The Pros and Cons of Lingual Braces. Are They Right for You?

Expert Contribution by Dr. Barbara Fodero, Chatham Orthodontics

If the thought of traditional metal braces or invisible aligners, such as Invisalign, to straighten your teeth don’t sound appealing, you’ll be glad to know you aren’t out of options. Lingual braces provide an alternative to visible braces or contending with taking clear aligners in and out throughout the day.

Simply put, lingual braces look very similar to traditional metal ones, but are placed behind your teeth out of the public eye to give you a more discreet smile-correcting experience. But, as appealing as it sounds to avoid flashing a metal-filled smile while your teeth get straight, are lingual braces the right choice for you?

Though still not as popular as traditional braces or Invisalign, lingual braces were first introduced in the 1970s. Lingual braces started to gain more popularity in the new millennium when advances in digital technology allowed them to be customized to each patient’s mouth, thereby making them less bulky and more comfortable for the patient.

Invisible Aligners vs Lingual Braces below

Lingual Braces which go behind the teeth for discreetness

From a technical standpoint, working with braces on the inside of the teeth can be more challenging for the orthodontist and why many orthodontists are reluctant to offer lingual braces. Lingual braces require additional training and certification to become proficient at using them. Not every person is a candidate for lingual braces, as more complicated bites or severely crowded teeth cannot be corrected with this form of treatment. In addition, lingual braces cost more than traditional braces because of the additional technology that goes into making a custom fit appliance.

Lingual braces require a lot more adjustment of the tongue. It can take a week or two for the tongue to toughen up to the hardware applied to the back surfaces of the teeth. Additionally, one’s speech may temporarily change for a few weeks until one gets adjusted. This isn’t an issue with conventional braces.

In the past lingual braces created significant hygiene issues because they were difficult to clean. This was one of the major reasons I was reluctant to offer lingual braces in my practice until now. INBRACE is the latest version of lingual braces that uses computer designed wires that are custom fit to a patient’s dental arch so the patient can brush and floss normally.

To make the best decision, make sure you weigh your options. Know what benefits other options provide, along with associated costs and the time it takes to correct your problem. If you think you will struggle with the compliance needed for Invisalign or don’t like the idea of removing a plastic aligner for every meal, every cup of coffee, every snack, that important meeting, or a night out with your friends, consider scheduling a consultation with an orthodontist to see if lingual braces would be a good option for you!