The History of Dentistry

Invisalign vs Lingual Braces

20 December 2017

Regina Carlson

Adults who want to straighten their teeth without suffering the embarrassment of traditional metal wire-and-bracket braces often opt for Invisalign. This system uses clear plastic retainers to gradually shift the positions of teeth. Invisalign has become very popular, but it's not the only near-invisible teeth straightening option. Lingual custom braces, which use brackets and wires fixed to the backs of the teeth to straighten the smile, are another option that may be worth considering. Take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of both these custom braces and custom retainer options.

Lingual Braces Can Fix More Complex Problems

Invisalign treatment uses custom retainers to gradually fix problems with your bite or the alignment of your teeth. However, some misalignment cases are so severe that the aligners can't apply enough force in the right parts of the mouth to fix them. Lingual braces give orthodontists more flexibility for correcting severe problems with patients' smiles. The brackets used in lingual braces are custom made, ensuring a perfect fit.

Invisalign Aligners Are Easier to Clean

Whereas you need to remove Invisalign aligners for eating, drinking, and cleaning your teeth, lingual braces remain in place until your orthodontist removes them at the end of your treatment. Many people find it convenient to have braces they don't need to remove for meals, but not being able to remove lingual braces means they can be trickier to clean. You will need to carefully brush and floss around your lingual braces every day. If the positions of the wires mean you can't thread string floss between your teeth, you may need to use a floss threader or interproximal brush to clean your teeth every day, which can be fiddly. In contrast, if you opt for Invisalign, you can floss and brush your teeth as usual and rinse your aligners in a cleaning solution to clean them.

Invisalign May Be More Comfortable

Some people who have lingual braces find that the metal brackets on the backs of the teeth cause irritation to the tongue. This problem does not occur when wearing Invisalign aligners, which are made from smooth plastic. However, dentists can often fix any discomfort caused by lingual braces by applying wax to cover their metal parts.

Invisalign vs Lingual Braces: Which Is Right For You?

If you want to straighten your teeth without traditional front-facing metal braces spoiling your smile, Invisalign and lingual custom braces are both good options. Unless people look very closely at your teeth, it is unlikely they will notice that you are wearing these custom braces. If you are not sure which option is right for you, ask your orthodontist or dentist for advice.

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