An example of older generation inside  Invisible Braces.

Newer generation Invisible Braces are especially CADCAM designed to custom match perfectly on the inside area of the teeth.

In this view we see all the hidden iBraces for all the upper teeth from the front incisors to the very back second molars.

Inside or " Invisible Braces" are a means of providing cosmetic orthodontic treatment. Invisible Braces have gone through many generations of improvement. Current lingual Invisible Braces actually use scanned images of the insides of the teeth to create special computer generated CADCAM custom brackets. Every patient is.provided with special brackets which are then attached to the insides of the upper and sometimes lower  teeth.

Invisible Braces are attached to the back of the teeth so they are hidden from view.  Your orthodontist takes a special impression of your teeth which is sent to a lab. The lab uses special computerized CADCAM technology to custom design the Braces just for your . The CADCAM design takes into consideration the type of orthodontic movement your Orthodontist requires to correct your bite.  The Invisible Braces are especially good for adults who are often in the public eye and would be self-conscious wearing Invisalign or traditional Braces with metal or ceramic brackets and wires on the front of the teeth.

Modern " iBraces " offer a lot of advantages, as well as  some disadvantages. Some patients really cannot tolerate anything visible during treatment, and for some even the Invisalign Aligners are unacceptable. Many Invisalign treatment plans call for the use of small attachments which are bonded to the outside surface of the tooth in order to allow the clear Invisalign Appliance to get a  better "grip" on the tooth in order to rotate it,change its axial inclination, or any number of other movements.

Whereas Invisalign Appliances can be misplaced or lost, delaying  treatment , iBraces overcome this disadvantage because they are hidden, fixed, and not removable. Some movements are very relatively difficult to achieve with Invisalign Appliances, and include, but are not limited to, the extrusion of round cone shaped teeth such as the adult canines. Elastics an be used  with iBraces, to help hasten treatment. Invisalign Appliances are generally not designed to enable the use of auxiliary elastics.

There are some disadvantages to the Invisible Braces ( iBraces ).  Disadvantages of Invisible Braces on the backs of the teeth include: 

Not everyone is a candidate for Invisible Braces.  The Invisible Braces are designed for adults or older teenagers and may not be the best treatment choice if many baby teeth are still present.  Children and younger teenagers will require the more traditional metal Braces with brackets and wires on the front of the teeth. Every smile and every bite relationship is different, and your Orthodontist will need to determine if " iBraces " are best for your type of bite and orthodontic correction required. For example, when biting down, the bottom front incisor teeth should not  have any destructive interference, that is, they should not strike too forcefully against the upper inside  back of the front teeth where the Invisible Braces would normally be attached. Patients with a deep vertical overbite may not be good candidates for Invisible Braces. 

The cost of the Invisible Braces may be higher than with traditional Braces on the front of the teeth because of the computer customization required to make these custom brackets.   

Finding an experienced Orthodontist trained to do the Invisible Braces may be more difficult than locating an Orthodontist who can treat with traditional Braces on the front of the teeth or Invisalign removable aligners.  Because CADCAM manufactured " iBraces " represent  a newer technique,  not every orthodontist is as comfortable performing the treatment using Invisible Braces.  

Speech, comfort, and maintaining excellent hygiene may also be a challenge  with Invisible Braces. Learning to adapt to Invisible Braces while speaking is generally not a problem.  Some patients may experience irritation of their tongue with the Invisible Braces on the backs of their teeth.  You have to decide if you are the type of person who finds it easy or hard to get used to things in their mouth.   With Invisible Braces on the back of the teeth, it may also be more difficult to maintain dental hygiene and to remove plaque at the base of the back of the teeth.  Consult with your Orthodontist or Dental Hygienist to see if a Waterpik or Special Toothbrush such as a Braun Oral B or Sonicare would be  helpful. 

Where conflicts with " iBraces " arise, other options to consider are Invisalign removable aligners or Clear Ceramic Braces.