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.

The “nerd” or “geek” who has eyeglasses and those braces that make talking and smiling so difficult. What most movies fail to show us is how that “geek” will look in just months after the treatment is over. Metal braces and any kind of orthodontic devices in the end do look funny and might be uncomfortable, but the results are always stunning. In 1-2 years (maybe a little more for some very complex orthodontic cases) that metal mouth will sport an amazing smile, just great to use to advertise a new brand of toot-paste or any other product that requires a lot of smiling.

Even if most orthodontic patients fear braces, we do advise you to use them and do the treatment. After some months you won’t recognize your teeth, you’ll have a perfect smile and a new face to show.

We used that “time machine” analogy since today things are different in orthodontics. Now we have more than just metal braces. We can use ceramics, lingual braces, even invisible plastic ones that really don’t show. Did you think that you don’t have what to chose from? Think again.

And now, to the goal of our article: HOW DO I CHOSE THE ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT?

• the severity of your orthodontic case. If your teeth are too crooked you might not qualify for the Invisible braces (Invisalign). In this case your orthodontist can advise you to use another system: Damon or Lingual (Incognito)
• the need for extractions (or not). Some braces types (Damon comes to mind) might not require extractions, others might do
• what your orthodontist can provide. Not can provide you with Incognito, Invisalign or Damon. Most of them have just “regular” metal braces (with ligatures), while others are licensed to use all systems.
• price. Some orthodotic treatments are more expensive while others cost less. Not to mention some are not covered by your health insurance.
• the need to wear other devices: headgear for example.
• treatment time: some systems work faster, some slower
• diction: in some cases the lisp the patient faces (at least in the first days) is more noticeable. For a radio DJ for instance or a public speaker, this can become a problem
• looks. Some might not love the “metal mouth” look (for a 30-40 year old this might be harder), while others don’t care about aspect too much and can settle for anything.
• allergies. Some people might develop allergic reactions to Nickel.

So, here you have some things to consider when chosing an orthodontic treatment. It’s not that simple anymore and thank God we have some excellent systems to chose from. There are good solutions or even combinations so that we can straighten our teeth the way we want.