What are Lingual Braces?

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The word “lingual” means tongue. Lingual braces (also known as invisible braces) are made of metal, attached to the inside surfaces of the teeth that face the tongue and are completely invisible from the outside, even up-close.  It is suitable for both adults and teenagers who are embarrassed to wear regular braces on the outside of their teeth.  There are many business people, TV presenters, singers, and actors who are in the public eye all the time that have chosen lingual braces due to the fact that they think regular braces could somehow affect their job. Lingual braces can be used on patients of any age

Advantages of Lingual Braces

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• Braces are absolutely invisible and hidden to those around you.

• They realign teeth as effectively and in the same time frame as traditional braces without the aesthetic worries.

• Lingual braces are far more capable and efficient than clear aligner for complex movement like correcting rotations, changing heights of teeth and closing extraction spaces.

• In many cases traditional braces are not suited for patients who play contact sports, certain wind instruments or are in the entertainment industry, thus making lingual braces the safest and most convenient option.

• Lingual braces can be a great alternative to patients who are sensitive to plastic and as such, are not a candidate for invisalign.

Disadvantages of Lingual Braces

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• It takes about 2 weeks to get use to having brackets next to your tongue. During this time the brackets and wire may feel a little rough next to your tongue and affect your speech temporary.

• The fee for Lingual braces are generally more expensive than regular braces due to the fact that treatment requires specialist training, customized brackets and computer-aided design technology.

• One reason there are not a lot of orthodontists offering lingual braces is because it is more difficult to treat patients and get acceptable results with braces located on the inside of the teeth.

• Not all orthodontists offer the option of Lingual Braces because additional specialized training is required.

Dr Medi Motakef is a specialist who has had additional training and many years of experience in Lingual Braces. He treats patients with lingual braces on a daily basis and is one of the leaders in lingual braces in Southern California.