A charming smile enabled by well-placed teeth is something we all yearn for. Yet, many of us do not have our teeth in their right positions.  That is where invisible braces (aka clear braces or clear aligners) come into the picture, helping us achieve that coveted smile and indeed an overall pleasant facial appearance.

With that thought in mind, on this page, we give you a complete lowdown on the best invisible braces.

Recommended invisible braces

These are some of the most recommended invisible braces:

Introduction to invisible braces

As the name suggests, this is essentially bracing that is not obviously visible. The term “invisible” in this context needs to be taken with a pinch of salt since these braces are not strictly invisible per se.

Rather, they are less obvious at a furtive glance, in comparison to traditional braces.

It is particularly for this reason that invisible braces have quickly gained popularity.

Types of invisible braces

Ceramic braces

Although like regular metal braces, the difference lies in the brackets and wires being tooth-colored in this case. As a result, they tend to blend in with your teeth, thus giving a relatively invisible appearance.

Since these are always affixed to your teeth (unlike removable aligners), the treatment process is constant. At the same time, this can also cause discomfort.

Inside braces (aka lingual braces)

The “invisibility” in this case is higher since these braces are attached to the back of your teeth. They are, therefore, especially suitable for anyone conscious about visible braces, say public figures who do not want their braces to be seen by everyone.

Being always affixed to your teeth, they offer the same continual treatment advantage highlighted above for ceramic braces. At the same time, a disadvantage is that they can be costlier.

Clear aligners

Today, clear aligners are one of the most popular teeth straightening treatments.

These essentially involve removable, custom-made aligners to be worn by patients throughout as much of the day as possible, for an extended period. These aligners are typically offered by orthodontists in progressive sets; you change your aligners as you go through various stages of treatment.

While Invisalign has been one of the most prominent clear aligner brands of late, others have increasingly come to the fore, especially after Invisalign’s patent expired in 2017.

Why do people increasingly prefer invisible braces today?

There are several factors that combine to magnify the reasons for which invisible braces are preferred today.

The first and most obvious factor is that these are not obviously visible. While the term “invisible” in their context is a bit of a stretch, there is no doubt that the best invisible braces are ones that are clearly not easily noticed by others.

Second is the cost factor; recent times have seen the emergence of multiple players that have brought the cost of invisible braces down to more affordable levels.

A third factor is heightened social visibility (even if largely digital) and therefore consciousness. So many of us are taking and posting selfies online; we do not want visible braces to spoil them.

The lowdown on invisible braces

In this section, we go into greater detail about the use of clear braces, the way they work, treatment timelines, and more.

Firstly, clear braces are used to straighten teeth and thus are meant to improve your smile.

Traditional metal wire and bracket braces have helped in that cause but at the cost of a compromised appearance, throughout the duration for which they are worn.

That is where clear braces have made a big difference, especially since the time a brand as big as Invisalign came into the picture.

Invisible braces are effective against many teeth conditions. The actual condition of teeth on an individual, case to case basis determines whether clear braces such as aligners can be deployed for straightening treatment. For instance, there are some complicated bite problems or excessively misaligned cases where traditional orthodontics might be a better solution over invisible braces.

In terms of age groups, invisible braces are better suited for adults and older teenagers. They are especially not recommended when baby teeth are still there.

Treatment Timeframes

There is no hard and fast rule about the treatment timeline of clear braces. Differentiating factors include the condition of your teeth as well as the kind of invisible braces you opt for. Most companies promise a swift treatment that can range from around 3 months to a full year.

While treatment can go on for as long as 24 months (or 2 years) in the case of metal braces, ceramic ones can take longer to treat. With clear aligners, there is no fixed time frame; the company you opt for can make a significant difference. Invisalign treatment, for instance, can take anywhere between 9 to 15 months.

Typical costs

The cost for getting clear braces treatment can vary significantly, usually starting from $2500 going all the way up to $7000.

Again, there are multiple factors at play here including the kind of treatment you opt for (or is suitable in your case), the time it takes, the dental professional or company you choose, your treatment location, as well as any insurance benefits that may apply.

In Summary

Invisible braces have quickly caught up as tooth straightening treatments of choice. Factors in favor of them include relatively lower costs, convenience, and a wide choice of service providers, among others. After all, while Invisalign ruled the roost for a considerable period, the onset of other service providers has opened the playing field to additional players happy to serve needy customers.

In the ongoing pandemic scenario, the possibility of remote monitoring and treatment – as promulgated by some of the featured services mentioned above, especially ups the ante in favor of invisible braces.