Your Guide to Invisible Braces

Have you been looking at that crooked smile since childhood? Could you not afford traditional braces? Or couldn’t face them? The pain? The ridicule? Lucky for you, dentistry has moved on and there are now loads of options online to make the whole process smoother and your smile wider. Read on to find what suits you best.

Metal and wire: traditional braces are made up of metal brackets individually glued onto the surface of each tooth. And they were all held together by a wire. An orthodontist will tighten and fix the brackets every six weeks, so your teeth gradually align into a straight smile you’re looking for. Their main drawback is that they are notoriously uncomfortable and a permanent fixture for usually two years. They are also messy and usually require special care and maintenance.

But the world has evolved, and invisible braces were born. They offer a discreet alternative to metal fixed braces. There are three main options.

Similar to traditional braces, ceramic brace’s main difference is that there is less metal visible. Transparent brackets are held by wiring, so it is not entirely invisible, but they are still more discreet than traditional braces. They will still suffer from the drawbacks of traditional braces such as the accidental spitting and food getting stuck everywhere.

Lingual braces, on the other hand, are ingeniously placed behind the teeth, hiding all the metal inside the mouth. They pull, rather than push your teeth into place.

Clear aligners by far the most popular and useful alternative to traditional braces. They’re an invisible retainer that lines your teeth. Considered the most discreet and least messy, they offer a straight smile that’s white rather than silver. A clear sheet of flexible plastic steadily lines up your teeth, with no metal to be found.

They are also easier to maintain since you can take them out to eat, drink and sleep. They can also be cleaned in the sink.

Some brands offer a nighttime alternative to make the transition even easier. A minimum of eight to ten hours a night will give you a straightened smile over six to eight months without anyone knowing.

The best part is that the rule that only children should get braces is now tossed out. In fact, you need to be an adult to receive the treatment. Adults can have a personalized tray that can be replaced every two weeks to straighten their teeth.

Dentists will first take a mold of your current teeth then create a series of trays that will gradually straighten your teeth without anyone noticing. They should be worn for 22 or 23 hours a day for the best results but can be removed for eating, drinking, brushing, and cleaning.

Search for clear aligners to find more information and if they would be a good fit for you. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to a straighter smile and therefore a wider smile.