Inbrace Closure
Today, we will discuss the Inbrace closure and its impact on both orthodontists and patients, as well as the options available to address this issue.
The Inbrace closure presents a challenging situation for orthodontists, as Inbraces have a unique bracket design that means none of our traditional straight wires will fit the bracket. Therefore, we must use the bracket and wire systems to deliver the force and move the teeth.
On April 22nd 2025, we received a letter stating that, due to financial problems, Inbrace would be ceasing its operations. Here is an excerpt from the letter:
"It is with deep appreciation and sincere gratitude that we share the news that Inbrace will be seizing its operations. This decision was not made lightly and follows a thorough review of all strategic options available to us. The final product shipment date will be Monday, April 21st, 2025. This decision comes after an exhaustive effort to secure additional funding and evaluate all strategic alternatives.
Unfortunately, a combination of microeconomic factors, tightening capital markets, and slower-than-expected adoption has made it increasingly difficult to sustain the business, despite the promise of our technology and the dedication of our team and provider community. We are incredibly proud of the innovation we brought to the orthodontic space, offering patients a truly differentiated experience. We remain grateful to each of you who believe in our vision and help deliver that experience to your patients. Inbrace was more than a product; it was a shared commitment to innovation and patient-centered care.
While we are deeply disappointed by this outcome, we remain proud of what we built and accomplished together. Thank you for being part of Inbrace's journey. It has been an honor to partner with you."
Now we are left with this system. I have included a video at the top that outlines our options and how we might continue the treatment for our patients. I know it was expensive for us as orthodontists. We took the class, signed up for the program, and spent thousands of dollars on equipment and tools. We made changes in our office to accommodate the new Inbrace system, and now, suddenly, it has shut down.
Inbrace Bracket Inventory Management
One good thing is that the inbrace has only four bracket types:
- Upper anterior
- Lower anterior
- Large posterior
- Small posterior
When we signed up for the program, they sent us 10 brackets for each type in the starter kit. These are very valuable, and we need to save them. If one of our patients comes in with a broken or lost bracket, we can replace it from the start-up kits
## Working with Existing Wires
One lifesaver and good news from Inbrace is that they sent us the patient kit with a complete wire system to straighten the teeth. If the system delivers its promised movement, your patient's teeth should be almost straight toward the end of the treatment.
Another good news is that they always send two sets of the first wire. The negative side is that these first wires tend to break.
Can we solder them? No, we cannot solder them. I tried to weld them with an arc welder, but it did not work. With the laser welder? Yes, but the joint was weak and tended to break.
One of the options is to use a crimpable stop to put these two parts together and then put some flowable composite over them. It worked, and the junction is a bit bulky, but it's an option if the patient wants to continue the treatment and needs to be cautious about their diet.
## Alternative Treatment Options
Another option is to switch the patient to Invisalign, as it offers a bracket buyback program. This will save you, as an orthodontist, some fees on the lab from Invisalign. However, since the patient has paid for Inbrace, it would be fair for them to continue with the current wires as much as possible. You can either switch them to Invisalign for the final movement or use short-term braces for a few months to finalize the case.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please e-mail Dr. Kanaan at [email protected] or call our office at 281-249-9999