Help - need to be armed wiht info!

Message

#1 Post by **lauren** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 7:51 am

Hi everyone! I'm going to see an orthodontist for the first time on Saturday and am only interested in Invisilign or lingual/iBraces. I am 26, own a company that requires me to meet with people to get their business, and don't want "Metal mouth".

That said, my orthodontist is considered widely to be the best in my area, so I'm going out of my way to see him. 30% of his business is lingual patients; another 20% is invisilign. That said, he's made it clear he "prefers" linguals over invisilign and thinks they're better. I, however, don't particularly like the concept of scraping food out of my braces 24/7 and the pain and tongue-gnarling that seem to come with linguals.

He said himself, "zero percent of orthos put their own children in INvisilign for a reason, but if it's REALLY want you want, we'll do a good job on it."

I want to know - what made you choose one over the other??

#2 Post by **Lola** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:09 am

Have you thought about what you'll do if you can't have either? I went to my ortho adamant that I would only get invisalign. It turned out I wasn't a candidate, so ceramics were the next best choice and I went with it. If you haven't had a proper consulation you may not be suitable for treatment with either type, but I don't think that's a reason to quit. Linguals can cause problems too (think there are some posts around here) so you should go for what will give the best results long term. In work I have to meet people all day long too- nobody cares that you have braces and, after a while, neither will you.

#3 Post by **jaswi** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:32 am

Between the two, I'd vote lingual. That being said, I'd agree with Lola, you will notice them more than anyone else. Some of the ceramics nowadays are so clear they really are hardly noticeable, and braces on adults are becoming a lot more common nowadays anyhow.

#4 Post by **lingualslady** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:51 am

I was offered all options and I went for the linguals although they were the most expensive. The big plus obviously is that they are the only braces you really can't see. The people I have shown are really surprised and interested. The people on the invisalign forum however seem surprised at how few people notice their however so they must be pretty discreet.

I also chose linguals because i understand the treatement has a much higher success rate, and with a lot of money at stake I didnt fancy it not working. I also didnt really "trust" myself to keep the invisalign in. I eat out a lot (buisness and pleasure) and so I was concerned I would end up having them out for too long (or loose them!). I suspect that's why they dont really offer them to children as you need to be quite disciplined.

I am wondering now though whether I've chosen the harder option. My linguals hurt A LOT. Don't underestimate the pain, especially in the first few weeks. Some people are lucky and dont seem to suffer so much but i think they're the exception rather than the rule. My tounge still gets ulcers becoase it gets cut up by the wires sticking out and my teeth are still very sensitive so eating is a mare. From reading the invisalign forum, I assume they still have the sensitive teeth as theyre being moved but on the whole it doesnt look as if they suffer so much (or theyre moaning less

People on both the linguals and invisalign forums seem to complain about lisp at the beginning which gets better after a few weeks. Snacking with any brace seems to be more of an inconvenience than a joy so they avoid it but then that's proabaly a good thing!

I think the bottom line is that there's no easy option. Just pick one, pay up and suffer!!!

Seriously, if I got it done when I started looking into it my teeth would be perfect by now...

In the grand scheme of things, is a pretty short period of "discomfort" for a lot of pleasure and a long term huge boost in confidence/morale about your smile. This site is excellent for reassurance that there are others going through the same problems and at least you know there's an end to it all. All those photos you cringe at, or didnt show your teeth in will be a thing of the past! Good luck!

#5 Post by **lauren** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 11:21 am

Lola wrote:Have you thought about what you'll do if you can't have either?

Hi Lola, thanks for your response! Likely if I can't have either invisilign or lingual braces, I won't get them at all. However, I've been in pretty close contact with pictures/descriptions etc of what's going on based on info given to me by my regular dentist and it's doubtful I"ll have that problem. My teeth have problems but most of them are related to having an off-center midline due to the fact taht I never developed the tooth between my front and canine teeth on one side up top (so my teeth are about 1/2 tooth off center) and my bottom teeth have one extra tooth so they're slightly crowded. My teeth aren't TOO horrible and I don't have problems eating etc so I'd admittedly just deal as they are before getting regular braces.

#6 Post by **lauren** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 11:23 am

jaswi wrote:Between the two, I'd vote lingual. That being said, I'd agree with Lola, you will notice them more than anyone else. Some of the ceramics nowadays are so clear they really are hardly noticeable, and braces on adults are becoming a lot more common nowadays anyhow.

