Lingual braces and traditional braces are orthodontic treatments used to straighten teeth. Lingual braces are fitted to the back of the teeth while traditional braces are worn on the front of the teeth.
Have you ever wondered what options are available when it comes to straightening your teeth? Lingual braces vs traditional braces can be a difficult choice to make. Lingual braces are becoming more popular as an alternative to the unsightly wires and brackets of regular braces.
Lingual braces and traditional braces work in similar ways to gradually move the teeth into their proper positions. However, lingual braces are less visible as they are placed behind the teeth. In contrast, traditional metal braces are fitted on the front of the teeth and may interfere with speaking and eating.
How Do Lingual Braces Work?
Lingual braces work to slowly move teeth into their proper positions. Small aligned wire and brackets are glued onto the backsides of the front teeth. This allows the orthodontist to apply gentle pressure to straighten the teeth. Over time as the wire is adjusted, the teeth will shift into the right alignment.
The lingual braces apply pressure from behind the teeth rather than in front. Small rubber bands or chains connect sections of the wire together. As the patient bites down or moves their mouth, pressure is exerted on the teeth to push them into place. Regular checkups allow the orthodontist to tighten or replace the wire as treatment progresses.
What Are Lingual Braces Made Of?
Lingual braces are made from similar material as traditional braces. Small brackets made of metal or ceramic are custom formed to fit onto the backsides of the teeth. These brackets are precisely bonded onto each tooth using dental adhesive.
An arch wire weaves through each bracket and applies the corrective forces. This wire is most commonly made of stainless steel but can also be made of alternative materials like nickel titanium. As treatment progresses, the wire is replaced with thinner ones to maintain pressure on the teeth. Lingual braces also may incorporate the use of elastics or steel ligatures to connect different wire segments.
How Are Lingual Braces Fitted?
Taking dental impressions is the first step to get fitted for lingual braces. The orthodontist takes detailed molds of the teeth to design custom fitted brackets and wires. Lingual braces require more precision due to their placement behind the teeth.
When the lingual braces are ready, the patient returns for placement. The orthodontist carefully cleans each tooth and adhesively bonds the tiny brackets in their precise positions. Next, a wire is thread through each bracket to begin shaping the new smile. Patients may feel some tenderness for a few days as the teeth adjust.
How Long Do You Wear Lingual Braces?
Most people Can expect to wear lingual braces for 12-24 months to achieve their orthodontic goals. The average full treatment takes 18-20 months. Get Braces With A Tongue Piercing treatment time can vary depending on the complexities of the individual case.
Minor tooth alignment may only take 12 months while more complicated cases involving jaw surgery could take 2 years or longer. The orthodontist creates a customized treatment plan with projected timeframe. Regular checkups allow the doctor to evaluate progress and make any needed adjustments to wire or appliance. With compliance in wearing elastics and following the orthodontist’s instructions, lingual braces can effectively straighten teeth within the expected time period.
Are Lingual Braces Comfortable?
The first few weeks of wearing lingual braces may cause some discomfort as the teeth and tongue adjust to the new positioning behind the teeth. Some users report the braces feeling awkward or causing a lisp as they speak.
However, for most people, any initial pain or awkwardness disappears within the first 1-2 weeks as the mouth adapts. Afterward, lingual braces are generally described as comfortable since they are hidden behind the teeth and don’t interfere with normal functions like kissing or playing sports. Use of wax or orajel can help reduce any tender spots if they arise during treatment. Overall, the discreet nature of lingual braces makes the discomfort minor and manageable for many patients.
Benefits Of Traditional Braces
5 easy to understand benefits of traditional braces
Effective tooth alignment
Traditional metal braces are proven to accurately align teeth into their proper positions. The custom placed brackets allow precise tooth movement over time.
Widely used method
Orthodontists have decades of experience with metal braces, making it a reliable option. It remains the most common type of braces used today.
Affordability
Metal braces tend to cost less than other orthodontic treatments. Insurance may also cover part of the cost.
Visibility allows thorough cleaning
You can easily see brackets to clean between them and get braces sparkling for appointments. This minimizes cavities risk compared to hidden options.
Withstand minor impacts
Sturdy metal construction protects teeth from moderate injuries from sports. Just use a mouthguard for high-impact activities like hockey or lacrosse.
Do Traditional Braces Work Faster?
Some orthodontists and studies have found traditional metal braces can align teeth more quickly than lingual or clear aligners in some cases. This is because brackets can be bonded to all surfaces of each tooth allowing for more anchorage and leverage when adjusting the wire.
Traditional braces also tend to have more frequent adjustment appointments scheduled, sometimes every 4-6 weeks. This allows the orthodontist more opportunities to make small incremental movements with each new wire. While treatment times still vary greatly case by case, metal braces may complete aligning teeth a few months faster on average than other options according to some sources.
Are Traditional Braces Easier To Clean?
Yes, traditional braces are typically easier to clean than lingual or clear aligners. Visible brackets and wires allow cleaning an open view of each tooth surface. Patients simply brush and floss normally, ensuring to reach all bracket areas.
With lingual braces or aligners hidden behind teeth, it can be harder to see and reach all surfaces for cleaning. This makes it easier for plaque to build up, increasing risk of cavities. Traditional braces have an advantage of being in plain sight for thorough at-home care. They also require less meticulous cleaning than aligners that must be removed and stored while eating.
