Invisible braces are your way to a beautiful smile!

Malocclusion and crooked teeth are a fairly common problem among patients in modern dental practice, which often, in addition to aesthetic and psychological discomfort, also causes difficulty in eating. Many people, however, are hesitant to get braces, since visible structures on the teeth often interfere with those whose work involves, for example, public speaking and social activities. Especially to solve this problem, so-called lingual or invisible braces have now been developed, which solve the problem of malocclusion without causing discomfort when eating and are not noticeable externally. However, like almost any dental structure, invisible braces have contraindications, the main of which is the presence of an inflammatory process in the oral cavity and its accompanying diseases: gingivitis, periodontal disease and periodontitis of the gums. More details will be given below.

What are lingual braces?

In modern dentistry, there are two main groups of braces: vestibular and lingual. The first ones are installed on the outside of the dentition, so that orthodontic treatment will not remain invisible to others even if spectacular translucent systems are installed. Lingual braces are an orthodontic system that is fixed to the inside of the teeth. This is the main advantage: due to their location, the locks remain completely invisible to prying eyes.

Photos before and after treatment with lingual braces

The photographs below show a mild clinical case where treatment with lingual braces lasted 9 months.

Types of lingual braces

Today there are many varieties of internal braces from different manufacturers. The choice of devices is quite large, so everyone can find the best option. All of them effectively help eliminate crooked teeth and cope with malocclusion completely unnoticed by others, but each lingual system has its own characteristics. The devices vary depending on materials, manufacturing technology and cost. Let's look at the most popular invisible lingual braces.

STB

Bracket system from Ormco, USA. It has a round shape and is made of metal. The thickness of STB lingual braces is 1.5 millimeters, while they provide precise correction of the dentition and comfort in use. The model does not have the main disadvantage of conventional lingual appliances - large staples on the side of the tongue. STB lingual braces are quite easy to care for, so they are perfect even for children. The device has virtually no effect on pronunciation.

Incognito

An innovative German brace system made from a platinum-gold alloy is manufactured by Top Service based on an impression of the patient’s teeth: first, a 3D model of the future device is designed, taking into account the smallest nuances of the jaw structure, after which the lingual system is produced by milling using special CAD/CAM technology. Invisible lingual braces Incognito are hypoallergenic and ideal for any clinical case.

Win

Another model produced by Top Service. However, unlike Incognito lingual braces, these internal braces are miniature in size and flattened in shape. Standard Win lingual braces do not cause discomfort while wearing and are practically not felt. The system is ideally adapted to the dental surface and is suitable for eliminating pathologies of any complexity. In addition, the improved production technology of the device has made it possible to significantly reduce the cost of the model in comparison with the Incognito lingual brace system.

2D

Modern invisible braces from the German manufacturer Forestadent. They have a perfectly polished surface and a small thickness, which allows you to maintain diction and maintain wearing comfort. Also, one of the advantages of 2D lingual braces is the price, and in terms of efficiency they are not inferior to other models.

In Ovation L

Lingual metal brace system from one of the largest companies in the dental market, Dentsply. Main advantages: accessibility and versatility. The device is made from an alloy of cobalt and nickel and is sold completely ready, eliminating the need for the patient to wait. The In Ovation L system is suitable for those who will experience tooth movement of up to six millimeters.

Popular brands of sapphire braces:

• The ORMCO company, USA produces Inspire ICE
  , transparent not only for daylight, but also for neon light. Their distinctive feature is that they are easily removed and do not damage the enamel;
• Damon Clear
  braces produced by the same company are distinguished by the ability to quickly and easily change arches;
• Miso
  ligature-free braces (HT corporation, South Korea) are easy to care for, with a convenient arch correction system;
• Radiance
  braces from American Orthodontics (USA) have a special type of fastening that allows you to quickly remove them when treatment is completed.

