Our case of the month for September 2019 is one featuring a lingual brace. For those of you that follow our blog and case of the month series, we love lingual braces. They are hidden braces placed behind the teeth and hence the ONLY invisible brace despite what others may have you believe. Before we show you the case, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of lingual braces. The technique is not for everyone and hence this is really useful information.

Advantages of Lingual Braces 
 

1. Cannot be seen; hidden from view
2. Excellent at alignment, leveling, rotation correction when space is present
3. Excellent at space closure when the bite allows
4. No lip irritation
5. No damage to the outer surfaces of the teeth whilst placing and removing

Disadvantages of Lingual Braces
 

1. Contact on the brackets whilst biting, eating, chewing which is hard to get used to
2. Harder to clean
3. Tongue soreness
4. Greater likelihood of knocking the brackets off inadvertently
5. Use of lower night guard essential if only upper teeth are being treated
6. Cannot be used if teeth are very crowded as there will not be enough space for the brackets to be placed
7. Extremely fiddly for the treating dentist to place and adjust!
8. More expensive than conventional braces- for good reason!

Here is our case, a great end result:
 

Whether it’s eating, drinking, chewing, or biting, there is a wide range of ways that teeth are used extensively for every day. Over time, however, your teeth may experience the inevitable signs of wear and tear, leading to several problems. A common problem that most adults face is that they put off the idea of visiting a dentist to remedy any dental issue because they are overshadowed by other commitments, ranging from tight work deadlines to taking care of their kids. However, the persistent symptoms of dental problems can evolve into nagging problems that intensify over time. Although it may be tempting to put everything else off to save time and money, remember that the teeth have many daily functions, which is why it is essential to take care of them. That said, you should understand that the warning signs of various dental problems, especially if you have other pre-existing chronic conditions. 

Warning signs to watch out for catching any dental problems early on before they have the chance to worsen is a significant investment in your own health that will save time and money. To stay on top of any possible dental problems that you may have, here are five warning signs to look out for:
 

Nothing puts a frown on your face more than a set of misaligned, cracked, yellowed, broken, gummy, or missing teeth. Something as simple as talking or laughing may cause you to feel self-conscious if you’re worried about the state of your teeth, so in that regard, one of the best ways to bring back your confidence is to undergo cosmetic dentistry. This typically concentrates on keeping your teeth healthy and free from degeneration as well as oral diseases, all while enhancing the appearance of your teeth and gums. Cosmetic dentistry also gives you a better bite with the help of treatments such as teeth bleaching, porcelain veneers, and even dentures.
 

Are you a user of Invisalign? If so, that's great! There are many advantages that it has over traditional metal braces or brackets. Compared to other conventional options, Invisalign treatment is known to be much less painful and noticeable. However, if you don't care for it properly, you may never get that smile you've always wanted. Here are six tips to get the most out of Invisalign:
 

Years ago, those looking to straighten their teeth only had one option: metal braces. Today, however, Invisalign is becoming increasingly available to the public. People are now choosing removable aligners over metal braces because they don't irritate the teeth and gums. Not only are they more comfortable to use but they are significantly easier to maintain. Your mouth is a part of your body that gets dirty throughout the day, so these plastic aligners must be washed daily.

Here are five ways to keep your aligners immaculate:
 

Have you ever had missing teeth? It is quite embarrassing because you can't smile properly, and you become extra shy. Some people deal with missing teeth by using dentures and or bridges. What's truly remarkable, though, is what dental implants can do for you. Sure, it is all about filling in the missing teeth, but dental implants provide far more benefits than only cosmetics. Here are four benefits you will receive from using dental implants:
 

Our case of the month for August is a beautiful one involving a very natural smile transformation using minimally invasive dentistry. For those of you who have not read any of our case of the month articles, we believe in the least invasive techniques to produce stunning smiles. After all, we are all born with teeth that should last a life time. If the healthy tooth enamel is drilled away for cosmetic reasons, the tooth may not last a life time which would be a travesty. Our client was told to have a set of 6 veneers to produce the 'perfect smile'. Understandably, she was not happy with this solution which would mean cutting all of the enamel off the front teeth. Her aims were that of a natural smile rather than perfection and a treatment that involved keeping her teeth intact. The presenting situation showed uneven, crowded front teeth with some spacing present:
 

Some people are born lucky with a natural set of a picture-perfect smile, but most have to deal with problems regarding overbite, underbite, overcrowding, gaps, crooked teeth, and even jaw misalignment. Beyond cosmetic damage, some severe cases can cause speech problems along with a gap in your confidence, which is why many will go through lengths to have their teeth fixed. Braces are typically the go-to solution for the improper alignment of teeth, however, a modern trend called Invisalign has emerged and has been dominating the orthodontic scene since its release. 

Invisalign is a contemporary method of straightening teeth and is highly-regarded in the industry for its nearly invisible material. In essence, it is generally an aesthetic improvement as well as flexible compared to traditional braces due to its incremental transparent aligners and ability to be snapped back on or off any time of the day. The material itself is custom moulded to the shape of your teeth, though it will need to be adjusted every two weeks as your teeth will shift throughout the treatment plan. While it is a fool-proof way of enhancing a person’s smile, we’re here to help straighten out a few more things about Invisalign to ensure you’re choosing the method that would best suit your needs. Here are 4 facts about Invisalign you need to know:
 

Do you need braces but don't want to use the metal ones? Try out Invisalign aligners. These transparent aligners can get you the same result as metal braces without the need of wires and brackets. Unlike metal braces, not only are the aligners clear, but they don’t obstruct and is very easy to put on and remove. Here are some of frequently asked questions about Invisalign aligners: