If you have ever thought about straightening your teeth but have dreaded the thought of metal braces, then we have the solution - lingual braces. Lingual braces are placed on the INSIDE of your teeth so that no one will know that you are wearing an orthodontic brace.

The days of the 'Ugly Betty' type brace have long gone - invisible lingual braces are the future. One of the most popular types of lingual brace is called the Social 6 brace. This aims to straighten the front 4 (upper or lower) teeth in a matter of weeks. So if you are after a cosmetic improvement to your smile and do not want to wait for months or years for results, the Social 6 brace could be for you. For example, have a look at our case below. A wonderful result in just a few weeks:
 

Our case of the month for April 2014 involves the closing of a gap between the front teeth in only 3 months using invisible lingual braces. The before and after photographs speak for themselves:
 

One of the most common questions we are asked is how can I straighten my teeth quickly and without anyone knowing. Well, we have the answer- lingual braces. Here are some FAQs about lingual braces: 
 

What are lingual braces?

These are braces placed on the inside of the teeth, completely hidden from view. 
 

Are they suitable for me?

Lingual braces can be used for virtually any condition. 
 

Why are they not as readily available as conventional braces?

Lingual braces are technically more difficult as teeth have a different anatomy on the inside. The surface area is reduced and the enamel surface is very different. It is also far more difficult for the dentist to access the inside of the teeth and make the necessary adjustments-skill is required!
 

Can they be used just to straighten my front teeth

Yes, of course. A technique called Social 6 lingual aims to straighten the front 4 teeth only. The brace is only placed on the front 6 teeth so it is very small, comfortable and quick. 
 

Is it painful?

Remarkably, in most cases no. This is because the forces used are very light but constant. The forces also act in a different plane to conventional braces. However, the tongue may get caught and irritated by the brace and this can be sore! 
 

Will it affect my speech?

Yes. In most cases, there will be some lisping especially with 's' and 't' sounds. This usually resolves after a few weeks.
 

Will I be able to eat whatever I like?

No. It is advised that you stick to a soft diet for the first few weeks and then gradually eat harder, chewy foods as you become used to the brace. It is generally much more difficult to eat with lingual braces than conventional braces. 
 

How much do they cost?

This depends on each individual case. In general, lingual braces are more expensive than conventional orthodontics and are a premium product. For full mouth lingual hidden braces, prices start from £4000 upwards. 

If you have any questions on lingual braces, hidden braces, invisible braces then please do not hesitate to contact us. We provide a free quick consultation over e mail- just send us some photos of your teeth.

One of the joys of dentistry is being able to produce wonderful smiles, change a persons cosmetic appearance, improve confidence and well being. It's always nice to have something positive written about you after a job well done. One of our latest testimonials follows from Nicola. Nicola underwent treatment with lingual braces for the upper teeth due to crowding. The end results were fantastic and here is what she had to say: 

Nicola: I have no hesitation in recommending Dr Nissit Patel and his team at Progressive Dentistry. I hadlingual braces fitted to my top teeth and the results have been amazing. Within 7 months I had a brand new smile! I am so pleased. Dr Patel instantly puts you at ease and is always on hand for follow up treatment and advice if necessary. All the staff are extremely pleasant. If you need dental treatment this is definitely the place to go!

Social 6 lingual braces are an excellent technique to correct mild to moderate crowding or spacing on the front teeth. Here are the 8 facts:

1. The brackets ( a number of types can be used including STB, Forestadent 2-D, Innovation L) are placed on the inside of the teeth making the brace 'invisible'.

2. The brackets are only placed on the front 6 teeth. 

3. The system aims to correct the incisor teeth (the front 4 teeth) 

4. The canine teeth act as the anchors to the system and therefore cannot be moved.

5. The treatment time is usually very quick, from 12-24 weeks only.

6. Long term retention is vital. We strongly advise a fixed wire retainer as well as a removable retainer to maintain the results.

7. For more advanced conditions, full arch or full mouth comprehensive orthodontics will be required. Difficult cases will need to be referred to a specialist orthodontist.

8. By correcting the cosmetic appearance, there are potentially other major benefits such as improved oral hygiene, improved anterior guidance (bite) and improved self confidence! 

Take a look at some of our case studies or case of the month treatments to view the excellent results we have achieved.

Our case of the month for December involves the cosmetic and functional correction of very crooked lower teeth. Crooked lower teeth can cause all sorts of problems:

1. Poor oral hygiene 
2. Major build up of plaque and tartar 
3. Gum inflammation 
4. Uneven bite 
5. Poor aesthetics 

Our case is a very typical of very crowded lower teeth causing all of the above. Have a look:
 

In the old days of cosmetic dentistry, the lower teeth were often forgotten and treatments were geared primarily to upper teeth. This included treatments such as porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges and dental implants. Often, this was a mistake. The lower teeth are VITAL to overall cosmetic dentistry, the main reason being occlusion or the 'bite'. In simple terms, if the dental occlusion is not adequate, then there are long term consequences. This could range from loss of function, increased tooth wear, increased likelihood of tooth fracture and jaw joint problems. In many cases now, we treat just the lower teeth due to phenomenon called 'late lower teeth crowding'. The lower front teeth are the smallest teeth in the mouth and lack of space is often an issue. As we age, the lack of space can become more apparent. A classic example is below:
 

Our case of the month for November 2013 is a superb ABC case. This involves: 

A- alignment of teeth using invisible lingual braces 
B- bleaching of teeth using teeth whitening strips 
C- cosmetic bonding of teeth to enhance the appearance and create symmetry 

ABC is the FUTURE of cosmetic dentistry. A new smile can be achieved with non invasive dentistry, preservation of tooth enamel, no needles and no drilling!! What could be better? 

Here are the before and after photos:
 

In the dark days of dentistry, teeth straightening used to be an arduous process involving many months or years of treatment. However, with the modern advances in cosmetic dentistry, mild crowding problems can often be corrected within a matter of weeks. One of our favoured techniques is the Social 6 lingual brace. As the name suggests, the brace is placed on the front 6 teeth but on the INSIDE of the teeth. Therefore this technique is the truly INVISIBLE brace as it is not detectable to the eye. Seeing is believing. Here is a recent case that was completed to treat mild crowding of the lower front teeth: