Insignia is a type of dental brace that is tailored to fit a patient’s specific dental anatomy and facial structure.
Working on the basis that everyone has a unique smile, just like their fingerprints, the innovative treatment aims to offer people a custom-made orthodontic service. This represents a departure from the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to braces traditionally seen in the dental industry. Insignia braces are also different from invisible aligner based systems such as Invisalign.
Often, orthodontists apply standard brackets and wires to crooked teeth and then modify the set-up at scheduled appointments, which involves guesswork and makes it difficult to target problem areas with precision. Insignia aims to circumvent this problem by creating braces that fit perfectly from the outset. Patients who choose Insignia braces will be invited for an initial examination, when their orthodontist will take an impression of their teeth for the treatment’s ‘smile design lab’. State-of-the-art imaging software is then used to create a 3D representation of the patient’s bite, allowing braces and wires to be fabricated to their exact prescription.
The treatment is suitable for both adults and young people, and may particularly appeal to those who are in a hurry to get out of their braces. Advocates of Insignia claim the personalised nature of the product can speed up tooth movement and therefore slash the length of time patients need to wear their braces. The official website for the treatment states that Insignia can reduce a person’s time in braces by up to 25 per cent, as well as leaving patients with a “radiant smile” that truly reflects their individuality. In a testimonial published on the website, one patient said she noticed her teeth straightening overnight after an Insignia brace was fitted.
Another patient said her treatment took seven and a half months in total, explaining that it was “a lot quicker than I expected”. The fact each brace is custom-made to precise specifications also eliminates the need for time-consuming adjustments in all phases of treatment, thereby cutting down the number of appointments patients need to attend. Another popular feature is the fact that people have an opportunity to view the projected end results before their treatment begins. Using Insignia’s unique 3D model of patients’ exact tooth positioning, the correct curvature and optimal width of each person’s smile can be mapped out at the beginning of the process. Experts have predicted the use of 3D imaging will become standard practice for orthodontists around the world once awareness spreads and the cost of the technology comes down.