Do you have a dental misalignment as an adult that is stopping you from feeling happy when you smile?

If so, you have probably researched the options for having your teeth straightened already. In years gone by, severe misalignments in adulthood would need to be treated with a metal or orthodontic brace, but thanks to advances in orthodontic research, you can now have such issues corrected with a lingual brace.

At Ashlow Orthodontics, we are proud to be able to offer our adult patients a range of treatments, and our orthodontist in Stoke will assess your suitability for each option based on the severity of the misalignment and your personal preferences if possible. But, should you be suited for lingual braces, you can then boast about undergoing a truly royal treatment, yes, even members of the British royal family have used this brace!

So, before you rush to book an appointment with our orthodontist in Stoke, what are some of the more common questions we are asked about this type of brace?

What are lingual braces?

Lingual braces are fitted, metal braces that are attached to the back of your teeth. Visually, they look very similar to standard braces, except the brackets are made from gold.

They use the same technique as standard braces and can be equally as effective in the hands of a dentist who knows how to use the brace, such as our orthodontist in Stoke.

Do they need tightening?

Yes, they do.

Depending on the severity of the issue being treated, they may need tightening every 4-6 weeks. Please aim to attend these appointments, as failure to have this brace tightened regularly can cause your teeth to relapse into their former positions and slow down the overall treatment time.

How long is the treatment time?

Like most braces, the treatment time varies depending on the issue being treated and the severity of it.

On average, lingual braces take between 18 months and 36 months to work. For more information on how long this brace will take to correct your orthodontic issue, contact our team for a consultation.

Are they uncomfortable?

Even in this day and age, we cannot move teeth without it causing a bit of discomfort! Even invisible aligners are not entirely comfortable.

As lingual braces are fitted and require tightening to move the teeth, they can be rather uncomfortable following a tightening session, but don’t worry the discomfort should fade in around 3-4 days.

We recommend taking over-the-counter pain relief to manage the associated discomfort, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. If you have concerns about the level of discomfort your lingual brace is causing, talk to our team.

Do they work as well as a standard brace?

Statistically, yes they do!

But they require more specialist training to use, so ensure that when you are seeking out a lingual brace, that the dental team is trained and experienced in this method of teeth straightening to yield the best results.

For more information about lingual braces, contact our team today!