Adult orthodontics have come a long way in recent years and for those looking to straighten their teeth fast, then arguably, there’s nothing better than the Inman Aligner UK. At our smiles dental Manchester practice, for example, we regularly show people pictures of aligned teeth braces before and after and tell them that in most cases treatment from start to finish takes between 6-18 weeks. If you think that the speedy Inman aligner might just be the orthodontic treatment for you, then here’s the low-down on everything you need to know.
Most adults will experience some type of tooth movement as they get older. This is irrespective of whether they wore braces as a child or not. In some cases, adult teeth can become displaced to the point where they look and feel crooked. In this instance, it’s understandable to think that the only way to deal with it is to endure several years of metal braces. The good news is that there is another alternative. Thanks to advancements in technology the Inman aligner offers the perfect (anti) solution to long term braces.
What exactly is the Inman Aligner?
Designed by Donal Inman back in the year 2000 the Inman aligner was born out of frustration of the many failures involving standard spring aligners. It’s specifically designed to straighten or ‘align’ the upper and lower front teeth which are visible when you smile. The idea behind it is that there are many people who want a straighter smile for purely aesthetic reasons. As the front upper and lower teeth are right in the smile line, the Inman aligner UK is designed to tackle this problem head on. In fact, countless teeth braces before and after pictures showing the successful movement of teeth have indicated that it’s actually very good at what it does.
So how does it work?
Like all orthodontic appliances, the Inman aligner is designed to straighten the teeth using gentle but sustained force to shift the teeth back into the right position. However, that’s where the similarities end. Unlike conventional bracket and wiring brace systems, which are permanently fixed to the teeth for the duration of the treatment, the Inman aligner is designed to be fully and easily removed. In fact, for the best results, it’s designed to be worn for around 16-20 hours a day.
The appliance itself consists of two titanium coil springs that work alongside two aligner bows. One inner and one outer. Each one gently opposes the other. So as one pulls teeth, the other pushes, guiding them into their new position. Because of the opposing movements, it makes the aligner active over larger areas and therefore has the ability to shift teeth quicker. Once the teeth are in position the aligner bar works like a retainer and holds them firmly in place.
What conditions can the Inman Aligner treat?
At our smiles dental Manchester practice we see a number of cases where the Inman aligner would be ideal. For instance, it’s perfect for those people who wore braces as a child but for whatever reason failed to wear their retainer and as a result, their teeth have relapsed or shifted back. It’s also good for fixing tooth crowding, tooth protrusions, tooth rotations, and crossbites. In addition, because of it’s speed, it’s also used as a pre-aligner for those looking to undergo missing teeth replacement or cosmetic enhancements such as veneers.
The 12-week wonder brace
The Inman aligner UK is affectionately known as the ’12 week wonder brace’ because that’s how long the majority of treatments take, although this can be shorter or longer depending upon the degree of correction needed. You may for example only need 6 weeks or alternatively, you may need 20 weeks but it’s very rare for people to spend any longer than this wearing the appliance. In comparison, even with other fast or accelerated brace systems, the Inman aligner is lightening fast.
Is the Inman Aligner right for you?
It’s specifically designed to correct minor to moderate tooth movements of the front teeth on the upper and lower jaw. Because of this, the system can’t correct any type of molar movement. If your dental needs are more complex, then we advise you to consult our smiles dental Manchester practice to talk about other brace systems which deliver better teeth braces before and after results. Because the aligner is removable and not fixed, patients need to be self-disciplined enough to wear it for the duration of the treatment. Finally, the Inman aligner only works on adults with fully developed teeth. As a result children and younger teenagers will need to seek other solutions.
Will it work for my situation?
In order to answer these patients will need to ask themselves a few questions…
“Do I want to improve the position of my front upper and lower teeth only?”
“Do I want to move the said teeth in a forward or backward position only?”
“Am I okay with people knowing I’m wearing it?”
If the answer to the above is yes, then the Inman aligner can offer the perfect solution. While it’s fair to say that the aligner can move teeth from the gum position to create a better smile, it’s better designed for moving teeth backward and forward. You might also want to take into account that although the Inman aligner is discreet it isn’t invisible, so if you’re after total orthodontic discretion, you might want to consider Invisalign treatment or Lingual braces instead.
Finally, will the Inman Aligner hurt?
When applied forces push or pull teeth using orthodontic appliances it’s normal for the teeth to feel a little tender. This is because the bones and gums around the tooth are remodeling as the tooth moves. This is normal and should only last for a few days. Any discomfort can usually be brought under control using over-the-counter pain-killers. Patients should never feel any throbbing or excruciating pain if teeth are healthy.
So there you have it, everything you need to know! If however you have concerns or need more information, and are seriously considering the Inman Aligner UK, then why not book a consultation at out smiles dental Manchester practice. Here we can address your issues and show you pictures of teeth braces before and after, thus giving you the information you need to make an informed dental decision. To book an appointment call today on 0161 660 1218.
