Lingual Braces
Orthodontic appliances can be made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. They may be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the teeth. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to a corrected position. This is a great time to wear braces! Gone are the days when a metal band with a bracket was placed around each tooth. You can choose brackets that are clear or metallic color. You can choose the color of the ties that hold the wire in brackets. Wires are also less noticeable than they used to be and the latest materials move teeth faster with less discomfort to patients.
What Are Lingual Braces?
Like metal and ceramic braces, lingual braces are temporarily fixed to your teeth. Often referred to as hidden or invisible braces, lingual braces use the same appliances and brackets as traditional braces but they’re placed behind your teeth so they’re not visible.
Orthodontists have been treating patients with lingual braces since the 1970s, but the technique didn’t become popular until the 1980s when brackets were cemented to teeth without the metal bands. Care for Lingual braces is about the same as traditional braces but they are the ultimate solution if you want virtually invisible braces.
How Do I Care For Lingual Braces and What Are The Advantages?
If discretion is important to you, lingual braces are the way to go. instead of being fixed to the front-side of your teeth, they’re placed on the back of your teeth; this gives the patient virtually complete obscurity. The advantages of lingual braces are:
- Virtual complete discretion
- Durable and fixed to teeth
- Less prone to stain or discolor teeth
- Moves teeth fast
Caring for lingual braces is much like traditional braces; brush, floss, clean with water, avoid hard candy, avoid sticky food like caramels, avoid popcorn or ice, hard foods like nuts and foods that you bite into like apples. Please contact us with more questions.
