Some Great Benefits of Lingual Braces

Many people are eager to find “invisible” alternatives to traditional braces when they get orthodontic treatment. And many are good candidates for some of the other options. The various types of clear aligners are probably the most familiar of these options, but lingual braces are another one worth asking your orthodontist about. After all, there are lots of benefits of lingual braces.

Lingual braces are a relatively new advancement in orthodontic treatment. They’re made with brackets and a wire just like traditional braces, but they’re only affixed to the back of your teeth, so they’re not visible to anyone who’s outside your mouth.

Below, we’ll just point out some of the primary benefits of lingual braces. We offer them here at Ogden Orthodontics, and we always provide a 100% free initial consultation where we can determine whether you or your child are a candidate for this method of treatment for your bite problem.

Benefits of Lingual Braces

• They’re invisible to the world, so there’s no need to be self-conscious about your orthodontic treatment.

• Lingual braces work just as efficiently to correct bite problems as clear aligners.

• They’re custom-fit using a mold of your mouth for maximum comfort.

• Any resulting white spots or discoloration is only on the inside of your teeth—not visible on the outside of them.

• Lingual braces don’t have the same potential to cause irritation or sores on the inside of your mouth.

• Some studies suggest that lingual braces cause less discomfort and pain than traditional braces.

• They’re great for kids and teens who play contact sports; traditional braces on the front of the teeth create a high risk for mouth injuries in these situations.

• They’re also a friendlier option for anyone who plays a woodwind or brass instrument.

• Lingual braces are a good invisible alternative for patients with a plastic sensitivity that rules out the use of clear aligners.

Are There Drawbacks to Lingual Braces?

Every type of orthodontic treatment—in fact, every type of medical treatment—has its pros and cons, of course. While there are compelling benefits of lingual braces, they aren’t right for everyone. For example, they’re not well suited to people with deep overbites.

Two other things to keep in mind are:

• Lingual braces may cost a bit more, due to the amount of customization and the slightly more complicated procedure involved in putting them on.

• They can cause a lisp that may last up to a month as you adjust to wearing them; traditional braces and other orthodontic treatments can affect speech too, though usually for a shorter adjustment period.