ORTHODONTICS........
LINGUAL
BRACES - ORTHODONTICS
OVERVIEW
OF LINGUAL BRACES
Lingual orthodontics
are not your ordinary "tin-grin" braces. Lingual braces
are attached to the back side of the teeth, which makes
them completely non-visible. This advanced method makes
lingual orthodontics particularly well-suited for adults,
who often want to improve the look and function of their
teeth without letting anyone else know about their treatment.
Don't confuse them with so-called "invisible" braces, which
are merely semi-transparent ceramic or plastic attached
to the front of the teeth.
Braces are made up of two main components: the small metal
pieces (known as brackets) attached directly to the teeth,
and the wire which connects them together (known as the
arch wire). With standard braces, the brackets are cemented
to the front of the teeth, which are quite uniform in their
shape. However, lingual brackets are attached to the back
side of the teeth.
The back side of
each tooth has its own unique shape-unlike the front of
each tooth, which is fairly uniform among all people. Standard
brackets are mass-produced, but each lingual bracket must
be custom-formed to the unique shape of each individual
tooth. To help you learn more about the process of fitting
a person with lingual orthodontics we have compiled an illustrated
tour of the procedure.
MAKING LINGUAL ORTHODONTICS
First, a plaster
cast of the teeth is made, and is sent to a laboratory to
prepare brackets custom-molded to each tooth. The brackets
are then removed from the cast and set in a layer of wax,
and placed into a small plaster applicator. This ensures
all the brackets stay perfectly aligned while being cemented.
1. The lingual brackets
for the front teeth set in a layer of wax in the plaster
applicator.
2.Cement is applied
to each lingual bracket. Note the uneven surface of each
bracket, resulting from the custom-molding process.
3. With the aid of the
applicator, the lingual brackets are pressed into place
against the backside of the teeth.
4. Once the cement sets,
the applicator breaks away easily, leaving the lingual brackets
on the teeth.
5. The remaining lingual
brackets have been cemented into place and the arch wire
has been installed. (Upper mouth)
6. View of completely
installed lingual orthodontics. (Lower mouth)
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CERAMIC
BRACES - ORTHODONTICS
Ceramic
brackets are
made of composite materials. They are very strong and
generally do not stain. Three popular brands are Clarity
and Transcend, made by 3M Unitek; and Mystique, made by
GAC. Adults like to choose ceramic because they "blend
in" with the teeth and are less noticeable than metal.
These are the type of braces actor Tom Cruise had.
The ligatures (tiny
rubber bands) that hold the arch wire on to the ceramic
brackets are often white or clear. This looks great at first,
but the ligatures can stain (see the Help! Did I Stain My
Braces?). Unless you eat a lot of curry, smoke, or drink
a lot of black coffee, this generally isn't a problem. Note
that the ligatures are changed each time you get an adjustment
-- usually, monthly. It's only the ligatures that stain,
not the brackets themselves!
Pros
They blend in with most teeth, particularly if they are
not perfectly white. They are not very noticeable at a distance
or in photos.
Some people feel
that they are more comfortable than metal and irritate your
gums less.
Contrary to what
you may have heard, ceramic brackets do not usually break
or come off your teeth. They are very strong, and if bound
with a plasma light, stay on as well as metal brackets.
Cons
The clear or white ligatures (little elastics that hold
the arch wire to the brackets) can stain, which defeats
esthetics of the ceramic braces. But those are changed at
your monthly adjustment.
Ceramic brackets
are are usually more expensive than traditional metal brackets.
Treatment can take
a few months longer in ceramic braces.
From a purely esthetic
point of view, they are a bit larger than metal brackets.
If you have severe problems,
your orthodontist will not use ceramic brackets in many
cases, because they may not be strong enough to withstand
the forces of some types of treatment.
COSMETIC DENTISTRY - ORTHODONTICS