Can You Eat What You Want With Traditional Braces?
For the most part yes, but some foods require more care with traditional braces. Hard crunchy foods like uncut raw carrots, popcorn kernels or ice could potentially loosen or break brackets if bitten down on full force.
Sticky or hard candy also poses a risk of getting stuck in braces. However, traditional braces do allow for chewing and eating a wide variety of foods. The orthodontist provides a list of braces-friendly eats to help navigate any problem items. With some care taken in chewing thoroughly and cleaning well after, traditional braces do not drastically limit one’s diet overall.
Do Traditional Braces Require Less Adjustments?
Traditional metal braces often need regular adjustments from the orthodontist to gradually guide teeth into their intended positions. Most professionals schedule checkups every 4-6 weeks during initial treatment stages. The following table shows a general schedule for adjustments with traditional braces over the full treatment timeline:
| Treatment Stage | Approximate Adjustment Interval |
| Initial Alignment | Every 4-6 weeks |
| Medium-term movement | Every 6-8 weeks |
| Finishing/Retention | Every 8-12 weeks or less frequently |
In summary, while all orthodontic methods require adjustments, traditional braces typically see the orthodontist every 4 to 12 weeks depending on where the patient is at in their treatment plan. Frequent checkups help the braces work efficiently to straighten smiles.
When Are Lingual Braces Recommended?
Lingual braces are generally recommended for patients who are self-conscious about having visible braces. They are a good option for teens and adults in jobs or careers where appearance is important like actors, models, news anchors etc. Lingual braces can also benefit those who play sports or musical instruments as they pose less risk of injury than traditional braces.
Some orthodontists may also suggest lingual over traditional if the teeth are very crowded as lingual braces apply force from behind which can make them better suited in these cases. Overall, lingual braces provide a discrete alternative for patients who desire invisible treatment.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Lingual Braces?
Good lingual brace candidates include those seeking an invisible treatment option. Those concerned about reactions from employers, coworkers or clients to visible braces are ideal. Patients must have enough room for the attachments behind their teeth.
Those with regular dental visits are also better suited since lingual braces require more care at home and precision from orthodontists. Patients need patience and commitment to the treatment plan as lingual braces can cause initial awkwardness. As long as patients meet the dental criteria, both teens and adults can reap the benefits of hidden lingual aligners.
Are Lingual Braces Only For Minor Corrections?
While lingual braces were once thought only to treat minor misalignments,modern technologies and materials have enabled them to tackle more complex dental issues too. Orthodontists now use lingual braces to correct overbites, underbites, crossbites and gaps between teeth.
In some cases they are even used to close extraction sites leftover from wisdom teeth removal. With precise dental impressions and custom bracket placements, an orthodontist can design a lingual brace treatment for various dental discrepancies of all severities. The only limitation may be very protruding or impacted teeth that require extraction first.
Can Impacted Teeth Be Treated With Lingual Braces?
In some cases yes, but it depends on the severity of the impacted tooth. Lingual braces alone cannot fully correct extremely impacted teeth that are still within the bone. However, if an impacted tooth has already begun to naturally erupt on its own or has had a surgical exposure, lingual braces may be able to guide it into place.
The lingual orthodontist will evaluate if there is enough emerging tooth structure and anchorage to gently pull the impacted cuspid or molar into alignment. Lingual braces combined with simple tooth exposure may suffice, otherwise additional surgery could first be necessary before starting orthodontic treatment.
Are Lingual Braces More Expensive Than Traditional Braces?
Usually yes – lingual braces cost approximately 10-30% more than traditional metal braces. This is because they require more precision in design and placement since the brackets are located behind the teeth rather than visible in front.
Additionally, adjustments tend to take longer with lingual braces due to their more delicate nature. Generally, the high quality customization and additional orthodontist time makes lingual clear aligner treatment fall somewhere in the $5000-8000 range while traditional braces are somewhere in the $3000-6000 range on average. Insurance coverage also tends to be less common for lingual braces further impacting overall costs..
Frequently Asked Question
Are Lingual Braces More Discreet?
Lingual braces are placed behind the teeth, keeping them hidden from view.
Which Treatment Is More Comfortable?
Most find lingual braces more comfortable over time as they are not rubbing against lips and cheeks.
Do Lingual Braces Limit Diet More?
Traditional braces allow normal eating but require care with sticky or hard foods that could get lodged.
Do Traditional Braces Require Less Appointments?
Both options typically need adjustments every 4-6 weeks initially, then every 6-12 weeks as treatment progresses.
Which Option Is More Costly?
Lingual braces generally cost 10-30% more due to specialized manufacturing of tiny brackets to fit precisely behind each tooth.
Conclusion
Both lingual braces and traditional braces can effectively straighten teeth into proper alignment. The best choice depends on individual priorities such as cost, appearance, comfort level and oral care ability. Lingual braces provide the discreet option for those seeking invisible treatment but require more precision and cost slightly more. Traditional metal braces remain the standard choice due to established record, less complex fittings and potentially faster treatment times.
Overall, modern orthodontics now offer multiple options to fit different patient needs and lifestyles. Consulting with an experienced orthodontist can help determine which method may work best in each unique dental case and personal situation. With compliant wearing of any selected brace type, a beautiful new smile is within reach.