First of all, I want to thank all of you for your posts. I'm just restarting the process of getting braces and the information I've found here has been really helpful.
I am definitely getting iBraces on top but can't decide between iBraces and clear (labial) ones for the bottom. I know each type comes with its own problems, but I don't know which would be worse. Obviously, I like that iBraces can't be seen. That's why I'm getting them on top, but I think that they would cause more problems for my tongue on the bottom. On the outside though, I worry about how they would look as well as how they would feel. How much would they hurt my lip or get in the way? My teeth are so bad and stick out so much already that I'm worried about having something on top of them making my lip stick out.
To clarify, the choice is between iBraces and "clear" brackets on the outside for the bottom teeth, not exactly ceramics in case it makes a big difference. I think ceramics actually tend to look better than the "clear" brackets, but the only ortho in my area who does iBraces doesn't do ceramics, but does do clear brackets.
Let me know which you think is better for the bottom teeth, iBraces or clear ones, and why. Thanks!
Should I get iBraces or clear brackets on the bottom?
Moderator: bbsadmin
It's hard to make a recommendation because most of us (all?) go through life having only experience of one or other bracket system, not both.
I assume your ortho hasn't expressed a preference. If not, ask him/her and see what they think may be better for you.
At the end of the day, it's really up to you to decide.
I assume your ortho hasn't expressed a preference. If not, ask him/her and see what they think may be better for you.
At the end of the day, it's really up to you to decide.
I have ceramic on the bottom and IBraces on top. If money were no object, I think I would get IBraces on the bottom, just because I have found them so comfortable and you can forget you are wearing them, also I miss curry, and kind of bored explaining why I can't eat it to others. Although, I'm told food could get stuck visably in IBraces that hasn't happened to me (2 1/2 months in), but it does happen on the bottom sometimes (once or twice a week). Having said that, its fairly minimal inconvenience, and I can certainly live with ceramics on the bottom for 18 months or so, cf with IBraces, I'm not bothered how long I have them for, if my ortho turned round and said 5 years, that wouldn't be an issue. I hope that helps.
Still Undecided on iBraces vs. Clear on Bottom Teeth
I actually did ask my ortho about this choice and he said that from a treatment standpoint each was fine, so it came down to a personal choice. When I pressed for details about the relative comfort and practicality of each type I got a similar answer.
There is, of course, a big price difference between the two and that is unfortunately a big concern for me. I'm already paying so much just to get iBraces on my top teeth though, that if it seems like iBraces will be easier to deal with for two years on the bottom it will be worth it. I see it as a quality of life issue. I'm in my early 20's and I've already had to wait until I was ready financially and in other ways to do this.
I don't mean to over dramatize this. I'll deal with either, but both are going to cost a lot of money, take a lot of time, and likely cause a lot of pain so I'm trying to learn from the experience of others and figure out which will be the least problematic.
I know what you mean lionfish about most people only having experiences with things one way and therefore not being able to compare. I thought about this when I was polling everyone I know who has had braces. What rolo said about preferring the iBraces that (s)he has on top to the ceramics on bottom is helpful though.
To Rolo---> You said, cost aside, that you like your iBraces better than your ceramics, but do you think that iBraces would be better even on the bottom where they could interfere with your tongue more than on the top? Also, what are your issues with your ceramics compared to the iBraces other than problems with food? Do they cause more or less discomfort and/or pain? Are they significantly easier or harder to care for? Do you have an opinion on how the two might compare on speech issues on the bottom teeth specifically?
There is, of course, a big price difference between the two and that is unfortunately a big concern for me. I'm already paying so much just to get iBraces on my top teeth though, that if it seems like iBraces will be easier to deal with for two years on the bottom it will be worth it. I see it as a quality of life issue. I'm in my early 20's and I've already had to wait until I was ready financially and in other ways to do this.
I don't mean to over dramatize this. I'll deal with either, but both are going to cost a lot of money, take a lot of time, and likely cause a lot of pain so I'm trying to learn from the experience of others and figure out which will be the least problematic.
I know what you mean lionfish about most people only having experiences with things one way and therefore not being able to compare. I thought about this when I was polling everyone I know who has had braces. What rolo said about preferring the iBraces that (s)he has on top to the ceramics on bottom is helpful though.
To Rolo---> You said, cost aside, that you like your iBraces better than your ceramics, but do you think that iBraces would be better even on the bottom where they could interfere with your tongue more than on the top? Also, what are your issues with your ceramics compared to the iBraces other than problems with food? Do they cause more or less discomfort and/or pain? Are they significantly easier or harder to care for? Do you have an opinion on how the two might compare on speech issues on the bottom teeth specifically?
