Expert Lingual Braces for Patients in North London

Lingual braces work well for most orthodontic issues from moderate crowding to bite problems. They offer fixed appliance control while prioritising appearance. Good candidates have healthy teeth and gums and commit to careful cleaning. Many patients from North London, including Highgate and Hampstead, are professionals who need to keep a polished look while achieving strong results that fixed appliances provide. They can correct crooked teeth, close gaps, and align bites without others knowing you are in treatment.

The treatment is planned with precision. First, you will have an initial 60 minute consultation at our Finchley practice, where we take digital scans and photos to plan your treatment. Next, these scans are used to create your custom-made brackets and wires, a process that takes about 3 to 4 weeks. The bonding appointment lasts around 90 to 120 minutes, where we attach each bracket to the back of your teeth. After this, you will visit every 6 to 8 weeks for adjustments. The total treatment time usually ranges from 18 to 24 months depending on the complexity of your case. A recent patient, a lawyer from Barnet, finished in 20 months and achieved a perfect smile in time for a major court case without colleagues noticing the braces.

The first week with lingual braces involves an adjustment period. You may have tongue irritation and a temporary lisp as the tongue gets used to the brackets. This tends to resolve in one to two weeks. Follow a soft food diet in the initial days. Oral hygiene is important; use interdental brushes or a water flosser to clean around the brackets. Regular check-ups are essential. Red flags requiring immediate contact: if a wire breaks or a bracket becomes loose, call the practice during office hours. For genuine out of hours emergencies like severe pain or trauma, visit A&E or call 111. Long term, you will wear a retainer at night to maintain your results.

While lingual braces offer maximum discretion, other options exist. Invisalign uses clear removable aligners. It is discreet and allows for easier cleaning and no dietary restrictions, but requires wearing them for about 22 hours a day and may not fit highly complex bite corrections. Ceramic braces sit at the front of the teeth with clear or tooth coloured brackets to blend in. They are more visible than lingual braces but can be a more affordable fixed option for those seeking a less noticeable brace. During your consultation we will discuss the pros and cons in relation to your clinical needs and lifestyle.

Lingual braces involve custom brackets and placement work, so costs are higher than traditional braces or Invisalign. These costs will be detailed in a personalised plan at your consultation. The treatment fee covers all custom appliances, appointments, adjustments, and your first set of retainers. We are a private practice and accept insurance from Denplan, Cigna, and Max Bupa. Please contact us to discuss your coverage.

To make an informed choice whether you come to us or another practice in North London, you should ask these questions: which brand of lingual braces do you use and why, how long will my speech be affected, can you show before and after photos, what is your protocol if a bracket comes off or a wire breaks, is the cost of retainers and follow-up appointments included, how will I clean my teeth with the braces, and what are the main differences in outcome between lingual braces and Invisalign for my case.