An estimated 4 million people use orthodontic braces to align their teeth properly and correct their bite in the US. But when you think of braces, you shouldn’t just be confined in the conventional ones that you see (i.e., those that are attached in front of the teeth). When you talk to the best orthodontist in northern VA, you’ll find out that you have other options — and one of which is wearing lingual braces.
As its name implies, lingual braces are braces that are placed in the lingual or tongue side. Because the parts (the brackets, the wires, and the elastics) are attached to the back of the teeth, they’re virtually invisible. This makes them a good alternative if you are image-conscious or have an occupation where your appearance plays an important part. It’s also recommended to patients who are engaged in contact sports and those who play wind instruments.
How It Works
Lingual braces work like how conventional or buccal braces do — they put on pressure on your teeth and help them move into their correct positions.
If you want to tap the best orthodontist in Northern VA and wear these braces, expect him or her to take an impression of your teeth. The impression will then be sent to a dental laboratory to make brackets customized to fit your teeth.
After about one month to six weeks, you will be instructed to return to the clinic and have the braces placed at the back of your teeth. Your dentist will use a special procedure and special tools to attach the parts.
Typically, you have to wear these braces for about 18 to 36 months — depending on the severity of your biting and teeth alignment problem. Around every six weeks, you will need to see your dentist so he or she can make necessary adjustments and track the progress of the procedure.
Factors To Consider
As mentioned, lingual braces are primarily used for cosmetic purposes. If you don’t want your braces to be seen by others, you should talk to the best orthodontist in Northern VA to determine if you’re indeed qualified to wear one. These are the factors that should be considered:
Biting problem. Though lingual braces can correct several biting problems, they are not advised for people with a deep overbite. In this situation, the overbite may put too much pressure on the brackets, which may eventually cause them to break or fall off.
Tolerance to drawbacks. As in any other orthodontic procedure, wearing a lingual brace is bound to bring a certain level of discomfort. Because the parts frequently come into contact with sensitive surfaces like the tongue, it can cause its wearer to experience soreness. However, this can be addressed by applying pain medications and asking for smaller, more customized brackets. Other drawbacks that you need to be aware of include having speech difficulties, experiencing cleaning challenges, and restricting the food you can eat.
Budget. Upfront, lingual braces are more expensive than conventional ones. However, they offer invisibility and other advantages that may prove to be highly valuable in the long run.
If you are looking for the best orthodontist in northern VA, book an appointment with our team at Stang Family Orthodontics today. Let us help you get that perfect smile back.
