Attached to the backs of the teeth, lingual braces an non-removable alternative to Invisalign. Here, our BC dentists review the comparative pros and cons of these two orthodontic treatment options.
The most significant advantage that lingual braces have over Invisalign aligners is that they aren’t visible and are also not removable, like Invisalign aligners are.
This may seem like a strange statement to make, since the fact that Invisalign aligners are removable is one of their advantages. Being able to remove your aligners is very convenient for many of our patients, because it makes it easier to eat, brush and floss while undergoing treatment.
However, what constitutes an 'advantage' depends on the person.
Removable aligners are great for people who feel they can completely commit to their treatment and will keep their aligners in full time despite any tightness, pain, or discomfort they experience, or who won't forget to put them back in on a regular basis.
But if you think you may struggle to leave your aligners in at all times, even when they feel uncomfortable, then removable aligners are probably not a good choice for you. And if you can be a bit disorganized or forgetful, a fixed orthodontic treatment option may be a better bet.
It's very important to be honest with yourself about this. Everyone is different, and everyone has different needs, so be sure to think about your own carefully before committing to any orthodontic treatment option.
In fact, we have many patients who aren’t sure they can be consistent with removable aligners. Lingual braces are a great choice for these people, because they are still essentially invisible, but are not removable.