Lingual Braces

If you feel embarrassed or self-conscious about wearing braces in adulthood due to any reason, lingual braces may be the best option for you. They give you a chance to realign your teeth and enjoy a perfect smile without worrying about getting stuck with bulky and ugly-looking brackets and wires.

Visit Gibbs Orthodontic Associates if you want to learn more about lingual braces and how they work. Experienced and board-certified, Dr. Gibbs offers lingual braces and has extensive experience in this treatment. He understands how stressful it can be to choose the best braces option and makes it easy for you to realize how lingual braces can provide excellent results while being discreet. He discusses the advantages and disadvantages of lingual braces and determines if the hidden braces can help you achieve straight teeth and a confident smile. 

Lingual braces are not new in the world of tooth-aligning orthodontic procedures, but they are the least known or popular type. Despite the fact they are far more effective and discrete than other treatment options, many people have yet to understand how they work and what they can do to realign teeth for a better smile. It is because not all orthodontists offer lingual braces, as this treatment requires specialized training.

What are lingual braces?

Lingual braces are a type of invisible braces. They are placed behind the teeth, facing the tongue and palate, instead of being attached at the front of the teeth like traditional braces. Also known as incognito braces, they are a great cosmetic alternative for those who want to go for orthodontic treatment but at the same time seek to avoid visible metal brackets and wires.

Lingual braces are similar in design to traditional metal and ceramic braces. What sets them apart from conventional braces is that they get bonded to the inner or lingual surfaces of teeth. As a result, they are almost invisible. They are a superior aesthetic solution and far more convenient as compared to regular braces. They remain fixed to your teeth and apply gentle, continuous pressure to shift them into desired positions.

There are numerous benefits of lingual braces. Not only are they less apparent as they are attached to the back of the teeth, but they allow better teeth cleaning and do not break off easily.

How do lingual braces work?

The hidden braces work in the same way as other types of braces. They rely on the interaction between the brackets and wires to apply gentle yet consistent pressure on the teeth to help them shift into the proper position. The treatment can take around 18 to 36 months, depending on the severity of your overcrowding of teeth or bite.

The orthodontist will take an impression of your teeth, which is sent to the dental laboratory, where customized brackets are created. This process takes about six weeks. Once the brackets are ready, the orthodontist will fix the braces on the back of your teeth using a specific procedure and tool. These brackets are much smaller than traditional braces and realign your smile while staying invisible. The process is easy, and it does not take long for the lingual braces to start with the alignment process.

Keep reading to learn more about lingual braces, their pros and cons, and if this particular type of orthodontic treatment will work for you.

Advantages of lingual braces

Lingual braces offer several advantages over the conventional fixed metal brackets or clear aligners. They include:

They remain hidden from the view

The parts that make up the braces, the brackets, wires, and elastics bands are all fixed on the back of the teeth. The braces remain hidden from view unless you open your mouth really wide. They are an ideal solution for professionals, adults, teens, or anyone who wants to keep their orthodontic treatment under wraps.

They do not affect your smile and appearance

The most prominent benefit of lingual braces is that they do not affect your smile and appearance. They are bonded to the inner surface of the teeth, which means they will not be visible while you are speaking or chewing. You can continue your personal and professional routines without worrying about how they affect your smile and appearance.

They require fewer lifestyle changes

Wearing any type of braces requires some lifestyle changes and restrictions on activities. You will be advised to stick to soft foods and instructed on cleaning the braces and even give up certain activities, such as playing a flute or saxophone, but with lingual braces, there are no restrictions. Lingual braces may mean fewer lifestyle changes than traditional braces. As they sit on the back of the teeth and remain hidden, you can enjoy most foods and continue your activities without any problem. You may be able to kiss more easily when wearing lingual braces as there are no brackets on the front of the teeth to cope with.

They are custom designed

Lingual braces are customized using state-of-the-art computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology to fit with your mouth and provide absolute precision. It means each tooth movement is carefully controlled to ensure it delivers desired results.

