If you’re unaware of lingual braces, it may be because you’ve never seen anyone wearing them. But just because you have yet to see them in action doesn’t mean you’ve never seen a smile they’ve helped.
Although they may have all the same elements, lingual braces are not as obvious as normal braces. Instead of being attached to the fronts of the teeth, lingual braces are fixed to the backs, hiding them from view completely.
If you’re looking for a discreet yet effective teeth straightening treatment, lingual braces might be a good option.
In this guide, we share ten of the top reasons for choosing lingual braces to straighten your teeth.
How Do Lingual Braces Work?
All teeth straightening treatments work on the same principle. An appliance creates a gentle but constant force against your teeth. This controlled pressure will gradually move your teeth into a more desirable position.
Like other types of fixed braces, lingual braces use brackets and wires. The brackets are attached to your teeth, and the wire is fed through them. Small rubber bands lock the wire into position, and the tension along the wire creates the force needed to straighten your teeth.
Treatment can take from six months to around two years, depending on your specific case. Throughout treatment, we’ll assess your progress and adjust the tension on the brace’s wire.
1. Lingual Braces Are the Most Discreet Teeth Straightening Treatment
Lingual braces are placed on the inside (tongue side) of your teeth, making them virtually invisible from the outside. By hiding the brackets and wires that will straighten your teeth, you can enjoy the effectiveness of a normal fixed brace system with complete discretion.
2. Lingual Braces Are Comfortable
Once you’ve got used to having braces behind your teeth, you’ll barely notice they are there. In fact, lingual braces are more comfortable than other fixed braces.
When brackets and wires are fixed to the fronts of your teeth, they can rub against your lips and the inside of your cheeks. Placing the appliance behind your smile reduces the irritation associated with fixed braces.
3. Lingual Braces Are Customisable
Lingual braces can be customised to address many orthodontic issues, including crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, and crossbites.
Due to the design of the braces and the control we have over your treatment, we’re also able to correct mild to severe alignment problems.
4. Lingual Braces Can Mean a Shorter Treatment Time
In some cases, lingual braces can provide faster treatment times than traditional braces, as the force they apply can be more precise.
Throughout your treatment, we’ll periodically adjust the tension on the wire. These changes help progress your treatment by moving your teeth slightly further toward the perfect position.
5. You’ll Enjoy Improved Self-Confidence
Because your lingual braces remain hidden for the duration of your treatment, you won’t feel self-conscious about wearing a visible appliance.
This is perfect if you’re a teenager or an adult, as you’ll never need to worry about people noticing your braces. Many adults working in customer-facing roles choose lingual braces for this very reason.
You will also have an unrestricted view of the changes during your treatment. Often, progress can be seen within a few weeks of wearing a brace. Some people like to take selfies along the way to chart the journey their new smile has taken.
Once your treatment is complete, you’ll see a massive difference in your smile compared to when you started wearing braces. This can give you the confidence to smile more and help you feel more relaxed about your appearance.
6. There Are Fewer Dietary Restrictions
Fixed braces can get it the way at mealtimes. However, since lingual braces are placed on the inside of the teeth, there are generally fewer dietary restrictions than traditional braces.
You will need to pay close attention when cleaning your teeth to ensure that no food debris gets trapped
7. Lingual Braces Are Suitable for All Ages
Lingual braces are suitable for both children and adults, as they can be customised to address a wide range of orthodontic issues at any age. There’s no upper age to lingual brace treatment.
We can use this system to straighten your smile as long as your teeth, gums, and jaws are otherwise healthy. We’ll fully assess your oral health before fitting a brace to ensure this option is right for you.
8. You Don’t Have to Remember to Wear Lingual Braces
Although clear aligner treatments like Invisalign are convenient and comfortable, some people forget to put the aligner back in after removing it to eat. One of the benefits of a fixed brace system is that you don’t have to remember.
Your brace is always attached, so there’s no chance you’ll go without wearing it. This means your braces will constantly be working hard to straighten your teeth.
9. Lingual Braces Improve Your Oral Health
Crowded, gappy, crooked teeth and misaligned bites are not only cosmetic concerns. Issues with tooth positioning can make brushing more challenging, increasing the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and infection.
Also, misaligned smiles are often prone to uneven wear, meaning your teeth could become damaged easily. Bite alignment problems like overbites, underbites, and crossbites can also cause speech issues, difficulty chewing, and lead to jaw pain and headaches.
By straightening your teeth, you’ll set yourself up for a better oral health future.
10. Lingual Braces Have a High Clinical Success Rate
The results of lingual braces are predictable due to our level of control over the treatment process. In most cases, lingual braces are highly effective, realigning your bite and leaving you with a straighter smile you’ll love.
Lingual Braces in London
Lingual braces are a discreet and effective way to straighten teeth. Because they are attached to the backs of your teeth, you’ll have an obstruction-free smile throughout your treatment.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation. During the consultation, you can learn more about the benefits of lingual braces, what to expect from your treatment, and whether they’re the right option for you.