Incognito

Incognito braces are a type of lingual orthodontic treatment, with the brackets fixed behind the teeth to make them virtually invisible to other people.

For dental patients who want to improve their smile and straighten their teeth but feel uncomfortable with the thought of wearing traditional braces, Incognito is one of several options available.

Those who choose Incognito braces will receive a bespoke set of wires and brackets, meaning they are fabricated to the patient’s individual prescription using state-of-the-art technology.

As with other types of lingual braces, Incognito braces are bonded to the back of the teeth to make them as discrete as possible.

Friends, family members and colleagues are therefore unlikely to notice that the patient is wearing braces at all, giving Incognito a considerable cosmetic advantage over other forms of orthodontic treatment.

According to the British Lingual Orthodontic Society, studies have also indicated that damage occurring as a result of poor brushing is likely to be less severe and less visible when braces are fitted behind the teeth rather than attaching to the front surfaces.

On the Incognito website, the testimonials of several patients reveal how satisfied they were with the outcome.

A patient known as RK said he loves the braces because “nobody knows that I am wearing them even though I’ve told all my friends”.

Another person, identified by the initials MW, claimed that “after a few days of initial adaptation, you simply forget that the brace is there”.

He added: “My orthodontist worked miracles, tailor-making my treatment to enable me to smile with confidence.”

3M, the company behind Incognito, claims the treatment is suitable for all age groups, including children and adolescents.

It also states that most users of Incognito braces do not find their speech impeded, although each person will react differently once the brackets and wires are fitted.

Some people who have lingual braces notice a temporary difference in the way they speak, but it tends not to last very long as the tongue will soon adapt to the change.

Of course, there are numerous other treatments available to people who wish to straighten their teeth without unsightly metal wires, such as Invisalign.

Like Incognito, these aligners are cosmetically superior to traditional braces due to their near invisibility. However, they have the additional advantage of being completely removable.

This means patients can eat and drink whatever they want during treatment, as well as brushing and flossing without difficulty.