Many individuals when faced with the need to get orthodontic corrective work done start thinking about the different types of braces that are available. And while it is pretty clear to the experts that orthodontic treatment with braces aims to improve the position of certain teeth (IQWiG, 2006), each type of braces does something slightly different.
And while braces can improve the lives of many individuals, it is unfortunate that many people simply do not get the option or are not able to choose to utilize orthodontics for one reason or another. It is estimated that more than half of all children and teenagers in parts of the world require orthodontic care (IQWiG, 2006).
Braces on back of teeth
And while braces are a fairly uncomplicated device, the skill involved with oral medicine, and the technical knowledge of how to add metals and ceramics safely to your mouth and teeth is an important skill as the experts say.
Braces including lingual braces are usually made up of metal bands, brackets and a thin metal wire (IQWiG, 2006).
Of course, thinking about braces leads individuals to wonder what type of braces will be best. If you are wondering about protecting the integrity of your smile and your aesthetics is your highest goal then you may be interested in lingual braces. But what are lingual braces and what makes them the best at protecting your smile and making it so your orthodontic treatment is nearly invisible?
Am I a Good Candidate for Lingual braces Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels
What are lingual braces?
Lingual braces are a type of orthodontic treatment that is more modern than the classic types like traditional metal braces. The single biggest thing that setslingual braces apart is that these are braces inside your teeth. Yes! The single biggest difference between lingual braces and every other type of braces is that these are braces on the back of your teeth.
Braces on back of teeth? But why is that a benefit? Unlike traditional metal braces or ceramic braces which attach to the front of the teeth and are thus obvious to anybody that you are wearing them, lingual braces are on the back of the teeth and because of this are invisible to everybody except your orthodontic office. Unless your friends make the habit of making you yawn to check out your braces, they will be totally invisible to them. This can be a huge self-esteem boost for people for whom that is a very important consideration.
Braces on the back of your teeth
Protecting your smile is important and many individuals may feel self-conscious about getting orthodontic work done, especially if their concept of getting orthodontics is a mental image of traditional metal braces. Lingual braces are basically the reverse of that and are incredibly inconspicuous. There’s a wide variety of reasons why this might be beneficial for individuals. Perhaps you work in the media industry, you are a model or a social media influencer, or are in some other profession where it’s important to maintain the integrity of your smile but you still need to get orthodontic work done. This can be especially important for individuals who were thinking about utilizing Invisalign instead of lingual braces.
Lingual braces
While both styles are fairly inconspicuous, Invisalign can produce a sheen or shine when taking pictures and so if your job involves you being in front of the camera often, then even Invisalign is not truly invisible. And this of course is one of the things that makes lingual braces different because all that people will see are your natural teeth in the front while your orthodontic treatment happens behind the teeth.
Lingual braces cost
There are two costs involved when it comes to lingual braces: one is the cost of time spent at the orthodontic office and the other is the straight monetary cost. Let’s start with the cost at the office.
The benefit of lingual braces is also one of its drawbacks and because it is far less conspicuous, attaching and working on lingual braces is also a bit more difficult than with traditional braces. While traditional braces like metal braces or ceramic braces attach to the front of the teeth and are incredibly easy to access,lingual braces are a bit more difficult and because of that you may spend more time at the orthodontic office when you’re getting your orthodontics inspected and your braces wires tightened.
However, this is a fairly minor cost to pay. The other one is one of the big hurdles that people have in avoiding getting lingual braces and that is the monetary cost. The monetary cost for lingual braces is quite high compared to traditional metal braces. While traditional metal braces may cost around $3,000,lingual braces can cost around $8,000 or more. These of course are only rough estimates as only your orthodontic office will know what the ultimate cost will be for you and for your treatment.
Braces inside your teeth
Orthodontic treatments are individual and there is no way to tell without getting a free consultation done about the kind of costs that you may incur. Some people’s treatments progress faster than others, while some other people take longer. However,what we have described are just averages and if you want specific numbers then talking with your orthodontic office will be the surest way to find out the exact costs you can expect.
Even though the costs may at first seem large, the fact of the matter is that it is not quite so far out of reach as many people may assume. There are two primary reasons why individuals may still choose to utilize this type of braces even though they are more expensive. One – the monetary cost is worth it to them to be able to have that beautiful smile while they get their orthodontics done; and two – either through orthodontic insurance or through utilizing payment plans they realize that the cost is not quite so high as they thought it might be.
Many payment plans can be in the low hundreds per month, meaning that even to get something like lingual braces you are not spending thousands of dollars every month but only a small amount as you pay off your braces. If lingual braces are actually covered by your insurance plan then you may even be in a better position as the insurance may well cover the lion’s share of the procedure with only small monthly payments needed to finish off the rest.
Summary:
People seek out orthodontists for different reasons, including a dentist referral or recommendation for orthodontic treatment, or for reasons including poor dental alignment, missing teeth, or other oral problems.If you are seeking orthodontic treatment, you should ask your orthodontist for advice.
If you have questions such as should I get lingual braces, what types of braces may be good for me, how do I know if I need lingual braces, or other related questions, you are not alone.
The best way to determine if you need a specific type of braces is to schedule a visit with an orthodontist near me for an examination of your teeth, jaws, and overall oral health. During this consultation, your orthodontist will likely require a digital picture of your teeth and may even take a mold of your teeth to ensure you get a thorough examination and a highly specific treatment plan for you.
If you need lingual braces because of your specific needs, then your orthodontist will recommend that. Additionally, you can speak to the orthodontist regarding any questions or queries you have during the consultation. At the consultation, your orthodontist will be able to explain the differences between braces and perhaps recommend lingual braces for you. The different types of braces include traditional metal braces, lingual braces, and ceramic braces.Each has its own specific advantages and disadvantages.
Reference:
InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Misaligned teeth and jaws: Treatment with fixed braces. 2020 Jan 16. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553378/?report=classic
