Lingual Braces in Gainesville, VA

Lingual braces are a special type of orthodontic treatment that allows patients to straighten their teeth without the visible appearance of traditional metal braces. With this strategic method, brackets and wires are mounted to the tongue-side, or inward-facing surfaces, of the teeth. At Atlas Walk Dental & Orthodontics, Dr. Nguyenand our team are proud to offer this innovative solution to our patients. Dr. Shak is highly skilled in all phases of orthodontic care and can help you or a family member determine if lingual braces are the best treatment option for meeting your needs and preferences. Contact our Gainesville, VA practice today and schedule a personalized orthodontic consultation with Dr. Shak.

Lingual braces can be used to treat a number of orthodontic conditions, including crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth. Patients having an underbite, crossbite, or overbite may also benefit from wearing lingual braces. Choosing lingual braces to straighten the teeth and improve oral health may be a great choice for adults who wish to conceal their braces, especially those involved in sports activities. Like traditional braces, lingual braces are crafted of stainless steel metal but are placed on the tongue-side of the teeth and are not typically visible to others.

Since lingual braces sit behind the teeth rather than the outward surfaces, the treatment process for this type of approach varies somewhat from that of traditional braces. To begin, our team will take impressions of your upper and lower arches and make models of your teeth from these impressions. Dr. Shak will then special order your metal brackets, as they must be specially created to adhere to the lingual (tongue-side) surfaces of your teeth. We will schedule a return visit for you about 1 – 2 weeks later for Dr. Shak to bond your brackets and attached your archwires. At that appointment, our team will provide special instructions on how to clean your teeth while wearing lingual braces.

It is very important to maintain excellent home care and regular bi-annual dental cleaning and checkup visits, especially when wearing lingual braces. Dr. Shak recommends brushing after every meal and flossing daily and may suggest other hygiene tools to make it easier to keep your oral health in top shape while undergoing orthodontic care. Our team will schedule follow-up visits for you with Dr. Shak so that she can evaluate your progress and change the archwires as needed. You may experience mild discomfort for a few days following each visit, which can be relieved with over-the-counter pain medications. Treatment time in lingual braces may range from 18 – 36 months, depending on your personal needs and goals.

During your orthodontic consultation, we will discuss treatment costs and contact your insurance provider to determine if lingual braces are a covered benefit. Our team is dedicating to helping you get the treatment you need for lasting oral health. To make your care affordable, we accept most PPO insurance plans and several payment methods and can provide information on low-interest patient-financing.

Lingual braces may be a good choice for straightening your smile and correcting your bite without the look of conventional metal braces. With this option, brackets and wires are positioned behind the teeth for reduced visibility and improved comfort. Atlas Walk Dental & Orthodontics welcomes you to contact our Gainesville, VA practice to schedule a consultation with Dr. Shak, and learn more about lingual braces and additional options for achieving a straight smile.