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It can feel like teeth straightening treatments take forever. In fact, even the longest treatments will only take up to two years. Sometimes, two years feels like too long to wait for a smile that you can be proud of.
You’ll have choices when it’s time to start your teeth straightening treatment. There are several different options, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. If you’re in a hurry or on a tight deadline, what’s the fastest way to straighten your teeth?
Traditional Braces
Traditional braces are made of metal or tooth-colored ceramic. Metal braces can come in many colors, but ceramic ones are harder to see.
With traditional braces there are brackets that are fixed to your teeth with strong glue. Metal wires are stretched between the brackets to pull your teeth into position. Every few months, your braces will need to be adjusted or tightened.
Traditional braces usually need to be worn for up to two years. This is one of the slowest ways to straighten your teeth. They’re also permanent, so they can’t be removed. You’ll need to keep up with your dental hygiene by brushing around the wires and brackets.
Inman Aligners
If you don’t want to wait, you may do best with Inman aligners. These straightening devices can work their magic in weeks. Some people only wear Inman aligners for 6 weeks in total. Even the longest treatments are finished in about 18 weeks.
Inman aligners are spring-loaded, made of plastic and metal. They can be removed, but you’ll want to wear yours as much as you can for fast results. Your teeth are held between two spring-loaded plates that use pressure to move them around. As your teeth shift, the springs adjust on their own to keep applying the same amount of pressure.
As removable devices, Inman aligners must be taken out for eating and drinking. Before you put them back, brush your teeth and rinse your Inman aligners.
Inman aligners work as quickly as possible, so this is the fastest treatment option. But, it’s not as simple as that – Inman aligners only work on the front teeth, and not for every scenario. If your teeth are suited to Inman aligners then yes, they may be the quickest option – but they won’t be for everyone.
Lingual Braces
Just like traditional braces, lingual braces use wires and brackets. The only difference is that lingual braces are fixed to the back of your teeth. This makes lingual braces almost invisible, so nobody can see that you’re wearing them.
Lingual braces take about the same time as traditional front-facing braces. You’ll usually be going through teeth straightening treatment for 1-2 years in total.
Clear Aligners
Discreet, comfortable and easy to wear, clear aligners are a popular choice. They don’t work as quickly as Inman aligners, but will still improve your smile very quickly.
Read our clear aligner reviews here
The average treatment time for clear aligners is about 6 months. Some treatments are complete in just 4 months, but others can take up to a year. Your treatment time will depend on how much your teeth need to move. The more movement your smile needs, the more sets of aligner trays you’ll wear.
Clear aligners can be removed. They should be taken out if you’re eating or brushing your teeth. Your aligners should be rinsed after every meal, and you should brush your teeth once you’ve eaten.
Unlike Inman aligners, you can progress through your clear aligner treatment at home. Wear your aligners for 22 hours every day to get through your treatment quickly.
Nighttime Clear Aligners
Even though clear aligners are very discreet, some people prefer not to wear them at work or at college. Even more discreet, at-night aligners only need to be worn when you’re sleeping. These are the same as clear aligners, but should only be worn overnight.
Wearing nighttime aligners extends your treatment by about 4 months. This is because your teeth only move when you’re wearing your aligners. If you want aligners that you only wear at night, you’ll need to be prepared to wait longer for your perfect smile.
The Fastest Way to Straighten Your Teeth
Inman aligners are the fastest option if you want a straighter smile in a hurry. Treatment could take less than two months if you follow your treatment plan properly. Inman aligners aren’t the most discreet, and some metal wires will be visible. They also don’t work for everyone. For an invisible alternative that still works quite quickly, and is suited to more candidates, you might prefer clear aligners.
Clear aligners take about 6 months, though some people will get results faster. Your treatment will take longer if you don’t wear your aligners as often as you should. For best results with clear aligners or Inmans, wear your aligners for about 22 hours a day.
Once your treatment is complete, maintain your straight smile by remembering to use your retainers. This is very important if your treatment has been fast, as your teeth won’t have time to settle securely into their final positions. Wearing retainers is the best way to ensure that your smile doesn’t start to shift back.
The Best Teeth Straightening Treatment
With several options for teeth straightening treatment, there’s something to suit every smile. Some people prefer the tried and tested traditional braces with wires. Other people want to try something new. Clear aligners are perfect if you want to be discreet, do things from the comfort of your home and would like to see results quickly. Inman aligners can be even faster, but you will have some wires on show.
Not all types of teeth straightening treatment are suitable for every patient. Check with a dentist or orthodontist to see which options might be best for you. Whichever you choose, it’s important to stick to your usual dental checkup routine. Your dentist can check the condition of your teeth and make sure that no problems are developing.
Some treatments, like clear aligners, are mostly managed at home. With clear aligners and at-night aligners you don’t need to see a dentist for adjustments. Inman aligners are also self-adjusting, but traditional braces and lingual braces will need to be tightened by professionals.
Always stick to the treatment plan that the professionals suggest. Don’t be tempted to wear aligners less often, or take breaks a few times a week. Unless you follow the exact treatment plan, your treatment will be less effective. It’ll take longer to get the straight smile you’ve always wanted. Straying from the treatment plan can also invalidate any guarantee that you were offered.
Teeth straightening treatments used to be a one-size-fits-all offering. Now, you can choose from numerous ways to move your teeth into new positions. Take some time to prepare the pros and cons, seeing which is your favorite, and choose clear aligners for the fastest treatment that suits most people.
