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Lingual Brackets

Comfortable Cosmetic Dentistry in Houston, Sugar Land, Galveston, Humble and Katy, Texas

Houston, Sugar Land, Humble, and Katy, Texas

Many people, both children and adults, who might want or need braces have avoided this orthodontic procedure because they don’t like the thought of braces on their teeth. Perhaps it’s the thought of having to endure “brace face” or “metal mouth” comments for years. Or maybe they simply can’t bear the thought of looking at their braces as they brush and floss. For these people, especially adults, lingual braces may be the answer.

Lingual braces are attached to the back of the teeth rather than the front. This makes them almost invisible, while providing improved function and the look of the teeth. Because the back of the teeth are not as uniformly shaped as the front, each lingual bracket is custom-made to fit each individual patient’s unique mouth.  Standard braces that fit the front of the teeth are mass produced.

Procedure

• A mold of your teeth is made, which is then sent to a lab to have your custom-made lingual brackets prepared.
• Brackets are removed from the cast, set in a layer of wax and placed in an applicator. Brackets for the front teeth are set in a wax layer in the plaster applicator.
• After cement is applied to each lingual bracket, they are pressed into place on the back of your teeth. The applicator breaks away once the cement sets.
• With the brackets now in place, an archwire is installed.

The result is that you now have braces to improve your teeth, but no one will know they are there.

Adjustment
For most people, the adjustment to wearing lingual brackets is easy after a couple of weeks. However, some patients find they are sensitive to their new braces. Canker sores may develop from irritation with these patients.

• To help with this adjustment, you must learn to swallow in a different way. When most people swallow, they use a tongue thrust. That is, they push their tongue against the teeth as they swallow. To avoid this, practice gently bringing the upper teeth in contact with the lower, with the back of your teeth together, as if closing your mouth and try to swallow. While this may be difficult at first, it will reduce irritation on the tongue.
• Another thing you will find difficult at first is speaking clearly. By practicing enunciating, this will become easier. Speak often to learn to speak clearly with lingual braces.
• Eating soft foods is important in the first few days. As you get used to your braces, you will be able to eat harder foods. However, you may want to avoid eating stringy foods in public for a while. These can, and will, get stuck in the brackets, which may cause you embarrassment.

Just as if you were wearing traditional braces, lingual brackets take some getting used to. The major difference is that once you’ve learned to speak clearly, and eat in a normal fashion, they are very difficult to spot. You won’t have to worry about people teasing you for having a metal mouth, and you’ll find that your smile, just like your teeth, will improve in a big way.

If you are interested in finding out more about lingual brackets in the Houston, Texas area, please contact Midtown Dental, the Gallery of Smiles. Dentist, Dr. Nab and his staff will be happy to answer your questions.