Brius braces are a type of orthodontic treatment and a variety of lingual braces. The brackets are placed on the backs of your teeth, instead of on the front.
Another unique aspect of Brius treatment is that your teeth all move individually and simultaneously, allowing treatment time to be reduced by 50%.
In this article, we’ll talk all about Brius braces including:
- Price of Brius braces
- Brius treatment process
- Pros and cons of Brius
We hope this information helps you decide if this is the right orthodontics treatment for you.
In This Article
What are Brius braces?
Brius braces provide a way to straighten your teeth quickly, and invisibly. That’s because this braces system consists of small brackets that are placed on the backside of each of your teeth. That means that when you smile, eat, or talk, no one will actually be able to see the brackets.
Brius promises to greatly decrease treatment time, and since the brackets aren’t connected by wires, it’s easier to maintain good oral hygiene during your orthodontic treatment. Now let’s dive into the details.
How does Brius work?
Brius braces consist of individual brackets that are placed behind your teeth. With regular braces, the brackets are connected to each other with wires, but with Brius, each bracket functions independently. This means that each of your teeth moves at the same time and independently of its peers.
The result is a more efficient process, meaning a shorter treatment time.
Brius braces look a bit different than normal braces and even differ from typical lingual braces, although these are technically a type of lingual orthodontic appliance.
They consist of two primary parts — a base bar or strip that goes along the palate, and flexible arms which begin at the bar and end in the brackets. The brackets connect the tooth to the bar which stabilizes the braces. The thickness of each arm is customized to the patient to optimize movement and force for a truly tailored process.
Treatment process
To begin the process of treatment with Brius braces, you must have a consultation with an orthodontist that offers this type of appliance. Your orthodontist will be able to determine if you are a good candidate for this treatment option.
If it turns out you are, they will take 3D scans of your teeth to make digital impressions. These will be used to create custom brackets and arms.
With Brius, there are no adjustments, so you don’t have to worry about painful appointments every few weeks. You will need to visit your orthodontist periodically so they can monitor your progress and make sure that everything is going according to plan.
Treatment time
Aside from being invisible, Brius’s big sell is that they offer a shorter treatment time than Invisalign and traditional braces. In fact, they claim they can cut treatment time by 50%, thanks to their technology that moves each of your teeth at the same time.
How much do Brius braces cost?
Brius braces could cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 — give or take a couple hundred on either end. Why is the Brius price range so wide and so frustratingly vague?
Well, as with most braces, treatment costs will vary from case to case. The exception is at-home clear aligners, which often have fixed prices. The only person who can tell you how much your treatment will cost is the orthodontist who treats you.
Pros and cons of Brius
Like any other treatment, Brius has its advantages and disadvantages, so let’s summarize the main pros and cons now.
Pros
- Treatment time: Brius claims treatment is shortened by 50%.
- Practically invisible: Because the brackets are attached to the backs of your teeth, people won’t be able to see them.
- Convenient: They aren’t removable, so you won’t have to remember to put them in and take them out.
- Comfortable: According to Brius, less force is applied to teeth, and there is less pain.
- Easy to clean: The brackets aren’t connected by wires, so they are easier to clean around.
- Fewer checkups: No adjustments mean fewer office visits.
Cons
- Diet restrictions: With Brius, you will have the same dietary restrictions as with normal braces — that means avoiding particularly sticky, chewy and hard foods, like caramels, gum, and whole apples.
- Difficulty speaking: The placement of Brius, on the tongue side of your teeth, means that when you first get them put on you may very well have a bit of a lisp. However, as you get accustomed to wearing your braces, this should go away.
- Expensive: We aren’t sure exactly how much these braces cost, but a couple thousand dollars at least is a good bet.
Brius vs other brands
Let’s take a quick look at how Brius measures up to other types of braces.
Brius vs traditional braces
The main difference between Brius and traditional braces is that traditional braces have brackets on the front of your teeth, and with Brius, they are on the backs of your teeth. Additionally, with traditional braces, each bracket is connected to each other with a wire and so tooth movement is dependent on the movement of other teeth as well.
With Brius, each tooth is connected to a small arm that is connected to the base of the Brius appliance, instead of connected to each other. This means that your teeth all move independently, and simultaneously, for faster treatment.
Brius vs lingual braces
Brius is actually a type of lingual braces. Really that just means that the brackets are attached to the backs (lingual side) of the teeth instead of to the front of the teeth. Most lingual braces, however, have a wire that attaches to the brackets, just like with regular braces. But with Brius, each bracket is separate and moves independently.
You can read more about lingual braces in our full guide here.
Brius vs Invisalign
Invisalign is a type of invisible aligner that can be removed for eating, and during special events. Treatment typically takes anywhere from 12 to 18 months, and they cost anywhere from $3,000 to $8,500.
The similarity between Brius and Invisalign is that they are both hard to see. Otherwise, they are quite different systems, as Brius is a fixed appliance. Find out more about Invisalign and other removable aligners here.
Check out the table below for a summary of the above comparisons:
Brius | Traditional | Invisalign | |
Cost | ? | $2,500 - $7,500 | $3,500 - $8,500 |
Treatment time | 50% less than what your treatment would take with other braces | 18 - 24 months | 12 - 18 months |
Treatable cases | Most cases, but not the most extreme | All cases | Most cases, but not the most extreme |
Technology | Lingual; individual brackets connected to individual arms | Metal brackets attached to fronts of teeth, connected by wires | Removable plastic aligners |
Who can have Brius?
Brius may be an option for people who want a less noticeable way to straighten their teeth. This method can treat most orthodontic problems, including cases ranging from mild to severe.
However, not everyone can be treated with Brius. This may be the case especially for people who have severe alignment issues, including extreme overbite or underbite. Your orthodontist will be able to tell you if you are a good candidate for this type of treatment.
Brius reviews
Our first review comes from a dentist who takes us through some Brius before and after photos and gives her straightforward opinion of Brius. She comes to the conclusion that Brius seems like an uncomfortable experience for patients, and she’s not convinced that it’s actually very effective, especially for the price.
She says that she wouldn’t use it in her practice, but that in theory, it is a system that could work. You can watch the rest of her review below.
The next Brius review comes from Alvin who just got his Brius braces off and is now wearing his Brius aligners. His treatment was completed in 3 months. He shows us his smile after getting his braces off, and while the top row of his teeth looks pretty straight, the bottom row still looks a bit crooked.
It’s not clear if that’s going to be assessed or if his teeth will remain that way.
Conclusion
Brius braces are a type of lingual braces, meaning that the brackets are placed on the backs of teeth instead of on the front.
Contrary to how traditional braces work, with each bracket connected by a wire, Brius brackets aren’t connected. Thus, teeth move individually, in theory, allowing for faster treatment. In fact, Brius claims that treatment time can be cut by 50%.
This type of treatment may not be for everyone, so talk to your orthodontist to find out if you’re a good candidate.
FAQs
Are Brius braces good?
Brius braces are relatively new, and as such, there isn’t much evidence yet. There is a study ongoing, funded by the State University of New York at Buffalo, but results haven’t yet come in. This study will compare the effectiveness of Brius braces compared to traditional metal braces.
Do Brius braces hurt?
In theory, Brius braces are supposed to hurt less and be more comfortable than traditional metal braces. That being said, any treatment that moves your teeth around is bound to be a bit uncomfortable.
Clinicaltrials.gov: Brius Vs FFA Efficiency. Consulted 8th January 2022.