down bone matter in front of the tooth in the direction of the pressure and building up bone behind it. The thing that takes all the time to move is not the teeth, but the bite. So, in fact, in Banbury you can get straighter teeth in 6 months, rather than 2 or 3 years.

Straighter teeth are healthier teeth because they provide fewer hard-to-clean places for plaque and tartar to build up and harbour the bacteria that lead to gum disease, which causes teeth to fall out.

Nowadays, many adults opt for teeth straightening in order to achieve a healthy, straight and long-lasting smile. Gone are the days when traditional metal braces were the only option for teeth straightening. Modern dentistry has evolved and advanced dramatically in recent years and traditional braces are no longer the only option available when it comes to teeth straightening.

At Amsel & Wilkins in Banbury, we understand that metal braces may not be to everyone’s liking. This is why we offer our patients the very best of modern dentistry, with treatments that allow you to achieve the smile of your dreams, discreetly. Transparent, customised, removable aligners such as Invisalign are almost invisible, while other treatments include tooth-coloured or clear fixed braces. More importantly, treatment is now a lot faster than before, since it is possible to achieve straighter teeth in six months.

Do I really need to straighten my teeth?

Most people want to get their teeth straightened for cosmetic reasons, however, crooked, misaligned and gapped teeth can also cause serious health problems. When teeth are not properly aligned, it is much harder to reach between them and clean them properly. This can lead to plaque build-up, eventually causing tooth decay and gum disease. Straight teeth are easier to brush and floss.

Crooked teeth also put stress on your gums, causing chronic jaw pain and headaches. Straightening your teeth will help to alleviate these symptoms. Last but not least, you may not realise how your teeth affect your speech. Protruding teeth can cause you to lisp or have difficulty pronouncing words correctly.

Why choose us?

Before you even begin teeth straightening treatment, we can predict your tooth movement, thanks to 3D computer technology. When you undergo teeth straightening treatment in our practice, you can rest assured that your smile is in the capable hands of experienced dentists.

At your first appointment, we will examine your teeth thoroughly and determine your exact teeth straightening needs, for the best treatment outcome. Modern teeth straightening treatments can provide remarkable results, but you will need regular visits to your dentist to check how your treatment is progressing.

If you are interested in teeth straightening for adults in as little as six months, visit our website for more information about the different treatment plans available to you.

At Amsel and Wilkins Dental Practice, our passion is our patients’ experience. We welcome patients of all ages and dental needs. We are a modern family dental surgery based in Banbury, Oxfordshire. You will be greeted with a warm and welcoming smile from our friendly team of professionals, eager to help and support you at every stage of your dental journey. The practice has been established for over 40 years and offers a full range of general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry.

The Amsel and Wilkins team comprises six dentists, including practice partners Piers Neville, John Adams and Nigel Braine-Hartnell. We also have four hygienists, one dental therapist and a plethora of dental care nurses and reception staff. Every one of our staff are committed to providing you with the highest quality of dentistry. We use the latest technology and techniques for your Invisalign treatment. Whatever you need, your comfort and wellbeing are paramount at Amsel and Wilkins.

We take the time to get to know each one of our patients. We listen to you to understand what really matters to you about your Invisalign treatment. After your initial consultation, your dental professional will discuss any questions you have about your Invisalign in Banbury treatment, helping you at every possible stage to ensure your dream result.

Our dentists

One of our practice partners is John Adams. He qualified from Dundee University in 1983 and started working at Amsel and Wilkins in 1985. Dr. Adams gained a Diploma of General Dental Practice from the Royal College of Surgeons in 1993. He has undertaken advanced training and will use his 30 years plus of training and expertise on every one of his patients.

Our resident Invisalign in Banbury specialist is Piers Neville.Dr. Neville graduated in clinical dentistry from Birmingham in 1995. He gained a Diploma of Membership of the Faculty of General Dental Practice in 1999. If you wish to have your Invisalign in Banbury treatment at Amsel and Wilkins, Dr. Neville could be the dentist for you.

So, why not give us a call today. An Invisalign In Banbury treatment at Amsel and Wilkins could be just what you need.

Invisalign is a revolutionary treatment in the field of orthodontics. Gone are the wires and brackets associated with traditional metal braces. Instead, Invisalign in Banbury comprises a set of virtually unnoticeable aligners made from clear plastic. This makes them ideal for adults and teenagers who don’t want any orthodontic treatment to be obvious. The aligners are custom designed using 3D technology to sit comfortably on your teeth and will gently move them until they’re in the desired position.

The plus points of Invisalign

Invisalign aligners are custom designed to suit your teeth, which means they fit discreetly and easily in your mouth. They also don’t have any brackets or wires, reducing the likelihood of irritation that traditional braces can cause.

Invisalign in Banbury will achieve great results with minimal fuss. Invisalign aligners can be removed for eating, brushing and flossing, making them a low fuss treatment option. You will need to change your aligners once every two weeks until the treatment is complete. During this time you will have occasional check-ups at Amsel and Wilkins to ensure your treatment plan is continuing as smoothly as possible. This makes them a healthier treatment option as it reduces the risk of tooth and gum disease that can arise from food getting stuck in traditional style braces.

Another plus point to Invisalign treatments is that they involve less risk. To move teeth, force needs to be applied. One of the problems that can arise from this is root resorption. This condition refers to the breakdown of the root of a tooth and could potentially lead to the loss of the tooth. Because the forces exerted by Invisalign are more gradual than those applied by traditional braces, it carries a much lower rate of root resorption.

Invisalign in Banbury is also known to be safer on teeth. When traditional metal braces are removed, this can sometimes cause some of the tooth’s enamel to be removed as well. Because Invisalign doesn’t involve using adhesive to bond brackets to teeth, enamel scouring is not an issue.

How long does Invisalign in Banbury take?

The length of an Invisalign treatment is dependent on the severity of individual cases. Treatment varies from between six months and two years, with an average treatment taking 12 to 14 months.

Ask many adults what their number one wish for their smile is and they reply that they would like straighter teeth. However, many are put off seeking treatment because when they hear the word “orthodontics” the picture that instantly springs to mind is metal bracket and wire braces.

At Amsel & Wilkins dental practice we understand these concerns. Braces are an excellent way to straighten teeth and afford your orthodontist maximum control over the movement of your teeth. However, wearing metal braces for a considerable time (sometimes up to 24 months) is not always compatible with busy personal and professional lives. Fortunately, there is another solution.

Invisalign is a revolutionary teeth straightening system that uses a series of clear aligners to gently move your teeth into a new position. The system can be used to correct a wide range of orthodontic problems and, because the aligners are clear and are custom-made to fit your teeth precisely, the world doesn’t need to know you are having treatment.

Each set of aligners is carefully crafted to fit your teeth perfectly. You change your aligner approximately every two weeks as your teeth begin to move, and you will need to wear a retainer at the end of treatment to ensure your teeth stay in their new position.

Invisalign is supported by state-of-the-art 3D imaging software, which enables your dentist to show you what results you can expect before you start treatment. In addition to being clear, Invisalign also comes with the added benefit of being removable. You should of course wear your aligners most of the time to ensure your treatment progresses as planned, but you can take the aligners out to eat and drink, to clean and to brush your teeth, eliminating the oral hygiene problems some patients who wear braces experience.