This time last year, we only had a few working days left before we were forced to close our doors. It feels like such a long time ago that we were able to do normal things like meeting friends for lunch, attending concerts or seeing extended family members in their homes. Hugs and handshakes a distant memory.
That said, flowers are in bloom, birds are singing, gardens are filling with life, and skies are blue (on occasion – see above for photographic evidence), all of which reminds us that spring has sprung and there are reasons to feel positive.
We feel fortunate to have been able to continue to safely provide care through the majority of the pandemic but, like everyone else are so looking forward to the return of those hugs and handshakes.
Stay safe.
Our team were brushing up on their CPR, first aid and medical emergency training last week. We do this every year (even during a pandemic) to ensure that we are fully certified and able deal with any medical emergencies that come our way. We are pleased to report that despite appearances, no injuries were sustained on the day!
Invisalign is a big part of what we do here and can be used to treat a number of different concerns patients have with their smiles. Have a listen to what Viktor has to say about his recent Invisalign treatment.
Orthodontic treatment is an investment that can improve your smile for the rest of your life. Straight smiles, whether from Invisalign or traditional braces, have been proven to increase confidence and self-esteem. However, your treatment isn’t complete once the last active aligner is removed or the braces come off; if you want to keep your new smile in place, you will need to wear retainers at the end of treatment.
The role of a retainer is to gently apply the pressure and guidance needed to keep teeth from drifting back to their original positions. By using retainers, the teeth are literally being “retained” in their new position.
A large number of the Invisalign cases we carry out are relapse cases, or to put it another way, patients who have undergone orthodontic treatment in the past, but whose teeth have moved back out of position; reason being that either retainers haven’t been worn at all, or they haven’t been worn for long or often enough. The truth about retention is that it is required for as long as you want your teeth to stay in the desired position – even years later. Initially we advise that removable retainers are worn around the clock and, much like the Invisalign aligners themselves only removed to eat, drink, brush and floss. It is during the first few months after Invisalign treatment that teeth are most at risk of moving, as the connective tissue that holds the tooth to the jaw is still very elastic, so constant wear is essential during that period. However, you will still need to wear your retainers past that phase – perhaps not with the same consistency, bur certainly with regularity.
If you are considering Invisalign treatment with us, we are here to answer any questions you may have about how you can achieve that straight smile…and how to keep it.
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