A Guide to Teeth Straightening with the Inman Aligner

These are often used as an alternative to the Invisalign brace. They can straighten misaligned teeth or shift them into a desired place. They are restricted in terms of the amount of movement they can achieve and so tend to work best on the upper and lower front teeth.

How do they differ from the Invisalign brace?

They differ in that they are made from a semi-transparent material unlike the Invisalign brace which is completely transparent. Plus this brace features a noticeable metal bar which runs across the front of the teeth.

It works by a ‘push/pull’ mechanism: it contains a coiled spring on the ‘lingual’ side of the brace (which is the side on the inside of the teeth) and a metal bar which rests across the front of the teeth. It’s the pressure exerted by this spring which squeezes the teeth into the correct position by means of a ‘push/pull’ action.

However, it does share many of the benefits enjoyed by the Invisalign system. These benefits include a reduced treatment time as compared to other types of braces and being a removable type of brace which means that it easier to clean.

What are the advantages of the Inman aligner?

The advantages include:

  • A shorter treatment period
  • Removable – easy to eat and clean as compared to the fixed brace
  • Cheaper than many other types of invisible braces
  • You only need one aligner throughout the whole treatment process. Whereas the Invisalign brace requires you to change the aligner every 2 weeks.

And, what are the disadvantages of the Inman aligner?

The disadvantages are:

  • It is not as unobtrusive as the Invisalign brace
  • Can only achieve a limited range of movement. If your teeth are misaligned and require moving back into position then this brace will only perform a limited movement.
  • There are only a few clinics which offer the Inman Aligner

How much does the Inman aligner cost?

This brace costs less than the Invisalign system but it has its limitations. These limitations are reflected in the price.

As with any form of brace, the cost depends on a variety of factors which include the skill level and experience of the orthodontist, the clinic and its facilities and the extent of the treatment.

As a rough guide you can expect to pay from £1,250 up to £2,500 for the Inman aligner.

What is the procedure?

The procedure is much the same as for nay type of brace. It starts with the initial consultation between you and the orthodontist. He or she will examine your teeth before taking a series of x-rays of your mouth. He/she will also take an impression of your teeth using a putty filled mould. This mould is used to form a cast which acts as a guide for the design of your brace.

You will be fitted with this brace as soon as it is ready.

You will find that it takes a few days to get used to wearing this brace. Don’t worry; this is very common as your mouth has to adjust to this new device. Patients find that their speech is affected as well as the ability to salivate – they tend to salivate more with the brace but this soon settles down. You will become used to wearing it after the first week or two.

How long does this treatment take?

Treatment with the Inman aligner can take from 6 to 16 weeks which is shorter than that for other types of invisible braces. It all depends on how long you wear the brace for. Ideally, you should wear this brace for 20 to 24 hours as the longer you wear it the quicker you will see the results.

If you are not suitable for the Inman aligner or want to consider other options then look at Invisalign braces, Damon braces, 6 month braces, lingual brace or the Invu brace.

Learn more about orthodontics….

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