Lingual Braces are a Type of Invisible Braces – Are They For You?
Lingual braces are growing in popularity because they are attached to the back of the teeth rather than traditional braces which can be seen on the front of the teeth.
The lingual braces are unlike most braces because they are cemented onto the backside of the teeth and are much more difficult to administer.
Lingual braces are often more expensive than other braces because of their invisible element and difficulty to administer.
Teeth are pushed into a more suitable position over a period of 1 – 3 years and work in a very similar way to traditional braces.
Orthodontic problems that can be corrected include bad bites, gaps and overcrowded teeth. The continuous pressure on the existing teeth over a specific period of time move the teeth back into a corrective position.
Just like train track, regular braces, lingual braces can be used on both the upper and lower portions of the mouth. As the benefit of lingual braces is purely aesthetic and the lower part of the mouth is significantly more exposed than the upper aspect, often patients who need both upper and lower orthodontics decide to have lingual only on the lower. This is because lingual braces are more expensive due to their specialist nature.
Firstly an impression of the teeth is taken by the orthodontist who will do so using a plastic, tasteless mould. Then the brackets are made from the mould and will be applied on your second visit. When you return to the orthodontists, the cement is applied to the back of the teeth and the brackets added. An arch wire is then fed through connecting all of the brackets together.
Don’t be too concerned if it feels awkward to swallow or talk. It usually takes a few days to become accustomed to the lingual braces.
Typically results will be the same as traditional braces and also take the same time. Depending on the problems being treated, results will be seen between 12 and 36 months.
It is very important to ensure you follow through with a thorough dental routine to remove the food stuck between brackets to avoid plague formation and damage.