LINGUAL ORTHODONTICS
“Lingual” means “relating to the language” in Latin. As can be understood, "lingual orthodontics" defines the treatment with wires glued to the tongue-facing surfaces of the teeth.
Many irregularities that can be treated with normal orthodontics, that is, orthodontics with wires glued to the visible surface of the teeth, can also be treated with lingual orthodontics, but this is the case. It is not applicable to all patients, especially patients with low discomfort tolerance. Recent advances in bracket design, new metal alloys for archwires, and new mechanics have not only facilitated the technical aspects of lingual orthodontics, but have also increased patient compliance and helped reduce patient discomfort.
Lingual orthodontics is technically demanding and physician-patient. He has to be selective in his choice. In treatment planning, it is important to determine the patient's expectations from the treatment and balance this idea with the achievable and realistic goals of the orthodontist.
The biggest advantage of lingual orthodontics is that the wires cannot be seen by anyone else. However, as every blessing has its burden, lingual orthodontics also has some disadvantages. Since the braces are on the side of the tooth facing the tongue, speech may be affected initially. Phonation disorders can be seen in letters formed by the tongue touching the teeth, such as “s”, “ş”, “t” and “d”. However, researchers who have been performing these treatments abroad for years state in their articles that this problem is resolved within 1 to 3 months. Since the wires are located inside, there may be wounds on the tongue at first. However, when we consider normal orthodontic treatment, a similar situation can also occur on the cheeks and lips. In other words, the indentation of the wires does not increase in lingular orthodontics, but only moves. In the next session after the bonding of the braces, patients arrive feeling accustomed to their braces. With the precautions to be taken, these discomforts will be minimized and the patient's compliance with the treatment will increase.
As it will be more difficult for the physician to operate on the back surfaces of the teeth and the angle of view will be more difficult, the time spent on appointments is slightly longer than in normal orthodontics. When the total treatment time is evaluated, there is no difference between lingual orthodontics and normal orthodontics.
Lingual. Orthodontics is mostly accepted in adult patients and young people. It is not preferred in pediatric patients because the teeth are about to erupt and it is not possible to stick the bracket to the back surface of the erupting tooth.
Oral hygiene, special brushing techniques and oral hygiene tools are more important in lingual brackets than in normal brackets, because control is made on the inner surface than on the outer surface. It is more difficult and plaque accumulation, gingivitis and caries formation cannot be seen by the patient.
Read: 0
