What are lingual braces? Advantages and disadvantages? What teeth are suitable for lingual braces?

Lingual braces (also known as lingual braces) are one of the most popular orthodontic methods today.

This method attaches brackets to the inside of the teeth. The biggest breakthrough of lingual braces is that they are highly aesthetic, making it almost impossible for others to recognize that you are wearing braces.

Suitable age for lingual braces

Normally, people over 12 years old and under 50 years old can have lingual braces. 

From 12-35 years old: is the age that doctors recommend braces.

At the “golden age” of 12-16 years old, when the permanent teeth have just been completely replaced, the permanent teeth have developed. At this stage, when wearing braces on the inside of the teeth, it will help you get the desired results. In addition, it also significantly shortens the time compared to normal.

However, if you miss it, you can get braces at the remaining time (17-35 years old).

From 35 to 50 years old:  This is the age when you can still have braces on the inside of your teeth, but doctors do not recommend it, because there are many factors that can affect the results of your braces such as: health, teeth condition, etc.

At this time, you will be examined more carefully and comprehensively to come up with a specific and detailed plan to suit your current condition.

Are lingual braces effective?

The biggest advantage of this method is that the braces are hidden behind the teeth and are difficult to detect, thereby helping patients feel more confident in communication and daily activities.

This method also improves problems caused by misaligned teeth or malocclusion. Therefore, a highly skilled doctor will definitely give you beautiful, even teeth that are not inferior to any other orthodontic method.

However, with lingual braces, you need to pay special attention to hygiene. Combine the use of water floss and electric toothbrushes to clean plaque and leftover food, avoiding other oral diseases.

Comparison of lingual braces (inside) and facial braces

Aesthetic factors : Lingual braces have a clear advantage over external braces in terms of aesthetics. The design with the device placed on the inside of the tooth surface makes it difficult for others to detect that you are wearing braces. Therefore, if the job requires high aesthetics, lingual braces will be more suitable.

Financial factors : Lingual braces are a difficult technique, requiring high doctor skills. Besides, this method meets the aesthetic ability that is not inferior to Invisalign braces . Therefore, lingual braces cost more than external braces. You can consider your financial ability to make a reasonable choice. If you cannot pay immediately, you can make a plan to pay in installments for the braces process.

Implementation technique : The lingual braces method requires higher expertise from the doctor than the external braces method. You need to find the right reputable place with full capacity to perform the procedure to avoid wasting money and getting sick.

Factors affecting the time of lingual braces

When having a general examination before lingual braces, doctors will give appropriate braces time for each person. However, there are some factors that affect that time period such as:

• Age
• Oral health status
• Doctor’s skills
• Living habits

Age

The most suitable age for lingual braces is during puberty. At this stage, the jawbone is still developing and not yet fixed, so moving teeth will be much easier than at other ages.

The later you get braces, the more complicated and longer it will take to move your teeth.

Doctor’s skills

In addition to the above two factors, the doctor’s skill also greatly affects the time of lingual braces.

Experienced, highly skilled doctors will calculate the force pulling the teeth, control the time of braces to give a specific, clear itinerary, helping to limit the occurrence of downtime, thereby shortening the time of braces.

The complexity of teeth

The condition of the teeth greatly affects the time of lingual braces. Normally, braces will last from 1-3 years. Crooked teeth or mild misalignment that do not require tooth extraction usually only need about 1 year to complete the braces process.

However, in cases of complex misaligned teeth, overbites/underbites, and severe malocclusion, the time will fluctuate around 1.5 years or more. The more misaligned the teeth, the longer the time for braces.

Living habits

Besides passive factors, active factors such as your living habits also greatly affect the time of your braces.

If you eat and take care of your teeth incorrectly, it will easily lead to the brackets and wires coming loose. This will take more time for you to go to the dentist to have them reattached or to treat any oral diseases that may arise.

Customer feedback on lingual braces

Below are some of the feelings of customers who had lingual braces at Domin Dental Clinic:
Feedback from Ms. Ly Thi Lan Cau Giay, Hanoi : “My husband had his teeth straightened here but it was on the outside and the results were very good. I also wanted to straighten my teeth but my job was not very stable with wearing braces on the outside. So I chose lingual braces. In the early stages of braces, I had a lot of discomfort and inconvenience, so I asked a lot of questions but the doctors and nurses still answered enthusiastically. At this point, it’s okay, I’m in the stage of wearing a retainer. Thank you clinic, I wish the doctors and nurses good health to make everyone beautiful!”

