Clear braces.
Braces are an orthodontic treatment to align teeth and improve the bite; braces can be applied at any age, from adolescence to adult age, and they work forcing the teeth to move in the desired position by applying a constant force on them.
Dental braces. The solutions.
Braces usually consist of brackets, small squares glued on the teeth, and archwires attached to them that guide the movement of the teeth; traditionally, dental braces are made up of metal and are very showy, but in recent years new materials and new technologies have been implemented to make braces more comfortable and almost invisible, and for example there are dental braces made up of ceramic, that matches the colour of the teeth.
There are at least two alternatives to get invisible braces, even if different brands have patented different type of invisible solutions; there are lingual braces and clear aligners, or Invisalign.
Lingual braces.
Lingual braces are made up of metal like the traditional ones, but they are applied in the back of the teeth, so that brackets and archwires are covered by teeth and are invisible from outside; lingual braces have some downsides, so they are not suitable for every patient, they are not very cheap, as the average price is about 7,000 dollars, can be difficult to clean at can be more uncomfortable at first.
Anyway, if the dentist finds that lingual braces are the right solution, they can help align the teeth avoiding aesthetic concerns that might discourage people from using a dental brace.
Invisalign.
Invisalign has become synonymous of clear aligners since it is one of their largest producers; clear aligners are like mouth guards made up of plastic. These aligners are a series of customised retainers, usually from 18 to 30, that are removable and must be replaced about every two weeks.
A clear aligner is usually best for teenagers or adults with mild or moderately crowded teeth, or have minor spacing issues. It is removed every time the patient eats or drinks, except for water, and every time, the patient must wash the mouth and brush the teeth before wearing it again. A treatment usually takes between 10 and 24 months.
Invisible braces. Clear aligner solutions.
Clear aligners are almost invisible, but this option is quite expensive, between 5,000 and 6,000 dollars, can be easily lost and costly to replace.