Installing lingual braces on teeth

The procedure for installing internal braces is not particularly different from fixing traditional braces. First of all, the patient will undergo a preparatory stage, during which he will undergo diagnostics, professional hygiene procedures and oral sanitation (a set of medical procedures to eliminate diseases and inflammation in the oral cavity).

Based on the diagnostic results, 3D modeling of lingual braces is carried out, after which an orthodontic apparatus is manufactured in the laboratory, taking into account all the anatomical features of the person. The production of the lingual system will take from a month to a month and a half.

When the device is ready, the orthodontist begins installing braces on the inside of the teeth. To install lingual braces, the following manipulations are performed.

1. The enamel is polished and treated with a restoring substance.
2. Special linings are attached to the inside of the dentition and are connected to each other.
3. Special clasps, which are called braces, are secured to the onlays using dental glue. They set the desired direction of movement for each tooth.
4. An orthodontic power arch is inserted into the braces, connecting them together.
5. The arch is secured to the locks using elastic ligature fasteners (in ligature models) or with special clips located directly on the locks (in non-ligature models).

During treatment with lingual braces, the orthodontist periodically replaces the arches with new, more rigid ones in order to increase the load on the dentition. The period of wearing such a system is on average from one and a half to two years, but it is impossible to say exactly how long lingual braces are worn, because the timing may vary depending on the degree of curvature of the teeth and malocclusion, as well as the characteristics of the patient’s body.

Vestibular ceramic braces

Vestibular braces are any braces that are installed on the front wall of the teeth. Perhaps, in modern orthodontics this type of structure is used most often. However, this does not mean that the choice of a system for correcting occlusion is limited to bulky iron devices.

Braces made of translucent ceramics, the color of which is as close as possible to the shade of your own enamel, have gained high popularity. The material is absolutely safe for the body, does not cause allergies, because it does not contain metal impurities. Ceramics are not stained, so the patient does not have to give up coloring products, coffee and tea, for fear that the locks will darken and become more noticeable over time.

The disadvantages of ceramic brace systems are related to the characteristics of the material - it is more fragile than metal, so the risk of the lock chipping or coming off increases. Such braces require careful care and avoidance of hard products.

In what cases are internal braces not used?

For a number of clinical cases, invisible braces are the best treatment option. For example, lingual braces for deep bites work much more effectively than vestibular braces. However, there are a number of restrictions under which it is better not to place lingual braces on teeth. Among them:

• periodontal diseases;
• low dental crown;
• dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint;
• allergy to the materials from which the system is made;
• bruxism;
• too narrow jaw;
• severe crowding of teeth;
• age under 11 years.

Motivation for orthodontic treatment is different for men and women

Regular surveys of adult patients who are considering certain methods of correcting their bite show that men and women motivate themselves differently against braces. But the basis for refusing treatment with lingual braces is their two disadvantages - discomfort

and
price
.

Men speak directly about the discomfort of braces: “Am I a boy, or what?”

Women reduce the problem of wearing braces to a psychological level, preferring aligners:

Lingual braces and diction

Installing an invisible braces system is the best option in terms of aesthetics. However, many patients complain that after installing lingual braces, their diction deteriorates. When correcting a bite with lingual braces, the patient may actually develop speech defects during the process of getting used to the device, especially when pronouncing sibilant consonants. For braces that are placed from the inside, this is a normal phenomenon; it completely disappears after two to four weeks, after which the patient continues to lead his usual lifestyle.

Transparent aligners

Clear aligner trays are made from a variety of materials. They are highly valued both among specialists and consumers. All presented devices are of high quality, efficiency and aesthetics. The main advantage of such systems is elegance and discreetness. And if earlier wearing such elements caused a lot of problems, then with modern products they do not bring any trouble.

The essence of the treatment is that the patient is given an individual set of several mouth guards. While wearing them, the teeth are gradually straightened and a new mouth guard is placed. They can be worn around the clock to speed up the process, taking them off when eating and exercising.

If it is not possible to use mouthguards, unobtrusive braces are installed. This is done in the following cases:

• incorrect position of teeth;
• crowding;
• narrowing of the dental arches;
• malocclusion.

