How to Choose The Right Invisible Braces For Your Smile

Choosing the right invisible braces is a big decision as you want something that is comfortable, easy to wear, and effective.

Braces have come a long way since the days of ‘metal train tracks’ as there were few options aside from wearing visible metal brackets and wires. This often led to people feeling self-conscious in social situations.

However with options such as Invisalign, there’s a more discreet and comfortable way of moving your teeth which can increase your confidence when smiling and interacting with people.

Furthermore, as teeth take time to gradually move into place, it’s important to choose invisible braces that you’re comfortable with as this will increase the likelihood of you staying consistent with your treatment.

At Sensu, we’ve transformed over 20,000 smiles, we have more than 2,500 five-star Google reviews, we hold Diamond Apex Invisalign provider status, and we provide flexible finance options and free consultations.

We offer a range of invisible braces including:

• Invisalign
• Clear braces
• Lingual braces (these fit behind teeth)

We also offer invisible retainers, helping to make aftercare simple and more effective. After all, once you’ve invested in your new smile and achieved the straight teeth you’ve always wanted, you don’t want to undo all of that effort.

Benefits of Clear Braces

The main benefit of invisible braces is that they are discreet. As they are virtually invisible, you can go about your day-to-day business without feeling self conscious about people looking at your mouth.

Before these options became available, people who were unhappy with their teeth had little option but to wear traditional metal braces. Not only could this lead to people feeling less confident about their teeth, it also wasn’t great for oral hygiene due to food and plaque becoming trapped in and around the brackets.

However, dental advancements have even meant that brackets are now easier to adjust and clean, as they are self-ligating using a sliding clip to hold the wire in place as opposed to elastic bands.

Invisible braces mean more freedom and more choice when it comes to achieving your dream smile. Whether you prefer Invisalign aligners which pop in and out or lingual braces which sit behind your teeth, we’re exploring these options in detail below.

Different Types of Invisible Braces

There are different types of invisible braces depending on which you feel most comfortable with. The three options discussed in this blog are all designed to move your teeth discreetly whilst still achieving effective results.

As with any dental treatment offered at Sensu, we have a range of flexible finance options making your new smile more affordable.

Invisalign

Since launching in 2000, Invisalign is the leading clear aligner system in the world and is responsible for straightening more than 20 million smiles.

Instead of relying on fixed brackets and wires, Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gently move your teeth into place.

At Sensu, we’re proud to be the UK’s top specialist providers of Invisalign. Our specialist team has now straightened more than 13,000 smiles and counting, and we welcome cases of all levels of complexity.

The majority of our Invisalign treatments are overseen by our highly experienced specialist orthodontists, Dr Ilias Marinopoulos and Dr. Kirpal Benwara. Not every provider has the expertise to manage more complex cases, so if you’ve previously been told you’re not suitable for aligners, we’d love to offer you a second opinion.

We offer the following options, depending on how complex your case is and how many aligners you’re likely to need:

• Invisalign® Express – For minor corrections or small relapse cases, using a limited number of aligners and a short treatment time.
• Invisalign® Lite – For mild alignment issues, offering slightly more movement and aligners than Express.
• Invisalign® Moderate – For moderate cases involving more noticeable crowding, spacing, or bite concerns.
• Invisalign® Comprehensive – For complex cases, with a range of aligners to treat significant crowding, spacing, or bite issues.

At Sensu, teeth contouring and professional teeth whitening are included as part of any Invisalign or clear braces treatment package; plus a lot more!

Once your teeth have been aligned, these treatments help refine the shape of your teeth and brighten your smile. This means patients can enjoy a more complete smile transformation.

Clear braces

Clear braces work similarly to traditional metal braces; only this option is virtually invisible. Instead of using metal brackets and wires, clear braces use translucent ceramic brackets that blend in with the natural colour of your teeth for a more subtle appearance.

They offer all of the same advantages of traditional metal braces without the noticeable metal appearance. As they still use brackets and wires, they provide great control over positioning and are suitable for a wide range of smile makeovers.

Furthermore as previously mentioned, the latest clear ceramic braces feature self-ligating brackets which use a sliding clip to hold the wire in place instead of elastic bands. Self-ligating braces are quicker to adjust so you’ll benefit from shorter appointments. They’re also easier to clean compared to braces with elastic ligatures.

We would usually recommend aligning both arches to achieve the best result but we can attach clear braces to just your top or bottom teeth. At Sensu, our specialist orthodontists offer a choice of the latest clear braces, including In-Ovation C and Radiance Plus.

Lingual braces

Lingual braces are a completely discreet orthodontic option as they are fitted behind your teeth with custom-made brackets. They are the most invisible way to straighten your smile, using the same principles as traditional braces.

As treatment progresses, you’ll start to see steady improvements in your smile, often with noticeable changes within the first few months. Lingual braces are suitable for both mild and more complex orthodontic cases and they can help with crowding, spacing, protruding teeth, and bite issues.

Treatment times vary depending on individual needs, but most moderate cases are completed within around 15 months, while more complex cases can take around 24 months plus.

How Much Do Clear Braces Cost?

The cost of clear braces varies depending on the type you choose (for example Invisalign or lingual braces) and your chosen provider.

You can find a full price breakdown here, helping you understand the cost of our clear brace solutions before you proceed.

We also offer a range of flexible finance options to make affording your new smile easy with smaller monthly instalments and zero interest.

How to Take Care Of Your Clear Braces

Taking care of your braces means you get the most value out of them.

Regardless of which option you choose, you want to make sure you get the best results possible so that you can enjoy your new smile for longer. This includes wearing your retainer once your treatment is complete to help avoid your teeth moving back into their original place.

At Sensu, we offer the gold standard in smile protection (after Invisalign) with Vivera retainers. Created by the makers of Invisalign, they are highly effective and stronger than many other leading clear retainers which makes them less likely to crack and even capable of withstanding teeth grinding.

After fixed braces we strongly suggest and include in your package (where clinically suitable) fixed wire retainers behind your front teeth plus high quality plastic retainers on top to provide double retention.

Below are some top maintenance tips.

Regularly clean your aligners or braces

Keeping your aligners or clear braces clean is key as it’s important you maintain the health or your teeth and gums. If you have aligners, these can easily be removed to clean with a brush or chemical cleaners. If you have fixed braces, brush carefully around brackets and use interdental brushes to keep everything clean in between.

Stick to good oral hygiene habits

Brush at least twice a day and floss daily. However brushing at least 20 minutes after meals is also preferable as this helps ensure your teeth are kept clean regardless of the food and drink you’ve consumed.

Be careful with food and drinks

If you’re wearing clear aligners, always remove them before eating or drinking anything other than water as this can lead to staining or damage to the aligners. It can also make them smell

How to Choose The Right Invisible Braces For Your Smile

Choosing the right invisible braces means considering which option you feel most comfortable with. Whether that’s clear fixed braces or lingual braces that are fitted behind your teeth, there are different options to suit different people.

The most important factor is choosing a dental practice you trust as they’re going to be on this journey with you. From your initial consultation, to treatment, through to aftercare, you want to feel supported and informed. At Sensu, you can trust us to guide you through every stage of your treatment with care and a personalised approach.

Not only do we safely align teeth as the top specialist Invisalign Diamond Provider in the UK; but since 2009, we have safely transformed almost 20,000 smiles using the latest innovations and tooth friendly techniques.

Book your free consultation and let’s get started.