Types of invisible braces: which is best for each case?

When we talk about invisible braces, many people think straight away of Invisalign. There are, however, different systems for correcting the position of the teeth discreetly. If you are looking for invisible braces in Alicante, knowing these options will help you understand which one may suit your case best.

The main types of invisible braces are clear aligners, lingual braces and aesthetic brackets. Although they all aim to reduce the visual impact of treatment, they do not work the same way or offer the same advantages.

So which are the best invisible braces?

For most patients who want comfort, discretion and easy hygiene, clear aligners are usually the most practical option. The choice, however, depends on the type of bite, the tooth movements needed and the patient’s ability to follow the treatment properly.

In this article we explain which types of invisible braces exist, how they differ and how we choose the most suitable system for each patient.

Which are the best invisible braces?

There is no single type of invisible braces that is best for everyone.

In general:

• If you want comfort, discretion and easy hygiene, clear aligners are usually the most complete option.
• If you want a system that is completely hidden and fixed, lingual braces can be considered.
• If you prefer a fixed treatment that is more discreet than metal brackets, aesthetic brackets can be an alternative.
• If you know you would struggle to wear aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day, a fixed system may suit you better.

The choice should not be based only on which appliance is least visible. We also need to analyse what movements your teeth need to make, how the two arches meet and which system gives the best control over the treatment.

What really counts as invisible braces?

The expression invisible braces is used to describe treatments that move the teeth without conventional metal brackets, or that considerably reduce their visibility.

Not all these systems are completely invisible, though.

Lingual braces are the only ones that are totally hidden from the outside, since the brackets are fitted on the inner surface of the teeth.

Clear aligners, such as Invisalign or Spark, are practically imperceptible, although they may include small tooth-coloured attachments to improve certain movements.

Ceramic or sapphire brackets, for their part, are more discreet than metal ones, but are still visible at close range.

That is why it is important to distinguish between a completely hidden treatment and one that is simply far more discreet than traditional braces.

Types of invisible braces

There are three main types of treatment usually included under invisible or aesthetic braces.

Clear aligners

Clear aligners are removable, made-to-measure trays that move the teeth progressively.

Each aligner applies controlled pressure to certain teeth. As treatment progresses, the trays are changed following the plan drawn up by the orthodontist.

The best-known brands include Invisalign and Spark, two invisible braces systems that allow tooth movements to be planned digitally.

Their main advantages are:

• They are practically invisible.
• They can be taken out to eat.
• You can brush and floss normally.
• There are no wires that can come loose.
• They cause less rubbing than brackets.
• They fit in well with social and professional life.

Being removable, however, also brings a responsibility.

For them to work properly, they need to be worn for roughly 20 to 22 hours a day. If the patient takes them out too often or does not follow the indicated sequence, the teeth may stop fitting the aligner properly and treatment may be delayed.

Also, using aligners does not necessarily mean wearing only a clear tray. Depending on the case, the following may be needed:

• Tooth-coloured attachments.
• Elastics.
• Interproximal reduction between some teeth.
• Refinements at the end of a first sequence of aligners.

These elements help achieve movements that the aligner alone could not control with the same precision.

Lingual braces

Lingual braces work with fixed brackets placed on the inner surface of the teeth.

Sitting behind the teeth, they cannot be seen when the person talks or smiles. That is why it is the system that is totally invisible from the outside.

One of their main advantages is that, being fixed, they do not depend on the patient remembering to put the appliance in and take it out. The treatment works all day long.

They also allow complex tooth movements to be controlled when properly indicated and planned.

They do have some drawbacks, though:

• They can rub the tongue during the first few weeks.
• They require an adaptation period before you can speak normally.
• Hygiene is more complex.
• Fitting and adjusting them is technically demanding.
• Not all patients adapt equally well.

Lingual braces can be an option for those who want the treatment to be absolutely invisible and prefer a fixed system, although they are not always the most comfortable alternative.

Aesthetic ceramic or sapphire brackets

Aesthetic brackets are fitted on the outside of the teeth, like traditional metal brackets, but are made of materials designed to disguise their presence.

The most common are:

• Ceramic brackets, in a shade similar to enamel.
• Sapphire brackets, which are more transparent.

