Braces are great teeth straightening solution, but a lot of people don’t want others to be able to see them. What can you do? This is where invisible braces come in.

Crooked teeth can have a huge impact on a person’s confidence, but many people don’t like wearing braces as they make them feel even more insecure about how they look to others. Fortunately, there is a solution: invisible braces.

How Do Braces Work?

Orthodontic treatment is used to straighten teeth into a better position. Not only does it improve the appearance of the teeth, but it has a host of other benefits too:

• It makes your teeth easier to clean — If your teeth overlap, it can make it difficult to brush your teeth. If you can’t clean the entire tooth, you’ll have a buildup of plaque in those areas of your teeth. This is a breeding ground for bacteria and can cause bad breath or tooth decay.

• It corrects “bad bites” — Bad bites occur when your upper and lower jaws don’t meet properly. This can result from injury, genetics or even thumb-sucking at an early age. Not correcting an over or underbite can lead to other health problems, including gum disease, tooth loss or jaw problems.

Traditional Braces

Traditional braces apply gentle pressure to the teeth to move them into the correct position. A wire is attached to your teeth using small brackets, which your dentist will then gradually tighten over some time to shift your teeth and jaw. These may be removable, which means the plate can be taken out to be cleaned or fixed.

Fixed braces, on the other hand, are used when teeth need to be guided more accurately. These cannot be taken out yourself. New technology means that braces are more comfortable than ever before, and a wider range of materials means that they can be nearly invisible.

Invisible Braces

Invisible braces are made of clear plastic so that they are less visible than traditional braces. An x-ray of your teeth is taken, and several sets of aligners, or moulds, are made, tailored specifically to the shape of your mouth and teeth. Each set is worn for two weeks before being replaced, and they are easily removable for eating and brushing. However, it is recommended that you wear them between 22 and 23 hours a day for the best results. We use Invisalign, so whether you need minor tooth movements or a more complex solution, we can help. Invisible braces are a brilliant solution if you don’t want anyone else to know you’re straightening your teeth.

What Are Lingual Braces?

The majority of braces are placed at the front of the teeth. Lingual braces, however, are placed behind the teeth and, like invisible braces, are a great alternative to straightening your teeth without showing your braces.­ Like the Invisalign moulds that are purpose-made for your teeth, having lingual braces fitted involves taking an impression of the teeth and creating customised brackets. They work in the same way as traditional braces by applying gentle, continuous pressure to help move the teeth into the proper position. As lingual braces are custom-made, they are slightly more expensive and require more involved treatment. However, they are well worth the investment for healthy, attractive teeth. Our specialist orthodontists can provide you with the perfect solution for teeth straightening

Looking After Your Realigned Teeth

Teeth straightening can take a few months or it can take two-and-a-half years. So when your teeth are realigned, it’s important to keep them held in position during the “retention” period.

Wearing a Retainer

A retainer is an appliance that holds the straightened teeth in position while the gum and bone surrounding them settle. These might be removable or fixed depending on the problem. You must wear your retainer as instructed by your dentist as your teeth could move back towards their original positions, and the time you took wearing your braces will be wasted. If you have invisible braces, then the retention period may seem very similar — you’ll need to clean them after every meal and handle them with care.

Crowded teeth don’t just cause body confidence problems. They can cause additional oral health problems. Understandably, not everyone wants to wear visible braces, which is why invisible braces are such a brilliant solution. With help from orthodontics and a good oral health routine, you could soon be enjoying the benefits of a healthy and beautiful smile.

Book in for your free initial consultation with our experienced orthodontists at Fresh Dental Smile Clinic today.