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Lingual braces
Most patients dislike the idea of the “metal mouth” look they have while in the orthodontic treatment so they try to find alternatives to the classic bracing system. In this case a good idea for many of them is to use the LINGUAL braces.
As their names said it, these braces are not placed on the visible side of the teeth, but “behind” them, in the tongue side. The fact they reside on the lingual side of the mouth gives them this name. We have 2 main providers: IBraces and Inconito (created by Dirk Wiechmann).
The lingual braces are an excellent solution for people who work in the business or PR system and can’t appear in front of their clients with metal braces or anything visible. In some cases the braces could ruin the career or at least a deal (since people are still not that at ease with seeing others braced, especially mature business partners). For them the 2 systems provide a working brace system that doesn’t show.
The advantages are mainly about aspect: the teeth show nothing on the front so it’s hard, virtually impossible, to spot them (unless the patient opens his/her mouth too much to make them visible. I assume no business person would do this though 
The disadvantages are small:
- they cost more than the “normal” metal braces. The brackets are made for each patient (they are not “default” for all of them), it’s an individualized treatment (like Invisalign).
- not all orthodontists can work with them (as in other cases: Damon, Invisalign etc.) these braces require accreditation;
- the sores are a problem for the first days. The tongue is also there and for few days it’s hard to eat and speak. Some patients claim the time to recovery was very short, while others adjusted almost instantly. Do expect some sores as in the case of any braces system. In the end it’s a foreign object in your mouth, but you will adjust and have no more problems.
- the talking is affected for few days. Some patients require few days to be able to get rid of the lisp, others have a better time.
All bracing systems in the end have similar issues: small sores, lisp etc. This would be the toll we have to pay for having nice teeth. Together with the tooth ache once they start moving. Sure, nothing impossible to solve though. Lingual orthodontics is another excellent way to straighten your teeth and have them move to the right position. And your braces, even if there and working full force, are hard to spot.
For the people who need a good aspect and nothing to show their treatment, Lingual braces are a great idea.
Popularity: 5%
Oops! The “i” in “iBraces” stands for Incognito – they are one and the same thing, and the vendor is Lingualcare Inc. There are several other brands on the market though, such as STb (Ormco), Stealth Linguals (American Orthodontics), Forestadent Linguals (Forestadent), Magic (Dentaurum, Inc), and In-Ovation L MTM (GAC), although the latter is a limited system that treats only the anterior – that is the front – teeth.
this surely has beautiful outer look for the people using them but as you can see, you have listed many disadvantages than the advantages. which do you think is the best for the users of braces? (kika.ca)
Can I ask. Whats the difference between Forestadent and Incognito. If i understand correctly, Incognito are moulded to the exact shape of the rear of the tooth, whereas Forestadent are standard size/shape but flatter? Is this right? Also I’ve been led to believe that Forestadent has a reduced treatment time associated with it, is this true? Thanks very much.
Most of the patients dislike the idea of metal mouth while having a treatment and even me I am not interested having metal mouth. Among the braces, lingual braces is a good idea for many patients who wants to hide the treatment from there friends, these braces are not placed on the visible side of the teeth but it is put behind. IBraces and Inconito are two main providers and the credit goes to them. It is a costly brace as compared with other braces, in order to make our treatment we choose for a better product and a good orthodontist as some of the braces required accreditation. Firstly, it will have some problem likes other braces and it will get off after few days others have a longer time.
Patient who needs a good result of there treatment had better go for lingual braces it really works. If some patients can afford the prices, I can give an idea of having a discount in dental plan. http://www.free-dental-care.co.cc//
Now a day most of the patients dislike the idea of metal mouth while doing orthodontic treatment and people feel ashamed of themselves while going out with there friends. So they decided to go for the classic braces. In these points I would prefer lingual braces which will make others hardly to recognize as they will be fitting inside the mouth in the tongue side. If you going for a lingual braces, than you should choose a better orthodontist as some of the orthodontist doesn’t have licensed to work on it.
