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Huntington Office
If you’ve been considering improving your smile with orthodontic treatment, you’re in luck! Today’s patients have more choices than ever before, and we’re excited to offer everything from traditional metal braces to Invisalign clear aligners here at Shiney Smiles Orthodontics. One of those options isn’t as well known as some of the others, even though it’s effective, discreet, and innovative! Detailed below is everything you need to know about InBrace.
InBrace lingual braces use brackets on the back of the teeth for a virtually invisible treatment process and come with a number of benefits, including:
- digital diagnosis and bracket creation
- Nitinol smartwire programmed with the exact movements your teeth need to make
- slim brackets with a low profile
- Shaped wires that let you brush and floss like normal
If you’re not familiar with lingual braces, you may be wondering how InBrace works, and what you need to consider before choosing them. To learn everything you need to know about how this exciting treatment can give you a confident smile you’ll love, keep reading below!
What are InBrace lingual braces?
Lingual braces work like traditional braces do—each appliance puts continuous pressure on the teeth to move them into better positions over time. This is achieved by using brackets and wires to apply the gentle force necessary to shift the teeth. With traditional braces, the brackets are affixed to the front surface of the teeth, but with lingual braces, brackets go on the back side facing the tongue. This makes them almost entirely invisible, something our more image-conscious patients really appreciate!
How do InBrace lingual braces work?
The first step in any orthodontic journey is a consultation with an orthodontist. When you schedule your initial visit with Dr. Sheinis, he’ll examine your teeth and bite to determine what issues are present and how severe they are. He’ll listen to your concerns and help you set a goal for your smile so you’re on the same page about the final results. Following this, he’ll make a recommendation for which treatment options will work best for you and your specific needs.
If Dr. Sheinis believes you’re a good candidate for InBrace and you decide to move ahead with this treatment method, we’ll begin the process at that same appointment. First, we’ll use a 3D scanner to create a digital replica of your bite. This will allow Dr. Sheinis to plan and design a customized treatment plan for your unique smile! The special InBrace software can tailor each tooth movement to your particular bite issues, which creates highly personalized results.
This software also creates and sends pre-programmed smartwires to Dr. Sheinis for placement. The brackets are customized to fit your teeth perfectly, then fixed to the back of each individual tooth with the smartwire connecting them. These wires often require customization according to each patient’s specific needs, so you’ll have regular follow-up visits with us. However, the smartwire moves according to your particular treatment plan, so you may not need to come in for adjustments as often as someone in traditional braces!
When it comes to installing InBrace, it’s essential that we have the perfect fit from the beginning since the brackets and wires are more challenging to place. To properly position the braces, we use a customized tray to cement all the brackets to the teeth at the same time. In contrast, traditional braces use standardized brackets that are placed one at a time on each individual tooth.
Once InBrace lingual braces are placed on your teeth, they’ll work in much the same way as traditional braces do to give you a beautifully aligned smile.
What are the pros and cons of InBrace lingual braces?
The most obvious benefit of InBrace is how subtle the braces are! Many teens and adults worry that traditional braces won’t be a good fit for their lifestyle, especially in social or professional situations. InBrace offers all the benefits of traditional braces but move your teeth almost imperceptibly!
Another appearance-based bonus is that any discoloration that may come from wearing braces will be on the inside of your teeth instead of on the more visible outer surfaces. This can give you an added boost of confidence in your smile! InBrace can also provide a more comfortable experience once you’re used to them because they provide a custom fit.
That being said, InBrace lingual braces are unique and not suited for every patient. Since they’re a bit more complicated to place (and maintain), we don’t tend to recommend them for patients who have certain more complex cases. For example, patients with an extreme or deep overbite may find too much pressure is put on the brackets due to the bite, causing them to detach too easily. When you schedule a consultation with us, Dr. Sheinis will let you know if you’re a good fit for InBrace following your examination.
Having braces on the back of your teeth can take some getting used to, so you may experience some minor difficulties with speech, especially in the early days. This can result in a slight lisp, due to the contact the tongue makes with the back of the teeth when you’re speaking. This side effect will almost always disappear relatively quickly, however!
As with any orthodontic treatment, some temporary discomfort and soreness may occur. With lingual braces, this soreness is mostly felt on the tongue, and may be more noticeable when you’re eating or speaking. Don’t worry, though—this pain and irritation will subside in time.
Say hello to a straighter smile with InBrace and Shiney Smiles Orthodontics
If you’re looking for the most subtle way to straighten your teeth, InBrace lingual braces can be an excellent alternative to traditional braces and clear aligners! If you’d like to learn more about this exciting option, get in touch today to schedule your FREE consultation with Dr. Sheinis. Your best smile is waiting for you here!