Lesser chances of misplacing braces

Unlike Invisalign or clear aligners that have to be taken off for cleaning and eating, lingual braces are bonded to the back of your teeth and cannot be removed. There are no chances you will misplace or break them as you will be wearing them all the time. It also ensures the braces work round the clock to align your teeth.

You will realize the benefits of lingual braces as you wear them as they are comfortable, and after some time, you will not even notice them in your mouth. For most patients, it takes anywhere between a few days to one week to fully adjust to the new devices in their mouth. As lingual braces are fully customized, your orthodontist can design them to be smaller and smoother than traditional braces, making the adjustment period easier.

Disadvantages of lingual braces

Even though lingual braces have overcome many of the discrepancies of conventional fixed braces, they have some disadvantages. They include:

Not every orthodontist offers them

Lingual braces require completely different techniques from labial braces. It is the reason all specialists do not deal with these types of braces. Many orthodontic programs do not offer clinical training in lingual appliances and thus, not every orthodontist is prepared to treat problems with lingual braces. It may become tough for you to find a trained or certified orthodontist to apply them.

They cause speech difficulties

Wearing braces may give you a temporary lisp. While speaking, the tongue contacts the back surface of the teeth to formulate specific sounds. The presence of brackets can interfere with normal speech sounds which often creates speech difficulties. These problems in speech gradually decrease over time.

They are more expensive

Lingual braces are usually more expensive than traditional or labial braces due to higher lab fees for customization and the extra time needed for placement and adjustment. The overall cost for these braces depends on various factors, particularly the complexity of the dental issue and the duration of the braces.

Not suitable for every patient

Not every patient is a candidate for lingual braces. At the same time, lingual braces cannot treat all types of orthodontic problems. Only a trained orthodontist can determine if lingual braces can help realign your teeth.

May cause discomfort

When lingual braces are fixed, the brackets are facing the tongue, which often causes significant discomfort in this region of the mouth. Many people need some time to get used to the feeling of their tongues brushing up against the brackets, and it can lead to soreness in the lips and cheeks, especially in the early days of use.

It will take some time to adjust with lingual braces when you are not used to having anything on your teeth, especially on the tongue side. The tongue will adapt quickly to sharing the space with brackets and wires, and the discomfort will go away eventually. Orthodontists recommend using over-the-counter pain-relieving medications, orthodontic wax, and eating cold foods to manage the uneasiness.

Oral hygiene problems

With braces attached to the inner side of the teeth, it often becomes hard to maintain oral hygiene. As the braces remain hidden, it is not easy to see and brush the right way to remove any food particles stuck there. They cannot be removed whenever you eat or brush your teeth, and this increases the risk of dental cavities and gum problems if you are not careful.

Longer treatment time

Due to the way they are placed at the back of the teeth and the adjustments that are made along the way, to successfully move teeth, treatment time is longer with lingual braces. Adjustment appointments are also more time-consuming as the orthodontist may need to focus on one bracket at a time.

Are you a candidate for lingual braces?

Only an orthodontist can determine if you are a good candidate for lingual braces. They can correct the same kinds of alignment issues as conventional braces and help people achieve their treatment goals.

However, it is essential to know that lingual braces may not work for everyone. People with deep overbites may face some problems with brackets popping off more frequently. If you are interested in lingual braces, talk to your orthodontist early in the process, as not all orthodontists are equipped to apply them.

Lingual braces are the perfect tool for straightening teeth and dealing with orthodontic issues if you require braces but don’t want them to be obvious. As they are attached to the back of your teeth, they are not as visible as the metal and ceramic braces but deliver desired results.

Visit Gibbs Orthodontic Associates if you want an expert opinion on lingual braces and learn if they are a good option for you. The experienced and board-certified orthodontist analyzes your teeth and determines how they can use lingual braces to reposition and realign teeth for a perfect smile. Dr. Eric Gibbs, who is among the best ortho specialists in NYC, explains in detail what you need to know about lingual braces and helps you start your journey to perfectly aligned teeth.