6 min read · By Dr. Kevin Baharvand, Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics
Short answer: InBrace has wound down its operations, and if you were in treatment, the most important thing to know is this: your progress is not lost. Your teeth stay where they’ve moved to, and an orthodontist can take over and finish your case with braces or clear aligners. Don’t panic. Just don’t wait too long to get seen.
On this page
When an orthodontic company closes its doors, the people who feel it first are the patients mid-treatment. InBrace winding down left a lot of them worried they’d wasted their time and money. I want to take that worry off the table, because the situation is far more fixable than it feels in the moment.
What InBrace was
InBrace was a hidden orthodontic system that used a custom wire bonded to the back of the teeth, so it straightened your smile from behind, out of sight. It appealed to adults who wanted an invisible option without removable aligner trays. It was a clever product with a real niche. When the company behind a proprietary system like that stops operating, though, the specialized parts and support that depend on it stop with it.
What the shutdown means for patients
The practical issue is supply and support. A system built on company-specific wires and components relies on that company to keep producing them. With operations wound down, ongoing InBrace-specific care becomes hard to sustain. That doesn’t mean your teeth are in danger. It means the tool you were using to move them is no longer being restocked, so the plan needs to shift to something an orthodontist can fully control today.
What to do right now
A few simple steps, in order. First, don’t remove or tamper with your appliance on your own. Second, gather whatever records you have: scans, treatment plans, receipts, anything your original provider gave you. Third, book an evaluation with an orthodontist sooner rather than later, because teeth can drift if active treatment stalls for too long. That’s the whole checklist. It’s less dramatic than the panic suggests.
The one thing not to do: nothing. The mistake isn’t switching systems, it’s freezing. Teeth left in limbo can shift. Getting evaluated keeps your momentum, even if you need a few weeks to decide on the plan.
Your options to finish treatment
Once an orthodontist sees where your teeth are, finishing is usually straightforward. Most transitions move to a proven system: traditional or clear braces for full control, or Angel Aligners if you want to stay with a clear, removable option. We prefer Angel Aligners over Invisalign for fit and comfort, though both are clear-aligner systems and Invisalign is the name most people know. If you were nearly finished, you may even be close to the retainer stage. The point is that you continue from your current position rather than starting from scratch, which our guide on whether clear aligners are worth it can help you think through.
The bigger lesson
There’s a takeaway here that outlasts any one company. When your treatment is tied to a single product that ships from far away, its business risks become your risks. When your treatment is owned by a local orthodontist using established systems, a company’s troubles don’t reach your mouth. That’s not a knock on innovation. It’s an argument for keeping a real, accountable doctor at the center of your care, which is the same theme in how new trends and technology are reshaping braces. If you need help finding a provider, the American Association of Orthodontists at aaoinfo.org is a good place to start.
Frequently asked questions
Is my treatment ruined now that InBrace has shut down?
No. Your treatment progress lives in your teeth, not in the company. An orthodontist can evaluate where you are and transition you to another system to finish. The closure is an inconvenience, not the end of your results.
What should I do first if I was an InBrace patient?
See an orthodontist promptly for an evaluation. Bring any treatment records, scans, or paperwork you have. Until you are seen, keep your appliance as it is and do not remove anything yourself unless a professional tells you to.
Can I switch to braces or clear aligners in the middle of treatment?
Yes. Transitioning mid-treatment is common and straightforward for an orthodontist. After an exam and new scans, we design a plan that continues from where you are, usually with braces or clear aligners rather than starting over.
Will I lose the progress I already made?
No. The teeth that have already moved stay where they are. A new plan picks up from your current position and finishes the remaining movement, so you are continuing, not restarting.
Can Elate Orthodontics take over an InBrace case?
Yes. We evaluate transitional cases, take new records, and build a plan to finish your treatment with proven braces or Angel Aligners. Come in for a free consultation and we will map it out.
How do I avoid this happening again?
Choose a local orthodontist who owns your care from start to finish and uses established treatment systems. When your treatment is managed by a practice rather than dependent on a single product company, a company’s business troubles do not derail your smile.
Were you an InBrace patient? Let’s pick up where you left off.
Bring your records and we’ll evaluate exactly where your treatment stands and map the smoothest way to finish. Your progress isn’t lost, and the consultation is free.
You may also be interested in these
- Is Invisalign Worth It? A Comprehensive Guide
- Self-Ligating Braces: How They Work
- How TikTok, AI, and Politics Are Reshaping Braces
Why families trust Elate Orthodontics
With over 1,000 five-star reviews across three locations, Elate Orthodontics is led by Dr. Kevin Baharvand, DMD, MS, a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, whose clinical work was recently selected for the cover of the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, the most prestigious peer-reviewed journal in the field, and a national speaker on clear aligner treatment. Alongside Dr. Julia Kang, DMD, MS, both Boston University graduates and members of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon national honor society, our husband-and-wife team has been recognized as D Magazine Best Dentist 2026, Living Magazine Readers’ Choice 2026 Best Orthodontist in Frisco & Plano, Readers’ Choice Best Orthodontist in The Colony, Best New Business by the Chamber of Commerce, Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite, and featured in Orthotown and Authority Magazine.
We serve families through three convenient offices in West Frisco, North Frisco, and The Colony, each staffed by the same trusted team, equipped with advanced technology, and committed to the personalized approach that consistently helps patients finish treatment sooner than expected. From braces and clear braces to Angel Aligners, we offer treatment for every age and every stage of life. We stay in-network with most insurance plans and offer flexible financing to make exceptional orthodontic care accessible for every family we serve.
Need general and family dentistry too? Our sister practice, Tribute Family Dentistry, provides dental care for all ages.
Book a free consultation: 972.538.4343
About the author
Dr. Kevin Baharvand, DMD, MS, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and a national speaker on clear aligner treatment. He practices at Elate Orthodontics’ offices in West Frisco, North Frisco, and The Colony, Texas.
