Invisible braces maker Invisalign gets warning letter from FDA

Invisible braces sound perfect, especially if you’re an adult trying to look and act your age. But the FDA says Invisalign, which makes one type of invisible braces, failed to report information on side-effects in patients.

Here’s the Associated Press story detailing some patients’ complaints about allergic reactions to the devices and the FDA advisory letter. And, of course, the response from Invisalign maker Align Technology Inc. in San Jose.

None of this is to say that crooked teeth should stay crooked. They’re not going to fix themselves, after all. And there’s that whole self-esteem thing, as the Academy of General Dentistry says here.

The nation’s orthodontists can offer you a lot of information on braces. A whole lot. Perhaps no surprise: They’re all for them.

Here’s some myth-busting facts about braces from the American Assn. of Orthodontists, including this gem: “Myth: Signals from braces link to the Internet to download songs onto an iPod. Fact: This is not possible right now.” We can’t wait.