When it comes to braces, most people are familiar with either the traditional metal ones or the removable Invisalign. However, there is another type and it is called Lingual Braces. This not-so-common option can be described as both practical and cosmetically appealing unlike the traditional bulky type. In terms of functionality, they do the same thing as the conventional ones. The only noticeable difference is, it’s not entirely visible — unless one looks at it closely. Interestingly, they have their brackets installed at the back of the teeth rather than on the front like those traditional ones. So they are discreet, plus a lot of users would comment about how comfortable they are as well.

If you’d like to know more about this treatment, read down below.

What Are Lingual Braces?

They are used to correct various orthodontic problems such as crooked teeth, overbite and underbite. Overall, we already know how traditional types work, however, what we don’t like is how it looks on our teeth. This is where this type come in. As previously mentioned, these ones are practically invisible. In fact, many teenagers and adults prefer them  instead of getting the conventional ones. Moreover, for those who are playing sports or any type of wind musical instruments, they are perfect because they won’t obstruct your movement.

Remember, they are set up at the back of the teeth which is an absolutely amazing feature.

How Are Lingual Braces Installed?

The brackets used are uniquely designed for every patient. The first step is to make impressions of the patient’s teeth. Next step is to install the brackets on the teeth and align them correctly, so your specialist can make the right adjustments. Then the wires are set up. Not to mention but these wires are also custom-made to cater to the specific needs of the patient.

Sounds good? Well, there is just one problem. Unlike the traditional type, installing lingual braces involves a rather complicated process. In fact, not every orthodontist knows how to perform this kind of treatment. As mentioned before, both the brackets and the wires are installed at the back of the teeth. This means they’re harder to set up. In addition, there is less room to work on so unless the specialist is an expert, it can be quite complicated to do. Moreover, they require using a customized tray in order to position the brackets in place, unlike the traditional kind that uses the standard brackets. Furthermore, they are more expensive than the usual types. Want to know more about this treatment? Schedule an appointment with our expert orthodontist today.

Benefits of Lingual Braces

The most important advantage is its invisibility. Well, technically, it’s not invisible, but it’s more discreet and not easily noticeable. So it’s both effective and aesthetically appealing. Most adults prefer this kind of treatment because it looks better in a professional sense. Simply put, it’s practical and efficient, too.

Additionally, they are the best choice when it comes to treating complicated orthodontic problems like the following:

• Correcting rotations
• Closing the gaps
• Correcting tooth height

A common problem with traditional types is that the brackets and wires make it harder to brush the teeth. Due to this, the teeth become discolored and white spots may occur. On the other hand, with lingual braces, this won’t be a problem because the brackets and wires are located at the back part of the teeth. So brushing, flossing and rinsing won’t be a problem. Lastly, it’s more comfortable to use since it’s designed custom-fit to every patient’s mouth.

Disadvantage of Lingual Braces

Just like any other kind of dental treatment, they also have their own disadvantages. One of which, is it may create problems for people with an extreme overbite. Now the reason is because having a severe overbite can cause the patient to exert too much pressure at the back of the teeth and this could cause them to detach easily.

Other disadvantages also include:

• Speech difficulty. The patient may experience a slight problem with talking during the first few weeks after the installation.
• Uncomfortable feeling. Because the brackets are set up at the back of the teeth, the patient may feel a little different at first. Nothing to worry about because once you’ve fully adjusted to them, you’ll feel normal.

Tendency to develop sores. This is common with all kinds of braces. However, for the lingual type, the soreness can be felt on the tongue, most especially when you eat or talk. Nevertheless, the sores, pain and discomfort will be reduced after a short whil