The choices of orthodontic braces on the market today is amazing. Two great options to straighten teeth include hidden lingual brace and Invisalign aligners. Each type has advantages and disadvantages that depend on your lifestyle and dental requirements.
To get effective results, it’s critical to carefully determine which system is appropriate for your mouth’s particular needs, your temperament, and lifestyle.
Find Out About Hidden Braces
Hidden braces are properly called lingual braces. They go on the back of your teeth so they don’t show, in fact, they are the most invisible braces you can get. The downside to lingual braces is that patients may have to wear them longer than traditional metal braces. They’re also harder to get used to. They affect your speech and swallowing more than regular braces do, and you may have to work a little harder to brush your teeth properly with them on. Like Invisalign, lingual braces cannot usually correct severe bite problems.
Unsightly conventional braces will not cause your smile to become lost or overshadowed. The braces are unseen behind your teeth. Lingual braces are bonded to your teeth on the inside of your mouth on the lingual side (tongue). Dentists recognize the value of these braces because they can accurately manipulate the movement of your teeth for the best results for your new smile. These braces are built with state-of-the-art materials that are custom-fitted to correct your specific dental problems.
The newer styles of lingual braces have resolved many of the old discomfort issues with the help of their new bracket systems. New materials and technology have helped resolve many of the old problems that you would have experienced from conventional braces in the past. There are many lingual braces advantages and disadvantages to consider.
Benefits of the Lingual Braces
- Custom made just to fit your mouth
- Can’t see them when smiling
- Custom made from state-of-the-art technology
- Strong enough to correct the worst case of crowded teeth, malocclusion or extensive teeth straightening
- Break-in time is less with the new lingual braces than with convention braces
Limitations of the Lingual Braces
- They are bonded to the teeth and nonremovable
- There will be a few limitations to what you can eat
- Tongue Irritation and tenderness is common when wearing the lingual braces
Invisalign Aligns Teeth Without Braces
Invisalign gets a lot of attention because they are clear and don’t usually have to be worn as long as traditional braces. The clear aligners are not actually braces; they are clear trays that fit over your teeth. Your dentist fits you for the removable trays, and you wear them all the time except when you eat.
Invisalign gently moves your teeth with the assistance of a soft plastic dental apparatus that fits over your teeth. It is not recommended for major dental corrections but it can be great for moderate to mild realignment of the teeth.
The Invisalign system utilizes several clear plastic aligners throughout the program that are replaced every few weeks with a new aligner to move the teeth little by little into the required position. Each set of aligners is usually replaced every couple of weeks and must be worn for at least 22 hours per day to be effective. This process usually takes nine to fifteen months with the use of 18-30 aligners to complete the entire program.
Advantages of the Invisalign Braces
- Invisalign is custom-designed with a light plastic material to fit your mouth
- These braces can be taken out to clean and floss your teeth
- There are no limitations to what you are allowed to eat; you just take them out when you eat.
- They are light and comfortable
- There is little or no time needed to break them in
- They are made from clear plastic without any metal parts to worry about
- No one will know you are wearing these braces, they are clear which gives them an invisible appearance
Limitations of the Invisalign Braces
- Invisalign braces are not recommended for serious cases of malocclusion, crowding of teeth or teeth straightening
- Failing to wear the aligners for the recommended hours every day will slow down the process delaying the desired results
Hidden Braces vs Invisalign
Both Invisalign and lingual braces cost more than traditional metal braces. Invisalign usually costs less than lingual braces. For treating basic crooked teeth or spacing issues, Invisalign offers many advantages over lingual braces, but if you truly want your braces to be completely invisible while you’re wearing them, lingual braces are the better choice.
Make The Right Choice
The only way to choose proper braces is to seek advice from a dental professional. They have the training and product knowledge to know which brace will be the most beneficial for your needs. Today children, teenagers, and adults no longer have to be embarrassed with the unsightly mess of wires and brackets in their mouths to get a healthy smile. If you would like to learn more about braces or different options to straighten your smile call our San Jose dental office at (408) 354-5600 today.
