How Lingual Braces Hide Behind Your Teeth
For patients at Rice Orthodontics, lingual braces are growing in popularity as an excellent cosmetic alternative to traditional braces for straightening your teeth.
Instead of being placed on the front of your teeth, Dr. Rice attaches these braces behind your teeth for a discreet treatment option.
Discreet & More Comfortable
Most people around Jacksonville know that metal braces can be a mouthful, not to mention that everyone can see them. That's why you have another option for your smile transformation at Rice Orthodontics: lingual braces.
Lingual braces are a comfortable alternative to traditional braces or aligners. They're placed on the tongue side, behind your teeth, so you can get the smile you want without all the attention.
They're also completely customized to the contours of your mouth, with custom-bent wires to comfortably guide your teeth into a straighter smile. Dr. Rice offers two types of behind-the-teeth smile straighteners at his office: InBrace Smartwire® and Brius Independent Movers™.
Lingual braces are designed to keep speech changes to a minimum and cause less discomfort than frontal metal braces. InBrace Smartwire® and Brius Independent Movers™ are both great options for those who want braces but are concerned about the appearance of traditional brackets.
Jacksonville Lingual Braces Expert
Dr. Rice is one of the only local Jacksonville orthodontists certified to treat patients with lingual braces. He's also a premier provider, meaning he's in the most experienced tier of doctors nationwide who use this type of treatment.
To make your lingual braces, Dr. Rice will take a digital impression of your teeth and send it to a dental laboratory. They'll use the impression to create customized intelligent brackets and wires that are engineered to deliver the targeted results your smile deserves.
No matter where your teeth start, they'll end up beautifully straight at Rice Orthodontics. Schedule your first free consultation to learn more about lingual braces from Dr. Rice.
Is Lingual Braces Treatment Right for You?
Lingual braces are a great fit for teens and adults who want fixed braces that nobody notices. They're popular with people who meet with clients, speak in front of groups or spend a lot of time on camera.
Because they're bonded to your teeth, lingual braces keep working around the clock. There are no trays to take out, keep track of or remember to wear, which makes them a good match if you've tried aligners before and found it hard to stay consistent.
Here's how they compare with the other discreet options at Rice Orthodontics:
- Lingual braces sit behind your teeth, so they stay hidden from view for your entire treatment.
- Clear braces sit on the front of your teeth, but their tooth-colored brackets blend in with your smile.
- Clear aligners are removable trays you wear most of the day and take out to eat and brush.
Not every bite is a good match for lingual braces, and that's okay. During your visit, Dr. Rice will look at how your teeth and jaws fit together and walk you through the options that will work best for your smile.
What to Expect With Lingual Braces
Like any braces, lingual braces take a little getting used to. Your tongue will notice them first, and some patients have a slight lisp or feel some tenderness during the first week or two. Both usually fade quickly as your mouth adjusts.
A few habits will help your treatment go smoothly:
- Cut food into smaller bites and skip anything hard or sticky. Our guide to eating with braces covers what to enjoy and what to avoid.
- Brush and floss carefully around the backs of your teeth, since brackets there are harder to see in the mirror. A small interdental brush makes it easier.
- Keep your scheduled check-ins with Dr. Rice so he can make sure your teeth are moving as planned.
If a wire or bracket ever feels loose or starts to poke, give our office a call. You can also check our tips for orthodontic emergencies to stay comfortable until your next visit.