If you've heard of the idea of invisible braces for teeth alignment then you are almost certainly likely to have found the alternative to traditional metal wire braces an attractive and intriguing one. Certainly for many thousands of people in the UK invisible braces have opened up a whole new alternative that's improved accuracy, comfort, hygiene and appearance. But there is a downside, and it's important to be fully aware of why many people choose not to have invisible braces fitted, but instead opt for the metal and wire braces.

One of the main reasons why people choose invisible braces is because, as the name implies, they're virtually invisible. Made from a clear gel material they slide over your teeth a little like a thin gum shield. Unless you actually look specifically at a person's teeth you will almost certainly not even notice that they're wearing braces at all. For young people who are anxious about wearing braces for many of their formative years, as well as professional business people who would like to benefit from teeth alignment but not at the expense of their clean, professional image, invisible braces have certainly provided an attractive option.

Invisible or clear braces certainly help to improve a person's appearance throughout the process, and because the braces can be removed at any time they enable people to brush their teeth more fully, floss, and even enjoy certain foods which might otherwise be a problem. They can even remove the braces completely for occasions such as having a professional or important photograph taken.

Because invisible braces are designed and developed using computer technology, including 3D virtual reality, the end result is known very accurately right from the start, with the patient knowing exactly how long they'll have to keep the braces in, virtually to the day, as well as knowing what their teeth will look like at fortnightly stages throughout the whole process.

So with advantages such as these it is hard to see why so many people each year decide against invisible braces, instead opting for the metal wire braces which have been around for so long. So why is this?

There are really two main reasons why people decide against clear braces. The first relates to the very fact that they can be so easily removed at any time, and the second reason relates to the number of visits to the dentist it will be necessary to undertake throughout the process.

Being able to remove braces at any time is certainly a good thing for many people, but for some people it represents temptation. It's a little like wrapping low fat food in chocolate wrappers - the temptation is going to be too much for some people! Parents may be concerned that their children may remove the braces as soon as they step out of the house, only putting them back in as they return home. The problem is that unless the braces are worn for a minimum of 23 hours out of every 24 hour period they simply won't work. In fact, if the teeth have already started to be moved towards their new position, leaving the braces out may result in the teeth returning to their old position, preventing the brace from being able to fit at all.

The second issue people have with invisible braces is that throughout the entire process it will be necessary to visit your dentist at fortnightly intervals, to be provided with the next set of braces. Unlike metal braces which are fitted once and virtually left, invisible braces are replaced every two weeks with a new set which are very slightly different, helping to move the teeth in incremental stages. For some people this represents too great a commitment, especially if they're constantly off travelling perhaps.

However, if you have no concerns regarding the temptation of removing or forgetting to replace your invisible braces and you have no concerns about visiting your dentist every two weeks throughout the teeth alignment process, then perhaps it might be worth finding out more about how clear braces could help you achieve the smile you've always dreamed of.