If you’re looking for a way to get a beautiful smile without having to resort to traditional braces, nano/lingual braces might be a good option for you. Many adults and teens want to correct their bite problems without having to resort to traditional bulky metal braces. Nano/lingual braces are a good choice if you want to align your teeth while also being discreet about correcting your orthodontic issues.
Nano/lingual braces are braces that are essentially invisible because they’re placed on the back of your teeth instead of the front. They’re called “lingual” because they face your tongue, and “nano” because they are more incognito than traditional braces. For more information on nano/lingual braces and if they could be the right choice for you, keep reading below:
Who Would Benefit From Nano Braces?
Nano/lingual braces are ideal for people who want to align their teeth but don’t want their braces to be obvious. Most teens and adults who need braces and have normal sized teeth will be good candidates.
The following is a list of characteristics of people who would benefit from nano braces:
- Want to correct bite problems without braces being visible
- Are teens or adults
- Have normal sized teeth
- Do not have a deep overbite
- Have the financial means and time to commit to lingual braces
There are several obvious advantages to nano/lingual braces compared to traditional braces, such as being less visible, being customized for each person, and having the ability to correct most bite problems. They are also good for adults who do not want their braces to be visible in a professional work environment.
Ultimately, the only way to be sure if nano/lingual braces are the right fit for you is to schedule a consultation with your orthodontist. However, be aware that not all orthodontists offer nano/lingual braces, so if you are considering them, be sure to bring it up at the beginning of your consultation.
How Much Do Lingual/Nano Braces Cost?
Unfortunately, nano/lingual braces often cost more than traditional braces, although the exact pricing will depend on your insurance coverage and your orthodontist’s specific treatment plan for correcting your teeth. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, the cost for nano/lingual braces ranges from $5,000 to $13,000. The cost of nano braces can depend on several different factors, including:
- What your insurance plan will cover
- The length of your orthodontic treatment
- What the average prices are in your region or area
You can compare the price for nano/lingual braces to the prices for other kinds of braces, such as traditional braces, ceramic braces, and aligner trays on this website. Typically, traditional braces cost between $5,000 and $7,000, while aligner trays can cost up to $8,000 and ceramic braces up to $8,500. You may be able to use money from a healthcare savings account to cover the cost of nano/lingual braces, or your insurance company may cover part of the cost.
Nano/lingual braces usually cost more because they take more skill to put on and are customized for each patient. All of the brackets for nano braces are cemented on the teeth at the same time, and there is a custom tray to secure them in place. This takes more time to ensure the right fit as opposed to traditional braces, which use metal brackets that are individually cemented one tooth at a time.
Even though nano/lingual braces often cost more than traditional metal braces, the fact that they are customized to fit might mean that you have less pain and a more effective correction of your teeth as compared to traditional braces.
How Long Will They Need To Stay On?
How long you will have to wear nano/lingual braces will vary depending on your individual treatment plan designed by your orthodontist. However, the good news is that patients who have lingual braces may have shorter treatment times overall compared to patients who have regular metal braces. Dr. Greg Jorgensen, an orthodontist in New Mexico, says that patients with traditional braces can have treatment plans that last up to 22 months, while patients who have nano/lingual braces in his office may have treatment times that last less than a year.
However, research on treatment times for nano/lingual braces varies, and some orthodontists say that treatment lengths for patients with nano braces are equal to or even longer than patients who have traditional metal braces.
Most patients have nano/lingual braces for between one and two years, with orthodontist visits every few months for adjustments. The exact length of time you need to have your nano/lingual braces will depend on your individual orthodontic case.
Another advantage of nano/lingual braces is that patients may not need as many follow-up appointments to adjust the wires. This is because of the way nano/lingual braces are applied to the teeth, where the wires connecting each individual bracket are customized to fit the needs of each patient.
If you have nano/lingual braces, or are thinking about getting them, you may wonder how long your treatment will be. The best way to determine this is to talk with the orthodontist who is managing your treatment plan.
When Are Nano/Lingual Braces Not Right?
Although nano/lingual braces have their advantages, they are not the right orthodontic solution for everyone. For example, children tend to have smaller jaws or crowding issues, which make it harder to put nano brackets on teeth. If you have any of the following characteristics, you may not be a good candidate for nano/lingual braces:
- Have a deep overbite
- Have smaller or crowded teeth
- Play a musical instrument
Nano/lingual braces may also cause minor speech problems, such as a lisp or difficulty enunciating certain words, when they are first applied. This happens because your tongue has to get used to touching the brackets on your lower teeth when speaking. However, most people are able to adapt to this, and any speech difficulties usually fade away after about a month.
You may also experience some minor pain when first adjusting to your nano/lingual braces, especially in your tongue. The brackets on the inside of your teeth can irritate your tongue and cause it to be sore or tender. You can deal with this by putting ice or dental wax on the affected area to minimize the pain, which should go away after a few days.
Are These Types of Braces Hard To Clean?
Yes. Because the brackets for lingual braces are placed on the inside of the teeth, not the outside like in traditional braces, this does make them slightly harder to clean. Luckily, if you have the right tools, such as a water flosser or interdental cleaner, it can make nano/lingual braces easier to clean. You may be able to get some of these tools from your orthodontist.
Here are some tips for keeping your nano/lingual braces clean:
- Brush and floss daily
- Use a dental pick or water flosser after eating
- Avoid sticky, crunchy, or hard foods
- Get dental checkups every 6 months
The bottom line is, nano/lingual braces may be a good idea for you if you need braces but don’t want to have them visible. The brackets in nano braces are placed on the back of your teeth instead of the front, so they are not as obvious. Nano/lingual braces have some advantages, such as correcting teeth without being seen and potentially shorter treatment times, but they may also cost more and be more difficult to clean.
If you are considering getting nano/lingual braces, meet with an orthodontist to get your teeth examined and figure out if they are right for you.
