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| Lingual braces are attached
to the back side of the teeth, which makes them completely non-visible.
This advanced method makes lingual orthodontics particularly well-suited
for adults, who often want to improve the look and function of their teeth
without letting anyone else know about their treatment.
With standard braces, the brackets are cemented to the front of the teeth, which are quite uniform in their shape. However, lingual brackets are attached to the back side of the teeth. The back side of each tooth has its own unique shape - unlike the front of each tooth, which is fairly uniform among all people. Standard brackets are mass-produced, but each lingual bracket must be custom-formed to the unique shape of each individual tooth. Your back teeth will not meet at first because your front teeth will be hitting the brackets on the back of the upper front teeth. This may seem hard to deal with but it will speed up your treatment noticeably, and it will prevent you from clenching, which can remove brackets and make it more difficult to move your teeth to new positions. |
Dr. Laughlin Shows How Lingual Braces
are Put On the Back of the Teeth
| First, a plaster cast of the teeth is made and is sent to the laboratory to prepare brackets custom-molded to each tooth. The brackets are then removed from the cast and set in a layer of wax, and placed into a small plaster applicator. This ensures all the brackets stay perfectly aligned while being cemented. The lingual brackets for the front teeth are set in a layer of wax in the plaster applicator. |
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| Cement is applied to each lingual bracket. Note the uneven surface of each bracket, resulting from the dustom-milding process. |
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| With the aid of the applicator, the lingual brackets are pressed into place against the backside of the teeth. |
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| Once the cement sets, the applicator breaks away easily, leaving the lingual brackets on the teeth. |
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| The reamaining lingual brackets have been cemented into place and the archwire has been installed. (Upper Mouth) |
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| View of completely installed lingual orthdontics. (Lower Mouth) |
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| Lingual orthodontics are truly remarkable. They let one achieve the stunning results orthodontics offers, whil at the same time, being completely non-visible. |
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| Close-up from the side: While wearing lingual orthodontics, one doesn't have to let anyone else in one's secret. Notice how there is absolutely no trace of braces to be seen. |
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HELPFUL HINTS FOR WEARERS OF LINGUAL ORTHODONTICS
| Most people get along with them
quite well and without any additional aids after a week or two. However,
some people are more sensitive than others to the appliances and may develop
canker sores from these initial irritations.
To help with the initial adjustment period, first learn to avoid swallowing using a tongue thrust. If you find that your tongue is pushing at your teeth when you swallow, try the following technique. Bring your back teeth together as if you were closing your mouth, and with the upper teeth gently contacting the lower, try to swallow. You will find it a little difficult at first, but learning the correct way to swallow will be a great aid in minimizing irritation of the tongue. Second, wax is given to you to use as needed to reduce irritation in areas of tenderness on your tongue. Don't overuse it or your mouth will never get used to the brackets. Third, try to speak as much as possible and practice over enunciating at home. This will help you speak more clearly. Fourth, eat foods the first few days which are soft and soothing: bean soup, chicken noodle soup, rice, mashed potatoes, soft bread, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches made with soft bread with the crust removed, fruit shakes, cottage cheese, applesauce, and Carnation Instant Breakfast or other meal replacers. Finally, until you have adjusted to your new braces, don't plan special steak dinners or dinners out to fancy restaurants. Also remember that stringy vegetables, such as lettuce, can catch in the brackets and be an embarrassment. Practice eating at home, before dining out, to test how well you are doing. You'll be glad you did. |
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