What happens if I am not happy with my Invisalign result?

If your teeth have not moved as planned or the result does not match the projected outcome, refinements can be made. Additional aligners are created to address any remaining movement needed. A good Invisalign provider will monitor your progress throughout treatment and identify any issues early, rather than waiting until the end to review the outcome.

How long does Invisalign treatment take in Southampton?

Treatment length varies depending on the complexity of your case. Mild cases can be completed in as little as six months. More involved cases typically take between 12 and 18 months. Your dentist will give you a realistic estimate at your consultation once your teeth have been assessed and your treatment plan has been mapped out.

Can I see what my result will look like before I start?

Yes. The ClinCheck software used in Invisalign treatment produces a digital simulation of your projected outcome before any aligners are made. You will be able to see where your teeth are expected to move and what the finished result should look like, giving you a clear picture of what you are signing up for before treatment begins.

Toothache at Night or a Broken Tooth at the Weekend: What to Do Until You See a Dentist

Toothache has a way of getting worse just as you are trying to sleep, and teeth seem to break on a Saturday or Sunday, when most dental practices are shut. If this has happened to you, try not to panic. In this guide, the team at Hampshire Dentists in Southampton explain how to ease the pain at home, which mistakes to avoid and how to tell whether you need to be seen urgently.

Please remember that the advice below is only a short-term measure. It can make you more comfortable, but it will not fix the underlying problem, so you should still arrange to see a dentist even if the pain goes away.

Is toothache a dental emergency?

Not always, but it should never be ignored. A mild ache that comes and goes can usually wait for the next available appointment. As a rule of thumb, toothache that lasts more than two days needs to be looked at by a dentist.

Toothache becomes urgent, and you should seek a same-day or next-day appointment, if:

the pain is severe and painkillers are not controlling it
your gum, cheek or jaw is swollen
you have a high temperature or feel generally unwell
you have a bad taste in your mouth, or pus near the tooth
the pain started after a knock or injury to the mouth

Some situations are more serious still. Go straight to A&E or call 999 if you have swelling that is spreading towards your eye or down your neck, difficulty breathing, swallowing or opening your mouth, bleeding that will not stop, or a significant injury to your face or jaw. These can be signs of a spreading infection or a serious injury and should not wait for a dental appointment.

How to relieve toothache at night

Toothache often feels worse at night. When you lie flat, more blood flows to your head, which increases pressure around an already inflamed tooth, and there is less going on to take your mind off it. These steps can help you get some rest:

Take over-the-counter pain relief. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can take the edge off, provided they are suitable for you. Follow the instructions on the packet, never exceed the stated dose, and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure, pregnant, or taking other medication.
Prop your head up. An extra pillow or two keeps your head above your heart and can ease that pulsing, throbbing feeling.
Rinse with warm salt water. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, swish gently and spit it out. This is not suitable for young children, who may swallow it.
Use a cold compress. Hold a cold pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel against your cheek for ten to fifteen minutes at a time.
Clean gently around the tooth. Brush softly and floss carefully. A piece of trapped food is sometimes the whole problem.
Be careful what you eat and drink. Avoid very hot, very cold, sweet or acidic food and drink in the evening, and chew on the other side.

What not to do

Do not place aspirin or any other tablet directly against the gum. It can burn the soft tissue.
Do not apply heat, such as a hot water bottle, to your face. If there is an infection, warmth can make swelling worse.
Do not take leftover antibiotics or anyone else’s prescription. They will not fix the cause and may not be right for you.
Do not use alcohol to numb the pain, and avoid smoking, which slows healing.

What to do if a tooth breaks at the weekend

A chipped or broken tooth can be alarming, but it is usually manageable for a day or two if you look after it. Here is what to do:

Rinse your mouth with warm water to clear away any fragments.
Keep any pieces you find. Store them in your own saliva and bring them with you to your appointment.
Control any bleeding by pressing a clean piece of gauze or a damp cloth against the area for around ten minutes.
Cover sharp edges. A piece of sugar-free chewing gum or a temporary dental repair kit from a pharmacy can protect your tongue and cheek. These are short-term measures only.
Ease swelling and pain with a cold compress on the cheek and over-the-counter pain relief if it is suitable for you.
Stick to soft foods and chew on the opposite side. Avoid anything hard, sticky or very hot or cold.
Book an appointment as soon as you can, even if the tooth does not hurt. A broken tooth is weaker and more exposed to decay and infection, and small breaks are far easier to repair when they are caught early.

If an adult tooth has been knocked out completely

This is a genuine emergency, and time matters. The best chance of saving the tooth is within the first hour.

Pick the tooth up by the crown, the white part you normally see, and avoid touching the root.
If it is dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or saline. Do not scrub it.
Ideally tucked inside your cheek, and get to a dentist straight away.
Never try to put a baby tooth back in, as this can damage the adult tooth developing underneath.

Getting help when your dentist is closed

If you need urgent dental care in the evening or at the weekend, call NHS 111 or use 111 online. They can advise you and direct you to an out-of-hours emergency dental service in the Southampton area. A local pharmacist can also help with pain relief and temporary repair kits.

Then call your own dentist as soon as the practice reopens, so the tooth can be properly assessed and treated.

What will the dentist do?

The aim of an emergency appointment is to find out what is causing the problem and get you comfortable. Your dentist will examine the area, take an X-ray if needed, and talk you through what they have found and the options available.

Depending on the cause, treatment might be a filling, a repair with tooth-coloured bonding, a crown, root canal treatment to save an infected tooth, or occasionally an extraction. Sometimes the first visit is about relieving the pain and stabilising the tooth, with further treatment planned once things have settled.

Emergency dental care in Southampton

At Hampshire Dentists we know that dental pain is stressful, particularly if you are nervous about treatment. Our team is gentle, never judgemental, and committed to keeping your care as comfortable as possible.

If you have toothache, a broken tooth or a lost filling, call us on 02380 335 155 as early in the day as you can and we will do our best to see you promptly. You can find out more about our emergency dentist service or contact us online.

You will find us at 10 Carlton Crescent, Southampton, SO15 2EZ. We are open Monday to Wednesday from 8.15am to 5pm, Thursday from 8.15am to 7pm, and Friday from 8.15am to 4pm.