Inman Aligners
What are Inman Aligners?
The Inman Aligner is a revolutionary American invention for simple orthodontic treatment of the upper or lower front teeth. In cases of crookedness, protuberance or misalignment of the front teeth, the Inman Aligner can deliver full and effective correction in very little time - sometimes as little as 6 to 8 weeks. It is often used as an alternative to Invisalign braces, but Inman Aligners are limited to a particular range of correction. They are noteworthy for their speed, contrasting with regular braces which can often take two years or more.
Is the treatment right for you?
It is important to consult your orthodontist about the viability of using Inman Aligners to correct your teeth problems. The treatment is by no means universal, and achieves its results due to its speed at fixing misalignment and crookedness in a small number of teeth, usually limited to the upper or lower front teeth. Cases involving major overcrowding or spacing are likely to be unsuitable for Inman Aligners, and your orthodontist can point you in the direction of suitable treatments. However, for people seeking a fast, productive treatment for mildly to moderately misaligned front teeth, you cannot go wrong with Inman Aligners.
How does the Inman Aligner work?
The Inman Aligner gradually moves the teeth using pressure from the coiled spring behind the teeth and bar over the front to manoeuvre them into a beneficial alignment. The removable appliance is created to fit your teeth and worn for approximately 16 to 20 hours per day for the specified period. It resembles a kind of discreet gum shield, and should take two 30 minute in-office appointments to fit.
Advantages
The most obvious advantage is the impressively short treatment duration, regularly no longer than 2 or 3 months and beating traditional and ‘invisible’ braces by quite a margin. Your lifestyle is therefore barely affected, and any self-consciousness about the treatment’s visibility will be short-lived. Like the Invisalign approach, the Inman Aligner is removable. This eliminates the flaw in regular braces of limiting access to your teeth for oral hygiene, so that the Inman Aligner allows you to accomplish cleaning and flossing with ease. The treatment is less expensive than ‘invisible’ braces and only one aligner is necessary for the duration.
Disadvantages
The system does not match Invisalign for transparency, as a plastic or metal bar runs across the front of the treated teeth, and the rest of the aligner is not completely clear. Only certain problems can be treated with Inman Aligners, and the method is unlikely to be appropriate for severe cases. Excessive salivation, slight pain or a temporary lisp are common problems to begin with, but these are associated with most orthodontic treatments. Personal responsibility is always an issue with a removable aligner, as quick success of the treatment relies on the patient wearing the aligner as much as possible.
How much does the Inman Aligner cost?
You should talk to your orthodontist for a specific price taking all the relevant factors into account, including your location and the particularities of the correction. The cost should be pronouncedly less than most ‘invisible’ braces.