Written by Dr. Chaw Su Kyi on September 28, 2020
Assuming you’re suited to both, it largely comes down to your personal priorities, as both can successfully straighten a wide variety of cases. The main benefits of Invisalign are that the aligners are virtually invisible plus you can continue to eat, drink and clean your teeth as normal. Meanwhile, lingual braces are the only truly invisible braces, as they fit to the backs of your teeth, and because they’re fixed, there’s no way you could forget to wear them or lose them.
Braces which fit behind the teeth are suited to a wide range of straightening cases, just like front-attached conventional braces. Although more extreme cases – including severe overbite or major bite problems (malocclusion) – may rule some people out, Dr Kyi has built a reputation for devising solutions for patients turned down for treatment elsewhere.
If having a totally invisible brace is your number one priority, then this brace could be the perfect solution for you, as it is fixed to the inner side of your top and/or bottom teeth – meaning there is nothing visible from the front – but acts in the same way as ‘train track’ braces to safely realign your teeth.
Every case is, of course, unique but typical treatment times go from as little as 6 months, for more minor cases, to between 12 and 24 months for more complex orthodontic cases. Don’t forget: ‘faster’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘better’, as rushing treatment can lead to problems further down the line.
As with all straightening, you may feel some initial discomfort when the braces are first fitted and later tightened, although this is a sign your teeth are moving to their new position. Any specific issues tend to result from the tongue rubbing against the bottom brace, as the wires and brackets are where your tongue naturally rests behind your bottom teeth. However, one of the reasons Dr Kyi has chosen Incognito braces is because they’re more comfortable, as they’re truly customisable.
West London Orthodontics offers the most advanced orthodontic care for children and adults. Serving patients in Hammersmith, Shepherd's Bush, and Chiswick, Dr Kyi and her team specialise in various brace options, including Invisalign. Book a consultation today.