As for contraindications, they also exist. Invisible braces should not be used if there are any inflammatory processes in the mouth or gums. In addition, restrictions include the following factors:

• diseases of the circulatory system;
• presence of cancer;
• any pathologies of the endocrine system, including diabetes;
• active tuberculosis.

It is worth noting that the structure is not installed if there is individual intolerance. In addition, bite correction with transparent aligners is not carried out for children of the younger age group.

Which is better: regular or lingual braces?

Compared to vestibular (external) braces, lingual braces have both advantages and several disadvantages:

• Aesthetics: even the most attentive interlocutor will not guess that you are undergoing treatment with lingual braces.
• Comfort: internal dental braces do not cause damage to the lips and cheeks, as they do not come into contact with them.
• Predicted result: the lingual brace system is made on the basis of a 3D model, and the patient can see in advance what his smile will look like at the end of treatment.
• Hypoallergenic: systems consist of alloys that do not cause an allergic reaction.
• The ability to correct even the most difficult case of deep bite.

• Cause increased salivation during the adaptation period.
• They may rub the tongue, especially in the first weeks after installation.
• Diction is impaired (the problem is solved within a couple of weeks).
• They have more limitations compared to the vestibular systems.
• Requires more careful adherence to oral hygiene procedures.
• They have a high cost.

Most of the disadvantages of lingual braces are conditional, since the prices of the devices and their level of comfort vary among different models of lingual braces.

Video about lingual braces

Treatment with aligners has many advantages:

• they are invisible in the mouth (like contact lenses are invisible in the eyes)
• they are completely free of metal, which makes them hypoallergenic
• they do not injure the oral mucosa
• They make it easy to keep your teeth clean - the aligners are removed for eating and brushing your teeth

Aligners cope with most orthodontic problems. But in some cases, braces are still more effective. Only a doctor can determine which method is right for you after an examination.

Is it possible to get lingual braces cheaply?

Many patients are concerned about the question of whether it is possible to fix lingual braces without much damage to their wallet. These are quite expensive devices, most of which are manufactured exclusively for the patient. However, there are options here.

Lingual braces for one jaw

First, it is worth discussing with your orthodontist whether it is possible to install braces on the inside of the teeth on one jaw. This can be in combination with the normal vestibular system or alone in uncomplicated cases. Thus, it is quite possible to install lingual braces on the upper jaw or only on the lower jaw in order to correct the unevenness of only one row of teeth if the patient has the following problems.

• Mild crowding without complications in the anterior jaw.
• Gaps in the front part of the jaw, while the lateral teeth close together correctly.
• Strongly erupted lateral teeth without antagonists.
• Gaps to be closed after tooth extraction.

Partial lingual braces

In some cases, when the patient’s teeth are crooked in a certain place, you can get by with partial lingual braces, which the doctor will fix not on the entire dentition, but only in the area where it is planned to eliminate the local defect. Partial lingual braces with installation will cost the patient almost half as much as a device for the entire dentition.

The final decision on whether it is possible to install a lingual brace system on only one jaw or locally can only be made by the attending physician - taking into account the clinical picture and subject to a stable result.

Budget system models

Another way to save money when installing invisible braces on your teeth is to choose a budget system. The most expensive today are Incognito lingual braces. However, other internal dental braces are no worse in effectiveness than designs from the premium segment. They only differ in the materials of manufacture, the method of fixation and the size of the locks - braces. Table of approximate prices for popular brace systems (for one jaw):

In addition to the cost of the braces themselves, the final price of orthodontic treatment will also include diagnosis, installation, regular correction and removal of the lingual brace system. For example, the cost of correcting a malocclusion or crooked teeth using Incognito lingual braces will ultimately cost 300,000 - 400,000 rubles. And if you choose a more budget option, for example, Win or STB lingual braces, then the cost of treatment will be up to 230,000 rubles. So, if you wish, you can install lingual braces inexpensively and become the owner of the smile of your dreams.