Whenever it comes to orthodontic treatment, people start imagining the common metal brackets attached in front of their teeth. However, lingual braces are a good alternative that is equally effective but undetectable.
D’Ascoli, is a well-known orthodontist in Reno NV bringing years of experience to the table and guarantees accurate patient-centred care. The facility has a friendly atmosphere that is comfortable and convenient. It has the latest state of art imaging and digital treatment planning technologies that help in a smooth process of consultation to follow-up.
What Are Lingual Braces?
The lingual braces are attached to the back of the teeth, the side that is facing the tongue. As opposed to the conventional braces, which can be seen in front, lingual braces are not at all noticeable, and they are the best option to choose in case of an adult or even a teenager, who wants to avoid the obvious orthodontic solution. Brackets are attached to every tooth and the teeth are then threaded with wires to pull the teeth into position.
How Do They Work?
The concept of lingual braces is based on the same principle – the application of orthodontic forces. The brackets are individually made to fit the lingual side of the teeth, and wires usually made of stainless steel or nickel-titanium are used to exert controlled pressure. Periodic adjustments are done during office visits where the orthodontist changes the tension of the wire or changes the wire completely.
Since the brackets are placed out of the front, they minimize chances of dental staining and gum irritation which may be a common side effect of conventional braces.
Benefits of Lingual Braces
- Aesthetic Appeal – The most conspicuous one is invisibility. Lingual braces enable the patient to have straight teeth without the social stigma that is attributed to visible orthodontics.
- Reduced Food Accumulation – Having brackets at the back of the teeth also means that food particles cannot be trapped so easily thus, braces are easily cleaned and the risk of plaque formation is reduced.
- Custom‑Made Precision – To create brackets that perfectly fit each tooth, contemporary lingual systems make use of computer-aided design (CAD) in conjunction with digital scans to create brackets that are more precise and can translate to smoother and efficient movements.
- Less Impact on Speech – Although any orthodontic appliance can initially interfere with the speech, lingual braces can adapt faster as the front sides of the teeth are not changed.
Challenges & Care Tips
The lingual braces have its own set of challenges. The brackets are attached to the lingual side and thus, the patient will have a temporary sensation of there being something foreign in his/her mouth integrating the initial weeks of increased sensitivity and discomfort.
To alleviate these problems, the following are some of the tips that can be put to practice:
- Gently brush and floss the lingual bracket every day.
- Avoid sticky, sweet, or tough foods or it can ruin the brackets.
- Make an appointment after every six weeks to have the wires checked. It ensures they are well tensioned.
- Be patient because the treatment may need more time than expected. Always remember, the wait to wear dazzling, straight teeth are worthy.
Final Thoughts
Lingual braces provide a more advanced high-end option to people who want to have a nice, efficient orthodontic solution but do not want the aesthetic prominence of ordinary brackets. Their covertness coupled with the accuracy of the contemporary technology make them an appealing prospect among patients of diverse categories.
