InBrace: What You Need to Know
Pros & cons
How it works
How much it costs
Fast facts
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.
Pros:
- InBrace is completely hidden and undetectable. It can be a good solution for people who may feel self-conscious about wearing braces, especially adults.
- Unlike clear aligners like Invisalign, InBrace doesn’t need to be removed when you eat or drink.
- InBrace can treat patients of all ages with all types of orthodontic issues, from mild to more severe cases of crowding, spacing problems, overbites, crossbites, and extraction gaps.
- Its unique loop design allows you to brush and floss normally.
- The wire applies light, continuous pressure that’s designed to straighten your teeth in a way that’s more comfortable and healthier for your teeth and gums than traditional braces.
- You won’t spend a lot of time in the dentist’s chair. InBrace has a customized Smartwire that’s pre-programmed to move teeth, without frequent office visits.
- Individualized wire technology allows for efficient tooth movement, so treatment time with InBrace may be shorter than other options. The average treatment time with InBrace is 8 to 18 months, vs. 18 to 22 months with traditional metal braces and 12 to 18 months with Invisalign.
Cons:
- As with all braces, there may be an adjustment period of up to 3 weeks when the braces are first placed and teeth begin to move. Most orthodontists recommend over-the-counter pain relievers or a medicated mouth rinse to help alleviate discomfort.
- Despite InBrace’s slim bracketing system, you will likely experience canker sores on your tongue after getting your braces, as it rubs the brackets and wires. Dental wax will make them feel smoother until your tongue adapts.
- InBrace may temporarily affect speech in the early phase of treatment. With the braces fixed to the back of your teeth, there’s less space for your tongue. You may develop a lisp or whistling sound for a few days to a few weeks. As your tongue adjusts to the space inside your mouth, your speech will return to normal.
- As with regular braces, you’ll need to avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods to prevent damage to your braces.
- InBrace is currently only available in the U.S.
Treatment with InBrace is a four-step process:
1. A digital scan is taken of your teeth and bite.
2. Your provider uses the 3D images to replicate your bite digitally and plan how each tooth needs to move, to reach the ideal alignment.
3. InBrace creates the customized Smartwire and delivers it to your provider. This usually takes about a month.
4. The InBrace brackets are bonded to the backs of your teeth and the wires are placed.
To help ease the transition of getting used to the braces, your dentist may do a conditioning appointment a few weeks before getting your InBraces. The appointment consists of bonding a few small metal buttons to the backs of the lower back teeth. This allows the tongue to get used to having something on the inside of the mouth before having a full mouth of InBraces.
The average cost of InBrace is $6,000, which is more than the average cost of Invisalign and traditional braces. The price you pay will depend on the severity and specifics of your case, the experience level of your provider, and their practice location.
Some insurance plans cover up to $2,000, the same amount as other orthodontic treatments.
Updated June 13, 2023