Lingual Braces is a much preferred orthodontic treatment to straighten crooked, crowded or gapped teeth, especially among adults in Nottingham that want to achieve a wonderful smile and perfectly aligned teeth. However, since it is a relatively new and definitely innovative system to get you to the much-desired straight-teeth result, several questions arise. Here are the 7 most common of them, answered one-by-one for you, so you have a clear idea of what to expect from your Lingual braces treatment.
1. How do Lingual Braces work?
Lingual braces is an orthodontic treatment where small metal brackets (and a specially bent metal wire placed into them) are glued on the back of the teeth and apply forces on your teeth able to make them move to the desired position. It is a procedure that results to a beautiful smile and perfectly straight teeth. Lingual braces are perfect to straighten crowded, overlapped, or gappy teeth.
During this treatment, it may be required to do some tooth slenderising (IPR – enamel removal) to create some space for the teeth to move and align.
2. How do Lingual braces look?
Wearing Lingual braces is discreet, and the brackets used are very small to be seen when smiling, unless you tilt your head back or your chin down. Here, at Straight Teeth Suite, we use the most advanced materials and high-end technology, to ensure excellent results at all times. Currently, we are using Innovation L Lingual braces, which are the latest Lingual treatment in orthodontics. These are made up of a small metal base with a small door which holds the wire in place and is used instead of a module (o-ring), used in conventional braces.
3. How long do I need to wear them?
Treatment times vary and depend on the complexity of each case. At Straight Teeth Suite, we have treated simpler cases within 3-6 months, while moderate cases can take 9-12 months. As for more severe cases, it can take 18-24 months to achieve the desired results.
4. How much do they cost?
Prices start from £3000. However, this is only indicative, as the final cost depends on whether one or both jaws need treating. Furthermore, there are also cases, where a combination of treatments may be more effective. For example, we have treated patients by using Lingual braces on the top teeth and tooth-coloured Six Months braces on the lowers.
Case 1 below was treated using upper Lingual braces as the patient wanted something truly invisible, and it took about 10 months to achieve teeth straightening. As for the bottom teeth, we used Six Month braces as it was easier, quicker and cheaper to straighten the lowers with that system, and treatment was completed in about 6 months. Of course, like in any other orthodontic treatment, the patient was provided with fixed and removable night time retainers at the end.
Case 1
5. Are they painful?
Initially, there is always a degree of discomfort and I always warn my patients that the teeth will ache for the first 2-3 weeks. Please expect some tongue-soreness and possible ulcers due to the braces and wires rubbing. Moreover, you will have a temporary lisp initially that might take you 1-2 months to go away.
Most of my patients complain on those problems but as soon as they see their teeth move so quickly and nicely, they accept the initial discomfort and know it is worth it for the end result.
6. Who is suitable to wear them?
Most patients are suitable; however, we do inform our patients if some movements are easier to achieve with labial braces, meaning braces that go on the front of the teeth. At Straight Teeth Suite, it is our duty to fully inform our patients of all options and understand that some cases are possibly better treated with different systems.
The patient in case 2 shown below had braces as a child and didn’t have retainers for the top teeth so they moved back to their pre-braces position. She then felt she wanted something invisible and opted for lingual braces. Relapse cases are perfect cases to be treated with lingual braces.
Case 2
Case 3 shows a patient who didn’t like her front teeth and wanted to have the most discreet option to straighten her front teeth alone. So she had upper lingual braces and lower 6 Month braces. The lower teeth were straightened in 6 months and the uppers in about 9-10 months.
Case 3
Our opinion? If you want to straighten your front teeth only, lingual braces are a great option!
7. Are there any side effects?
Like all types of orthodontics, there may be some risks and complications. The temporary issues have been described above. Other problems maybe tooth decay or gum problems, but could be easily prevented if only you look after your teeth well and have a good diet.
Extremely Rare Issues:
The nerve of a tooth may die. If it happens, it is usually linked to previous trauma to the tooth (i.e. bike accident or sport injury) which would have already damaged the nerve of the tooth.
The shorting of the root of a tooth, which is also extremely rare. If it happens, it is usually linked to very complex treatments with severe misalignment which require long treatments. There is also a genetic component.
However, both complications mentioned have a significantly low instance to occur while wearing Lingual braces.
What has become obvious is that Lingual braces have fantastic results if only applied by professional orthodontists that know their job well. Due to the particularity of this method, you need a dental expert you can trust, so to ensure the best results.
That being said; it is not a surprise that Straight Teeth Suite is established as a leading practice in orthodontic treatments, based on the superb results achieved and the high-end technology used that makes any process easier and more comfortable than ever before.
Book your FREE consultation now to get your quote and ask us about our flexible treatment plans.
Never before was your gorgeous smile with beautifully aligned teeth closer to becoming reality!
Tags: orthodontic treatment, straight teeth, straight teeth suite solutions