InBrace braces are an alternative to traditional metal braces that attach to the back of your teeth, where they can’t be seen. A collaboration between the orthodontic and engineering teams at the University of Southern California, InBrace is a recent advancement in hidden braces.
Unlike lingual braces, InBrace braces don't use sliding brackets, and they attach to your teeth with a wire that isn’t straight: it dips down to the gumline in strategic locations, so you can brush and floss normally.
The wire is made of a high-tech material called nitinol (nickel titanium), known for its shape memory and superelastic characteristics. It’s designed to apply light, continuous pressure over time, gently and comfortably moving teeth into place.
These wires, dubbed “Smartwires” by the manufacturer, are custom-programmed using computer modeling and AI algorithms to achieve the desired outcome. This reduces the need for painful monthly wire tightenings or tray changes. Indeed, most cases can be treated with as few as two to three wire changes. Patients start to see results within about two weeks.
Another unique feature of InBrace is that it uses a slim-fit bracket system to anchor the wire. The metal brackets are made as thin as possible, so they have a less obtrusive feel inside your mouth and limited tongue irritation, a common problem with lingual braces.
Instead of using elastic ties to hold the wire in place, a clip is used to lock them into the brackets. This makes it much easier for the provider to insert the wires.
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