I'm glad to hear that regular braces did not cause you too much pain Meryaten. It's interesting that the parts that did cause pain were the ones on the lingual side, but I don't know enough about cleats/seating lugs to compare them with lingual brackets on molars or iBraces in particular. I've heard similar stories from some other people, that their regular (labial) braces, ceramic or metal, caused pain mainly after adjustments or only in limited ways they could deal with. I've also heard more extreme cases though, horror stories about severely irritated and bleeding cheeks, nerve damage, and speech problems all caused by traditional braces.
For what it's worth, badteeth, I had none of the bad experiences you mention with regular braces on my lower teeth.
Unfortunately, personal experience of a bracket system is just that: personal. How I felt with regular braces may be very different to how you may feel with them.
For myself, I was already coughing up a fair bit of cash for upper linguals and decided to take a punt on ceramics on the bottom to save money. It didn't enter my head that these would be a problem, and they weren't.
Unfortunately, personal experience of a bracket system is just that: personal. How I felt with regular braces may be very different to how you may feel with them.
For myself, I was already coughing up a fair bit of cash for upper linguals and decided to take a punt on ceramics on the bottom to save money. It didn't enter my head that these would be a problem, and they weren't.
Re: Still Undecided on iBraces vs. Clear on Bottom Teeth
To Rolo---> You said, cost aside, that you like your iBraces better than your ceramics, but do you think that iBraces would be better even on the bottom where they could interfere with your tongue more than on the top? Also, what are your issues with your ceramics compared to the iBraces other than problems with food? Do they cause more or less discomfort and/or pain? Are they significantly easier or harder to care for? Do you have an opinion on how the two might compare on speech issues on the bottom teeth specifically?[/quote]
Hi,
I don't think you are over dramatizing this, if you are commiting to treatment it only sensible to think through your options.
My ortho did tell me IBraces are less comfortable on the bottom that the top, maybe someone who has both could comment on this? Ceramics feel bulky, but not painful or uncomfortable. IBraces do need a bit of wax over the brackets on the back teeth to prevent rubbing, but once that's done, I can forget about them.
For me the main advantage of IBraces are to do with food. As for are they worth the extra money on the bottom, for me and it is such a personal decision, I decided to save the money for tooth whitening afterwards, oh and a couple of little treats as a reward for having the work done.
Linguals are marketed on the fact that they are invisible, and whether or not that's worth the extra cost varies from person to person. Some people prefer to have full metal labial braces, others will only consider the work if it is completely invisible. However I would say in terms of reactions from other people, I have only had very positive feedback, and several people, have asked for my orthos details so they can look into ceramic braces, telling them I have braces on the top too is fun cause they spend ages looking for them.
In terms of care, I don't find one harder than the other to look after. Speech issues, I am told by my ortho that lowers interfere less with speech than uppers, and 5-10% of patients report speech difficulties initially. Most speech difficulties resolve within the first couple of weeks.
I really hope than helps, feel free to post / pmail if you have any more questions
Hi,
I don't think you are over dramatizing this, if you are commiting to treatment it only sensible to think through your options.
My ortho did tell me IBraces are less comfortable on the bottom that the top, maybe someone who has both could comment on this? Ceramics feel bulky, but not painful or uncomfortable. IBraces do need a bit of wax over the brackets on the back teeth to prevent rubbing, but once that's done, I can forget about them.
For me the main advantage of IBraces are to do with food. As for are they worth the extra money on the bottom, for me and it is such a personal decision, I decided to save the money for tooth whitening afterwards, oh and a couple of little treats as a reward for having the work done.
Linguals are marketed on the fact that they are invisible, and whether or not that's worth the extra cost varies from person to person. Some people prefer to have full metal labial braces, others will only consider the work if it is completely invisible. However I would say in terms of reactions from other people, I have only had very positive feedback, and several people, have asked for my orthos details so they can look into ceramic braces, telling them I have braces on the top too is fun cause they spend ages looking for them.
In terms of care, I don't find one harder than the other to look after. Speech issues, I am told by my ortho that lowers interfere less with speech than uppers, and 5-10% of patients report speech difficulties initially. Most speech difficulties resolve within the first couple of weeks.
I really hope than helps, feel free to post / pmail if you have any more questions
Re: Still Undecided on iBraces vs. Clear on Bottom Teeth
To Rolo---> You said, cost aside, that you like your iBraces better than your ceramics, but do you think that iBraces would be better even on the bottom where they could interfere with your tongue more than on the top? Also, what are your issues with your ceramics compared to the iBraces other than problems with food? Do they cause more or less discomfort and/or pain? Are they significantly easier or harder to care for? Do you have an opinion on how the two might compare on speech issues on the bottom teeth specifically?[/quote]
Hi,
I don't think you are over dramatizing this, if you are commiting to treatment it only sensible to think through your options.
