How Much Are Lingual Braces And Are They Worth It?
How much are lingual braces and what exactly are they?
Lingual braces are braces that fit behind your teeth. That means they are barely noticeable. But, these behind the teeth braces can be more expensive than other orthodontic options.
To weigh up whether or not lingual braces – also known as inside braces – are worth the expense, we need to consider their pros and cons.
How Much Are Lingual Braces?
These braces are custom-made for your teeth. The orthodontist takes a digital scan or impression of your mouth and then creates customised brackets and wires for a snug fit. The braces are places along the line of your teeth to gradually move them into a straighter smile.
Lingual braces cost more than traditional braces. That’s because they are completely customised and created in a dental laboratory to fit your teeth perfectly. Also, treatment requires frequent visits and longer appointment times than traditional braces, which adds to the cost. As with any orthodontic treatment, the costs vary on a case-by-case basis and depend on how long your treatment lasts.
Treatment with lingual, or inside braces can run anywhere from 18 to 36 months.
So, just how much lingual braces? This treatment typically costs upwards of $9,000 for 18 months of treatment. If you need other appliances or a longer course of treatment, it will cost more.
Lingual Braces Pros and Cons
Like all types of braces, lingual braces come with a list of advantages and disadvantages that may make them either a suitable or unsuitable treatment for you. The suitability of invisible lingual braces will depend on your individual needs and the complexity of your orthodontic treatments.
That being said, here are some of the pros and cons to lingual braces:
- First, they are much less visible than conventional metal braces, so people will not be able to tell that you are wearing them unless they are very close up. This can lead to increased confidence in people who are self-conscious about wearing conventional braces.
Second, they are perfect for treating a range of orthodontic issues from simple to complex.
Third, they are less likely to cause irritation and pain than conventional braces because they do not press on your gums or the inside of your lips and cheeks.
Fourth, they can be custom made, which means that they use customised wires which perfectly fit your teeth. This can reduce discomfort as well as potentially increase the efficacy of your treatment.
However, there are also some cons to consider:
- First, in Australia, lingual braces cost more than conventional braces.
Second, it can be more difficult to maintain good oral hygiene as you cannot see them when you brush your teeth.
Third, lingual braces may be uncomfortable to wear at first because your tongue can get in the way and can result in a slight lisp or other slight speech issues.
Fourth, hard food and sticky foods can dislodge lingual brackets, meaning that you will have to change your eating habits while straightening your teeth.
If you are considering lingual braces, be sure to discuss the pros and cons with your orthodontist. They will be able to help you decide if this type of treatment is right for you.
Are Lingual Braces Worth the Cost?
Studies show that this type of braces are highly effective as a customised treatment option.
While the braces are an enticing choice for those who want to avoid the aesthetics of traditional braces, you do need to consider some of the downfalls.
Lingual braces sit close to the tongue, which can affect your speech. Your speech will improve as you get used to the braces, but some patients do find the initial difficulty challenging.
The treatment also requires the use of rubber bands to guide the teeth into alignment. The bands are noticeable, and you must adhere to their use for the most effective results.
As for the length of your treatment, it can differ. Treatment times vary based on the complexity of your misalignment problems. Most patients, though, start to see changes within the first 6 to 8 weeks of treatment.
So what do lingual braces cost in Australia? The answer differs on a case to case basis and it is best to discuss the treatment with your orthodontist.
Book an appointment at Dr Geoffrey Wexler today to talk about your orthodontic problem and find out if you are a candidate for lingual braces.
Lingual braces – FAQs
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LINGUAL BRACES?
Lingual braces are an orthodontic treatment used in straightening
teeth. They work in the same way as similar orthodontic treatments,
such as conventional braces, using brackets and wires to slowly move
the teeth into alignment. They can be placed either on the upper teeth
or the lower set of teeth.
The main difference is that lingual braces are placed on the inside of
the teeth rather than the outside. This makes them much less visible
and gives people the confidence of knowing that their braces are not
on show for everyone to see.
ARE LINGUAL BRACES QUICKER THAN INVISALIGN?
If you’re considering getting braces, you may be wondering if lingual
braces are a quicker option than Invisalign.
While Invisalign is a popular choice for many orthodontic patients,
lingual braces can provide several benefits that make them a faster
and more efficient option.
The overall speed of your orthodontic treatment time will depend on
the type of correction needed and the orthodontic treatment
complexity.
ARE LINGUAL BRACES BETTER THAN INVISALIGN?
Here’s a look at the pros and cons of each type of brace, to help you
make the best decision for your smile:
Lingual Braces
– Pro: Lingual braces are placed on the back of your teeth, making
them completely invisible from the front.
– Pro: They can be less painful than traditional braces because they
don’t rub against your gums, lips, or cheeks.
– Con: They can be more difficult to clean because you can’t see them
when you brush your teeth.
– Con: They can be more expensive than traditional braces.
Invisalign
– Pro: Invisalign aligners are clear, so they’re virtually invisible.
– Pro: You can remove them for eating and cleaning, making them easier
to care for than braces.
– Con: They can be more expensive than conventional braces.
-Con: You have to be careful not to lose them, as they can be easy to
misplace.
Ultimately, the best type of brace for you depends on your individual
needs and preferences.
Talk to your orthodontist to find out which orthodontic treatment
would be best for you.
DO LINGUAL BRACES TAKE LONGER TO WORK?
Lingual braces can take longer to straighten teeth than conventional
braces.
That’s because your tongue is in the way, and it can take some time to
get used to having something on the back of your teeth. But once you
get used to them, they’re just like conventional braces.
A professional orthodontist can usually give you a good estimate of
how long it will take to straighten your teeth with a lingual
orthodontic treatment.
ARE BRACES COVERED BY MEDICARE?
Though orthodontic treatment with braces is not covered under
Medicare, certain private health insurance policies cover orthodontic
treatment.
Talk to your private health insurance provider to discuss if lingual
braces are covered under your policy.
ARE LINGUAL BRACES MORE EXPENSIVE THAN INVISALIGN?
The cost of lingual braces in Australia, when compared to clear braces
or other forms of clear aligners such as Invisalign, depends on the
complexity of the treatment needed. The more complex the case, the
more your orthodontic treatment will cost as this will directly affect
the overall length of your treatment time.
Generally speaking, however, for cases of similar complexity and time
frame, lingual braces are usually a bit more expensive than
Invisalign. This higher cost is in part due to the higher cost of
components used, as we ll as the fact that applying braces to the
inside of teeth is a more complicated process and requires the
orthodontist to have undergone specialised training.
DO LINGUAL BRACES HURT MORE?
Lingual braces cause less discomfort in the sensitive areas of your
lips and gums as there are no wires or protrusions which rub against
the inside of your mouth.
However, lingual braces may cause irritation to the tongue as rather
than being fixed to the front of the teeth, they are fixed to the
back.
To fix this problem, many manufacturers make lingual brackets smaller
and smoother, lessening discomfort.
One way to prevent discomfort is to schedule regular check-ups.
ARE LINGUAL BRACES BETTER THAN NORMAL BRACES?
Though the actual effectiveness of lingual braces and other braces are
generally on par, the main advantages of lingual braces are that they
are completely invisible from the front, are effective at correcting
most bite problems, and can be customised to restrict pain.
The major disadvantages of lingual braces compared to other types of
braces are that they are more expensive, can be more painful for some
patients, and may cause a temporary lisp or other speech problems.
Whether lingual braces are better or worse than other brace
options depend entirely on your needs and budget. To figure out the
best brace solution for your needs, talk to your specialist
orthodontist.
