Table of Contents

  • Dental Insurance
  • Do You Need Adult Braces?
  • Invisible Braces
  • What Is An Orthodontist?

      • Invisible Braces

      The term "invisible braces" can refer to lingual braces but most commonly refers to the clear plastic removable braces marketed under the Invisalign brand.

      As you can imagine, clear braces appeal to many adults because they're nowhere near as obvious as metal braces. I myself chose to go the Invisalign route when it was time to get serious about fixing my moving teeth. I'd already had metal braces as a child and wasn't really willing to go through it again as an adult unless absolutely necessary. Luckily, using Invisalign braces was an option for me.

      How Invisalign Works

      Invisalign braces are simple and yet quite clever. An impression of your mouth is taken by the orthodontist. The data about your teeth is sent to Invisalign, which creates a series of clear plastic braces using special computer technology.

      The first set of braces starts the process by subtly pushing your misaligned teeth in the right direction. After three weeks, the teeth have moved a tiny distance, so you discard the first set and start wearing the second set. This process repeats itself until your teeth have reached their final positions.

      The great thing about Invisalign is that you can take them off to eat, drink and brush your teeth. And they're hardly noticeable when they're on.

      The Downside of Invisalign

      Although Invisalign worked for me, it's not for everyone. Not all alignment problems can be corrected using the subtle pressure exerted by clear plastic braces, especially if teeth need to be pulled up or pushed down. If you have serious problems with your bite, your orthodontist won't recommend Invisalign braces.

      You should also realize that Invisalign braces are more expensive than conventional metal braces, which is a very real deterrent for some people.