Lingual braces

Name: Angle House Orthodontics
Telephone: 03 9817 6427

Patients who are wary of being seen wearing braces often choose lingual braces. These braces are attached to the inside of the teeth—hiding them from view when you smile.

How do lingual braces work?

Lingual braces use metal brackets and archwires to apply gentle pressure to teeth and move them into position. If you opt for lingual braces, Dr Kataria will use orthodontic glue to secure the metal brackets to the back of your teeth.

A very thin archwire will connect these small and smooth brackets, making the overall experience more comfortable. Every time Dr Kataria adjusts this archwire, it will gently nudge your teeth into the desired position.

This is why it’s important to keep your appointments!

What do lingual braces feel like?

Lingual braces may feel strange at the beginning, but don’t worry! That’s perfectly normal when fitted with a new orthodontic appliance. What’s distinct about lingual braces is that it’s your tongue that will need to adjust to your appliance instead of your gums and cheeks.

For this reason, we provide our patients with a small ball of wax to cover any section that irritates their tongue. We also remind them to eat only soft foods during the first few days since the teeth can be sore as they adjust.

Some people find it awkward to speak clearly at the beginning, but this is usually short-lived—lasting only a few days. You can practice over-enunciating at home to speed this up.

Who can wear lingual braces?

Lingual braces cover the same scope of issues as traditional braces. Some of our patients opt for lingual braces if the orthodontic treatment would interfere with their sporting performance, music career or professional appearance.

However, nothing’s set in stone. The best thing you can do to find out if you’re a good candidate for lingual braces is to see a Specialist Orthodontist. Book a free* consultation at Angle House Orthodontics today to find out for sure!