La Habra/Chino Hills, CA – As discussed in a previous blog, the lingual brace company InBrace recently shuttered their operations, leaving patients and orthodontists in the cold. A recent announcement of a rebranding for the company from InBrace to InSmile should not be cause for celebration, however.
“For me to offer a treatment to my patients, I must have full faith in the treatment and any company that produces its products,” says Dr. Gire. “Unfortunately, the situation that we saw with InBrace has not only left a bad taste in my mouth, but it also makes me incredibly cautious to trust anything the people who ran the company may start up now.”
What was InBrace?
InBrace was a leading company that offered lingual braces, traditional metal braces that fit along the tongue side of the teeth. This made them the most discreet treatment option available because they were completely invisible to others. Their patented Smartwire was made with shape memory nitinol, allowing it to be completely customized to every individual patient’s smile. The Smartwire worked on “autopilot,” meaning there was no need for regular monthly tightenings, another benefit patients loved.
InBrace required a heavy investment from orthodontists who used the system. They had to spend countless hours learning the InBrace system and purchase all the equipment necessary to provide the treatment to their patients. And then, with no warning, the company shuttered in April 2025.
The Impact of the InBrace Closure on Ongoing Treatments
That left providers and patients in the middle of their treatment plans, unsure of how to proceed. Patients paid a premium price for InBrace braces, which on average cost between $6,000 and $8,000. This was significantly more expensive than either traditional braces or clear aligners, but patients loved that InBrace offered a completely discreet treatment option and fewer check-ins at the orthodontist’s office.
When InBrace closed, it left patients wondering how they should proceed with treatment. Would another lingual system work, or should they consider switching to traditional braces or aligners? Meanwhile, orthodontists who were using the system had no way to help their patients continue on in their treatment. InBrace’s Smartwire system is proprietary and when the company closed, there was no way for orthodontist’s to finish existing treatments without access to the product.
But even before InBrace closed, there were signs of trouble. While some orthodontists loved the system, others found it difficult. The very nature of lingual braces is significantly more difficult and time-consuming than placing traditional metal braces. But additionally, those who did adopt the system often found inconsistent results compared to more established systems. And for many, the premium cost of InBrace just didn’t match up to its results for patients.
And now, InBrace Technologies is rebranding to be called InSmile, offering the same technology for patients.
“As not only a provider but also a former orthodontic patient myself, I loved the idea of InBrace and offered it as a treatment option,” says Dr. Gire. “A completely discrete and reliable way to get the perfect smile is something every orthodontist wants to provide their patients. But, I have an ethical duty to my patients to ensure that I can continue to provide them with the best care possible, no matter what treatment option they choose. And as of now, I can’t confidently say I can recommend any product that the former InBrace may offer.”
Luckily for Dr. Gire’s patients, he does offer other discreet options, including Spark Aligners. Spark Aligners are the most transparent aligners on the market today, allowing patients to continue to smile big and enjoy life even while in orthodontic treatment.
If you are an InBrace patient stuck in the middle of treatment or are looking for a discreet way to improve your smile, call Dr. Gire today for a consultation, 562-690-1100 (La Habra) or 909-393-9911 (Chino Hills).