Hidden Braces That Won't Cramp Your Style

By Ejiro Esi, DDS

You've been thinking about getting braces for years because you don't like your smile and you want straight teeth. You are also tired of not smiling in pictures or covering your teeth when you smile or laugh. But lets be honest you also don't want to cramp your style with bulky, traditional braces. Well, hidden (lingual) braces may be just what you need.

Lingual braces, unlike traditional braces that go on the front of your teeth, are braces that are essentially hidden from sight because they are attached to the back of your teeth. With lingual braces located behind your teeth, the braces are virtually invisible when you smile. So you can be confident that no one will ever know you are getting your teeth straightened.

Whether you are a teenager or a working professional, lingual braces provide the benefits of the traditional orthodontic braces while catering to your aesthetic needs. Unlike other aesthetic orthodontic treatment options like ceramic braces and Invisalign, lingual braces are the only aesthetic treatment system that provides the patient, with a 100% customized bracket system that is created uniquely for you and matches the shape of your teeth. Most lingual braces and the wires used are design and manufactured using computers and robotic technology. This allows for extremely precise tooth movements that create more efficient treatment times and treatment results.

Of course, like all treatment modalities, most but not all patients are good candidates for hidden braces. Patients with excessive plaque build-up, severe bite problems and skeletal problems may not be ideal candidates for lingual braces. It is important to visit an orthodontist for a consultation to determine if you are a good candidate.

For patients that are not good candidates for lingual braces, ceramic braces and Invisalign are still great aesthetic treatment options. Ceramic braces are the white or tooth-colored braces that blend in with your teeth. They generally still have the metal wire that goes across the braces but they are far less obtrusive than the traditional metal braces. Invisalign, are a series of clear removable acrylic trays or aligners that are invisible and straighten your teeth just like braces. While Invisalign is also custom-made like lingual braces, they are not able to achieve some of the more difficult tooth movements that traditional braces and lingual braces accomplish.

So with these aesthetic options at your disposal, you can get that beautiful smile and straight teeth you desire in 2014. Hidden lingual braces will allow you the added benefit of being able to smile with confidence during and after your treatment.