Dental braces - experiences with lingual or tooth coloured?

[Maebh9]

I really need them. Went for a consultation and said that I can't have visible train tracks at my age (I can't). He yadda yaddad and gave me a quote for train tracks (plus possibly elastics).

Has anyone been to an orthodontist who actually takes the request for treatment that's as discreet as possible seriously? I accept I can't have the liners and I also know lingual etc costs more but he seemed to be saying that only the hideous grey metal would do the job. Can't there be some sort of balance??

Tbh I'm also worried about what they'll do to my eating and sex lives but the tusks are too much to endure.

You can get ceramic clear or white brackets which are fixed braces which you refer to as train tracks. They do 100% exactly the same as silver brackets. Lingual braces you're talking 12k + and the desired result sometimes cannot be achieved. Also many of my lingual patients tongue is absolutely cut to shreds. Ceramic brackets is what you want.

Thanks, I appreciate it! The tongue thing was a worry (although think maybe normal train tracks will cut a bit too?). I will ask about ceramics. I don't know why the ortho was so resistant to them - are they more annoying to work with?

If I'm honest it annoys me that there's no "mild improvement" option. Like take out a tooth and let the gap fill in a bit through nature. The overcrowding is uncomfortable but braces sound really sore and a bit life ruining.

You need Invisalign.

I had clear brackets and tooth coloured wire. People barely noticed them. No issues with cutting the inside of my mouth, I never had to use the wax. Think the brand was Damon Clear.

Thanks, will investigate.

Can't do Invisalign, unfortunately, too wonky.

I’ve had full metal train tracks in my 40’s and it’s fine. A bit of a shock at first but you soon get used to it. I didn’t bother with trying to hide it with ceramic/ clear brackets.

I had clear brackets and white wires and people hardly noticed. The only downside is they stain really easily so I couldn’t eat anything with turmeric in it or drink red wine.

I had lingual braces fitted almost two years ago to try and sort out overcrowding and an overbite. The total cost was £6,000 for both the top and bottom teeth. The orthodontist I chose specialised in lingual braces - I didn’t want obvious braces as I feel quite self conscious about my teeth anyway. It took a couple of weeks for my speech to settle down and the wires/brackets were uncomfortable initially, but I’m almost at the end of my treatment now and am glad I went for it.

Train tracks aren’t that bad or that painful. I had them as an adult because it was the quickest and most effective way or sort out my teeth. Stainless steel is the strongest material they can use so I was told treatment would be faster. You will need elastics with them, though, they’re what actually move the teeth. From my experience you can eat normally with them (bar a day or so after tightening when you want soft stuff) and sex life didn’t take a hit 😂

Sorry, I realise that’s not what you’re asking but just to offer a perspective on the dreaded mouth of metal!

Hi OP. I had lingual (on the backs of my upper teeth) about 10 years ago. I was a fairly newly qualified lawyer and already looked young for my age and was fed up of being mistaken for the intern, which was why I went for lingual (I wasn't a suitable candidate for Invisalign).

They were definitely pricey (I think £8k) but I got on ok with them. Talking and eating was a bit weird at first and I took a toothbrush around with me as things did get caught!

Waste of money - it's expensive enough as it is. Why 'can't' you have metal TT?