Hello! I am about to embark upon this treatment. I have started a blog which details my experiences which I will keep adding to. Please get in touch or follow my blog if you have had one too!
Has anyone had one who likes to sing and has it affected your singing voice? I am a vocal teacher so slightly nervous about that!
Rose
Lingual braces sounds cool. And even nobody can recognize easily. It is the best option for those who wants to go for braces but afraid of those traditional braces, which they may feel to be awkward or unattractive.
I prefer these iBraces put inside because its not quite beautiful when its visible.
Just got my Lingual Braces installed yesterday. The first and the most frustrating bit about these braces is ‘how sharp they are’. Not sure what the industry is thinking but why on earth would they make the braces (mounts) this sharp! If you run your fingers over it, you will see how sharp they are. It is bloody carzy! The Dr. never notices it as they have gloves on. If it is sharp to touch, you can only imagine what it does to your tongue.
So, my experience is that, my tongue is extremely sore. I have used salt water and silicon goo. That helps a bit but I guess, they want the tongue to grow calluses then perhaps, the industry can come up with another expensive procedure to remove them!
Again, I just cannot believe, in this day and age of laser precision engineering, they don’t make the braces smoother. Especially when you pay $5K for half a mouth of braces! What are they thinking!
My advise to anyone considering is to ask your Ortho about this fact. They never tell you about it. Once it is installed, you are hooked. Run your fingers over it and see how they feel.
Then there is the issue with food sticking in the braces. That of course is to be expected. Brush, floss, rinse, etc. etc.
Day 7 and still having problems getting used to the braces. However, things are a lot more settled. There is one mounting point that is really hurting my tongue. Had to continuously use the goo. Yesterday in frustration, I used a fine file to smooth it out. Don’t recommend doing this as the mount can come off causing much more trouble (but I was between a rock and hard place). However, I was extremely cautious and gentle. Seems to make a big difference. The problem I had is, I got the braces installed just before the holidays and now have to wait until the Dr. gets back. So, my advise is, get the timing right so you can go see your Dr. for fine tuning the braces – yes, you will need that.
It about Day 12 now… Things are much more settled with the tongue getting used to the metal braces. Biggest issue is with food getting stuck in the braces and having to always brush – little hard when out at a restaurant. Also, purchased a Waterpik. This does a good job when compared to the pain of flossing the normal way – if you thought flossing was a pain, flossing with Linguals takes it to whole new world!!! So, in my book the Waterpik is a must (and augmented with the traditional method with you have 20 mins. spare). Also, don’t forget to use mouth wash.
I know many people who are too embarrassed to get braces in their adult years. Braces are not a normal thing when you are an adult and people look at you funny. These are great for solving that problem.
If braces hurt so much when they’re on the outside of the tooth, I can’t imagine how painful they’d be on the inside. I feel like the effectiveness wouldn’t be as high because they can’t see them properly.
It is now about 4 weeks since I got the braces. Things have been settling in well and the teeth appear to be moving. However, in the past two or three days, Mr. Tongue is starting feel the sharp metal braces, yet again. I feel that with the movement of the teeth, perhaps the tongue is having to adjust again. I’m truly amazed that in this day and age, they DON’T use smoother brace mounts (the bits that get glued onto the teeth to hold the wire in place). I rubbed my finger against them and they were sharp to touch – so you can imagine what the tongue feels. My advise is, talk to your ortho about this fact. Push the question. If they don’t have a smooth model to install, think long and hard before you go for it. The Ortho will do the sell job as they charge more for these and they sure don’t feel the discomfort. When you spend this amount of money for few bits of metal that get glued onto your teeth, they can at least take the effort to make them comfortable. Yes, it is frustrating a little…
In some regards, given consideration to the discomfort I’m having, I think braces on the outside would have been better. If nothing else, when you talk funny, people will easily know why (rather than thinking you have a speech problem)
. Yes, I think they can also get more teeth movement with the braces that go on the outside.
My recommendation… get Lingual braces on the top and regular (external) braces on the bottom. Less discomfort, more effectiveness and cheaper for you (not for the Ortho)!