Thanks Jaswi! Linguals were my original option just because I wasn't sure if I'd qualify for invisilign. But then I keep hearing that linguals are somewhat more painful (and cause more of a lisp) than invisilign so I'd just like to have an answer available if it comes down to choosing!

#7 Post by **lauren** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 11:25 am

lingualslady wrote:I was offered all options and I went for the linguals although they were the most expensive. The big plus obviously is that they are the only braces you really can't see. The people I have shown are really surprised and interested. The people on the invisalign forum however seem surprised at how few people notice their however so they must be pretty discreet.

I also chose linguals because i understand the treatement has a much higher success rate, and with a lot of money at stake I didnt fancy it not working. I also didnt really "trust" myself to keep the invisalign in. I eat out a lot (buisness and pleasure) and so I was concerned I would end up having them out for too long (or loose them!). I suspect that's why they dont really offer them to children as you need to be quite disciplined.

I am wondering now though whether I've chosen the harder option. My linguals hurt A LOT. Don't underestimate the pain, especially in the first few weeks. Some people are lucky and dont seem to suffer so much but i think they're the exception rather than the rule. My tounge still gets ulcers becoase it gets cut up by the wires sticking out and my teeth are still very sensitive so eating is a mare. From reading the invisalign forum, I assume they still have the sensitive teeth as theyre being moved but on the whole it doesnt look as if they suffer so much (or theyre moaning less

People on both the linguals and invisalign forums seem to complain about lisp at the beginning which gets better after a few weeks. Snacking with any brace seems to be more of an inconvenience than a joy so they avoid it but then that's proabaly a good thing!

I think the bottom line is that there's no easy option. Just pick one, pay up and suffer!!! Seriously, if I got it done when I started looking into it my teeth would be perfect by now...

In the grand scheme of things, is a pretty short period of "discomfort" for a lot of pleasure and a long term huge boost in confidence/morale about your smile. This site is excellent for reassurance that there are others going through the same problems and at least you know there's an end to it all. All those photos you cringe at, or didnt show your teeth in will be a thing of the past! Good luck!

Thanks lingualslady! I"m definitely not under any false impressions that it won't be a pain in the a** either way, but I guess I"m trying to go the way that's LESS of a p-i-t-a. It just sounds like that's invisilign. As I"ve mentioned above, most of my concerns are entirely cosmetic so it just comes down to the 'would i rather have linguals or no braces at all?".

#8 Post by **Maverick** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 12:35 pm

I think most would try to convince you to go with fixed appliances.
So, I will too.

There are very good looking Clear brackets made of Saphire (Not Ceramic) available.
I understand your professional concern, but trust me, these brackets will not be a hindrance to your work!
Example, Inspire ICE, which is what I have.
http://www.iceclearbraces.com/q01.php

Invisalign, isn't very pleasant either.
You'll have to brush after every meal, unless you want to put your aligner back on, over top of whatever bits are left on your teeth and trap all that nice bacteria in there.

A swish of water after a meal with traditional braces does the trick if you pick your food wisely.
So, much less hassle there IMO.

If you're willing accept the risk of poor results, go ahead with Invisalign.

#9 Post by **lauren** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 2:07 pm

Maverick wrote:I think most would try to convince you to go with fixed appliances.
So, I will too.

There are very good looking Clear brackets made of Saphire (Not Ceramic) available.
I understand your professional concern, but trust me, these brackets will not be a hindrance to your work!
Example, Inspire ICE, which is what I have.
http://www.iceclearbraces.com/q01.php

Invisalign, isn't very pleasant either.
You'll have to brush after every meal, unless you want to put your aligner back on, over top of whatever bits are left on your teeth and trap all that nice bacteria in there.

A swish of water after a meal with traditional braces does the trick if you pick your food wisely.
So, much less hassle there IMO.

If you're willing accept the risk of poor results, go ahead with Invisalign.

Thanks for the feedback. The concept of going in frequently to be "adjusted" instead of just changing out trays etc just seems like a pain. So does having my tongue cut up 24/7, etc. I guess my biggest concern ist hat I know he's a huge lingual braces proponent and I want to make sure I have lots of backup info so I don't feel he's saying lingual just to get the extra $$$ and another lingual patient.

