Reviewed by: Dr Anoop Maini (London)
Inman Aligners are a type of orthodontic appliance that can straighten or move your teeth to the desired position. Many dentists use the Inman Aligner as an alternative to the Invisalign invisible braces system. The Aligners are restricted to the level of movement that they can achieve and generally work better on misalignments of the upper and lower front teeth. They are not suitable for cases where the teeth are heavily crowded for example. After a consultation, your dentist will be able to determine if you are suitable for teeth straightening treatment with the Inman Aligner.
Unlike the Invisalign system, the Inman Aligner is not entirely clear and has a visible metal bar that shows across the front of the teeth. However, the Inman Aligner does have many of the same benefits as the invisible braces system.
Similar to the Invisalign system, the Inman Aligner is a removable appliance used to move the teeth over time. It relies on forces created by a coiled spring on the lingual side of the aligner (that on the inside or back of the teeth), and a bar that sits across the front of the teeth to “squeeze” the teeth into position by “pushing” and “pulling” them into position.
The diagram (right) illustrates the forces involved in the movement.
Treatment times are generally shorter than with most invisible braces systems, with treatment times varying from six to 16 weeks. The speed of the results is highly dependent on how long you wear the appliance for each day. With the Inman Aligner you can take the appliance off; however, the longer you wear it, the quicker you'll see results. It is recommended that you wear the aligner for around 20 hours a day, every day, if possible.
Just like any new appliance in your mouth, it may feel uncomfortable at first and will take some getting used to. Many patients say that it initially affects their speech and causes them to salivate more, but after about a week or so you should become accustomed to wearing the Aligner.
The cost of treatment with the Inman Aligner is significantly less than with comparable treatment with invisible braces; however, the exact costs will depend on many factors, such as:
You can expect to pay between £1250 and £2500 for this treatment.