Braces can be placed either on the inside of the teeth or on the outside of the teeth. Inside braces are bonded onto the back of each tooth, making them less visible than traditional wire braces. Outside braces use wires placed around the front of the teeth.
Have you ever wondered what braces would look like if they were inside your mouth instead of outside? Braces Inside Teeth Vs Outside can make a big difference in appearance and comfort.
Outside braces with colorful rubber bands may work well for some patients. But others prefer the discreet option of inside braces, especially older patients. No matter the choice, the goal is straight, beautiful teeth at the end of treatment.
How Do Braces Inside Versus Outside Work?
Inside braces work entirely inside the mouth. Small brackets are glued to the back of the teeth. Wires are threaded through these brackets and slowly move the teeth into alignment. Outside braces work mostly outside the mouth. Larger brackets are glued to the front of the teeth. Wires are also used, but metal or ceramic brackets can be seen.
With inside braces, the wires and brackets are hidden from view inside the mouth. This makes them more discreet. Braces Removal Price the process of correcting tooth positions may take slightly longer versus outside braces that apply forces from both inside and outside the teeth.
Are Inside Braces
Inside braces, also called lingual braces or hidden braces, have attachments placed on the backside of the teeth. Small metal brackets are bonded directly to the rear surfaces. Narrow wires are threaded through these brackets using the spaces between teeth. This allows correction to occur hidden inside the mouth.
Only a dentist can see the wires and brackets with inside braces. The patient’s mouth appears normal from the front. Eating, speaking, and brushing are not obstructed. However, the brackets can occasionally be felt with the tongue which takes adjustment.
Are Inside Braces Placed
To place inside braces, the patient’s teeth are first cleaned and dried. A bonding agent is applied to the rear surfaces to help the brackets adhere strongly. Small pre-shaped metal brackets are then precisely bonded onto the back of each tooth.
Once set, ultra-thin memory wires are threaded through the slots of the brackets. Ligatures may also be used to tie the wire to brackets. Adjustments are made over several appointments to gradually guide teeth into their desired positions. Patients may feel pressure but no brackets can be seen.
Teeth Qualify For Inside Braces
Not every case is a good candidate for lingual braces. Teeth must have sufficient back surface area for bonding brackets. Wisdom teeth should be removed first if still impacted. Severe rotation of teeth may be harder to correct versus outside braces.
Inside braces work best for correcting minor spacing, gap closure issues or making teeth straighter. They are generally not used for major jaw discrepancies requiring orthodontic surgery. A virtual setup is done beforehand to confirm teeth qualify.
Inside Braces Treatments Take
Treatment time for lingual braces is usually 12-24 months, around the same as traditional braces. However, some patients require longer wear time of 18-30 months if their case is more complex.
Orthodontists gradually adjust the narrow wires every 4-8 weeks to encourage steady tooth movement. Patients must be diligent flossing and brushing the bracket areas. Adjustments may be needed if progress stalls. Retainers are worn after removal to maintain the new smile.
How Do Outside Braces Differ?
Outside braces, also called bracket braces, have brackets placed on the front-facing surfaces of the teeth. Larger metal or ceramic brackets are bonded directly to the fronts of teeth above and below the gumline.
Wires are also used but are visible from outside the mouth. Outside braces use forces from both the front and back sides of teeth to shift positions. This can sometimes allow slightly faster treatment.
Are Outside Braces Placed
For outside brace placement, teeth surfaces are first cleaned, dried, and isolated. A bonding resin is applied to help the brackets strongly adhere. Orthodontists then precisely position and bond pre-shaped metal or ceramic brackets to the visible fronts of each tooth.
Ligatures, elastic threads or tiny O-rings may be used to secure the archwire within the bracket slots. Adjustments are frequently made to move teeth by increasing or changing wire sizes placed in the mouth.
Is The Wire Process For Outside Braces
Initial wires for outside braces are often thin and plastic-coated to minimize discomfort. After some teeth shifting occurs, the wires are changed gradually to thicker stainless or nickel-titanium shapes.
These apply continued pressure over months to complete tooth movements. Regular tightening of the wires encourages steady repositioning. Progress is monitored with adjustments and new wires every 4-6 weeks on average.
Outside Braces Hurt More Than Inside
Discomfort is typically greater initially with outside braces versus inside versions. Visible brackets apply direct pressure on exterior tooth surfaces. However, teeth adapting to new positions causes some pain or pressure with any type of braces.
Outside soreness usually peaks after first 1-2 weeks as teeth start shifting. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help. Sensitivity often decreases as teeth complete movements into their new arches during long-term wear. Lingual braces place pressure inside the mouth.
