Incognito is the name of an orthodontic device that is fixed to the inside of the teeth invisibly. It comes with a flat design to ensure the comfort of the patient. This type of fixed lingual device has proved to be very beneficial both in the results achieved and in the fact that the inside of the teeth have been proven to be more resistant to decalcification - especially useful in the treatment of children. High tech arch wires produce the perfect realignment of the teeth.

The first step will be to discuss the options and devise a treatment plan with your dental team. Your bespoke braces will then be manufactured using state of the art technology. Each anti allergic gold bracket will be made using a prototyping machine with the arch wires precisely calibrated by wire bending robot components. Improvement can be observed very soon after the braces are fitted.

The Incognito system was developed and tested by international scientists and is the most frequently used lingual appliance in the UK as well as the world.

The pros and cons of Incognito braces

The hidden incognito braces fit behind the teeth making them invisible but still as effective as traditional braces.

The pros of lingual braces

• As the most invisible of braces they have nothing on the outside of the teeth for the majority of the treatment time.
• There are several different types of lingual brackets available but Incognito is the market leader.
• They are suitable for dealing with most bite problems in the same way that conventional braces do the job with the only difference being their invisibility.
• The custom made aspect ensures the most effective and accurate tooth movement.

The cons of lingual braces

• Treatment time will be a little longer than it would be with conventional braces and appointments take about half an hour instead of fifteen minutes.
• The tongue will be a little sore for the first few weeks and speech may be affected but will soon return to normal.
• The cost of the braces will be higher as they are custom made unlike metal or tooth coloured braces.

A Guide to lingual braces

It is said that the first facial feature that people notice is someone's eyes. The second is their teeth. That makes our smiles important. Everywhere you look there are perfect sets of teeth beaming at you from adverts, the TV and movies. But how do the rest of us achieve the perfect smile? If you want to change your appearance then lingual braces could be the answer.

Braces are used to help your teeth grow straight. They do this by applying continual pressure to the teeth to gradually move them into the correct position. This can help with rotated teeth, bad bites, gaps and crowding. The result will be better looking teeth.

The Process

The process can be a long one and it can take from 12 to 24 months. Having the brackets and arch wires in your mouth will feel awkward at first but you will get used to them. The lingual type of brace works in exactly the same way as the traditional braces would but without the metal mouth smile! With the lingual braces fixed to the back of the teeth no one will know that you are having treatment.

The Benefits

Although lingual braces may be considered part of a cosmetic treatment they are not entirely an exercise in vanity. For people to whom appearance is vital, maybe in a work setting or because they have an important interview or presentation then lingual braces will be a great way to complete the treatment they need discreetly.

Is there an age limit to who can have lingual braces?

The answer to that question is no because it is never too late to make the most of your smile. A lot of people think that because they have missed the chance when they were children to have their teeth corrected it is too late, but that is not the case. Lingual braces, because they are so discreet, are the ideal treatment for adults looking to correct their bite and improve their smile.

Is it difficult to fit lingual braces?

You would probably think that fitting this type of brace to the back of your teeth might be quite a difficult and fiddly job and would be very uncomfortable. In fact because of advances in technology this is a very straightforward procedure that only needs two trips to the dentist to accomplish. The only draw back is that there are not that many surgeries that are equipped to carry out this dental work.

How is the process accomplished?

On the first appointment to the dentist impressions will be taken of your teeth using a plastic mould. From this mould the laboratory will make the customized brackets that are to be applied to each tooth. The second visit to the dentist will see the cement applied to the back of your teeth and the brackets attached. Next the custom made arch wires will be fitted and will start to put the gentle tension on the teeth that will move them into their new position.

Is there anything else I need to know?

Every dentist will have their own way of doing things and every case is different. In rare cases there might be a need to have teeth extracted to make room for the movement of the teeth being treated. Sometimes headgear or elastics might be part of this kind of treatment to apply extra pressure in a certain direction if needed. Once the active phase of the treatment has been completed then it will be necessary to wear a retaining brace for a while. Your dentist will explain everything to you.

What will happen first?

The first thing will be a discussion with the dentist so that you can talk over what treatment is going to consist of, how much it is going to cost and how long it will take. For the lingual brace, because not every dentist offers this, you need to find one that you can get to easily when you commit to the treatment. Dentists Near Me will help you to find an appropriate specialist at a location convenient to you to get you started.

How will the braces affect my lifestyle?

Because of the fact that the braces are stuck to the inside surface of your teeth you will need to give yourself time to adjust to the fact that sometimes your tongue may catch on it or that your speech might sound a little altered for a while.

Will I be able to chew my food OK?

The braces should not prevent you from eating normally although you must use common sense and avoid sticky or hard food that might do damage. Fizzy drinks and fruit juices are to be avoided too, as they can damage the braces.

Can I still play my sports?

Being involved in contact sports does not mean you cannot have this kind of treatment. However to protect your teeth and your braces you are advised to wear a mouth guard for any activity that might need the added protection. Your dentist will be able to advise you on the right protection for your teeth and the braces.

I play the flute - will I still be able to play?

If you play an instrument especially the flute or if you play a brass instrument then the fixed brace might make this a bit more difficult. Persevere and when you get used to your lingual braces, it will get a lot easier.

Will I have any trouble talking with the braces?

Sometimes, particularly in the beginning, there might be a slight lisp or a bit of difficulty in forming certain words but you will soon adjust. Even those in the public eye like TV announcers have been known to wear this type of brace while they are on air which shows how invisible they are and how it is possible to adapt so that your speech sounds natural and unaffected.

How are things going to be once the lingual braces are fitted?

The first thing is to give yourself enough time to get used to wearing the lingual braces and that will take about one to four weeks. Braces may be worn for one to three years before they can appreciate the final results. There might be a bit of discomfort at first and you will have to get used to the new feeling when you swallow or chew your food.

I can't imagine wearing braces for such a long time will they be easy to look after?

While you are wearing braces your dentist might ask you to see the hygienist on a regular basis so that any trapped food does not become a problem. Experience will teach you which the best foods to eat are and which are the ones to avoid. You might find it helps to brush your teeth every time you eat so that you minimise the chance of food getting stuck in your braces. A mouth rinse might also help. If at any time the brace gets damaged or broken you should see your dentist right away to make sure that your treatment is not compromised.

How much lingual braces cost?

The cost of lingual braces treatment cannot be considered cheap, it's coming in at between £3000 and £5000. This is because this really is cutting edge technology and the laboratory work that goes towards making this an effective treatment does not come cheap! However, every person is different and it really is not possible to be more precise about price than we have been. The best idea will be to discuss it with your dentist who will be able to be more accurate once he or she knows how much work is going to be involved.

If you are interested in this kind of treatment to achieve a great smile then Dentists Near Me will have a comprehensive list of specialists who can help, at a location convenient to you.