Are Invu braces a better option?

One of the reasons that people are always told to start their dental work with an open, informal dental consultation is because orthodontic treatment is not something to rush into. There are many products on the market and it can seem as though choosing a product or treatment to correct your smile has suddenly become remarkably easy. But that isn’t really true. It takes real expertise to assess your condition, envisage what sort of results you can expect and then recommend the right sort of treatment for your particular case.

Many people who visit their dentist to discuss the possibility of orthodontic work are most interested in products like Invisalign. Invisalign naturally appeals to people because it isn’t like conventional braces. It is virtually invisible, removable and comfortable to wear. It is like having the benefits of wearing braces, without the traditional downsides.

Many of these sorts of patients are naturally disappointed if their dentist does not recommend them as an Invisalign candidate. But just because a patient wants and can afford the treatment, a dentist should not necessarily recommend it. As we have seen by considering the advantages of other treatments, every orthodontic case is individual and every patient needs to consider what sort of product is most appropriate to them.

It could be that your orthodontic condition only requires mild treatment. So rather than Invisalign, your dentist may recommend something cheaper, faster and easier – such as Invisalign Express or 6 Month Smile. On the other hand, it could be that a removable aligner will not exert enough force to move your teeth in the right way. In these sorts of cases, your dentist may recommend a fixed brace instead.

One type of fixed brace system which is becoming more and more popular is Invu. Invu braces have a similar working mechanism to conventional braces. However, they are made from white ceramic so they are much less visible than the conventional metal ‘train track’ braces. Because they are also designed and built using the latest precision engineering, they are also far more comfortable to wear.

The precise work that goes into the design of Invu braces means that treatment times are comparable to Invisalign (12-18 months). However, Invu braces are able to treat much more serious orthodontic conditions, because they move your teeth continually rather than only when the aligner is in place.

Therefore, choosing between Invisalign and Invu braces should be a choice about the kind of treatment you need, rather than the product you prefer. Of course, it goes without saying that invisible aligners look better, feel more comfortable and are easier to clean – and one of the criticisms of Invu braces is that the ceramic can become discoloured over time and look unsightly.

But ultimately, it is how your teeth look in the future that should influence your decision – not how your brace looks now.