Colors Come On Outside Braces
Traditional outside braces usually come in shining silver or other neutral metal shades to match most tooth colors. However, tooth-colored or clear ceramic brackets are also available for a less conspicuous appearance.
Many orthodontists now offer a variety of stylish bracket colors from which to choose—shades like purple, blue, pink, gray, or yellow-green allow customized expression. Colored latex rubber bands or wires provide similar options. These features let outside braces be discreet or show off a unique smile.
Which Braces Option Is More Comfortable?
Lingual braces are often considered more comfortable since the wires and brackets are hidden inside the mouth. This placement protects surfaces from irritation by food and fingers. However, initial aligner placement with either option causes temporary soreness as teeth adapt to new positions.
Some stiffness or pressure may also be felt inside with lingual braces. Overall both types can cause some discomfort, though inside versions shield the fronts of teeth. Comfort varies per individual’s mouth and specific orthodontic case.
Inside Braces Cause Less Discomfort
In most cases, lingual braces do lead to less irritation and sorer areas than traditional braces. Since brackets are not bonded onto exterior tooth surfaces, there are no sharp edges or wires pressing against lips, gums or cheek area. Lingual patients report less general mouth pain over time.
However, the smooth surfaces of inside brackets can feel unusual against the tongue at first. Some tongue tenderness may occur until fully accustomed later in treatment. Regular orthodontic checkups help ensure wire and ligature fittings are not causing any mouth wounds.
Inside Braces Affect Eating And Speaking
During early adjustment, speaking and eating with lingual braces requires some getting used to. The brackets’ shapes behind teeth may briefly feel strange. Yet, since wires are not in direct contact with lips or food, chewing and articulating words is quicker and easier versus outside braces.
By the second or third week, most patients adapt and experience no impediments. Teeth can still be brushed, flossed and cleaned normally while wearing lingual appliances. Tongue placement behind teeth for talking retrains quickly.
Are Inside Braces Smooth Against The Tongue
Newly placed lingual brackets will naturally feel irregular against the tongue at first. But manufacturers design them to minimize any rough or sharp edges. As the mouth adjusts, the brackets’ contours become familiar and stop being noticeable.
Within just a week or two, most patients no longer consciously feel the smooth bracket forms behind their teeth. The tongue placement learns to navigate without touching wires or other attachments pressing inside cheeks.
Are Outside Braces More Irritating To The Mouth
Traditional braces with brackets outside the teeth do regularly lead to more frequent sore spots. The lips, cheeks and tongue can rub directly against pointy bracket edges or tight wires. Irritation is common at first in these areas until they toughen.
Areas near brackets may become red, swollen or scraped if wire ends poke into gums. Extra wax or covers help protect problem sites that feel irritated. Adjusting to outside apparatus takes getting accustomed to more than lingual options.
Cause Wire Irritation With Outside Braces
Any actions using mouth muscles can potentially cause uncomfortable moments while adjusting to outside braces. Chewing tougher foods, opening wide for bites, and speaking clearly all require patience.
Even simple actions like whistling, pursing lips, or yawning can result in slight soreness until mouth muscle memory adapts. Wires may pinch cheeks or gums until any pressure pain from repositioning teeth subsides after the first few weeks.
Rubber Bands Add To Mouth Soreness With Outside Braces
Elastic bands are sometimes needed with traditional braces to tighten spaces between teeth. But they can exacerbate mouth discomfort during initial use. Rubber frequently causes hotspots inside cheeks.
Areas where bands make contact with brackets may become irritated, swollen or feel raw. Using wax temporarily eases these spots until they develop a thicker skin layer. Bands sometimes cut into lips until patients learn to place them carefully.
How Do The Appearances Of Inside Versus Outside Braces Compare?
The most obvious difference between lingual and traditional braces lies in visible access. Outside appliances conspicuously display colorful brackets and wires all over the exterior tooth surfaces.
Meanwhile, lingual appliances appear functionally identical to untreated teeth from the front. Only the wearer themselves knows of their hidden secret behind smiled lips. Overall discreetness is what primarily separates these two options.
Are Inside Braces More Discreet Than Outside Options
One major advantage of lingual braces relates to discretion. Since brackets are placed on rear tooth sides unseen from the front, wearers need not feel self-conscious about their appearance in public.
A person’s smile reveals nothing out of the ordinary, allowing normal confidence and interactions. In contrast, traditional metal mouth gear draws noticeable attention regardless of age. Lingual braces generally provide a less obvious treatment experience.