My ortho did tell me IBraces are less comfortable on the bottom that the top, maybe someone who has both could comment on this? Ceramics feel bulky, but not painful or uncomfortable. IBraces do need a bit of wax over the brackets on the back teeth to prevent rubbing, but once that's done, I can forget about them.
For me the main advantage of IBraces are to do with food. As for are they worth the extra money on the bottom, for me and it is such a personal decision, I decided to save the money for tooth whitening afterwards, oh and a couple of little treats as a reward for having the work done.
Linguals are marketed on the fact that they are invisible, and whether or not that's worth the extra cost varies from person to person. Some people prefer to have full metal labial braces, others will only consider the work if it is completely invisible. However I would say in terms of reactions from other people, I have only had very positive feedback, and several people, have asked for my orthos details so they can look into ceramic braces, telling them I have braces on the top too is fun cause they spend ages looking for them.
In terms of care, I don't find one harder than the other to look after. Speech issues, I am told by my ortho that lowers interfere less with speech than uppers, and 5-10% of patients report speech difficulties initially. Most speech difficulties resolve within the first couple of weeks.
I really hope than helps, feel free to post / pmail if you have any more questions
Hi,
I don't think you are over dramatizing this, if you are commiting to treatment it only sensible to think through your options.
My ortho did tell me IBraces are less comfortable on the bottom that the top, maybe someone who has both could comment on this? Ceramics feel bulky, but not painful or uncomfortable. IBraces do need a bit of wax over the brackets on the back teeth to prevent rubbing, but once that's done, I can forget about them.
For me the main advantage of IBraces are to do with food. As for are they worth the extra money on the bottom, for me and it is such a personal decision, I decided to save the money for tooth whitening afterwards, oh and a couple of little treats as a reward for having the work done.
Linguals are marketed on the fact that they are invisible, and whether or not that's worth the extra cost varies from person to person. Some people prefer to have full metal labial braces, others will only consider the work if it is completely invisible. However I would say in terms of reactions from other people, I have only had very positive feedback, and several people, have asked for my orthos details so they can look into ceramic braces, telling them I have braces on the top too is fun cause they spend ages looking for them.
In terms of care, I don't find one harder than the other to look after. Speech issues, I am told by my ortho that lowers interfere less with speech than uppers, and 5-10% of patients report speech difficulties initially. Most speech difficulties resolve within the first couple of weeks.
I really hope than helps, feel free to post / pmail if you have any more questions
I have ibraces on top, clear (radiance) on bottom. I got them this past May. If I could go back, I'd get the ibraces on bottom as well, no matter the cost (well, almost no matter). I'm late 20's professional and appearance was my top priority. My ortho convinced me that no one can really see the clear. Well, truth is that I can, and I don't like them. I find that it has affected my speech moreso than the ibraces. My bottom lip hugs those babies pretty well. Plus, although it is clear in front, you'll likely have metal on the sides, and yes, when I smile you can see them. No one told me this until they got put on and I looked in the mirror. Was upset. I'm used to them, but still self-conscious when I'm out and about interacting with folks. Food is more visible if it gets stuck because it is on the outside, as opposed to inside braces where you can at least wait until you get home to get whatever out. Comfort wise, the bottom's often dig into the side of my mouth. I have had zero problem in this regard with ibraces on top. I say get ibraces on both.
-
Unhappy teeth
- Posts: 92
- Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2008 12:05 pm
- Location: Bristol, UK
I have linguals upper and lower (don't know the make, here in the UK we don't really seem to have brand names, or we do and I am just ignorant!) I got them purely for vanity reasons, I'm a teacher and I didn't want my pupils to know.
I did have a lisp for the first month and I think it was mainly the uppers causing this. My lowers hurt my tongue more though. Am now 2 months in and sound normal, minor discomfort from time to time from my tongue rubbing brackets. Not sure if that helps at all!
Good luck whatever you decide
I did have a lisp for the first month and I think it was mainly the uppers causing this. My lowers hurt my tongue more though. Am now 2 months in and sound normal, minor discomfort from time to time from my tongue rubbing brackets. Not sure if that helps at all!
Good luck whatever you decide
Yes, all of this has helped a lot. Thanks! Everything I've learned has me leaning towards iBraces on both top and bottom. Now I just have to figure out how to pay for them.
Hearing that the lower iBraces don't interfere with speech as much is especially reassuring. Unless the pain is just so bad it makes it hard to get through the day, I'm actually much more concerned with speech issues. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the impression I'm getting about comfort is that they're at least tolerable after the initial adjustment period.
And hey, if the pain does make it harder to eat, maybe they'll help me loose weight. Then again, if I have to give up certain healthier foods because they're too hard to eat, the braces could have the opposite effect.
I've noticed some posts under other topics about people having some pretty serious problems with linguals, but I think those may be mostly about their early days. I also don't know if those problems were caused by the uppers or lowers or by iBraces or some other type of brackets. They scare me nonetheless.
