Invisible braces or aligners are now being widely used to correct a wide range of dental problems including crowded teeth, widely spaced teeth, crossbite, overbite and underbite. They are worn for a minimum of 20-22 hours a day and should only be removed to eat, drink, brush and floss. Each aligner is worn for about 2 weeks and then replaced with the next in the series. Full treatment usually takes 6-12 months with some cases taking 18 months. The duration, however, does depend on the complexity of the treatment.



Most people find that invisible aligners are better than traditional wire and bracket braces. Users tend to find the aligners more comfortable and convenient to use than metal braces, which usually cause more pain and irritation. The greatest advantage of aligners over traditional wire braces is that you can fully remove them which helps with overall oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing tends to be easier with removable braces, reducing the risk of plaque build-up and tooth decay caused by trapped food.

One of the main reasons that patients opt for aligners is that they are almost invisible. As the aligners are transparent they are far less noticeable than wire and bracket braces. This makes invisible braces the popular option for adults who want to straighten their teeth without having a traditional metal brace fitted.

The effectiveness of the treatment is greatly dependent on the patient wearing the aligners for the required length of time a day. The fact that the aligners are removable can therefore also be a disadvantage. If the aligners are removed regularly they are not continually correcting the teeth and treatment may take longer.

Metal braces tend to restrict what you can eat and you should avoid foods that are sticky, chewy or hard. However, you should still consider eating habits when opting for invisible braces as you do need to clean your teeth after eating and before re inserting your aligners. This can cause an added inconvenience to people who regularly snack throughout the day.

Invisible aligners can be expensive and can cost more than traditional wire and bracket braces. Costs can also be increased if patients fail to keep the aligners in for 20-22 hours a day, causing the next aligner in the series not to fit. This means that a new set of aligners may need to be made.

Although invisible braces can treat most orthodontic problems, traditional methods of straightening teeth, such as wire and bracket braces, sometimes have to be used instead.