They work in a similar way to conventional fixed braces. The brackets are joined by an archwire that applies the force needed to move the teeth.

Their main advantages are:

• They are more discreet than metal brackets.
• They do not depend on the patient’s consistency.
• They allow continuous control of tooth movement.
• They can be used for different types of malocclusion.

They should not be confused with a completely invisible system, though.

Even if the brackets blend in with the enamel, the archwire and other components may still be noticeable. Hygiene also needs more attention, and there may be restrictions on certain hard or sticky foods.

Which movements does each type of braces control best?

This is one of the most important questions when choosing a treatment and yet it is not always clearly explained.

It is not enough to know which system is more comfortable or less visible. We also have to analyse whether it can achieve the tooth movements needed in each case.

For example, during a treatment it may be necessary to:

• Correct rotated teeth.
• Close gaps or diastemas.
• Create space where there is crowding.
• Move the roots.
• Intrude or extrude certain teeth.
• Correct an open bite.
• Improve an overbite.
• Treat a crossbite.
• Coordinate the upper and lower arches.

Clear aligners can correct many of these problems, especially when attachments, elastics and proper planning are used.

Some movements are more demanding, however, and may require additional adjustments, refinements or a combination with other auxiliary elements.

Fixed braces, both lingual and external, apply forces continuously and can offer advantages in certain complex movements. That does not mean they are always better, but that each system has a different biomechanics.

For this reason the choice should be made after studying the whole case, not just by looking at how crooked the teeth are.

Which problems can invisible braces correct?

Today invisible braces can treat many more cases than a few years ago.

Among the most common problems that can be corrected are:

• Crowding, when there is not enough space and the teeth overlap.
• Diastemas, when there are visible gaps between the teeth.
• Crossbite, when some upper teeth bite inside the lower ones.
• Open bite, when the upper and lower teeth do not meet.
• Overbite, when the upper teeth cover the lower ones excessively.
• Increased overjet, when the upper teeth are too far forward.
• Orthodontic relapse, when the teeth move again after a previous treatment.

In some patients more complex cases can also be treated with aligners, although elastics, mini-screws or other resources may be needed.

Complexity does not depend only on how the teeth look. Two people with similar crowding may need completely different treatments if their bite, roots or bone structure are not the same.

Aligners, lingual braces or aesthetic brackets: a comparison

What matters more: the brand or the orthodontist?

When someone looks for information about invisible braces, they often compare brands.

Invisalign, Spark and other systems may differ in their materials, software, transparency or manufacturing. However, the brand is not the only factor that determines the result.

The aligner is a tool. The professional is the one who has to decide how to use it.

Two clinics can work with the same brand and propose different treatments, since planning depends on the initial diagnosis, the orthodontist’s experience, the planned final position of each tooth and the order in which the movements are made.

The design of the attachments, the use of elastics, the frequency of check-ups and how the teeth actually respond during treatment also play a part.

The digital simulation lets you visualise a proposed movement, but it is no substitute for clinical judgement. The orthodontist has to review that plan, modify it when necessary and check at each visit that the teeth are responding as expected.

So we should not only ask which is the best brand of invisible braces. It is also worth knowing who is going to diagnose, plan and supervise the treatment.

Invisalign or Spark: what are the differences?

Invisalign and Spark are two professional clear aligner systems used to correct different alignment and bite problems.

Both allow the aligners to be designed to measure, tooth movement to be planned digitally, attachments and elastics to be used, cases of varying complexity to be treated and refinements to be made when necessary.

There may be differences in the material, transparency, elasticity or the software used to design the treatment.

However, there is no universal answer as to which is better. The choice depends on the case, the professional’s experience with each system and the planning carried out.

At our clinic we work with Invisalign and Spark, which lets us assess which option best suits each patient’s needs.

How we choose the best type of invisible braces

Before recommending a specific system, we carry out a full study of the mouth.

During this assessment we analyse the position of the teeth, the degree of crowding, the relationship between the upper and lower arches and the shape of the bite.

We also check the state of the teeth and gums, the quality and quantity of bone and the presence of fillings, crowns, veneers or implants.

We also take into account the patient’s cosmetic and functional goals, as well as their ability to wear the aligners for the indicated time.

