

Whilst braces are traditionally associated with children and teenagers, a large percentage of people with braces are actually adults. In recent years, increasing numbers of adults have invested in orthodontic treatment due to advances in technology enabling people to be treated much more discreetly than in the past. It goes without saying that whilst many adults don’t have complete confidence in their teeth and smile, the thought of traditional ‘train track’ metal braces is enough to put them off seeking treatment. However, with the introduction of treatments such as lingual braces and clear aligners, the concept of having braces is no longer so alarming.

What are lingual braces?

Lingual braces work similarly to tradition braces as they use brackets and wires, however, rather than being mounted onto the front of your teeth, they are instead fixed to the tongue side of your teeth. The metal brackets are custom designed to fit an individual’s teeth, using state of the art technology.

To get the required results, treatment with lingual braces can often take anywhere between 18 and 36 months.

What do lingual braces treat?

Lingual braces are designed to help correct misaligned, badly angled, or crooked teeth.This form of treatment is best suited to people looking to correct teeth movement problems that are mainly in the front of the mouth.

What are the main benefits of lingual braces?

Lingual braces can achieve the same results as traditional braces, but the main draw of lingual braces is their cosmetic appeal. Although they can be a little uncomfortable for the first few days after being fitted, as they are fitted to the back of the teeth, lingual braces are completely invisible. This is particularly beneficial to people that work in public facing jobs, such as a teacher or public speaker.

Generally, after the initial discomfort, lingual braces are very easy to live with and are easier to clean around than traditional metal braces. The end results are often brilliantly straight teeth, allowing people to be proud of their smile.

What are clear aligners?

Clear aligners are an extremely popular alternative treatment to traditional metal braces. Rather than being fitted to the teeth like traditional or lingual braces, clear aligners are similar to a mouth guard and fit perfectly over the teeth. As with lingual braces, clear aligners are created using state of the art technology as they are manufactured for the individual’s teeth using 3d computer imaging. During treatment, every two weeks or so, patients receive new aligner trays to gradually move their teeth from their current position to the desired position.

What do clear aligners treat?

Clear aligners are designed to correct many of the same problems as traditional braces, for example, they are used to straighten crooked teeth, but also to realign gapped, or overlapping teeth.

What are the main benefits of clear aligners?

As with lingual braces, the main benefits of clear aligners are cosmetic. They are made from a medical grade plastic that is wafer thin and completely transparent. As a result, clear aligners are extremely discreet, and in most cases, people will only notice them if they are told.

A further benefit of clear aligners is that they can be taken out at meal times, and also in order to clean the teeth. This means that there is no reason to restrict your diet whilst undergoing treatment as there are no fixed parts to break. Brushing the teeth is also much easier than with traditional or lingual braces as there are no obstacles, so there is less likely to be a build-up of plaque. It is important to remember that for treatment to be successful, aligners must be worn most of the time and should only be taken off during meal times and whilst cleaning the teeth.

With these advances in orthodontics, it is no surprise that more and more adults are deciding to seek treatment to correct their teeth. If you would like to regain confidence in your smile, you can call Oldham Orthodontics today on 0161 622 0987 to book an appointment to decide on the most suitable treatment for you.