When you are an adult looking to straighten your teeth, you are probably going to be looking for something that can help you get the straighter smile you want, without drawing unwanted stares from strangers and colleagues.
But is this possible if you have a more complex case of dental misalignment? Yes, it is!
Thanks to lingual braces, you can achieve the straighter, healthier smile you want without the aesthetic issues that other forms of braces can bring. When you come to Winchester Orthodontics, our orthodontist Hampshire will be able to help you choose the perfect brace to ensure you get the smile you want in the shortest time frame possible.
Curious to learn more about lingual braces? Here, our orthodontist Hampshire answers common FAQs they receive about this brace that is growing in popularity.
How do lingual braces differ from regular braces?
As our orthodontist Hampshire will tell you, in many ways, lingual braces and standard braces are very similar.
For one thing, they are both made from metal, they are both fitted, they both require tightening or adjusting and they can both be used to treat more complex cases of dental misalignment.
But, of course, the main difference lies in their cosmetic appeal; traditional braces are placed on the outside of teeth, whereas lingual braces are placed on the inside, making them more visually discreet. Hence why they are becoming so popular with adult dental patients who need something a bit stronger to realign their teeth.
How long are they worn for?
As is the way with all forms of orthodontic treatment, the duration of your treatment is based on your orthodontic requirements and the severity of the issue being treated.
For most patients, they will need to wear a lingual brace for between 12-18 months, but if you have a more complicated case of misalignment, you may need to wear the brace for as long as 36 months.
But it will be worth it, we promise!
How often will I need to see your team while wearing them?
You will need to see our team fairly regularly while wearing lingual braces; we advise our patients to attend appointments every 6-8 weeks for check-ups, as well as adjustments and so we can check on their general oral hygiene.
Do they hurt?
Even with dentistry being as advanced as it is, we cannot prevent the movement of teeth from being a bit sore! Sorry!
As lingual braces are fitted, they will need to be adjusted and tightened to ensure you get the best outcome from wearing them.
However, as is the way with standard braces, this can cause some discomfort in the days following tightening. To mitigate against this, we advise our patients to use ibuprofen or paracetamol. If you find that tightening of this brace (or any brace) is too uncomfortable for you, then please talk to our team as soon as possible.
Will this brace give me a lisp?
As this brace is on the inside of your teeth, it may alter your speech temporarily.
However, as you get used to wearing the brace, your speech patterns will naturally fall back into line. We recommend trying to speak as much as possible within the first day of wearing this brace to speed up this process.
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