The majority of modern patients are particularly concerned with their appearance when undergoing an orthodontic treatment. Ever since the introduction of Invisalign aligners in 1998, more and more people are receiving treatments, mainly because of the extreme discretion the treatment provides them with. Who wouldn’t want to wear braces that are hardly visible, anyway? Unfortunately, Invisalign braces don’t cover all patient cases. Some problems require more than plastic aligners to correct. Besides, it would be nice to have an option that allows for complete invisibility. The recent advances in CAD/CAM technology and 3D imaging have provided us with another option, called Lingual (meaning tongue) Braces; a very crucial milestone in orthodontics.

What do they Look Like?

Lingual braces or Invisible Braces are braces attached to the inside of the mouth – the teeth that face the tongue. This means that they are invisible from the outside, and even if someone is too close to you, they would still know you are wearing braces.

Advantages of Lingual Braces

Besides being practically undetectable, lingual braces are extremely efficient in treating complex cases compared to clear aligners. These cases could include altering the height of the teeth, correcting rotations, and closing the space(s) after an extraction. In addition, when wearing braces, discoloration (white spots) occurs, sometimes. With lingual braces, you will not have to worry about someone noticing those white spots on your teeth, as they will be on the inside.

Why are Lingual Braces more Expensive?

Lingual Braces require lighter and smaller, robotically created wires, and precision brackets, given that the distances between the teeth on the inside are shorter than on the outside. Since braces and wires are custom-made, requiring specialised technology and 3D imaging to make them, plus the fact that treatments tend to be more timely and involved, lingual braces make a more expensive treatment. Also, compared to conventional braces, lingual braces may require more chair-time. It makes sense though as working on the inside and upside-down is more difficult for an orthodontist than working on the outside.

That aside, it takes specialised skills to offer lingual braces. It is NOT something every orthodontist can do. They need to have extra training for this particular dental treatment, and, of course, always keep up with the latest through continuing education courses. This expertise acquired figures into the cost.

But, don’t be intimidated by the sound of lingual braces being more expensive. There are ways to make the cost manageable, either via dental insurance plans that may cover lingual braces or in-office payment plans.

What to Expect at First?

It will take some time to get used to having braces on the inside of your mouth and so close to your tongue. But, an adjustment period is anticipated in every type of treatment, anyway. The wires and brackets will feel a bit rough at first, and you may have slight issues with your speech. Don’t worry. These are only temporal and more or less the same as wearing normal braces. Now, the one thing that is different is that it will be a bit more challenging to keep your teeth clean, but our hygienist will give you a great helping hand.

However, not everyone is fit for lingual braces. If, for example, you have small teeth of significant issues with your bite, such as an overbite, you may not be a suited candidate for them.

As you can understand, there are lots of things that have to be discussed so that you can make a wise and knowledgeable decision. For that reason, feel free to book your first consultation (no charges) here at Straight Teeth Suite in Nottingham, where we can go through all options and offer the best solution for your case.

With fantastic results guaranteed and benefits that outweigh the potential drawbacks, wearing lingual braces will definitely be an investment well worth your money and time, so why wait any longer? Just Contact us now and let the most invisible journey to a wide, straight smile begin!

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