Lingual Braces

Lingual Braces are small metal brackets attached on the back of patient’s teeth. The brackets are made of a durable metal alloy that will not react to foods, or to the enamel surface of the teeth. Brackets are held in place by an adhesive that provides outstanding strength to resist the pressures of biting and chewing.

Traditional braces are made of metal brackets and wires. On the contrary, some people have apprehension on the thought of a "metal mouth" so much that they decline to wear braces, and thereby missing out on the chance of a beautiful smile. Due to this fact, orthodontic research began to focus on less visible options such as the lingual braces. Lingual braces are positioned on the back of one’s teeth making them totally unseen from the front while having the same function with traditional braces.

Lingual braces are an ideal option for adult orthodontic patients. Unlike standard brackets, which are mass-produced, lingual braces require a custom-made bracket for each tooth. For this reason, your orthodontist's first step is to create a mold of your teeth. Brackets are made based on this mold, then set in wax and placed in a small plastic applicator. This applicator ensures that the brackets remain aligned, as they will be pressed into place, not individually cemented. When the time for application comes, your orthodontist applies cement to the back of each bracket and press the entire set into place. Once the cement sets, the orthodontist breaks the applicator off. The brackets remain in place. Finally, your orthodontist installs an arch wire on the back of your teeth. This wire is shaped in the ideal position of your teeth. Once it has been threaded through the brackets, the wire tries to shift back into its original position, pulling your teeth into place as it does so.

Lingual braces can be worn on the top and bottom teeth. Because the bottom teeth are generally less visible anyway, a popular combination is to have lingual braces on the top teeth and clear (ceramic or sapphire) braces on the bottom.

Like any braces, lingual braces take some getting used to. The back of your top teeth will not meet up with your bottom teeth at first. Also, expect "tongue problems," like lisping, for the first one to four weeks of treatment. The first couple of weeks may require learning some new swallowing techniques, as "tongue thrusts" might not be possible. You may also want to practice eating in front of a mirror at home. Like all braces, lingual braces pose the threat of food caught in the brackets or wires. The danger with lingual braces is that you yourself might not notice it. There is little point investing time and money into invisible braces only to have someone else inform you of a string of lettuce dangling mysteriously from the back of your teeth.

In addition to the potentially lengthy adjustment period—longer and more difficult than that of traditional braces, according to some orthodontists—lingual braces have a few other cons. Not all orthodontists are trained in the application of lingual braces, so finding one may take some shopping around. As well, because they are custom made and require special training for the dentist, lingual braces are more expensive than traditional braces.