Braces are common teeth straightening options for those with misaligned or crooked teeth. There are different types of braces and one of them has been gaining popularity of late – invisible lingual braces.
What are Lingual Braces?
They are similar to traditional braces but are placed on the back of the teeth rather than the front. Due to this, they are almost entirely invisible and discreet. Due to their ‘invisibility’, these are getting more popular amongst children and adults alike.
Fitting Lingual Braces
The brackets of lingual braces are customized to fit an individual’s mouth perfectly. Impressions are used to determine the fit of the braces.
Since the backs of the teeth are harder to reach, the orthodontist doesn’t have much room to work. This makes the fitting process slightly complicated.
Are You a Good Candidate for Lingual Braces?
- Bite Problem
- You Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Routine
- You Don’t Mind Speech Difficulties Initially
- You Can Follow Proper Diet
- The Price is Right
Lingual braces can be used to fix most bite problems, but they are not recommended for a deep overbite. Lingual braces for overbite can be a problem because the overbite puts too much pressure on the brackets. This can cause them to get loose or fall off easily. The orthodontist will make an evaluation and determine whether lingual braces will be a good fit for you or not based on your bite.
Since the braces are present on the back of your teeth, it can get tricky to brush and floss. It can get hard to clean the food particles and plaque stuck between the teeth and braces. Request the orthodontist to demonstrate the best way to clean your teeth while wearing lingual braces.
Just like any other braces or orthodontic treatment, there will be an adjustment period. Since lingual braces come between the tongue and the teeth, there will be some speech difficulties initially. The tongue gets restricted to produce sounds against the back of your teeth. However, it gets better as time passes and you will get adjusted to them without facing any speech difficulties.
Lingual braces are like traditional braces in one aspect – there will be dietary restrictions. For instance, you cannot eat sticky and hard foods as they can get stuck between the braces or break them. If you are not willing to make dietary changes, lingual braces may not be the right choice for you.
Consider lingual braces cost before opting for them. In some cases, they might be more expensive than other options, and in other cases, the cost may be less. Take a call based on how much it is costing you.
Final Words
Lingual braces must be fitted by someone who has the right expertise. Not every orthodontist has the experience of the same. Therefore, you need to be sure that the orthodontist who is recommending the treatment has the experience as well as the expertise of fitting lingual braces.
Dr. Brian Thurman has spent his entire life enjoying all the beauty that California has to offer. A Fresno native, he still escapes to the ocean or the mountains whenever his busy schedule allows. Driven by his love for natural beauty, Dr. Thurman enjoys creating beautiful smiles and healthy bites that last a lifetime. He is proud to be the only Ivy League trained Orthodontist in the Fresno/Clovis area.