Most people are utterly dissatisfied with their smiles, and they entertain the thoughts of getting their teeth straightened. This sometimes feels like a great idea, but when they think of wearing the old metal braces like teens, they immediately discard every opportunity. This should not be so, as invisible braces have now been made for adults. One of these invisible braces is called the LINGUAL BRACES.
Lingual braces are made from metals, and they are designed to be worn at the back of the teeth. These braces are almost undetectable when worn. They have other benefits like:
Though lingual braces have many advantages, it also has a few disadvantages. We will discuss this soon,
If you think lingual braces may be right for you or your teen, feel free to read further. We have carefully put together the information about lingual braces that you need to know.
If you want to find out more about braces or you want to get your fitted, you can visit our clinic at Harley street London, or you can book an appointment online or call 020 71830903.
The word ‘lingual’ is used concerning the tongue and the parts surrounding it. Lingual braces are braces that are attached behind the teeth where the tongue lies. This means that these braces are completely hidden from plain sight; they can only be noticed when the wearer opens his or her mouth wide enough.
The discreetness of the placement of this appliance has given many people the courage to straighten their teeth without the fear of being noticed. This could be an adult who wants to look highly professional at work or a teen who is worried about being bullied in school.
They also work as an excellent choice for people who have big events popping up in their calendar and want to look their best. You can now have that perfect smile you have been dreaming of without having to shine off the metals in your mouth into your most memorable pictures.
Lingual braces are widely used in the UK as they can treat a wide range of misalignment problems.
These braces are also called the “Incognito braces.” ‘Incognito’ is a brand name, but from its everyday use, it has almost become a synonym for the lingual braces, just like Invisalign is for invisible braces. As we proceed, we will discuss more on Incognito and the other brands of lingual braces.
Just like the traditional metal braces, lingual braces are made up of brackets and a wire which holds them together to pull the teeth gradually into place. For these braces to keep pulling the teeth to the desired destination, you will need to visit our dentist at Harley street London at least once in every 6 to 8 weeks so that the wire and brackets can be adjusted and tightened.
Some lingual braces usually make use of standard brackets, but this is changing now as they are now being customised to fit the individual teeth.
Using customised braces for the treatment of orthodontic problems can help speed up the treatment and give the dentist or orthodontist at Harley street London more control over the expected result. These braces are now more comfortable to wear because they are very much slimmer than the standard brackets. With all the advantages of the customised lingual braces, one needs to note that the braces worn behind the teeth are more expensive than the braces with standard brackets.
Generally, lingual braces are more expensive than traditional metal braces. This is mainly because they are customised to fit each tooth. Apart from the cost of production, the period between each check-up is longer with the lingual braces compared to the traditional braces, which demand more frequent check-ups during the treatment.
Lingual braces can be worn by children whose teeth are large enough to for the lingual brackets to be attached. Aside the lingual braces, children can also use invisible braces than the Invisalign Teen to get their teeth straightened discreetly.
According to The British Lingual Orthodontic Society, the damages that may be left on the teeth during the treatment with lingual braces are less visible compared to those with the traditional metal braces. It is not uncommon for plaques and white spots due to poor hygiene to be found on the teeth after the use of fixed braces. If these plaques happen behind the teeth, you know they won’t be so conspicuous.
When picking, very inconspicuous braces matter, the two braces to be mentioned are the lingual braces worn behind the teeth and the Invisalign clear aligners.
Invisalign braces use a completely different method to align the teeth; it does not need brackets or wires. They use plastic aligners made from clear materials to pull the teeth gently to fall into the desired alignment.
Invisalign braces cannot be easily noticed but they can be seen when the observer looks closely at the mouth of the wearer, but the lingual braces are designed to be hidden behind the mouth, and they cannot be spotted except the wearer opens his/her mouth very wide. Aside from these two, you can also consider getting for yourself other clear braces that are not so invisible but are less conspicuous and more gentle than the traditional metal braces.
The Invisalign clear aligners is usually an excellent alternative to the lingual braces because of the following reasons:
However, to achieve proper alignment using Invisalign clear aligners, the wearer must be disciplined enough to wear the aligners for at least 20 hours each day.
The choice of braces for you will be dependent on the severity of your misalignment. Invisalign clear aligners are used to treat up to 90% of orthodontic problems, but people with very severe malocclusion will need to use fixed braces.
