Braces that sit behind your teeth for the ultimate invisible route to straighter teeth
Article Source: HealthSnare.com
In the pursuit of the perfect smile, or simply straighter teeth, braces of all types and appearances have been popular dental treatments for a range of people.
An increasingly popular orthodontic treatment is that of lingual braces, specifically tailored to the shape of a person's mouth and fixed to the back of the teeth, making the appliance indiscernible to the casual observer. Lingual braces are comprised of two components, firstly the ‘brackets', the thin metal strips that are directly attached to the back of the teeth, and secondly the ‘arch wires' that connect the brackets together and help keep the whole thing in place.
What's the difference?
The obvious difference between lingual and standard ‘train track' braces is that lingual braces are fixed to the back of the teeth, as opposed to standard braces that are fitted to the front. There are many other subtle differences that people may not be aware of. For example, the brackets of lingual braces are custom made from a plastic mould of the teeth, making each set of lingual braces unique. This adds an element of comfort over the often uniformly shaped standard braces. While lingual braces may seem like a cosmetic alternative to standard braces, they aren't completely without their drawbacks. Lingual braces are not suitable for everyone (for example those with very small teeth), they are more expensive, and require a considerably longer time to adjust to. Finally, unlike standard braces, not all orthodontists are capable of fitting a lingual brace.
Are there any disadvantages?
Like standard braces, there are several disadvantages to having a lingual brace and aftercare is a key component to keeping teeth healthy. As a lingual brace is fitted to the back of the teeth, it can be very easy for food to become trapped and, without proper dental care, it leaves the mouth and gums open to plague formation so brushing after every meal and regular checks up with the dentist is just as, if not more, important. Overall it should take around two to four weeks to get adjusted to lingual braces, however after this time it is very easy to forget they are there.
While some may be openly uncomfortable with the un-aesthetic quality of standard braces, occasionally, and especially at a younger age, they can be the best dental treatment and in some cases you can still opt for a lingual brace to be fitted after you have finished using a standard brace.
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Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2010 Time: 4:52 PM
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