Do ‘Invisible’ Dental Braces Really Exist?

Do ‘Invisible’ Dental Braces Really Exist?

A Chelmsford orthodontist’s view of modern teeth straightening methods.

First of all, let us answer the question in the title. The truth, of course, is that it isn’t possible to have completely ‘invisible’ dental braces otherwise dentists wouldn’t be able to see them to fit them in the first place. The ‘invisible’ factor is largely a marketing term but that doesn’t mean to say that they don’t offer huge benefits in this particular area, to say nothing of the purpose for which they were designed; i.e. to straighten your teeth.

The days of having to wear unsightly and very visible braces in order to have an even set of teeth are long gone. Although these are still available, an increasing number of people are choosing to opt for less visible options to achieve the same result. Fortunately, we have a number of these available at Blue Sky Dental.

To determine which type of orthodontic system is most suitable for your own situation, you will need to be examined by our dentist and a detailed conversation had, discussing cost and the pros and cons of the various options, so that an informed decision can be made.

Aesthetic orthodontics

Invisalign is one of the biggest names in this field, though there are now many others which offer the same or similar benefits. The method of straightening teeth in this way is similar in all cases. These are generally available to use when moderate correction is needed to be made to the alignment of your teeth, and, in general, where this applies to a number of teeth rather than just one or two visible front ones which can be corrected more quickly using a different orthodontic method which we will come to shortly.

The main benefits of this first system is that they no longer use wires and brackets to correct the positioning of your teeth. Instead, following the taking of impressions and scans of your teeth, a series of medical grade transparent plastic trays are produced, specifically designed for your own circumstances. Each of these trays should be worn for at least twenty hours each day and for around a couple of weeks. Once this period of time has passed, you will need to replace these with the next tray in the series which will continue to gently and progressively move your teeth towards the desired position. You will, of course, be monitored by our diligent Chelmsford dentists to make sure that everything is on track and as it should be.

The fact that this system doesn’t use wiring not only means that they are almost invisible when being worn, but that they can also be removed by the patient when needed. Bearing in mind that you need to wear them for at least twenty hours each day, they should be removed only when you are eating and when you clean your teeth. Not only does this provide a convenience that wired orthodontics simply can’t, but also eliminates much of the risk of tooth decay from trapped food debris which can occur when wires and brackets are involved. The trays will need to be kept clean too and we will offer guidance on this when you are given them.

Inman aligners

The above system is used predominantly when several teeth need to be straightened and can take a year or more to complete. Not all orthodontic problems need to take this long though and some improvements can be made in a significantly shorter period of time.

This is particularly the case when it comes to cosmetic smile improvements, where a tooth or two at the front is crooked or perhaps overlaps a lttle. A small issue such as this can really detract from what would otherwise be a perfect smile. To use the previous system to achieve an even smile in this case would not be appropriate or necessary. One of the most popular methods that we use in this case are Inman Aligners.

This system is similar to the previous one in that it doesn’t use wires and bracelets and is also removable for cleaning and eating. Instead of a series of trays though, it is a device that uses a spring system that allows gentle pressure to be applied to the teeth to guide them back into position. This can be a very effective method for ‘cosmetic’ adjustments and in some cases, the treatment period may only be a few weeks, depending on the situation.  Again, you will be monitored by your dentist to ensure that everything is going to plan. If you would like to see an animation which perhaps better explains how these work, you can do so at the link here – All About Inman Aligner .

Whatever the nature of your orthodontic problem, we are sure that our friendly and experienced team will be able to help you achieve the smile that you want. If you would like to arrange a consultation to discuss your treatment options, we are always happy to do so. You can arrange yours by calling Blue Sky Dental on 01245 211070. We look forward to being able to help you.

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