You can discuss your treatment options with us. Visit the Harley Street Dentist in Harley Street, London, or call 020 71830903 our dental helpline to book an appointment.
If you need an orthodontist close to you who can provide lingual braces, you will easily find because, from a survey done in 2018, more than 35% of orthodontists in the UK provide lingual braces while 75% provide clear braces. The fixed braces are provided by almost all (98%) the orthodontists for the front teeth.
In the table below, you will find a summary of the comparison of the three types of braces described here: the traditional, invisible, and lingual.
Subject of comparison | Lingual braces | Invisible aligners | Traditional braces |
Estimated cost | £1,500 – £10,000 | £1,500 – £5,500 | £1,500 – £3,000 |
Appearance | Attached to the back of the teeth, almost invisible | Difficult to notice, removable | Very obvious |
Suitable for | All cases | 90% of cases | All cases |
Length of treatment | 12 – 18 months | 12 – 18 months | 12 – 18 months |
Frequency of appointment | 6 – 8 weeks | 4 – 6 weeks | 6 – 8 weeks |
Duration of appointment | 30 minutes | 15 minutes | 15 minutes |
Cleaning | Needs special techniques to clean | Teeth can be cleaned normally; braces can be removed to clean | Requires special effort for proper cleaning |
Orthodontists in the UK offering this type | >35% | >75% | >98% |
From the table, you can see that lingual braces are the most expensive and that they need longer appointments. If you are in need of braces that will take time before being spotted, you can go for the lingual braces but is you are in need of braces that are hard to be noticed but less expensive than the lingual braces, you will have to go for the Invisalign (that is if it is suitable for you).
If you have any questions about your eligibility for the Invisalign clear aligners, send us a mail at [email protected]. You can also visit us for your braces. We are located in Harley Street, London. Book an appointment with us.
After deciding that lingual brace is the one you want to use, you will proceed to choose the brand and style you prefer. There are many brands and styles of lingual braces available in the UK.
The Incognito braces are made from the alloy of gold, and this greatly reduces the wearer’s chances of getting an allergic reaction.
These braces cost about £4,000 for a complete set in the UK. You can find the other brands for a cheaper amount, but you should know that each brand has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
This brace is produced by company 3M, which is also the producer of IncognitoLite Braces. These braces are less expensive and suitable for patients who only need to straighten 6 or 8 of their front teeth. They are worth half the price of the complete set.
This system of braces uses a wire that can adjust itself automatically. This makes the treatment process a smoother one as the wearers will not need to suffer the pains and soreness gotten from the periodical adjustments with the dentist.
The STB Lingual System is produced by the producers of Damon braces, Ormco, and it is one of the highest self-litigating braces you can get.
This type of braces is specially designed for those who want their teeth to be straightened discreetly but cannot afford to pay for the customised brands. One of the non-customs systems to go for is the Forestadent braces. This system claims to be the flattest lingual bracket that can be found in the world; it is produced from standardised parts in Germany. They are still attached to the back of the teeth, but they are not customised.
These cheaper lingual braces can be used by patients who suffer from mild crookedness. Those with more severe orthodontic problems will need customised brands.
From the table above, you saw that lingual braces have a wide range of prices and could cost anything between £2,000 and £3,000. This price is for the standard brands, while the customised brands which can be used for more complex cases could cost more than £10,000.
Just like any dental treatment, the prices of the lingual braces can vary from one dentist to another. The price is usually corresponding to the cost of living of the residents of that location. So with this, lingual braces may cost more in London than they do in the other parts of the country.
Our dentists at Harley street London could decide to charge differently for these braces. However, we advise you to check with two or more dentists in your area and compare their prices so you can know who to stick with. While comparing the cost of each dentist, do not forget to ask for the level of the aftercare price included in the price.
Other than checking in with many dentists in your locality, you can also follow the ways here to save money on your braces.
Some people have their lower teeth show less when they smile. People like this can save money on their braces by using the lingual braces behind their upper teeth and the clear or traditional braces on their lower teeth.
If all you need is a minor alignment, you can use the lingual braces behind the front teeth which need the work. The back teeth can be left to just the way they are.
If all you are concerned about is to have your teeth alignment hidden from everybody in the world, you can try using braces that are cheaper than the lingual braces. You can always opt for the tooth coloured ceramic braces, which are also less noticeable.
