Achieve that Perfect Smile without Becoming a Metal Mouth

Do you long for straight teeth, but also want to avoid a mouthful full of metal? Well braces today aren’t what they used to be. If you need orthodontics for cosmetic purposes or to fix an improperly aligned bite, it’s time to talk to your dentist about invisible braces.

Is it true? Can I wear braces that are invisible?

At the very least, your dentist should be able to set you up with options that are minimally visible such as clear or white brackets instead of the typical silver brackets that come to mind when you think of braces. It is true, however, that invisible braces exist.

How can braces be invisible?

There is more than one option for people who would rather not show off their braces. The first and one of the most recent advancements in orthodontics is to adjust the teeth using a series of clear plastic plates or retainers. These are designed to fit over the teeth. Upon close inspection, it will be apparent that they are there, but for the most part you can smile away and people won’t see an obvious distraction. These devices have become popular in recent years for correcting misalignments in adult teeth. They are so unnoticeable that even celebrities have been known to wear them.

Through computer generated 3D models of your teeth, a series of retainers can be custom made that will gradually push your teeth into position. It simply requires wearing the device consistently (constantly in most cases) as the dentist advises. Each retainer will be replaced by another that moves your teeth closer to the desired position. It is a completely safe procedure, though generally a bit more expensive than traditional braces. Your dentist will be able to help you determine if this type of treatment will work well for you.

Invisible because they are hidden.

Another way that braces can be placed so that they are undetectable to anyone you are having a conversation with is to have the brackets adhered to the teeth on the lingual side (tongue side) of the teeth. This procedure works well for minor alignment issues with the front upper or lower teeth. Though these braces are truly invisible to anyone you are simply conversing with, they usually don’t work as well for major bite correction issues. Talk with your dentist about the pros and cons of bracket placement on the inside versus the outside of your teeth.

Just camouflaged, thank you.

An excellent option for braces when you need something more traditional, but really want to avoid a glittering mouth, is to opt for brackets that are clear in color or white like your teeth. Today there are ceramic and plastic brackets that make having braces a whole lot less noticeable. These brackets are as durable and reliable as regular brackets. They are affixed to your teeth and archwire is used to move your teeth into position in an identical manner to regular braces. Even archwire can now be obtained in different colors, including clear.

If retainer options and lingual (tongue side) brackets are not recommended by your dentist for your particular condition, talk about braces that are less colorful instead. With clear or tooth colored brackets and wires, your braces will blend in a manner that does not draw too much attention.

Will insurance pay for braces?

This depends entirely upon your policy and the reason you need braces. If your need is simply cosmetic, a few misalignment issues that cause no damage to your bite, you will likely be responsible for the entire bill for your braces. Most dentists have payment plans to assist you.

If braces have been recommended to correct more serious issues with tooth placement, some dental policies will pay at least a portion of the bill. Braces are often recommended to correct medical issues such as TMJ. If your teeth are affecting your head, neck, or jaw consult with your health care providers to determine if your medical policy will help cover treatment.

Remember that straightening your teeth for cosmetic purposes alone is a perfectly acceptable desire. You deserve a smile you can be proud of.