What Are Lingual Braces?

Posted on June 28, 2024

Orthodontic care has been around for a long time. In fact, people have been attempting to get straight teeth and fix misaligned jaws since 400 BCE, according to the American Association of Orthodontics. Today, orthodontic care is a highly advanced dental science that provides many options for treatment. One popular treatment is lingual braces. Let’s learn more about this option to see if it’s a good fit for you.

What Are Lingual Braces?

Lingual braces perform the same purpose as traditional braces, but they are placed behind the teeth instead of in front of the teeth. This option is often preferred for patients who feel self-conscious about having braces put on visibly.

How Do They Work?

Lingual braces work much in the same way as regular braces. An orthodontist will create an impression of your teeth. This impression is then sent to a dental laboratory. There, they use the impression to create customized brackets for your mouth. This process usually takes only about six weeks for our patients. When this step is completed, the orthodontist uses a method to cement the braces onto the back of your teeth. Over the course of treatment, the braces will apply pressure to the teeth to help them shift into the proper position.

How Long Does Treatment Last?

In our professional experience, treatment usually lasts from 18 to 36 months. The timeline will depend on the severity of the overcrowding or the bite issues that are being addressed. Other factors can lengthen treatment time too. Your orthodontist will be able to give you more detailed information on what your treatment will look like.

Who Should Get Lingual Braces?

Lingual braces might not be right for everyone, but this is a good option for many patients. This may be an ideal solution for you if you want to straighten your teeth without obvious braces showing. This can also be a good fit for those who are concerned about braces causing pain to their cheeks and lips. For people who play instruments that require the lips, this can be highly beneficial. If you’re active in contact sports, you should opt for lingual braces to protect your mouth.

Lingual braces can be great for many patients, but they are far from the only treatment you can receive. If you’d like to learn more about the solutions available for straight teeth, contact Jacaranda Smiles today. We are here for your orthodontic care needs.