Of course you’ve heard of traditional braces, and maybe even Invisalign, but have you heard of lingual braces?
Lingual braces provide a great alternative to both braces and Invisalign for adults who want to correct their smile but don’t like the look of metal braces. Lingual braces allow you to straighten your teeth—but from the inside of your teeth! The word “lingual” actually means “tongue”, therefore indicating the position of the braces that are actually behind the teeth and closer to your tongue. What should you know about lingual braces?
They’re Custom-Made for Your Smile
Since lingual braces aren’t traditional braces, they need to be custom-made for your smile. Your orthodontist will evaluate if you’re a candidate for lingual braces—if the crowns of your teeth are too short, you may not qualify for this treatment. Your orthodontist will need to take impressions of your teeth in order to create the lingual braces for your smile.
These impressions are then sent out to a lab to construct the wires and brackets for your teeth. These wires and brackets will need to be smaller than traditional braces since there is less space on the insides of your teeth. To create the braces usually takes a few weeks. Once you get your impressions back, your orthodontist will install the braces and you’ll be on your way to a gorgeous, straight smile!
They Work Just Like Traditional Braces
Lingual braces are very similar to traditional braces that go on the outside of your teeth—they apply pressure to each of your teeth to slowly work them into their proper positions. Lingual braces work in this same way, they’re just on the inside of your teeth and aren’t able to be seen!
Since lingual braces are similar to regular braces, they provide a wider variety of treatments than cosmetic options for teeth straightening, such as Invisalign. They work to correct all types of problems with your teeth, not just simple teeth straightening or bite correction. While the Invisalign treatment has limitations on what it can correct, lingual braces can fix all types of issues just like regular braces!
Great Care Is Essential
Taking care of your teeth is important whether or not you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment; however, taking excellent care of your teeth is even more important when you have braces. This is because braces can pose unique challenges for flossing and brushing, and this is even more so with lingual braces, since they’re on the inside of your teeth.
It’ll take a few days to get used to your lingual braces, so talk with your orthodontist about what you should expect. During this time, you’ll learn how to properly care for your lingual braces. It’s important to brush and floss as normal, although you’ll need to use a floss threader or a water flosser to get underneath the wire brackets of your lingual braces.
Lingual braces may be an excellent choice for you if you need orthodontic treatment but don’t want traditional braces and the problems that need to be fixed are too complex for Invisalign. Not every orthodontist offers lingual braces, so find one in your area and make an appointment to discover if you’re a candidate for this amazing alternative to regular braces!