To complete the study we use a 3D intraoral scanner, photographs and whatever X-rays are indicated.

The scanner lets us obtain a digital model of the mouth without traditional impressions and plan the movements more precisely.

The simulation is only part of the study, though. Before starting we also have to check that there is no active periodontal disease, untreated decay or other problems that could interfere with the treatment.

Some patients will first need a teeth cleaning, gum treatment or a filling. In other cases, braces may be part of a wider cosmetic dentistry, veneer or dental implant treatment.

Which invisible braces are best for your situation?

There is no single system that is best for every patient. The choice depends on the type of correction you need, your habits and aspects such as comfort, discretion and how easy it is to keep up good hygiene during treatment.

If you want comfort and easy hygiene

Clear aligners are usually the most comfortable option. You can take them out to eat and clean your teeth as normal. They also have no brackets or wires that can rub your lips and cheeks.

If you want the appliance to be completely invisible

Lingual braces are the only system that stays completely hidden from the outside.

Aligners are very discreet, but can be noticed at close range and, in some cases, need attachments.

If you do not want to rely on taking the appliance in and out

A fixed system may suit you better. Aligners work if they are worn for the recommended time. If you know you will take them out often or will struggle to keep up the routine, it may be better to consider lingual braces or aesthetic brackets.

If you want to eat without restrictions

Aligners offer a clear advantage because they are taken out at mealtimes.

With fixed braces it is advisable to avoid very hard or sticky foods, or anything that could knock a bracket off.

If you have had braces before and your teeth have moved

Clear aligners can be a good option for correcting an orthodontic relapse, especially when the movement is mild or moderate.

First, though, it is necessary to study why the teeth have moved and check the state of the retainers.

If you have gum problems

Periodontal health must be stabilised before braces are started.

Moving teeth in the presence of active periodontal disease can increase the risk of losing support. Once it is under control, many patients can have orthodontic treatment normally, with specific follow-up.

If you have implants, crowns or veneers

The planning has to be adapted. Implants cannot be moved like a natural tooth, and crowns or veneers can affect where attachments or brackets are placed. This does not necessarily rule out braces, but it requires a personalised study.

Do invisible braces take longer than brackets?

Not necessarily. The duration depends mainly on:

• The complexity of the case.
• The movements needed.
• Each patient’s biological response.
• Correct use of the aligners.
• Attendance at check-ups.
• The need for refinements.

In some mild cases treatment can last a few months. In moderate or complex cases it can go on for more than a year.

Aligners are not automatically faster or slower than brackets. What matters is that the system can achieve the planned movements and that the patient follows the instructions.

Do invisible braces hurt?

Braces produce the pressure needed to move the teeth, whatever system is used.

With aligners it is normal to feel slight pressure during the first few days of each tray. This feeling usually fades progressively.

With brackets there may be discomfort after adjustments and rubbing on the lips or cheeks.

With lingual braces, the initial adaptation can be more uncomfortable for the tongue.

No treatment can be said to cause no discomfort at all, but it is usually a temporary, manageable sensation.

What happens after invisible braces?

After treatment ends, retainers must be worn.

Teeth tend to move over time, regardless of whether the treatment was done with aligners, lingual braces or brackets.

Retainers can be:

• Fixed, with a wire placed on the inner surface of the teeth.
• Removable, similar to a clear tray.
• A combination of both.

The type of retention and how long it is worn depend on the case.

Many patients who need braces again did not have a problem with the initial treatment; they simply stopped wearing their retainers.

So which are the best invisible braces?

The best invisible braces are not necessarily the best known, the most expensive or the least visible.

They are the ones that correct the position of the teeth properly, improve the bite and achieve a stable result without ignoring the health of the gums, bone and jaw joint.

For many patients, clear aligners such as Invisalign or Spark are an excellent option for their comfort, discretion and easy hygiene. The decision, however, should be made after a personalised study.

At Arroyo & Hernández Dental Clinic we use a 3D intraoral scanner and digital planning to analyse each case and design a treatment adapted to the patient’s bite, goals and routine.

If you are thinking about invisible braces in Alicante, you can request a free first visit through our website to find out which system is most suitable for you. Treatment here works out considerably cheaper than in the UK: write to us or call and we will give you an estimate based on your case.