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LAST UPDATED: NOVEMBER 22, 2016
In our fast-paced world, we all want things done faster. Perhaps you would like your teeth straightened out to give you a better smile and help you chew your food better, but are discouraged by the length of time it takes to wear braces before treatment is complete. Traditional wire braces prescribed by many orthodontists typically take about two years before treatment is complete. But, that is no longer the case. Self-ligating braces have changed the face of orthodontics in a big way. These special braces are reputed to take considerably less time to accomplish the same task as traditional braces.
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FAQ
What Is A Self-Ligating Brace?
To ‘‘ligate’’ simply mean to tie or bind. Orthodontists use specialized orthodontic hardware to move teeth, which utilize the steady application of pressure over a period of time to align teeth and move them into their ideal positions. Traditional braces have three main components that are used to accomplish this task including the brace which is placed behind your teeth; an archwire that runs through each brace and uses corrective pressure to straighten the teeth; and a tie made of elastic material that connects the archwire to the brace. On the other hand, self-ligating braces eliminate the need for the elastic bands or metal ties used in traditional braces, and instead use a moveable component to entrap the wire. Simply put, conventional braces use ligatures or o-rings to hold the braces in place whereas self-ligating braces use the bracket itself to hold the wire in place without using any steel ties or o-rings. Some brackets have slides or doors while others have a clip.
Is Self-Ligation A New Kind Of Technology?
Well, not exactly. The first attempts to use these braces date back to the 1930s, but did not become a commercial success until the 1980s. Popular types of these braces include Harmony Lingual Braces, Damon braces, In-Ovation braces, SPEED braces, and SmartClip braces.
What are Lingual Braces?
Lingual braces are a special type of braces that are fixed on the back of teeth instead of the front as is the case with traditional braces. As such, the braces behind your teeth are virtually invisible. This eliminates a big cause of worry for many people who feel that wearing braces will make them look unsightly.
Popular types of lingual braces include Harmony braces and MTM No Trace braces. These braces utilize small easy-to-bond lingual brackets that are applied to the six upper or lower teeth usually in as little as 30 minutes. Lingual braces provide an easy and highly predictable treatment that is capable of achieving the desired results in as little as 12-24 weeks.
Harmony braces are highly advanced digitally customized braces whereby the orthodontist designs the brace to create a perfect smile for the patient. The orthodontist first performs a digital scan of the patient’s teeth and designs a fully customized brace that includes robotically bent arch wires created just for the patient. Harmony braces are perfectly engineered to be small, smooth and invisible. The self-ligating technology used in these braces helps the orthodontist achieve fast and precise alignment.
MTM No Trace braces are applied either directly or indirectly. To place them directly, the brackets are set below the incision edge which makes placement just a matter of placing the lingual retainer. Indirect placement allows the brace to be placed and bonded quickly.
Patient Benefits:
- Absolutely invisible
- Small and comfortable to wear
- Begins treatment just one hour after placement
- Achieves results often in a matter of weeks
- The patient makes fewer visits to the orthodontist
Practice Benefits:
- Rapid-wire engagement using the self-ligating brackets
- Eliminates patient compliance issues
- Fast and easy placement
- No wire changes required in most cases
- The orthodontists has greater control of the treatment
Do Lingual Braces Hurt?
One reason why many people do not like the idea wearing teeth braces is the association with pain and discomfort. The soreness that is common when wearing braces comes from the frictional resistance caused by the considerable force impacted by the brace ties on your teeth. The orthodontic movement of your teeth by the ties is responsible for moving them into the desired places, but also unfortunately causes pressure inflammation in the surrounding gums. With conventional braces, the pressure is usually quite high hence the higher level of discomfort. However, with lingual braces less pressure is applied on your teeth thus allowing the teeth to move more freely. This makes the procedure more comfortable.
Less frictional force on our teeth also allows you to go for longer intervals between adjustments by your orthodontist.
What Are The Other Advantages Of Lingual Braces?
One of the biggest reasons why many people prefer lingual braces to conventional braces lies in the fact that they are simply more comfortable to wear, not to mention that the lack of ties and the fact that they are placed behind the teeth makes them virtually invisible. Overall, lingual braces tend to give more consistent results than traditional braces. You will also spend less time at your orthodontist when you visit for an adjustment since the procedure is much quicker without the all those ties.
Are Lingual Braces A Good Idea For An Adult?
Most people typically think of teenagers and young children as the prime candidates for wearing teeth braces. Whereas this was the case in the past, the availability of lingual braces has turned the tables, with a large proportion of people now wearing them as adults. Adults choose to wear braces for two main reasons: to straighten their crooked teeth and to prevent potential problems with their teeth in the future. Crooked teeth encourage teeth decay as well as problems such as headaches and earaches due to uneven pressure applied on the jaw during chewing. If you are an adult who is conscious about our teeth, then lingual braces would be perfect for you.
Taking Care of Your Teeth When Wearing Braces
- Brush after very meal – oral hygiene is even more critical when you are wearing braces. Food particles can get trapped in braces which can cause teeth decay. Lingual braces are not as hard to clean as traditional braces. Nevertheless, brushing after meals keeps your teeth in good shape.
- Floss regularly – once a day is usually enough.
- Avoid eating very hard foods such as nuts or sticky food such as caramel or taffy.
With lingual braces, you can go through your normal life without any hitches. Additionally, you only need to visit your orthodontist less frequently than would be the case with other braces, making them ideal for people with busy schedules.
Now is the time
Tisseront Orthodontics is a reputed orthodontist in Reston VA. We have been proudly serving the Reston area for more than 10 years and created thousands of beautiful smiles. Our dedicated team provides the highest quality of care in a friendly atmosphere where we meet the needs of all our patients comfortably and affordably. We offer different types of orthodontic treatment including; Lingual braces, Clear braces, Invisalign and Conventional braces. Come and meet us and our amazing team today. We can’t wait to meet you!
Don’t wait another minute! It is time to make that smile a vision of perfection! Contact Tisseront Orthodontics today for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Stephan Tisseront – the leading Harmony braces provider in the USA.
Tisseront Orthodontics
11720 Plaza America Drive, Ste. 110
Reston, VA 20190-4762
Phone: (703) 773-1200
