Should it be Invisalign, Inman Aligner, Incognito, Damon Braces or Generic Clear Aligners?
When you see the fantastic results achieved by invisible braces and aligners it is often an easy choice to opt for treatment involving them. However, the process of choosing which course of treatment is best for you can be more confusing.
We recommend you always talk to your dentist before making a decision – if you want to research the topic before a consultation then here’s a quick guide to some of the most popular types of invisible braces and aligners which are currently available.
Invisalign
Invisalign braces – as the brand name suggests – re-align your teeth and are almost invisible. This is a major advantage for people who are uncomfortable with the idea of wearing traditional metal braces and who don’t want their friends and family to know that they are undergoing treatment.
Invisalign treatment offers a number of different benefits to patients with different dental needs. If your teeth are crooked, crowded or have gaps then Invisalign could be for you.
Invisalign braces should be worn full-time and only removed when you are eating.
As with all the braces mentioned in this article, treatment should start with a consultation to assess whether you are a suitable candidate.
Length of Invisalign treatment
The average treatment lasts around a year and will see you wear a succession of different aligners; your dentist should check your progress every four- to six-weeks.
X-rays will help determine your treatment needs and ensure that Invisalign can manufacture a series of custom-made braces for you.
Invisalign cost
You will also have to factor in the cost of Invisalign. At Ethicare Invisalign prices start from £2,995 and come with free home-whitening treatment and a week’s worth of home whitening gel. Click here to find out more about our Invisalign services.
Invisalign Before and After
Types of Invisalign treatment
Invisalign Full
Invisalign Full is the best form of Invisalign treatment for people who need all their teeth moving. At Ethicare, Invisalign Full treatment costs from £4,000.
Invisalign Lite
Invisalign Lite will move all the teeth but uses less aligners (14) than Invisalign Full so this is better for patients with milder tooth issues. It is also cheaper than Invisalign Full (Ethicare offers this treatment for about £3,000). As with all products mentioned in this guide, variation in cost will be determined by the complexity of the case.
Invisalign Teen
Some teenagers will be suitable candidates to receive the same Invisalign treatment as adult patients. For those teenagers who haven’t yet got a full complement of adult teeth, Invisalign Teen is a good option.
These braces can allow for the sudden eruption of adult teeth without compromising the treatment’s effectiveness. They also take into account the fact that teenagers’ lifestyles tend to be more active (and chaotic!) than the lives of others. So it’s handy to know that small indicators on the brace will fade from blue to white so that dentists can gauge the amount of time they have been worn by busy teenagers.
Other information
Occasionally, people with complex dental issues might not be suitable candidates for receiving Invisalign Treatment – this might be the case if a patient needs to have teeth removed.
Inman Aligner
Available since the year 2000, Inman Aligner has quickly proved its worth to patients who value discreet braces which achieve quick results with minimum fuss.
Whereas Invisalign uses a succession of different aligners, Inman involves just one appliance – one which can be removed and inserted easily and quickly.
The appliance’s ease-of-use explains its popularity as does its cheapness, ability to get quick results and versatility; it can be used in simple and complex cases.
Length of Inman Aligner treatment
It will take about a week for a patient to become ‘acclimatised’ to the Inman Aligner and it is recommended that the braces are worn for at least 16 hours per day. Inman Aligner treatment can often be completed effectively within a few weeks.
Inman Aligner cost
Treatment can cost as little as £995 for simple cases. To find out more about Ethicare’s Inman Aligner treatment click here.
Inman Aligner before and after
Incognito Lingual Braces
Ingeniously, these invisible braces are placed behind your teeth. Incognito braces are appropriate for most adults and adolescents who have all of their permanent teeth and promises minimal discomfort and speech interference.
Incognito braces are customised in much the same way as other invisible braces; impressions of your teeth’s contours and dimensions are first scanned into a computer to determine your treatment needs. Each bracket and wire is then made to fit your teeth. The braces are fitted by your orthodontist at a bonding appointment.
Unlike aligners, which are used overnight and sometimes, annoyingly, have to be taken out when you eat, Incognito works ’24-7’.
Length of Incognito treatment
Incognito can take a little longer than ordinary braces. The timeframe always depends on the complexity of the case.
Incognito braces cost
Ethicare offers Incognito upper and lower braces for approximately £8,000. Please use the contact page to find about Ethicare’s Incognito treatments.
Damon Braces
Treatment involving Damon Braces is also very popular. Damon clear braces are virtually invisible so no one will realise that you are wearing them. They work by using high-technology wires which move and re-align teeth faster and require fewer adjustments thus requiring fewer visits to the orthodontist during a course of treatment.
Length of Damon Braces System treatment
Whereas conventional braces treatment lasts between 12-18 months, Damon Braces treatment is normally a little quicker.
Cost of Damon braces
Damon will cost between £4,000-£5,000 for upper and lower treatment – the variation in price is determined by the complexity of the case. Please use the contact page to find out about Ethicare’s Damon System treatments.
Generic Clear Aligners
Generic clear aligners are an ideal alternative to Invisalign if you only have one or two teeth which are out of alignment. Minimal movement can be achieved through generic clear aligners and the expense can be minimised too!
Length of clear braces treatment
The process is, compared to the Invisalign one, not lengthy. Firstly, impressions are taken of your teeth. Then the teeth which need to be re-aligned are broken off and glued back on so that they are aligned more neatly than before. After this stage is complete an aligner is constructed to consolidate this re-alignment.
It may be that if the dental discrepancy is very mild the alignment can be achieved with one aligner. If this is the case the movement can normally be achieved within two weeks.
Clear braces cost
A couple of clear aligners can be constructed for as little as £350 and sometimes the best results are achieved when patients come back for a second or a third impression. They make a great cheaper alternative to Invisalign. You can find out more about Ethicare’s clear aligners here.
The process, just like the desired outcome with all braces’ treatment, is all about achieving the right impression!
Clear braces before and after
Conclusion
The braces and aligners mentioned in this article are so discreet; no one will guess you are wearing them. However, the results of wearing them will be clear – a compelling reason to book a consultation to discuss treatment options!
If you would like further information on any of the braces featured or would like to book a consultation with Ethicare Dental, please use our contact page or call 020 8870 5059