Is there anyone out there who has lower linguals, iBraces in particular, but has problems with them bad enough to wish for traditional/labial ones?
Hearing that the lower iBraces don't interfere with speech as much is especially reassuring. Unless the pain is just so bad it makes it hard to get through the day, I'm actually much more concerned with speech issues. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the impression I'm getting about comfort is that they're at least tolerable after the initial adjustment period.
And hey, if the pain does make it harder to eat, maybe they'll help me loose weight. Then again, if I have to give up certain healthier foods because they're too hard to eat, the braces could have the opposite effect.
I've noticed some posts under other topics about people having some pretty serious problems with linguals, but I think those may be mostly about their early days. I also don't know if those problems were caused by the uppers or lowers or by iBraces or some other type of brackets. They scare me nonetheless.
Is there anyone out there who has lower linguals, iBraces in particular, but has problems with them bad enough to wish for traditional/labial ones?
-
Noellenoelle
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2008 7:36 pm
- Location: NEW JERSEY
Re: Still Undecided on iBraces vs. Clear on Bottom Teeth
Hi Bad teeth-well..I have my lower ibraces on for about 4 weeks now, and when I had my initial consultation I was told that I couldn't get regular braces on the bottom and ibraces on the top due to my bite, etc--so that is why I am getting them on top and bottom. Right now, a wire is sticking out, that I need to get clipped on Monday because my teeth are moving (which is a good thing) but all I have to do is put wax on , and it is fine. I had no problem with speech on the bottom, but not sure about the top. I am not sure how old you are, but I am in my 40's and was not going to get metal braces, and no one (other then close friends that I have told and family) know that I even have the braces so....go for the ibraces 100%--that is myopinion....good luck and let me know what you decide!bad teeth wrote:I actually did ask my ortho about this choice and he said that from a treatment standpoint each was fine, so it came down to a personal choice. When I pressed for details about the relative comfort and practicality of each type I got a similar answer.
There is, of course, a big price difference between the two and that is unfortunately a big concern for me. I'm already paying so much just to get iBraces on my top teeth though, that if it seems like iBraces will be easier to deal with for two years on the bottom it will be worth it. I see it as a quality of life issue. I'm in my early 20's and I've already had to wait until I was ready financially and in other ways to do this.
I don't mean to over dramatize this. I'll deal with either, but both are going to cost a lot of money, take a lot of time, and likely cause a lot of pain so I'm trying to learn from the experience of others and figure out which will be the least problematic.
I know what you mean lionfish about most people only having experiences with things one way and therefore not being able to compare. I thought about this when I was polling everyone I know who has had braces. What rolo said about preferring the iBraces that (s)he has on top to the ceramics on bottom is helpful though.
To Rolo---> You said, cost aside, that you like your iBraces better than your ceramics, but do you think that iBraces would be better even on the bottom where they could interfere with your tongue more than on the top? Also, what are your issues with your ceramics compared to the iBraces other than problems with food? Do they cause more or less discomfort and/or pain? Are they significantly easier or harder to care for? Do you have an opinion on how the two might compare on speech issues on the bottom teeth specifically?
I'm Going for It
I'm going all in and getting ibraces on both top and bottom in early September. I'm sure I will be back here with more questions once they're on. I'm hoping that I'll be one of the lucky ones who has little to no speech problems after the first days and weeks, but I doubt that I will actually be that lucky. I'm worried about all the usual, speaking, eating, pain, cost/money; but braces are a necessary evil. I haven't discussed it at length with my ortho yet, but since I have a ridiculous overbite, I think I will either be dealing with my lower front teeth hitting the brackets on the teeth above or fighting against something designed to prevent this as I try in vain to eat.
One of a few other discouraging things is that my ortho and his staff all seem generally nice, but they are impatient and not very open to questions or discussion. My desire for information about my own treatment, which I am paying a disgusting amount of money for, has been met with thinly veiled contempt at best. I would consider alternatives, but there aren't any other orthos close enough who do linguals which I really have to have. I would think that they would think that they would find adult patients easier to deal with, but I'm wondering if they prefer children who they can more easily dismiss. Maybe it's just me.
I am worried about all of this, but I have truly terrible teeth and I am really looking forward to any improvement.
One of a few other discouraging things is that my ortho and his staff all seem generally nice, but they are impatient and not very open to questions or discussion. My desire for information about my own treatment, which I am paying a disgusting amount of money for, has been met with thinly veiled contempt at best. I would consider alternatives, but there aren't any other orthos close enough who do linguals which I really have to have. I would think that they would think that they would find adult patients easier to deal with, but I'm wondering if they prefer children who they can more easily dismiss. Maybe it's just me.
I am worried about all of this, but I have truly terrible teeth and I am really looking forward to any improvement.