Braces are a great way to help straighten your teeth; they are efficient, safe and have been found to have a positive impact on other areas of your oral care.
Despite this, many patients we see at our practice do not want to undertake any form of orthodontics in Harley Street, even though there are many different options available, depending on the conditions our dentists are aiming to treat.
A lesser known option for orthodontics in Harley Street is that of lingual braces, which are just as powerful for realigning teeth as traditional orthodontic ones. If your dentist has suggested that you would benefit from having lingual braces fitted, as opposed to traditional ones, here is what you need to know.
What are lingual braces?
Lingual braces are one of many different types of orthodontics in Harley Street, which can be used to correct more severe dental alignments, such as protrusions, spacing and overcrowding. Visually, lingual braces are comprised of metal brackets which are attached to your teeth, a wire that runs through these brackets is tightened or loosened during the course of your treatment.
Unlike traditional braces that are fitted to the front of the teeth, lingual braces are fitted to the back of teeth, making them less noticeable to passers-by. This has the obvious advantage of discretion but can make them a bit harder to clean and maintain.
Trips to the hygienist
Trips to the hygienist are a must when you have had lingual braces fitted. A member of our hygienist team can advise you on how to look after your braces, can show you the correct brushing techniques and will be happy to clean around your braces regularly, to prevent issues like tooth decay and gum disease.
At home, it may be worth investing in a small dental mirror, which will allow you to check on your cleaning technique yourself, while also enabling you to identify any issues that may occur. Prevention is better than treatment!
Food restrictions
It is a fact that even the strongest metal brace is not indestructible; as both traditional and lingual braces are made from metal, you should apply the same rules of food consumption to both.
Avoid hard candies, toffees, caramels, excess consumption of sugary drinks and drink as much water as you can throughout your day.
Treatment time
A common question we are asked is does the treatment time with lingual braces differ from traditional orthodontic ones? As each case is individual, we cannot provide a straightforward answer. However, we can tell you that many people who undergo treatment with lingual braces can wear them from between one to three years, which is about the same amount of time that many patients wear traditional braces for.
Depending on the severity of your misalignment and how well maintained your braces are will all have an impact on your treatment time.
Contact our team today for more information.