Articles> Orthodontics

Beverly Hills Orthodontist Discusses Benefits of Lingual Braces

December 23, 2007 –LOS ANGELES AND SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA – A technology that has been around more than 35 years remains a viable option for people of any age who want the benefits of aligned teeth without the appearance of braces.

Lingual braces-braces affixed behind the teeth instead of on the front- can be used on patients of any age, but have become increasingly popular among adult patients as more adults have sought orthodontic treatment, said Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen, a Beverly Hills orthodontist.

“Orthodontic care once was seen as a treatment only for children,” Nikaeen said. “But the truth is that orthodontic treatment can be successful for people of any age.”

However, because so many people associate braces with children and teenagers, adults who seek orthodontic treatment often are in search of a method that won’t be as noticeable as traditional braces, she said.

That is where options such as lingual braces come into play. Dr. Craven Kurz invented lingual braces in 1970 when he started placing clear plastic braces on the lingual surfaces of patients’ teeth. Kurz submitted the first lingual appliance patent with the U.S. Patent Office in 1976.

Lingual braces have evolved through the years to reduce the amount of speech interference and increase patient comfort, according to the American Lingual Orthodontic Association Web site.

Gaps, overlaps, crowding, rotated teeth and malocclusion all can be addressed with lingual braces, Nikaeen said.

Unlike standard brackets, which are mass-produced, lingual braces require a custom-made bracket for each tooth, according to www.Dentalfind.com. Because of that, an orthodontist's first step is to create a mold of the patient’s teeth. Brackets are made based on this mold, then set in wax and placed in a small plastic applicator. This applicator ensures that the brackets remain aligned, as they will be pressed into place, not individually cemented. When the time for application comes, the orthodontist applies cement to the back of each bracket and presses the entire set into place. Once the cement sets, the orthodontist breaks the applicator off. The brackets remain in place.

Finally, the orthodontist installs an arch wire on the back of the teeth. This wire is shaped in the ideal position of the teeth. Once it has been threaded through the brackets, the wire tries to shift back into its original position, pulling the teeth into place as it does so, the Dental Find Web site stated.

When placing lingual braces on the top and bottom teeth, an orthodontist sometimes will place them on the top teeth first. This takes advantage of another positive feature of lingual braces acting like a biteplate- the immediately disengagement of the lower teeth from the upper teeth allows the lower teeth to be moved without interference from the upper teeth, Nikaeen said.

Although lingual braces can be worn on the top and bottom teeth, many orthodontists apply them only to the top teeth, Nikaeen said. The bottom teeth are generally less visible when speaking and smiling, so clear or tooth-colored brackets can be used on the front surface of the bottom teeth, rendering a less noticeable appearance.

It takes a little while to grow accustomed to wearing lingual braces, Nikaeen said. Their  initial discomfort is similar to that of traditional braces, but lingual braces affect the tongue and conventional braces affect the cheeks and lips. It can take up to a month to get used to wearing the appliances.

Although technology is improving, patients who wear lingual braces can expect minor speech problems, such as lisping, until they get used to wearing them, she said. Also, the way the top and bottom teeth line up will be slightly different.

Learn More
Lingual braces aren’t used by all orthodontists. Therefore, it is important for patients who are interested in this form of orthodontic treatment to conduct their own research to locate an orthodontist who is trained in the application of lingual braces, Nikaeen said.

If you would like to learn more about lingual braces or would like additional information on orthodontic treatment, visit Dr. Nikaeen’s Web site: www.invisibraces.com or call her Los Angeles office for a free consultation: (310) 444-1113.

About Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen
Dr. Nikaeen graduated with honors from dental school in 1993 and received a doctorate in dental surgery. She gained experience practicing general dentistry for several years before attending Columbia University School of Dentistry and Oral Surgeons in New York, where she earned her post-doctoral education in orthodontics and received an orthodontic specialty certificate.

Dr. Nikaeen became a diplomat of the American Board of Orthodontics in 2007. She also is a member of the American Association of Orthodontics, the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontics, West Los Angeles Dental Society, Los Angeles Women’s Dental Society (past vice president), the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association and the Los Angeles Dental Society.

In addition to running her practice, Dr. Nikaeen is a faculty member at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) Orthodontic Department and teaches orthodontic residents.

Dr. Nikaeen’s Los Angeles practice serves patients throughout Southern California, including Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.

© 2007 Sinai Marketing and Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.
-end-