What an Inman aligner is

An Inman aligner is a removable brace for the front teeth. Nickel-titanium springs power two bows, one in front of the teeth and one behind, which push and pull the front teeth into line. It is a narrower job than a course of clear aligners or fixed braces: the manufacturer aims it at mild to moderate crowding or protrusion of the front teeth, and says most of those cases finish in 6 to 16 weeks. The UK practice fees below run from £1,350 to £1,895 or more, and a dentist who provides it decides whether your teeth are suitable.

How it compares

The fixed-brace and Invisalign fees are from Angle House Orthodontics' September 2026 list. The British Orthodontic Society says fixed appliances are the better match when crowding is severe, when teeth need to come out, or when the jaws are the problem. All the options are compared in ways to straighten teeth.

A treatment time of weeks applies only to suitable cases involving the front teeth. The British Orthodontic Society warns that a course of about six months, especially one limited to the front teeth, may not move the roots fully, and the teeth may move back.

How to read a short plan is in how long clear aligner treatment takes.

Practice fee examples

These are private fees, checked on 22 October 2026. They are examples, not averages. Ask whether the fee covers one arch or both, the check-ups, any tooth reshaping, and retainers.

What the appointments involve

• Consultation and records. The dentist assesses whether the changes needed to your front teeth suit an Inman aligner and takes impressions or a scan for the laboratory.
• Fitting. Glasgow Dental Care says the brace is fitted about two weeks later. York Road Dental Practice says teeth are smoothed at this visit to make room for movement.
• Checks. Practices describe short reviews every two to three weeks while the springs move the teeth.
• Retainer. A fixed wire behind the teeth or a clear removable retainer is fitted at the end.

Living with it

• Speech. The manufacturer says speech is affected for a week or two, and you may produce more saliva while you adjust.
• Comfort. It says the brace can feel uncomfortable for the first few days, and most people are used to it after a week.
• Wear. Wear it for the hours your dentist prescribes. The manufacturer's standard is about 20 hours a day, taking it out only to eat and brush, and less can make treatment take longer. If you cannot wear it at work, agree a schedule with your dentist before relying on evenings and nights alone; some practices set 16 hours as their minimum, so ask which applies to you.
• Fitting it. Push it into place with your fingers. The manufacturer warns that biting it into place can distort or break it.
• Eating. Take it out to eat, then clean your teeth and the brace before it goes back in.
• Cleaning. The springs need to stay clean to work. The manufacturer suggests an ultrasonic cleaner with a gentle solution such as Retainer Brite, or a retainer or denture cleaner and a soft brush. Cleaning products are covered in how to clean clear aligners.
• Storage. Keep it in its case whenever it is out.

Who provides it

Inman Aligner is dentist-provided treatment. A dentist prescribes and fits it, sends the records to a laboratory and reviews you during treatment. What aligners can treat, and when a wider plan is the better match, is in what clear aligners can and cannot treat.

After treatment

The manufacturer says all orthodontic treatment needs retention, and practices describe retention for life with a fixed wire or a clear removable retainer. That matches the British Orthodontic Society's advice that teeth can move back if retainers are not worn. Day-to-day retainer care is in care after clear aligners.