Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are a modern method of straightening teeth and are very similar to traditional dental braces. The key difference is that lingual braces are situated on the back of your teeth so they're not visible to anyone. No one will know that you're wearing lingual braces unless you choose to tell them. They can treat the same issues as traditional dental braces, and they carry the same risks and complications. The complexity of placing them on the backs of the teeth and the fact that they are largely a cosmetic procedure makes them more costly than regular braces. They also have to be custom made to fit the backs of your teeth.

Candidacy for Lingual Braces

Anyone who can wear traditional braces can most likely be fitted with lingual braces. If your bone structure and gum tissues are strong enough to support regular braces, there shouldn't be any problems for you. Age is not a factor in being fitted with lingual braces. Many adults opt for lingual braces because of their unobtrusive nature. Lingual braces can be used to treat various malocclusions, including underbites, and teeth that are either too crowded or spaced too far apart. One thing that lingual braces cannot be used to treat is a severe overbite. They also can't be used on teeth that are very small; there's not enough space for the brackets in this case.

Benefits

• Non-visible; no one has to know you're wearing braces
• Just as effective as traditional braces for straightening teeth
• Can be used for adults or children
• Safer than traditional braces for playing sports

Types

There are several different brands and patents for lingual braces, but they're all basically the same device. The differences between brands are largely in how the braces are fashioned, the computer modeling programs used to fashion a mold for them, and the adhesives used to secure the braces to the backs of the teeth. Otherwise, the different types are identical. The decision on which type to use will depend on your individual choice, cost (which can vary between providers and brands) and your orthodontist's training.

How Lingual Braces Are Installed

Regular braces don't require customization because the fronts of teeth are largely uniform. The back of each individual tooth is different, however, so the orthodontics specialist will need to make a mold or plaster cast of your teeth. He'll have you bite down on the mold to make an impression of your teeth. The mold is then sent to a laboratory where the brackets will be custom made for each individual tooth. Once they've been crafted, the brackets are placed in the correct sequence in a plastic applicator.

On your next visit, the orthodontist will apply adhesive to the back of each bracket and place the applicator on the backs of your teeth. Once the adhesive dries, the applicator is removed and the brackets are now firmly in place. This is done on both the upper and lower arches of teeth, if necessary. The guide wires are run through the backs of the brackets, and they're affixed in place with bands just like regular braces.

Costs

Regular dental braces can be made in large quantities because they don't require customization. Lingual braces are more costly because they require the use of brackets that are often computer-generated from the plaster mold. Additional training is required for orthodontists to use and apply lingual braces, which also increases the price.

Lingual braces on the lower end run about $7,000, while a more complex procedure and timeline can run as high as $13,000. Dental insurance usually covers braces for children and teens, but not for adults. Grownups typically get braces for cosmetic reasons, which insurance won't pay for. You can talk to your orthodontist about financing or a payment plan if lingual braces are too cost prohibitive for you.

Advantages

There are some advantages to using lingual braces, in addition to the cosmetic benefits. They can treat virtually any malocclusion in the same amount of time as regular braces. Another advantage is that lingual braces often don't use any plastics. Some patients are sensitive to plastic braces or bands and have trouble with traditional braces.

Alternatives

Traditional braces and Invisalign are two alternatives to lingual braces. Regular braces are more cost effective and can treat the same issues. Invisalign is even cheaper than regular braces, but many orthodontists only recommend the device for minor problems. It's been found to be less effective in treating more serious conditions or larger tooth adjustments than regular or lingual braces.

Risks and Complications

Lingual braces share many of the same risks as traditional braces, and some that are unique. They're more likely to irritate your tongue since they're placed on the backs of the teeth. This can cause irritation or canker sores until you get used to them. Most patients can adjust to this after a few days.

Some patients have allergic reactions to the materials in braces, whether they're made of stainless steel, ceramics or plastic. Sometimes there's no way to know that a patient will have a reaction to the materials until after the braces have been installed.

The wires on the lingual braces act as a guide to send the teeth in the direction that the orthodontist wants, in order to correct problems with the bite. In extremely rare cases, if the bone structure isn't strong enough to handle the stress of braces, teeth can break loose from the bone.

Recovery

It takes three to four weeks to adjust to having lingual braces in your mouth. There may be some slight swelling in the early stages, and you might actually develop a lisp when speaking. Orthodontists recommend that you practice speaking for several days to adjust to working your tongue around the braces. He can also give you some wax to place on the braces and cover any points that are particularly irritating to your tongue. You'll be asked to stick to a diet of soft foods and soup for the first few days. Once you get over the initial adjustment period, it should be easier to speak and eat with the braces in.

Post-Treatment Care

Lingual braces usually take one to three years to treat problems with your bite. Regular brushing, flossing and dental visits should be kept up. Your orthodontist will need to make adjustments to the braces over the course of the treatment period. Once the braces are removed, you'll likely be prescribed a retainer device to wear. This will help the teeth adjust to their new position until they're fixed in place permanently. The amount of time that you have to wear a retainer can vary depending on how far the teeth have been moved.

Finding the Right Dentist

Sources:

http://www.smileforlife.com/lingual-braces.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/5029/lingual.htm
http://www.costhelper.com/cost/health/straightening-teeth.html
http://www.ada.org/3061.aspx?currentTab=1