Lingual orthodontics or back orthodontics is one of the methods of dental orthodontics, in which instead of placing the orthodontic device in front of the teeth, wires, brackets and braces are placed behind the teeth. This method is very useful for people who want to avoid seeing the orthodontic device during the treatment process. Lingual orthodontics is considered to be an unrealistic orthodontic model and can partially solve the problems of jaw and dental abnormalities of people. One of the main advantages of this method is maintaining the appearance of a smile and self-confidence, the least possibility of injury and scarring of the mouth, and a more accurate result in some complex problems. What is lingual orthodontics? For many people, smile and beauty are important, and traditional orthodontics destroys this beauty; But on the other hand, orthodontics is completely the opposite of this issue and can fix the irregularity and abnormalities of your teeth and preserve your beauty and smile. In orthodontics behind the teeth, all its components such as brackets, braces and wires are placed behind the teeth and are not visible at all, and they work exactly like traditional orthodontics. Lingual orthodontics is more recommended for adults and its installation is very specialized and should be done by a highly skilled dentist. Also, due to the placement of the orthodontic device behind the teeth, oral and dental hygiene must be observed regularly and daily so as not to cause tooth decay. **Application of lingual orthodontics** Orthodontics behind a tooth is used for applications, the most important of which are the following. - Correcting dental abnormalities such as large distance between teeth - Removing excessive density of teeth - Straightening and aligning the teeth - Treatment of all types of malocclusions, including overbite, crossbite and underbite - Treatment of crooked teeth from mild to severe **Benefits and benefits of lingual orthodontics** Among the benefits of orthodontics behind the teeth, the following can be mentioned: - **Invisibility of orthodontic brackets and wires** due to being placed behind the teeth and not attracting attention and being visible. - **preserving the beautiful appearance of the smile design** and suitable for people who are in the general public and go around a lot. - **high accuracy and compatibility with teeth** **ha** that can change and improve the position of each tooth in a completely accurate way. - **The least possibility of damage to the lips and cheeks** due to the placement behind the teeth and the least contact with the gums and cheeks. - **more accurate results in some complex problems** means the possibility of correcting severe abnormalities that require more precision for treatment. **Complications and disadvantages of lingual orthodontics** Orthodontics behind the teeth may have few side effects, but they are very rare and some are temporary that you get used to over time. However, the main side effects are the following. - It is difficult to clean this orthodontic device and you have to carefully and patiently brush and apply toothpaste. - Usually, the cost of this method is higher than other models due to the more complicated and precise process and steps. - At the beginning of the treatment, he may feel discomfort due to the contact of the tongue with the orthodontic device, which is temporary. - Due to the complexity of the matching process in this method, the treatment length is a little longer than other methods. - This method is not suitable for all teeth and jaw abnormalities and must be approved by an orthodontist. - Due to the type of device, some foods are limited for you. **Lingual orthodontic procedures** At Dr. Aso Hamzei Dental Center, special steps must be taken to get the best results from this orthodontic method, which are as follows. ### **Consultation and initial examination by an orthodontist** First, the orthodontist examines your teeth and checks whether this method is suitable for you or not. Then, he should use special tools to mold the teeth to make braces. If there are any problems such as decay or the need to extract teeth before performing lingual orthodontics, they must be solved by a dentist. ### **Design and manufacture of orthodontic braces** After the orthodontist makes a digital or physical mold of the teeth, this mold must be sent to the laboratory and lingual orthodontic braces are designed and made according to it. ### **installation of orthodontic device and start of treatment** After the braces and lingual orthodontic brackets are made and come from the laboratory, the orthodontist must install them behind the teeth and stick them with a special glue, and after passing the orthodontic wires from the brackets, they must tighten it well. After this, the process of orthodontic treatment and adjustment starts regularly. ### **Planning orthodontic device adjustment sessions** At this stage, the orthodontist determines the adjustment sessions of the lingual orthodontic device in a time frame, and usually you go to the orthodontist once every 4 to 8 weeks to adjust and check the orthodontic treatment process. ### **End of treatment and use of orthodontic retainers** After the end of the orthodontic treatment, the brackets and wires and the entire orthodontic device are removed from behind the teeth, and orthodontic holders and retainers must be used to keep the result stable after the treatment is completed. At this stage, the orthodontist will give you all the care recommendations you need. **Lingual orthodontic treatments** If you do not take the following precautions and recommendations seriously, there is a possibility that this orthodontics will not be effective and you will waste your time and money. - Use an orthodontic toothbrush at least 2 times a day and after every meal. - Clean the brackets and orthodontic device from the remaining food particles with dental floss once a day. - Be sure to wash your mouth with fluoride mouthwash once a day to prevent caries. - Avoid eating hard, sticky, grainy and very fatty foods, because they cause damage to the brackets and the orthodontic device. - You may have pain and discomfort at the beginning of using this orthodontics, which you can make more bearable by washing your mouth with lukewarm salt water. - Be sure to visit the orthodontist regularly for check-ups. - Be sure to always keep the back of the teeth clean to prevent the accumulation of bacteria in this area. - If you have any pain or discomfort, be sure to see a dentist. - Visit the orthodontist regularly to check and adjust the orthodontic appliance. **Duration and duration of lingual orthodontic treatment** The duration of lingual orthodontic treatment is usually between 18 and 24 months, but depending on the severity of the abnormality, the age of the patient and the cooperation in complying with health guidelines, it can vary from 12 to 36 months. For a more accurate result, an in-person consultation with an orthodontic specialist is required. This time includes both the use of the orthodontic device itself and the use of holders and retainers. **Lingual orthodontics candidate** Orthodontics behind the teeth is not suitable for everyone and may not be suitable for some people at all. In the following, we refer to all the people who are suitable and unsuitable for this treatment method. ### **For whom is orthodontics suitable?** - People who are looking for an invisible method and are in the public eye a lot. - People who want to maintain the natural appearance of their lips. - People who are looking for the least feeling of pain when using the orthodontic device. - People who have teeth of normal size and no limited space behind the teeth. - Those who seek to treat a wide range of dental problems such as crowding, disorganization, overbite, etc ### **Orthodontics behind teeth is not suitable for whom?** - People who have small teeth and lack of space to attach the device behind their teeth. - People who suffer from severe bite problems and jaw and dental abnormalities. - People who have gum diseases such as periodontal. - People who cannot maintain their oral hygiene well. - People who have low budget for treatment and are looking for a cheaper method. - People who are looking for faster results and not going through a long treatment process. - People who have language sensitivity and it is difficult for them to get used to this method. **Does it hurt to use lingual orthodontics?** Orthodontics behind the teeth may cause a little pain and discomfort, but this pain is usually not severe and is similar to the pain of other orthodontics. The initial pain is usually caused by pressure on the teeth and irritation of the tongue or gums and can be controlled with common pain relievers. Some people may feel uncomfortable in the first days, but as time passes and the mouth gets used to the device, this pain will decrease. Also, unlike traditional orthodontics where the pain is more in the lips and cheek, in lingual orthodontics the tongue is more sensitive and uncomfortable. If the pain is severe or persistent, it is necessary to see a doctor. **cost and price of lingual orthodontics** The cost of lingual orthodontics in 1404 usually starts from 45 million tomans per jaw and can reach up to 85 million tomans. This type of orthodontics is more expensive compared to fixed orthodontics because the brackets are installed behind the teeth and require more finesse in the installation and high skill of the specialist. The exact price of this orthodontics depends on the individual conditions of the patient and the length of the treatment period. **The difference between lingual orthodontics and normal orthodontics**