How does the lingual braces process work?

At Domin Dental, we apply the lingual braces procedure.

The standard includes the following 6 steps:

Step 1: Examination and X-ray The doctor will examine directly to examine and evaluate the condition of the teeth, gum health, and oral mucosa. After that, the doctor will take an X-ray to have a more accurate assessment of the position of the teeth and the degree of bite deviation.

Step 2: Develop a treatment plan and consultation From the results of the examination and X-ray, including 3D tooth scan images if available, the doctors will use support software to assess the condition of the patient’s teeth, provide a treatment plan and provide specific advice for each implementation process.

Step 3: Take samples and design braces After specific consultation, if the clinic does not use tooth scanning technology, the doctor will take a plaster tooth sample to serve the purpose of designing braces suitable for each patient’s teeth. 

Step 4: Attaching the brackets
The doctor will attach the brackets to the inside of the teeth, then install the archwire and support system. This process will take longer due to the difficult to access location, and the accuracy of the lingual bracket method is also higher than that of the external bracket method.

Step 5: Monitor the tooth movement process.
On average, you will need to return to the clinic every month for the doctor to monitor the tooth movement status, from which the appliance can be adjusted accordingly. The time to perform the procedure at each follow-up visit will vary depending on the difficulty of the procedure.
The average tooth movement time is about 2 years, depending on the misalignment of the teeth and the age of the patient.

Step 6: Finish and wear a retainer
After the teeth have been moved to the positions that meet the initial treatment goals, the doctor will remove the braces and finish the treatment. During the post-treatment period, you still need to periodically visit the clinic every 3-6 months to monitor the changes in your teeth. The doctor will design a removable or fixed retainer to ensure that the results of the braces are maintained.

Why are lingual braces expensive?

Although they are equally effective, lingual braces are more expensive than their facial counterparts. Here are some reasons why:

Firstly, to perform lingual braces requires a highly skilled doctor with good technique, who can accurately determine the position of the braces. And the cost for a good doctor will certainly be higher than that of an unskilled doctor.

Second, to perform lingual braces, modern equipment and advanced technology are also required. Therefore, the cost will be somewhat higher than that of external braces.

Third, lingual braces ensure absolute aesthetics, and it is difficult for anyone to detect that you are wearing braces. Because this is a “secret weapon”, manufacturing lingual braces is not simple. Therefore, it will be more expensive and cost more.

Important notes when wearing lingual braces?

To achieve the highest efficiency in the shortest possible time, you need to pay attention to the following important notes when wearing lingual braces:

• You may feel some discomfort when you first have the braces on the inside of your teeth. This will lessen over time.
• Eating and speaking will be difficult due to the narrow space inside the mouth. You need to practice eating and speaking to adapt to the condition of having orthodontic appliances in your mouth.
• Eat soft and nutritious foods to ensure the best health to maintain work to ensure the effectiveness of the braces process.
• Be careful with your oral hygiene as food can easily get stuck in dental appliances. You should use water flossers, interdental brushes and mouthwash to make oral hygiene as easy and effective as possible.
• Regularly re-examine your braces according to your doctor’s appointment to avoid interruptions in your braces treatment.

Criteria for choosing lingual braces dentistry

When choosing a dentist, you need to pay attention to the following 4 criteria:

• Doctor’s skills
• Transparent treatment contract
• Clear treatment regimen
• Modern, advanced equipment

 Doctor’s skills

Experienced and skilled doctors will help diagnose your condition correctly, thereby providing a specific orthodontic plan to help you quickly have even, beautiful teeth.

Transparent treatment contract

Having a transparent contract when getting braces is extremely necessary. It is also a commitment to ensure you about the results you receive, helping you feel more secure throughout your braces journey.

 Clear treatment regimen

In addition to the contract, a treatment plan is a must when you have braces. Because detailed planning of each stage, speed of movement or supporting gases, etc. will help the doctor a lot in controlling the changes of the teeth.

In addition, for the customer, having a clear treatment plan from the doctor will help create more trust and peace of mind when entrusting their smile to a dental clinic for a long period of time.

 Modern advanced equipment

Orthodontics not only involves doctors, but also supporting equipment plays an important role. A dental clinic investing in modern equipment helps the orthodontic process become strict, safe and achieve the highest efficiency.