Are lingual braces right for you?

I’m still surprised to hear from my patients that their own general dentists did not know about lingual braces, what could be achieved and who would benefit. My Masters in Lingual Orthodontics research project will be looking into this, but I wanted to give a quick recap on who would benefit from them and what you need to watch out for.

The Pros 

The main benefit is an aesthetic one, they are placed behind the teeth. People feel less embarrassed to be in treatment if their clear braces can’t be seen. This particularly true of adult patients. People see a normal mouth when you talk to them even though your linguals are in place and working away on giving you a great smile.

They take the same amount of time to straighten teeth when compared to regular braces. Though they cost more, they are also the least visible. For many people the cost is worth the lack of visibility.

The Cons

The initial problem is that they are more difficult to clean. Because they are behind the teeth, it can be difficult to see all the food debris that could be stuck in the brace, meaning more time must be invested in the daily cleaning to prevent future teeth issues. But with patience they can be cleaned properly.

Adjustments may also take longer and the overall cost  is often more because of the extended work that is involved to install them and then care for them over time. Because they are on the back of the teeth, tongue irritation is a common side effect that people experience, but this passes with time. Some speech issues can also be troublesome for the first couple weeks after they have been installed. Again, this passes in about a month.

Are They Right For You?

If you’re concerned about what your smile will look like during treatment, then lingual braces are for you. Though they can be difficult to clean and maintain, the ability to have straighter teeth without visible braces is often something that helps personally and professionally in terms of confidence.

To book an appointment with Dr Perry please email info@castleknockorthodontics.ie

Or visit us at  Dental house 

Opening April 2016