What are lingual Braces?
Simply they are braces that straighten your teeth, but they’re attached behind your teeth so no one knows you’re wearing them.
Why choose them?
Because they are perfect for people who want to have straight teeth without anyone knowing.
Who typically wears a hidden brace?
People from teenagers to adults wear them, because they do not want people to know they’re getting their teeth straightened. They work with crowns and other dental work, and treat all types of misaligned teeth, including those needing extractions and/or surgery.
Some people choose hidden braces due to their career (models, actors, executives, etc.). Other people had braces as a kids, and their teeth moved, so they want to straighten their teeth without anyone knowing it’s happening.
Are they really invisible?
When you smile, speak and eat, no one should notice them. However, if you yawn really wide and someone’s staring into your mouth for some reason, he/she may see them from the side, or if looking down or up at the inside of your mouth. Other than that, the braces remain hidden.
How long do people have to wear them?
Every patient is unique so treatment times vary regardless of what system is used. In general, the treatment time for lingual invisible braces is similar to having braces on the outside of your teeth.
How are lingual braces different from braces on the outside of your teeth?
1) Invisible – They’re on the back of my teeth, so invisible.
2) Custom-made – Unlike the mass produced brackets that go on the front of your teeth, each bracket and wire is custom-made for each patient’s teeth, so they fit better and are more comfortable.
Are they comfortable?
In my experience, they are more comfortable than traditional braces on the outside of your teeth. I estimate it takes 2-4 weeks to get used to wearing them. For your speech to adjust and to get used to cleaning and caring for them.
Do you have to have braces on all of your teeth?
There are various options available to patients who require minor adjustments. Some patients only need six brackets on the top and bottom, some need eight on each arch, and others need brackets on all of their teeth.
Is it difficult to clean your teeth whilst wearing them?
You have to make sure you floss between each tooth, using something like ‘Superfloss’, I also recommend that you use a tepee brush around the brackets to clean them properly. Yes it takes time but the results will be worth it. Not cleaning your teeth and brace properly can result in damage to your teeth, regardless of the type of brace that you are wearing.
Do they affect the way you talk?
You will have to adjust the way you speak when you wear a lingual brace. Your tongue will no longer touch your teeth like it used to. Try talking slower and practice The Rainbow Passage.
What’s it like to eat with them?
You’ll want to eat anything you can swallow without chewing. Think spoon-friendly foods like shepherd’s pie, chilli, curry, pudding, apple sauce, etc.
Choose your foods carefully as you don’t want to break a bracket off (no gum, no nuts, nothing hard), be prepared to chew slower, and suck food out of your brackets. It isn’t that bad, it is just something to get used to (plus no one sees the food stuck in there).
Do your teeth hurt when you get a lingual brace fitted?
When your braces first go on, they don’t hurt. It’s the next day and the day after when your teeth are quite tender. Some patients report their tongues hurting as it catches on the brace. We can provide a special gel to prevent this.
How long does it take for the custom-made braces to come in?
Assuming that there are no complications, the turnaround time is typically six to eight weeks from submission until your brace arrives back to us.
What is it like getting impressions done of your teeth?
Since the impressions need to be as accurate as possible for the custom-made brackets, expect them to take some time. We take comprehensive moulds and records of all our patients.
When is the best time to get fitted?
Assuming you are a candidate for orthodontic treatment, it is really up to you to determine when to get braces. Considering that you will need time to adjust to your braces, I would suggest avoiding any important speaking engagements for a couple of weeks. We normally fit the braces over a 2 week period, with 2 1 hour appointments.
How are you going to prevent your teeth from moving again?
It’s vital that you wear your retainer as directed by Dr Perry if you want your teeth to remain straight. We will fit you with bonded retainers and provide you with removable retainers to wear at night. Wear them!
How much does it cost to get braces?
Each person’s teeth are different, so we will need to assess your particular case to see how much it will cost to straighten your teeth. The price varies depending on many factors, including the appliance you choose to correct your bite and straighten your teeth.
If you choose lingual braces, they cost more than traditional braces because each bracket and all of the wires are custom-made. There is a lot of time and technology that goes into making the case to give you exceptional results.
In general, expect to pay the lab fee to get your brackets made, and slightly more a month than traditional braces.
To book an appointment with Dr Perry please email info@castleknockorthodontics.ie
Or visit us at Dental house
Opening April 2016
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