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Lingual
Braces
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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