#10 Post by **markGl** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:04 pm

I do agree with maverick, that a fixed appilance would be less of a pain since A you dont have to cut your tounge up or worry about ulsers on your tounge as bad as with linguals ( the thought of them makes me cringe, to have somthing behind my teeth which i would mess and fidget with, with my tounge all the time ) .. nor B do you need to worry about trays, loosing them or not putting then in, what not.. but to each his own really.. and the end result is the same.. ( most times, mind you) this is just an observation though, im sure you will make the best choice.. so best of luck!!!!

#11 Post by **lionfish** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:46 pm

I went in looking for Invisalign, but wasn't a suitable candidate. The compromise was linguals on top and ceramics/metal on the bottom.

As for scraping food out of your braces, yes - this is part and parcel of having fixed appliances. You learn to deal with it.

The tongue irritation with linguals disappears after a couple of weeks (well, it did for me anyway). I had very low profile lingual brackets and I can honestly say they were pretty comfortable.

Yeah, some folks did spot the ceramics up close (and particularly once I started wearing elastics), but it had no impact on my professional life or lifestyle.

#12 Post by **iamtheotherme** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:46 pm

My ortho offered me whichever style braces I wanted, ceramic, metal, gold, or linguals (except Invisalign - it couldn't do what I need done), but recommended ceramics or linguals. I was leaning towards linguals until he told me that I'd probably need elastics to fix my midline and crossbite. I figured that the elastics would be visible even with linguals, thus "blowing my cover." At that point, the extra $3000 didn't seem worth it.

I've had my ceramics for a little over a week and no one has said boo, thus confirming that most folks are way more wrapped up in their own lives than in mine.

I'm smiling a million times more than I ever have because I'm happy with my choice to take care of myself.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

#13 Post by **lauren** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 7:00 pm

Thanks! Good point on the elastics being visible anyway. Part of me is tempted to just get "regular" braces to save the money, but I just don't wanna.

The ceramics aren't bad - if I had to have "regular" braces, they'd of course be the type I'd choose. Glad you're liking them!

iamtheotherme wrote:My ortho offered me whichever style braces I wanted, ceramic, metal, gold, or linguals (except Invisalign - it couldn't do what I need done), but recommended ceramics or linguals. I was leaning towards linguals until he told me that I'd probably need elastics to fix my midline and crossbite. I figured that the elastics would be visible even with linguals, thus "blowing my cover." At that point, the extra $3000 didn't seem worth it.

I've had my ceramics for a little over a week and no one has said boo, thus confirming that most folks are way more wrapped up in their own lives than in mine. I'm smiling a million times more than I ever have because I'm happy with my choice to take care of myself.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

#14 Post by **lauren** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 7:02 pm

Thanks Mark! For some reason, I don't picture linguals bothering me as much as the "front" braces. I had my two teeth bonded together about a year ago with a wire and it felt super weird for the first few days but now I don't even run my teeth over it anymore./ But who knows. My biggest concern is admittedly the aesthetics.

markGl wrote:I do agree with maverick, that a fixed appilance would be less of a pain since A you dont have to cut your tounge up or worry about ulsers on your tounge as bad as with linguals ( the thought of them makes me cringe, to have somthing behind my teeth which i would mess and fidget with, with my tounge all the time ) .. nor B do you need to worry about trays, loosing them or not putting then in, what not.. but to each his own really.. and the end result is the same.. ( most times, mind you) this is just an observation though, im sure you will make the best choice.. so best of luck!!!!

#15 Post by **lauren** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 7:03 pm

Thanks Mark! For some reason, I don't picture linguals bothering me as much as the "front" braces. I had my two teeth bonded together about a year ago with a wire and it felt super weird for the first few days but now I don't even run my teeth over it anymore./ But who knows. My biggest concern is admittedly the aesthetics.

markGl wrote:I do agree with maverick, that a fixed appilance would be less of a pain since A you dont have to cut your tounge up or worry about ulsers on your tounge as bad as with linguals ( the thought of them makes me cringe, to have somthing behind my teeth which i would mess and fidget with, with my tounge all the time ) .. nor B do you need to worry about trays, loosing them or not putting then in, what not.. but to each his own really.. and the end result is the same.. ( most times, mind you) this is just an observation though, im sure you will make the best choice.. so best of luck!!!!