Have you been thinking about orthodontic treatment for you or your child? If so, you’re in luck! Technology has come along in leaps and bounds in recent years, and today’s patients have more treatment options than ever before. Koerich Orthodontics is proud to offer Indian Trail families a range of treatments, from traditional metal braces to Invisalign clear aligners. One option that isn’t as well known is Inbrace! These lingual braces fit on the back side of the teeth for a truly invisible treatment process. InBrace comes with many benefits, including:
- digital diagnosis and bracket creation
- Nitinol smartwire programmed with the exact movements we want your teeth to make
- slim brackets that are unobtrusive
- shaped wires that allow you to brush and floss with ease
If you’ve never heard of lingual braces before, you might be wondering how a treatment like Inbrace works. Let’s take a look at how this exciting option can give you a beautifully aligned smile!
What are InBrace lingual braces?
Lingual braces work just like traditional braces do. Braces move the teeth into the desired positions over time by putting gentle but continuous pressure on them. We create this force using brackets, wires, and elastic bands. There is one significant difference, though—with traditional braces, the brackets are affixed to the front surface of the teeth, but InBrace brackets go on the back side facing the tongue. This makes them the only truly invisible treatment option!
How do InBrace lingual braces work?
The first step in any smile journey is a consultation with an expert provider. When you schedule your initial visit with our office, Dr. Leo or Dr. Lindsey will examine your teeth and bite. This will help them determine if any problems are present and if so, how severe they are. They’ll listen to any concerns you have about your smile and help you set a goal for the results you’d like to see so you’re all on the same page. Following this, they’ll recommend which treatment option will work best for you and your specific needs.
If our doctors believe you’re a good candidate for InBrace, we can begin the process at this same appointment! We’ll start by creating a digital replica of your bite with our 3D scanner, which allows Dr. Leo and Dr. Lindsey to design a customized treatment plan for your unique smile! The special InBrace software can tailor each tooth movement to your particular bite issues, giving you highly personalized results.
This software also creates and sends pre-programmed smartwires to our doctors for placement. The brackets are customized to your teeth, then fixed to the back of each individual tooth with the smartwire connecting them. These wires generally require customization according to each patient’s needs, so you’ll have regular follow-up visits with us. That being said, the InBrace smartwire moves according to your particular treatment plan. This means you may not need to come in for adjustments as often as someone in traditional braces!
When it comes to placing InBrace, it’s essential that we have the perfect fit from the beginning since the brackets and wires can be a bit 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.
As noted above, once your InBrace braces are in place, they’ll use continuous pressure to gently move the teeth where we want them to go.
What are the pros and cons of InBrace lingual braces?
The most obvious benefit of InBrace is the fact that the braces are practically invisible! Many patients 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 moves your teeth without anyone knowing!
Another cosmetic bonus is that any discoloration that comes from treatment will be on the inside of your teeth instead of the more visible outer surface. This can give you an added boost of confidence in your newly straightened smile! The custom fit can also provide a more comfortable experience once you’re used to them. InBrace can be a great option for anyone who needs braces but isn’t a good fit for clear aligners.
It’s important to note that InBrace lingual braces are not suited for every patient. They’re slightly more complicated to place and maintain, so we don’t tend to recommend them for patients with 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, our doctors will let you know if you’re a good fit for InBrace!
Having braces on the back of your teeth can take some getting used to. You may experience some minor difficulties with speech, especially in the beginning. Some patients develop a slight lisp due to the tongue’s contact with the back of the teeth when speaking. Fortunately, this side effect tends to disappear fairly quickly, along with any temporary soreness or discomfort. 
Get a straighter smile with InBrace and Koerich Orthodontics
If you’re looking for a subtle way to straighten your teeth, InBrace can be an excellent alternative to traditional braces and clear aligners! If you’d like to learn more about this innovative treatment option, get in touch today to schedule your free consultation with Dr. Leo or Dr. Lindsey. The smile you’ve always wanted is waiting for you here!