You may have seen metal braces worn by your friend or neighbour and discussed its impact on their confidence and appearance.
Many have even laughed at teenagers wearing metal braces. Now, you are prescribed braces and don’t want to deal with the horrible things your friends had to encounter.
Fortunately, lingual braces offer a discreet alternative. These are attached on the inner-side of your teeth, making them invisible. Let’s delve deep into lingual braces and find out if it is a cool orthodontic option for you or not.
Understanding lingual braces
So, how do these hidden braces actually work? The principle is similar to regular metal braces. There are brackets and wires, which are connected to the back of your teeth. They face the tongue instead to the outer surfaces. They are totally hidden from view!
However, it may be a perk because it is concealed but there is a catch. As their placement is different, they can be a little tricky to install and adjust.
Fortunately, the orthodontist at Tisseront Orthodontics has been serving the patients around Reston VA for more than 20 years.
They are aware about the challenges of lingual braces but make sure the patient is at less discomfort as possible during the orthodontic treatment journey.
Benefits of lingual braces
- Invisible: No one can see them, so you can smile without worrying. It is a major confidence booster for adults concerned about their looks.
- Effective: They can fix all sorts of teeth problems, just like regular braces, from crooked teeth to overbites and underbites.
- Customizable: Your dentist can design them to fit your mouth perfectly. This ensures optimal comfort and efficiency.
- No damage to teeth: They are less likely to damage the enamel on the front teeth as they are on the backside.
- Suitable for all ages: Lingual braces are suitable for teenagers or adults planning to achieve straight smile.
Considerations and challenges
- Comfort & adjustment
Like traditional braces, lingual braces can cause discomfort, soreness and irritation to the tongue and gums for some time.
It will wane away in a few weeks as the mouth adjusts. It can even impact your speech, causing a lisp or slurring for some week.
The presence of braces on the back of the teeth increases the risk of tongue biting. You may even experience an increase in saliva.
- Complexity
Due to complexity of placements and adjustments, lingual braces need longer time treatment.
They also need skilled orthodontic specialist and this can limit the number of available providers in some areas.
The cost is more expensive because of specialized materials, equipment and expertise required.
- Difficulty in oral hygiene & maintenance
Cleaning around lingual braces is more challenging than metal ones. Thorough brushing, flossing and regular dental checkup are important to prevent cavities and gum disease.
There is also a risk of decalcification because cleaning is hard, which can lead to white spots on your teeth.
Lingual braces need frequent adjustment in comparison to achieve optimal results. It means more frequent visits to the orthodontic clinic.
Technology is making lingual braces better and better. Soon, they will be even easier to access and get that awesome look. Understanding lingual braces will help you decide if it is the best option for your smile.
