What is innovation? It’s a term one encounters a lot in business, and whether it’s being used as high praise or as a something to strive for, innovation can be as elusive to define as it can be to achieve. At the very heart of it, innovation is the ability to imagine better ways of doing things and it can be applied to almost any situation. If we take a fairly simple design—braces, for example—we may see how innovation has transformed it and continues to do so.
The use of braces or other tools to straighten teeth dates back thousands of years, and even up until modern times innovation in braces has been oriented towards the function of the braces themselves. It is only recently that the focus has shifted from this—since it has effectively been perfected—to conquering other challenges.
The comfort of the wearer was the next hurdle cleared, which left the question of the aesthetics of braces. This innovation has mostly been geared towards smaller and smaller designs, but culminated in the revolutionary idea of making clear braces.
The invention of clear braces has been the biggest step forward in orthodontic solutions in recent years. Clear braces, or in other words, ceramic braces, are far less noticeable than regular braces, camouflaged as they are blended in with the natural pigment of the tooth enamel. These ceramic braces are a great option for those who need braces but don’t want their braces to be visible.
Another alternative option to braces are called lingual braces. These, like the traditional metal brackets, are made of metal. But instead of being bonded to the outside of the tooth like tradition braces, they are bonded to the back nearest the tongue, hidden from view.
Invisible, clear aligner treatment, or Invisalign, is another important innovation in Orthodontics. Instead of using bonded brackets and wires to move teeth, clear, removable trays are used to move the teeth. Most cases that can be treated with fixed braces can also be treated with Invisalign. This fits with the dominant trend of reducing the visibility of braces, a trend based on the assumption that discretion is what wearers of braces value most.
This is not always the case, however. Among teenagers and especially kids, braces can have appeal as an expression of individuality, hence the range of colorful elastics that young people love to switch around at adjustment appointments. For them, the near invisibility of clear braces is, in fact, less desirable. For braces for adults and some teenagers, though, clear braces remain the clear favorite in order to camoflage that fact that they are even wearing braces.
At Cordoba Orthodontics, we are committed to bringing you the latest innovations in orthodontics. If you are interested in knowing more about how you can take advantage of our newest innovation in orthodontics, then don’t hesitate to contact us. Schedule an appointment with us today to see how braces can help you have the smile you’ve always wanted.