Invisible Braces

Getting your teeth straightened is beneficial not only from an aesthetic point of view, but also because of health reasons. Straight teeth are easier to clean, get less caries, and produce less tartar. Straight teeth also tax the jaw evenly, and crooked teeth may make a certain kind of biting or chewing motion that may ruin your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, and cause pain and a host of problems as well. The problem is that adults and professionals, the sectors of society who are in need of a nice smile the most, may not be allowed, so to speak, to wear braces. This is why invisible braces are on the rise.

What Are Invisible Braces?

Invisible braces are any sort of orthodontic solution that are not easily visible to the naked eye, ie not the typical train tracks that everyone associates with orthodontic braces. They are basically any sort of more subtle, acceptable looking, or truly invisible braces. Here are the kinds that are on the market today, and a short description of what they are:

- Ceramic brackets: The oldest and most common form of invisible braces could actually be called camouflaged braces. They are hardly visible, but not truly invisible. It is a standard orthodontic brace with the brackets made out of tooth-colored ceramic material. This way the bracket visually blends with the teeth. Ceramic braces are fairly hidden, but they will become visible to anyone who sits down and has a talk with you.

- Lingual Braces: Lingual braces work on the same principle that regular braces works on, except they are placed on the opposite side of your teeth, so not the side facing outwards when you smile but the side facing your tongue. Lingual braces are truly invisible, as they are not visible unless someone sticks their head in your mouth.

- Clear aligners: Aligners are an alternative to orthodontic braces. They are basically tooth guards with an orthodontic function. Clear ones are completely see through, and it is very difficult to spot them with the naked eye. Even someone who you see on a regular basis may not be able to see them because they are transparent. These aligners usually have the same length of treatment time, but are a great alternative because they are removable, so you may even choose to take them out when conducting an interview or doing something where wearing braces may be a disadvantage (like eating food, brushing teeth, or kissing).

Whichever invisible braces solution you choose, all three are very good alternatives to regular orthodontic braces, and one of these three should be able to cover whatever orthodontic needs you may have.