Lingual braces - should i get them?!

[hannah777]

Hi everyone.
I'm new to this message board, but I have been spending a lot of time reading everyone's posts and opinions on lingual braces. Thanks to everyone, they are very helpful!

A couple of days ago, I visited the dentist because the left side of my teeth were always hurting and I couldn't really eat on that side due to the pressure pain. She informed me i have an overbite and I may need corrective jaw surgery. This is when they break the jaw and move in back into postition.

I came home and researched all about it. Much to my dismay - you need braces for probably 20-22 months with this surgery.

I am 19 years old, and to get the traditional braces is a big no no for me. I am too self concious for that, and the thought of having a visable metal mouth scares me to death! So i researched lingual braces...and they seem to be much better than traditional braces. (cosmetic wise!)

I have a few questions:
1. I'm at university, and currently single. So meeting guys is a big thing in my life right now...I am so worried that if we had our "first kiss" it would be awful because he would be able to feel my braces and worst of all - cut his tounge?! Please anyone with experience in this sector tell me if guys can feel it and does it ruin a kiss? so worried!!!

2. I know people have said you can't see them...but surely the ones on the bottom you can see if theyre behind your teeth...Also, this may sound silly, but sometimes when someone takes a picture with a flash, you can see my filling which is silver through the tooth...will the flash show up the lingual braces?

3. The pain element is putting me off, my dentist said that my tounge will just get cut up all the time, i'm worried i'll be in so much pain i'll have to get them off! How long does the pain last until you don't notice it?

Sorry for the long post, I'm just worried about getting them!

Hope someone can help

Hannah

[hannah777]

Also...i meant to add...
i've read people have paid £6000 for upper and lower braces...is this the average price?!?! :S

[hannah777]

anyone???

[BraceFace2o1o]

In the UK traditional metal braces range from around £2000 - £3000, clear can be a little bit more expensive and damons around £3500. Linguals are more expensive, so mostly they are going to be above the £3500 mark. The first Orthodontist I saw said that Linguals are much more expensive because they have to custom make each bracket.

I just recently found out a work mate of my mums has Lingual braces and they are paying £5500.

[Kel85]

Hi

I am in the process of having lingual braces fitted, top were fitted on Friday and the bottom is being fitted in 4 weeks time. So far so good except slightly sore tongue and a little difficulty in pronouncing "C". You really cant tell they are on; I had a meeting this morning with 16 people and I had to speak, no one seemed to notice.

It might be slightly more difficult when bottom braces are fitted as well but hoping to be over minor problems with top ones by then. I only paid £2,900 and this included whitening and retainer bars.

It is slightly difficult to eat at the moment but as long as you can cut bits up small it seems okay. Front teeth are still slightly sensitive but the front tooth has already moved so to be expected. I had a retainer when I was younger and not much worse than that.

I will keep you updated with progress.

[Tilly Minto]

Hi Hannah

Just a quickie reply to some of your questions...
Kissing is Ok with linguals - well my husband hasn't been put off and has definitely never cut his tongue.
When you first get the braces your tongue will get cut to ribbons for the first few days but then it gets used to the brackets and no more cuts/ulcers.
I'm not too sure where in the UK you are but my linguals were much more expensive than has been mentioned in this post - over £7000 for top and bottom. I'm on the outskirts of London so I guess that's why it's soooo much. My treatment will also take about 2 years.

Good luck if you decide to go for it.
Tilly

[Tilly Minto]

Oh and I've not noticed the metal showing through on photos - although I do think in real life that my teeth look a little grey but nobody else has mentioned it so I may be imagining it.

[Kel85]

Just quick one on price. I got quoted £6,000 for incognito braces but went with Social 6 Braces which were £2,900. I am based in central London.

[hannah777]

thanks guys for replying-really appreciate it.

firstly - kel85 - which orthodontist did you go to?! thats the cheapest i've heard yet! i live in harrow which is the suburbs of london, but i think im being put into an orthodontist in central london, which i can imagine will be a lot more expensive.

i had a talk with my mum and dad and they said they will not pay £6000 for me being vain and wanting the braces hidden, which is fair enough...but i really want to get the braces over and done with whilst i'm young...


any tips i can say to them to help them change their mind?!

hannah

[Kel85]

I believe my treatment is cheaper as he is not an orthodontist, just a dentist specialising in invisible braces. Whilst this isnt ideal I am only having them for cosmetic reasons and I could not justify paying twice as much for an orthodontist. He put me completely at ease when I saw him and was just as good as the orthodontist I saw who quoted £6,000.

I am seeing Chelsea Dental and Dermal clinic on Markham Street.

Good luck.

[hannah777]

ahh okay, that's probably why it was a lot cheaper! i don't think that's an option for me as i'm getting corrective jaw surgery done, and lingual braces are just a side line thing i need to have too...so i'd need to see an orthodontist which means it's going to be a lot more expensive!

thanks everyone for the help! in general, are the six (social 6 braces) less money than getting them all around? if so, how much?

hannah

[lu lu]

hannah if the cost is an issue why not have lingual brace on the top because the top teeth are seen far more than the bottom & have a fixed metal or ceramic brace on the bottom.

a metal brace will be cheaper than a ceramic brace cutting the cost even more.

a ceramic brace if you don't already know is clear & the actual wire isn't as harsh looking as a metal brace making it more subtle.

i'm having a lingual brace on the top & ceramic brace on the bottom & this doesn't bother me greatly as it's the top teeth that most people see.

hope this helps a bit

[upthebracket]

I am seeing Chelsea Dental and Dermal clinic on Markham Street.

Me too. I paid 3750 for upper and lower, reduced by 10% for paying up front.

In response to original post, I'm at uni too and nobody has noticed them. Uppers are entirely invisible, lowers can be seen a bit if I'm leaning forward, but nobody has commented. Probably depends a bit on your mouth though. The pain is bad but not unbearable, and gets better with time (and wax).

[hannah777]

lulu how much did it cost for lingual on the top and ceramic braces on the bottom? i am considering this now because i definitely cannot afford £6,000 for top and bottom lingual.

upthebracket...did you see a dentist too? is that why it was cheaper?
unfortunately, i have to see an orthodontist as i'm getting surgery on my jaw, so i have to wear braces BECAUSE of the surgery if that makes sense...
so i don't think a dentist would be ideal unfortunately

[lu lu]

lulu how much did it cost for lingual on the top and ceramic braces on the bottom? i am considering this now because i definitely cannot afford £6,000 for top and bottom lingual.

It depends on your ortho, what you need done & location I think.

Mine was £4500 but I live in Birmingham & my teeth are going to need a fair bit of work I think.

You can shop around though & get consultations with different ortho's who offer the lingual braces & ask for a price with lingual upper & ceramic bottom.

If that is still too much just go for metal lower that will reduce the cost even further & like I said before it's not like you see your lower teeth that much. The main 1's people see when you talk etc. are your top teeth.

Hope this helps

x