When people think about orthodontic treatment, they tend to picture metal braces on the front of their teeth, but they’re not the only game in town any more. In fact new orthodontic tech has created some really cool options that lots of patients didn’t even know existed until now. One of the most interesting ones is the lingual brace, and we’re finding that tons of adults, particularly, really love the idea of straightening their teeth without anyone being the wiser. At Specialty Smiles we’re all about showing patients some of the less obvious options you might not be expecting when you book that appointment. InBrace® offers a hidden, behind-the-teeth alternative that straightens your smile discreetly and efficiently. This advanced technology moves your teeth naturally without the need for visible braces.
Lingual braces work just the same way as regular braces, they use little brackets and wires to slowly coax your teeth into their perfect positions. The main difference is that the brackets are bolted to the back of your teeth instead of the front. So when you talk to someone all day nobody will ever even glimpse them. No one will know you’re wearing braces, unless you tell them, that is. We offer a range of Types of Braces to suit every preference, from traditional metal to advanced clear options. Our orthodontic specialists will help you choose the ideal treatment for your smile goals.
Adults in particular are really interested in the idea of having straight teeth without the hassle of those big, clunky traditional braces. People who give presentations, run meetings or meet with clients all the time are especially interested in this option because they don’t want anything to mess with how people see them at work. Lingual braces are a total game-changer for these kinds of situations. We also see a lot of models, performers and other folks who are really into their looks who are keen to straighten their teeth without giving away the fact they’re wearing braces.
Of course, treating people with lingual braces does take a bit more know-how than just putting on regular braces. Not every orthodontic office offers this option because it requires a different set of skills. The brackets have to be custom-made for each tooth individually, which means those who specialise in lingual braces have got to have a lot of practice and accuracy to get it right. We use the very latest tech to make sure the brackets fit like a glove, which is pretty important for comfort and effectiveness.
It’s worth noting that getting used to lingual braces can take a bit longer than regular braces. Your tongue has to get used to having this bit of hardware back there, and it can take a week or so to get the hang of it. Some people will experience a bit of pain and trouble speaking for the first couple of weeks. We make sure all our patients are prepped for this bit so they know what to expect. But on the upside, your mouth gets used to it pretty quickly, and before long you won’t even notice the braces are there. Speech goes back to normal, and any irritation on the tongue clears up as your tongue gets tougher.
Of course, keeping your lingual braces clean is a wee bit trickier than traditional braces because, well, you can’t see the brackets to brush them. We give our patients a detailed how-to guide on how to keep their teeth and gums spotless, and if needed we might suggest some special tools like floss threaders or interdental brushes to make it easier. If you promise to keep up good oral hygiene, your teeth and gums will be just fine. We keep an eye on how you’re doing and will give you a hand when you need it here at Specialty Smiles.
When people ask us about lingual braces one of the first things they want to know is the cost and how long treatment will take. Generally speaking lingual braces are a bit pricier than regular braces because of the customisation and the specialist knowledge involved. The length of treatment is similar to regular braces, but it might be a bit longer for more complicated cases. We give our families a detailed rundown of costs so they can decide on a treatment plan that fits their budget.
Lingual braces are a good fit for a lot of orthodontic problems, like crowding, spacing and even some types of bite problems. However, they might not be the very best choice for severe bite problems or other specific tooth positions. We need to take a look at each patient individually and talk through all the options that’ll work best for them. Our goal is to give each of our patients the best results possible using the method that makes the most sense for their particular situation.
All in all lingual braces are a good option for adults and teens who want to straighten their teeth discreetly. We love seeing the confidence boost our patients get when they know they can just smile without anyone noticing their braces. If you’ve been putting off getting braces because you didn’t want them to be seen, then lingual braces might be just what you’re looking for.