Invisible Braces in Clapham are not often seen but are more common than the iconic metal braces. It’s pretty clear why! Their translucent materials are far more conducive to our modern world where all the basic needs of dentistry are met and we can indulge in the aesthetics.

The rise in popularity of subtle orthodontics has been pushed for by adult patients, but whose availability has been widely adopted by our patients of all ages.

So, are they as good as metal braces?

The ‘invisible brace’ is a bit of an ambiguous term used to describe both ceramic braces and clear aligners, and to discuss which is best we need to differentiate between them.

Also, the appropriateness and therefore the effectiveness of a particular treatment is dependent on the individual patient. One of the primary roles of our dental team Dr Ali Aussia, Dr Rachael Ibbotson and Dr Mohsin Ghor is to lay out the best options in an unbiased and clear way, so you can make an informed decision about your own care.

The Invisible Braces in Clapham are an orthodontic treatment that utilises a series of 3D printed aligners, which are worn over the teeth to straighten them over time. They are popular and considered effective on mild to moderately misaligned teeth, where minimal twisting and molar movement is required.

The ceramic brace is very similar in the way it works to metal braces, with archwire and tooth anchors. But they are made from a composite mixture of ceramic and polymers. They used to be brittle and were only recommended for adults, but with a better blend of materials, they have reached a toughness parity with the metal brace.

What’s it like to have an invisible brace?

Well, the discovery you may experience is very different depending on the treatment option. Aligners give a more consistent pressure than a metal brace, but the trade-off is a longer treatment time on average. The ceramic option will be more similar to the traditional brace.

Where they both shine is in their aesthetics, as there is a world of difference between the feeling of wearing a standard compared to an invisible brace in public. Most of our patients reporting that they forget they’re wearing them during the day unless they are eating.

What’s harder to look after- a ceramic brace or an aligner?

The anchor point of ceramic braces is not conducive to their removal and refitting outside of dental surgery. So you must cautiously eat in them and thoroughly clean them afterwards. Interdental brushes can be very helpful here in getting any bits under the wire. Aligners can be removed at will, but to be effective you need to wear them as much as possible and brush before refitting, to stop food particles becoming trapped against your teeth.

It’s generally accepted that Invisible Braces in Clapham are far easier to keep clean. Of the two, the aligners can be removed on the fly to give a public address or presentation.