When it comes to orthodontic braces in Manchester in the 21st century, not surprisingly there are a wide variety available. From conventional metallic style braces through to discreet clear braces, Manchester patients can select a particular brace system that fits in with their requirements, budget, and ultimately their lifestyle.
In this post we’re going to talk about one particular treatment known as lingual braces. Manchester patients often choose them because they have distinct advantages over other orthodontic treatments. Yet if you mentioned them to anyone who hasn’t come into contact with them, chances are they probably wouldn’t have heard of them. So what exactly are they and how can they help?
The first thing to note about lingual braces is that they’re placed behind the teeth rather than in front. This is unlike many other types of other brace systems. For this reason they’re ideal for those adults who feel particularly self-conscious about wearing braces, because they’re virtually invisible.
Lingual braces are a longer term orthodontic treatment that have the ability to treat the whole upper and lower arches of your teeth. This is in contrast to fast or accelerated braces in Manchester which concentrate their efforts on the upper and lower teeth that are visible when the wearer smiles. For this reason they’re ideal for those with more severe orthodontic problems. They work in the same way as conventional braces in that they apply continued gentle force which gradually pulls the teeth into alignment. As such, they can treat a whole host of problems from over crowding to unsightly gapping, and treatment time is usually around 12-36 months.
So how does the process for acquiring lingual braces in Manchester work?
Once you and your dentist have come to the decision that lingual braces are the best form of treatment, an impression will be taken of your teeth. This may take some time as the impressions or moulds need to be 100% accurate. These are then sent off to a centralised laboratory where the custom brackets are made. After about 6 weeks expect a call from your orthodontist to arrange a fitting.
Fitting involves applying dental cement to the underside of a row of brackets before pressing them into place on the back of your teeth. Once the cement sets, the plastic applicator holding the brackets together can be broken off. Next the arch wire is installed by threading it through the brackets behind the teeth. Purposely the arch wire is shaped for the final position of your teeth and because of this it creates tension. As it does so, and tries to pull back to position, it moves slowly and gradually moves the teeth.
The first few weeks
Most patients find the first few weeks a little challenging in that they might experience temporary speech impediments as the tongue can’t touch the back of the teeth. But this is usually overcome. Also the wearer may experience mild discomfort as they get used to wearing the braces. In Manchester we suggest that if you are experiencing any problems that lasts longer than 4 weeks, that you come back to us for advice.
What about cost?
Because lingual braces are custom-made, when compared to other conventional or clear braces Manchester, treatment tends to be more complex so ultimately they cost more. That said, the results they bring can be pretty spectacular, leaving patients with a fully restored smile that they feel happy and more confident about.
If you have a smile you’re not happy with and are considering lingual braces Manchester or any other type of braces in Manchester then we invite you to have a consultation with our experienced orthodontics team. To schedule an appointment you can either contact us via our website or call directly on 0161 660 1218. On behalf of Shi Karim and the team we look forward to welcoming you to our practice.