Obviously, you would prefer the Invisalign clear aligners, which fit perfectly over your teeth, but for cost sake, make do with the ones you can afford.
We have mentioned many brands of lingual braces in this article; you can research and compare their prices to know which will cost less. Ask your dentist for recommendations and strive to know their reasons.
Many dentists offer payment plans. Ask to know if the payment plan your dentist offers will be suitable for you. Though spreading the cost of the treatment won’t make the treatment any cheaper, it will help you clear the cost without feeling too much of the effect. Ensure you get a 0% interest plan so that you do not end up paying more than you were supposed. If the payment plan your dentist offers is not comfortable for you, try to go for other finance options like using a credit card or obtaining a loan.
If you are fortunate to have dental insurance, check whether the insurance plan you have can cover some of the orthodontic treatment. Much basic dental insurance covers the important dental treatment, but if what you have is a premium treatment, you may be able to claim some of the money you spent on getting the braces behind your teeth.
We offer reasonable payment plans and can help you achieve your dreams of a better smile. Book an appointment with the Harley Street Dentist today.
Let us have a little look at the process of getting braces fitted behind your teeth.
Firstly, our orthodontist at Harley street London will have to take an impression of your teeth using a dental mould. If you demand to use the customised braces, the orthodontist will send your dental print to the laboratory for your braces to be created. It usually takes about six weeks to complete this process and for you to get your braces fitted.
Each brace will be safely attached to each tooth using dental cement. This process might take up to two visits to be completed since it is always fiddly. You should ask your dentist about your expectations.
You will need to visit your dentist at least once every 6 to 8 weeks for your regular check-ups. These check-ups will be done mainly so that the progress of your treatment can be monitored to be sure it is going as planned. During every check-up, your orthodontist will adjust the wire on your braces to apply tension on your teeth and move them to the desired position.
The lingual braces allow results to be easily noticed since they are hidden behind the teeth. Within a few weeks of starting the treatment, you will become happy you did.
Patients may experience some slight discomfort within the first few days of getting the braces fitted; most people usually adjust. In case of any irritation against the tongue, the orthodontic wax will be used to cover it, and a pain reliever will be used to relieve any occurring pain.
A lisp may also be developed by some patients after their braces are fitted, but this will only last a few days.
Treatments with lingual braces usually last between 12 – 18 months though milder cases may be resolved within periods as short as six months. In the case of very severe malocclusion, the treatment may have for some years.
The procedures for our treatments are straightforward and easy. It will be designed to fit your schedule perfectly. You can book your first appointment with us now.
Many reviews have been done on lingual braces, and they can be accessed by anyone online. You can also watch some of these reviews online to have a better idea of what you should be expecting.
According to the report from a patient, she said she had immense help from the orthodontic wax that was provided. She said it helped her ease the pain in her tongue. This pain started immediately after the braces were fitted. She also described how her co-workers didn’t notice she wore anything. According to her, she said her worst pain was experienced the next morning, and all she could manage to eat was yoghurt soup and smoothies.
She also offered some tips which may be helpful for the wearers of these braces during the first few days. These tips include always having the following handy:
Lastly, if you want to find out more about lingual braces, ask your friends and colleagues, you may never know who has used it before.
Lingual braces are made up of brackets connected with a wire. These brackets are fitted to the back of the teeth around the resting place of the tongue. These braces are chosen by many because they are barely noticeable when worn. Though it is an effective way of aligning misaligned teeth, it is costly, especially if your case demands the customised one. These braces, too, can be uncomfortable to use during the first days.
If you are looking for a cheaper set of braces you can use in place of the lingual braces, which can still be hardly noticed, you may want to go for Invisalign clear aligners. They are invisible, comfortable to wear, and have other benefits than the traditional metal braces.
Always have it in mind that the Invisalign braces can be used to treat 90% of orthodontic cases, so it is not suitable for everyone. Always remember to check in with our dentist at Harley street London to know if you are eligible for them.
Never forget, choosing lingual braces or any other kind of braces is an important decision. Always try as much as possible to make the right choice. We hope that you have gotten a lot from this article to be able to choose rightly.
You can visit our clinic in Harley Street to find out more about orthodontic treatment. Book an appointment with us or call our dental helpline on 020 71830903. If you feel more comfortable sending emails, send it to the address [email protected].
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