From lingual to ceramics...

[Elegra]

Hi all, I posted this in the lingual board but it's rather quiet over there so have come here to rant too...

Long story short - 17 months of linguals, great results in widening my arch, no results in straightening my top and bottom teeth.

My ortho consulted with another ortho and they now agree that the system they have been using for my teeth is too difficult to get the wires bent to straighten the teeth. Great, tell me that now, 17 months into my treatment!

I just spoke to him briefly on the phone and have to go in next week to discuss my options but he did say that he'd like me to consider getting the regular clear ceramic braces on the front of my teeth. Grrrrrrr, the whole point of going down the lingual route was so that I wouldn't have visible braces!

I don't care about having visible braces on my bottom teeth as they're more hidden but ones on my top teeth would be very visible. I work in quite senior positions and am a contractor so have to sell myself and my services and unfortunately, how you look is always going play a part in that.

I will see what he says next week but I am very p'd off that it looks like I'll have to get conventional braces after all. Really going to have to get my head around this one, just seems like a waste of time having been in linguals.

[Metal Mickey]

Argh what a nightmare. I've never had linguals but have just had the 6 month smiles system put on. I totally understand where you are coming from with regards to work, but you could think of it as clients will see you are working hard to perfect your smile and that is admirable. Personally I would rather deal with someone who has braces than someone who has crooked teeth, less people will be put off by your braces than you think.

Good luck with whatever step you take next.

[jesscat]

Hi there,

I am in the same boat, but you are lucky that you are only 18 months in! i am 3 years in now, and about to change to upper ceramics. I have had no movement for over a year in upper linguals and i am fed up now. I just want straight teeth!!

Can i ask whether your ortho will be taking new x rays or molds before swapping? Mine has said he doesnt need to, which sounds odd to me.

Thanks,

Jesscat

[Angel269]

Sorry to hear that you will be changing from linguals to ceramics.

I went for ceramics as I would have never gone with the conventional looking metals. With coated archwire and ceramics people cannot tell I have them unless they are genuinely looking or I point them out-I think you would be pleasantly surprised

[Elegra]

Well, today I got my clear ceramics on my bottom teeth. My gums are killing me from where the linguals have been taken off, seems like the linguals were almost embedded in the gums and they're all red, puffy and ouch! I'm happy with the way the ceramics look, barely noticeable and my ortho is confident that they'll get things shifted in no time.

For now, I'm persevering with the linguals on the uppers but getting a new wire and being referred to another ortho who's going to do the bending etc. Will stick that out a while longer and see how it goes.

Wow, Jesscat, can't believe you've stuck it out for three years! No, I didn't get a mould for the ceramics as they kind of do it freehand, if that makes sense? It's standard brackets and wire and the ortho does the bending etc, the brackets and wire aren't made specially for you like the lingual ones are. Good luck, let's hope we get things straightened out soon!