What Are Lingual Braces?

[caption id="attachment_1209" align="alignright" width="433"] eopath via Compfight cc[/caption] Lingual braces are metallic braces, similar to the normal braces, and they help in the aligning of teeth. The only difference is that for lingual braces, instead of being placed over the teeth, they are placed behind the teeth. They are totally behind the teeth, including the brackets and the wires. There are a host of manufacturers, each with their special variations to the lingual braces. There are various advantages and disadvantages to lingual braces, which someone should know before having them put in.

Advantages

Faster treatment time is attained with lingual braces than with traditional braces. Since there has been an increasing demand for lingual braces, it has set off a lot of research and improvement efforts, allowing for better and faster results. However, the healing time may depend on a host of factors, such as the manufacturer type, the type of dentist who performs the installation and the extent of the dental condition. Many lingual brace manufactures have designed an effective type of braces whereby the braces blend in very well with the tooth structure. The patient will thus need fewer wire changes as compared to traditional braces.

Disadvantages

They are hard to clean. Oral hygiene is essential, and even with braces one has to keep the mouth clean to avoid some nasty consequences. Since it is metallic like the normal type of braces, it will harbor dirt and bacteria. To reach all the crevices, one will need to put in some extra time and effort. For those who are really busy, they might be unable to do this, and may end up getting stained and infected teeth. Lingual braces are really expensive. Though one might say that all oral care procedures may be really expensive, the price of lingual braces is a little too much for the normal consumer. The situation gets worse for those who have extensive tooth damage, as they have to dish out huge sums of money to repair the condition. Braces push the teeth into shape. Though this may sound really easy, it is a really uncomfortable procedure. Lingual braces on the other hand are really painful. They make chewing very hard, and on the first days may cause some slight distortions to speech. Someone who has had braces put in can attest to the fact that they are really hard to get used to. This is no different with lingual braces. Another demerit with lingual braces is that they are not universal. Up to date, there are not many orthodontists who offer lingual braces, since some of the current one’s might have to incur additional cost in looking for and commuting to a dentist who offers lingual braces procedures. Also, one might not feel really comfortable getting their braces put in by a dentist who they have no prior experience with. Lingual braces are a simple way to align the teeth without having to endure the unsightly traditional braces. It is surely an option worth considering. You only have to weigh the merits and the demerits. King Orthodontics offers a wide range of dental services. Contact us today for consultations for your oral health issues.

King Orthodontics, 400 East Dayton, Yellow Springs Rd. Fairborn, OH 45324

Phone: (937) 878-1561 Fax: (937) 433-9530

Your Lingual Braces Guide