What Are Invisible Braces?

Your teeth can make or break your confidence depending on your oral health and tooth alignment. Shockingly, 71% of British adults don’t feel confident showing their teeth. Sometimes, the price is too much for us, and sometimes, we don’t even know what options we have like invisible braces for example, but what are invisible braces?

For most people who seek to align their teeth, metal track braces have always been an option, but some people tend to avoid it due to the look, the feel or even just the length of time it takes for the process to work. However, as dentistry has developed, new alternatives are now available that make the process quicker or even discreet.

At Didsbury Dental Practice, we provide a variety of options when it comes to aligning your teeth. We’ve learned that our most popular option is invisible braces, but precisely what are invisible Braces? What makes them popular? And is there more than one type of invisible braces?

Luckily for you, we at Didsbury Dental Practice have collected all the answers you will need in order to know what we offer, and how it can help your teeth today.

So what are invisible braces and what makes them different?

The term ‘invisible braces’ refers to the methods and accessories used for teeth realignment which are generally much harder to see on the user by other people as opposed to the traditional metal braces.

Didsbury Dental Practice offers 4 different styles of ‘invisible’ braces, each with its own benefits and features that you may be looking for. First up, let’s talk about Invisalign ®.

Invisalign®

Invisalign ® is the most discreet option that we offer when it comes to realigning your teeth, this is achieved by using a clear plastic mould over your teeth known as an aligner. The aligner is custom-made for your teeth based on an impression we take at your initial consultation, which is then changed every 2-3 weeks in accordance with the realignment of your teeth.

This means you will have a new aligner on an almost monthly basis, this shows you the progress taking place that you’re able to track as time goes on. As long as you follow the guidance from your orthodontist, progress will be smooth and bring a smile to your face.

Before treatment can begin our dentist must asses the condition your teeth are in to establish that they are generally healthy, so they can know for certain if this method of treatment would be effective and beneficial.

After this check is done we create a 3D image of your mouth in which we can guide you through the expected movement of your teeth during treatment whilst we also create your next set of aligners as your teeth move into place.

The benefit of the Invisalign ® aligner, as opposed to fixed metal braces, is that the user is able to more freely enjoy food and drink, does not require wiring as metal braces do, and is removable whenever the user chooses, and of course, invisible.

There are no downsides to using Invisalign ® as long as the user follows the guidelines set by their orthodontist. People with complex dental issues may not be suitable for Invisalign ® to find out if you are suitable, book a consultation today.

Invisalign ® can be used to treat quite a few misalignment issues with your teeth including:

Gap teeth
Overbite
Underbite
Open bite
Crossbite
Crowded Teeth

Invisalign ® provides a simple alternative for those who don’t want to go the traditional route of metal braces, the clear aligner is almost invisible and provides a welcome option for people in industries where their image is a source of work like modelling or acting.

In terms of length of Invisalign ® treatments, it is subject to the patient. On average treatments can go on for 12 months with this style of invisible braces, however, it is possible to see results in as little as 2 weeks.

Invisalign ® is available for adults and teens for as little as £35 per month. To book your consultation, head over to our website.

Alias lingual braces

Lingual braces offer complete discretion as these invisible braces are instead mounted at the back of your teeth rather than the front. This is ideal for anyone seeking braces without anyone being able to see them.

Lingual braces are made by taking an impression of your teeth which is then sent to the dental laboratory and then used to create customised braces for the back of your teeth from non-allergenic gold.

Like traditional braces, lingual braces work by gently moving the misaligned teeth into place. Treatment can last from 18-36 months depending on the severity of tooth misalignment.

To see if lingual braces are the right choice for you, book a consultation or check out our website for more information.

Damon Braces

Another unique form of invisible braces that instead adapt to the tooth’s natural colour, the Damon braces offer yet another discreet option which also features low brackets that don’t stain, making them comfortable, efficient and invisible. Damon braces are a clinically proven treatment to straighten teeth.

Using a unique slide mechanism Damon braces reduce pressure on your teeth and allow them to move comfortably to their intended positions, reducing the aches and pains associated with regular metal track braces.

An extra benefit of Damon braces is the lack of elastic or metal ties, making dental hygiene much easier as the absence of the ties negates the accumulation of plaque in the areas that ties usually are in.

For a consultation to see if Damon braces are right for you, click here to enter our website.

Six Month Smiles

A unique and most time-efficient option in terms of invisible braces, Six Month Smiles ® gives the option for patients who need minor tooth realignment to have their teeth realigned in just six months. Using a new technique known as short-term orthodontics, Six Month Smiles ® appliances are invisible braces that use clear brackets, almost invisible wires or clear plastic retainers depending on the individual.

This option is the most convenient for people who need realignment fast, however, this treatment may not be appropriate for everyone. We encourage you to book a consultation with us so we can assess the best option for you to smile even sooner.

Can’t I just do this through the NHS?

As a result of the combination of underfunding to the NHS, the COVID-19 pandemic and the sheer number of patients, NHS dentists are backlogged. Considering the 65 million people in the UK, there are only 47,000 dental practitioners to help the population maintain good oral health. This comes out as almost 1383 patients per dental practitioner, a damning statistic which highlights the difficulty dental practitioners face with minimal support.

There is a possibility you can obtain orthodontic care through the NHS, however, this is approved on a case-by-case basis and is not allocated to patients who have healthy teeth and gums and want orthodontic care for purely aesthetic purposes.

If you do obtain orthodontic care through the NHS, it is very rare that they offer any form of invisible braces, only the traditional metal track braces as they are cheaper to produce. Under 18’s can be eligible for orthodontic care through the NHS through a rating system known as ‘IOTN’. Scoring a 4 or 5 would make an under 18 eligible for orthodontic treatment through the NHS, anything below 4 means you would not qualify for orthodontic treatment by the NHS.

Private dental practices like ours have more freedom when it comes to treatment options, whether it’s for aesthetic purposes or to help your overall oral health we are legally qualified to help you. We understand pricing of private dental care can seem daunting, but to help we’ve made our prices as accessible as possible so we offer a finance option for your dental treatment.

If you’d like a full insight as to why doctors aren’t seeing NHS patients, you can check out our blog for all the information that can help you decide the future of your oral health.

Get in contact with us

Aside from the range of treatments and orthodontic services we offer, as a 24-hour emergency dentist, you can rest assured that we at Didsbury Dental Practice are here for you whenever you need it. Whether you’re looking for a new reliable dental practitioner or looking for realignment treatment for your teeth, we have what you’re looking for. We hope to have answered the question ‘what are invisible braces?’, showing you all the invisible braces options that we at Didsbury Dental Practice can offer you.

Want to book a consultation? Click the link here to be taken to our website.

Our opening hours are from 9:00 am to 12:00 am – Monday to Sunday. If you’d like to speak to us on the phone, call us on 0161 504 7425.