What Are Invisible Braces?

Achieving straight teeth and a beautiful, uniform smile may no longer require a mouth full of uncomfortable and unattractive braces traditionally made from metal. Invisible braces can help enhance your self-esteem and physical confidence, offering a subtle-to-imperceivable appearance and all the benefits of traditional, metal braces. Invisible braces are called invisible because they are generally made of transparent material, positioned on the back of the teeth, or are tooth-colored. While certain, complex bite problems and misalignment cases may require traditional orthodontic appliances, invisible braces can be used to treat overbites or overjets, crowded teeth, widely spaced teeth, crooked teeth, and a number of other orthodontic issues.

Our dentist in Gainesville with Van Dyke General and Implant Dentistry offer multiple options for invisible braces, including orthodontic treatment with SureSmile® Clear Aligners, lingual braces, and clear ceramic braces. Contact our dental clinic today to learn more about our selection of available general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry services and to schedule a braces appointment!

SureSmile® Clear Aligners

The clear alternative to metal braces for kids, teens, and adults alike, SureSmile® Clear Aligners straightens the teeth through a series of clear trays similar to mouth guards. The trays are changed every 2 weeks or so, as the teeth move more and more into alignment. Unlike the other invisible braces, the patient can take their SureSmile® Clear Alignersout while they eat and practice daily oral hygiene. These clear aligners are ideal for correcting a number of spacing and alignment issues, though they may not be recommended for patients with severe alignment and bite issues.

Lingual Braces

Braces placed on the back of the teeth are called lingual braces. As with regular braces, the patient consults with their dentist, who then makes impressions of the patient’s teeth. Lab technicians use these molds to make braces that fit the patient’s teeth perfectly. It can take longer than a month to create invisible braces. Once made, incognito lingual braces are bonded to the back of the patient’s teeth. The bonding session usually takes a few hours, and the patient will return periodically for adjustments.

Ceramic Braces

Other types of invisible braces are ceramic braces. Ceramic clear braces are similar to the traditional metal braces, except they have brackets made of ceramic dyed to match the natural color of the patient’s teeth. Even the wires can be the color of the teeth. Though they are not absolutely invisible, ceramic braces are difficult to see from a distance. Their color-match to the patient’s unique color and tone of teeth make them typically less visible than traditional braces made from metal. Contact us for more information!

How Do Braces Improve Oral Health?

Braces not only make a person’s smile more appealing by straightening crooked teeth, teeth that contain large spaces between them, and other teeth alignment, spacing, and bite issues, but orthodontic treatment can also have oral health and overall wellness benefits. Undergoing orthodontic treatment with SureSmile® Clear Aligners, lingual incognito braces, or clear ceramic braces can help you prevent wear on your teeth, avoid tooth decay and cavities, reduce your risk for oral injuries and trauma, prevent gum disease, and improve your digestion, among other benefits. Contact Van Dyke General and Implant Dentistry today to schedule an appointment.

Prevent Wear On Teeth

Teeth that are misaligned and those positioned in a way that causes bite issues tend to grind against each other and wear down more quickly than straightened teeth with a uniform bite and alignment. Invisible braces can properly align your teeth, helping you avoid severe wear on them as well as the numerous oral health issues that can arise from the wear.

Avoid Tooth Decay

The ease of care that comes with having straight teeth also significantly reduces your chances of developing tooth decay and cavities. Teeth that are misshapen, damaged due to excessive wear, poorly aligned, or those with other orthodontic issues can be more difficult to properly care for during your regular oral hygiene routine. Straighter teeth means healthier teeth!

Reduce The Risk Of Oral Injury

Teeth that protrude out from the mouth are at greater risk for trauma than those with proper alignment and shape. Protruding teeth can be a safety hazard for the teeth themselves, but they can also pose a risk to injury to surrounding gum tissue as well as the lips and the skin surrounding the mouth. Creating proper alignment helps reduce these risks.

Maintain Healthy Gums

Straighter teeth are actually easier to take care of than teeth that are misaligned. Because they are easier to brush and floss, straighter teeth reduce your risk of developing a number of significant gum-health issues, such as receding gums, gums that bleed, and periodontal disease, also commonly referred to as gum disease.

Improve Your Digestion

With jagged, poorly spaced, and improperly aligned teeth, it can be difficult for a person to speak, chew, and perform other regular tasks each day. Straight teeth help you chew your food more thoroughly, which in turn leads to easier swallowing and digestion thereafter. Swallowing smaller food pieces prevents your digestive system from having to break down large pieces.

What Kind Of Problems Can Invisible Braces Fix?

Our Gainesvill dentistry team can use clear aligners, lingual braces, or ceramic braces to fix a number of different orthodontic problems, including the following. The type of braces that best accommodates your needs will depend on a number of factors unique to you, like your current bite, the alignment of your teeth, your oral health, and your goals for treatment. Find out which type of braces can help benefit your smile! Contact Van Dyke General and Implant Dentistry.

Crooked teeth
Crowded teeth
Gapped Teeth
Rotated Teeth
Overbites

Underbites
Crossbites
Open bites
Misaligned teeth
Baby and permanent teeth

How Often Do You Have To Go To The Dentist With Braces?

It is important that patients wearing braces — invisible or not — see their dentists regularly to ensure that all is proceeding as it should. The dentist can give the patient tips on how to clean the teeth with braces and which foods and activities to avoid. The patient should see an emergency dentist if the braces become broken or loose or begin to cause severe pain.

Van Dyke General and Implant Dentistry, your dentist in Gainesville is pleased to provide gentle dental and cosmetic services for our patients, including fitting invisible braces, check-ups, implants, partial or full dentures, and cosmetic dentistry. We also have a pediatric dentist and an oral surgeon on staff in case of dental emergencies. Schedule your next appointment today.