Braces are kind of a right of passage. Since most people are not born with perfect teeth, at some point in the "tween" or teen years, they get braces. If you are about to get braces, and you would really rather not have everyone see the traditional mouth full of metal, you can request one of three types of invisible braces. Here are your choices, based on level of invisibility.
Level One: Invisible Ceramic Brackets, Visible Wires
With this option, your mouth draws less attention because the brackets are invisible. You can still see the thin wire that runs through the brackets, but because this wire is lighter and a little bit thinner than that used with traditional braces, it is not as noticeable. The biggest substitution (and change in cost!) are the brackets.
Level Two: Incognito/Sublingual Braces
These braces go behind your teeth. Other people can only see them if you laugh big with a wide open mouth. They work the same way as traditional braces and even look like traditional braces except that no one can typically see them because they are on the backsides of your teeth. The treatment time is usually the same, and the cost is comparable with traditional braces because these braces use the exact same brackets and wire.
Level Three: Invisalign
These invisible braces are molds made of your teeth, custom-built to gradually move teeth and change the shape of your jaws. They are made of a very hard plastic that refuses to break, even when your teeth try their hardest to move back into their old positions. Additionally, they cannot break if you frequently grind your teeth at night because you remove them before going to bed! That's right; you can pop them in and out like your grandma does with her dentures!
Typically, you remove these braces prior to eating, then brush your teeth prior to popping the braces back into your mouth. The braces sit in a plastic cup while you eat, which closes with a leakproof lid when you want to soak the braces in mouthwash. You can eat normally, brush and floss normally, and sleep without the discomfort of brackets rubbing the insides of your cheeks and lips. A new set of braces replaces the prior set about every two weeks, unless your orthodontist says otherwise. Invisalign braces are the most expensive option for invisible braces, but they are also the most convenient.
Share11 July 2018
After dealing with a few root canals, I realized that it was time to take my dental hygiene a more seriously. I talked with my dentist about what I could do differently, and he was full of great suggestions that would help. He walked me through different ways to brush, floss, and take care of tartar buildup, and it was really amazing to see the difference that it made. I also started taking a fluoride supplement to strengthen my enamel. When I made it to my next appointment, my dentist was blown away with the improvement. This blog is all about improving your dental appointments by keeping your teeth healthier.