Others Notice You Are Wearing Inside Braces
In everyday conversation distance, other individuals have difficulty detecting lingual braces. Only the wearer’s orthodontist or dentist examining the mouth directly with an instrument could verify the presence of hidden aligners.
From an average social distance of 2-3 feet during interactions, others cannot discern that the teeth have brackets placed within. A natural smile continues appearing orthodontically untreated externally.
Inside Braces Draw Less Attention In Photos
Another key strength of lingual braces ties to capturing casual photos while in treatment. Without visible mouth hardware impacting facial aesthetics, selfies and snapshots turn out normally.
Wearers need not avoid cameras or feel self-conscious grinning widely since their smile shows nothing externally amiss. Lingual aligners eliminate orthodontic visibility that could negatively impact cherished photo memories.
Noticeable Are Traditional Outside Braces
In contrast, standard metal braces attaching directly to tooth fronts make treatment unmistakably obvious from even feet away. Brightly colored bands and wires catch anyone’s eye contact in a picture or social settings.
With outside riggings, a full smile reveals the entire orthodontic infrastructure dominating attention on facial images or in person. During an adjustment period, attention can feel diverted to the conspicuously changing teeth.
Colors And Designs Stand Out The Most With Outside Braces
5 Tips On Colors And Designs That Stand Out The Most With Outside Braces
- Bright colors like pink, purple, blue or green. Vibrant colors that contrast with tooth enamel will really make the braces pop. Avoid more subtle shades like pale yellow or light gray.
- Metallic finishes. Brackets with a shiny metallic coating in silver, gold or other metallic shades attract attention. The reflecting surface makes them glare very noticeably.
- Extra accents. Look for brackets featuring sparkles, glitter or other added textures. Animal characters, hearts or other shapes molded into the brackets also add visual interest.
- Large branding. Some manufacturers make their company logo or brand name enlarged on the brackets so it’s easily readable from a distance. The text stands out prominently.
- Multiple shades. Mixing two or more colors on the same braces, like blue brackets with pink ligatures or bands, intensifies the blended bright appearance even more. Opt for contrasting versus matching hues.
So in summary, choose the brightest or flashiest colors, add in textures, and use mixed or branded designs for braces that will really catch the eye and stand out from others. Subtle styles don’t have the same visual impact.
At What Distances Are Outside Braces Still Visible
Even across a room from 6-8 feet away, metal apparatus and multi-colored bands catch the eye on traditional braces patients. Attention remains unintentionally glued to the mouth from a distance.
Lingual options eliminate this conspicuousness, keeping patient comfort levels natural whether up close or farther off. Discretion benefits treatment satisfaction and motivation to completion.
Which Braces Have Better Results?
Research shows lingual and traditional braces can both achieve beautiful aligned smiles with comparable excellence by the end. Success rates rely more on patient compliance than appliance type alone.
Some complex tooth correction cases needing jaw surgery may show slightly better or quicker surface correction with standard braces applying outside forces. Yet all non-surgical patients receive outstanding long term results.
Inside Or Outside Braces Straighten Teeth Faster
Most orthodontic literature reviews have found no clinically significant difference in total treatment length between lingual and surface gear. Times average 1.5-2 years regardless due to biological tooth movement limits.
While outside appliances harness front-and-back forces faster in theory, stubborn teeth may need longer fine-tuning with either option. Compliance with wire changes plays the primary role in duration alongside initial dental irregularities.
Certain Tooth Types Respond Better To One Option
Some research hints molars shift more readily with standard braces bearing down on chewing surfaces from outside. Front teeth seem to align comparably.
But each patient’s individual mouth, teeth anatomy, and cooperation influence end results more than appliance alone. Skillful orthodontists achieve beautiful outcomes with either approach given adequate adjustment sessions and responsible care.
One Type Of Braces Correct Overbites Or Underbites Better
Both overbites and underbites showing top or bottom teeth protruding can be corrected very well using lingual braces. Careful treatment planning positions brackets to effectively apply lip and tongue forces for even dental relationships.
Traditional braces may correct some malocclusions faster as outside levers enable quicker action. But lingual equipment successfully alleviates most bite issues over similar treatment durations with compliance.
Smile Results Compare In The End
Unsurprisingly, the end aesthetic appearance following lingual or standard brace treatment proves very hard to differentiate. Both achieve beautifully straight, properly aligned, and leveled teeth once retaining gear wears its magic.
Are There Differences In Final Teeth Alignment
Studies have found that lingual (inside) braces and traditional (outside) braces typically result in similarly aligned teeth after treatment is completed. Both types of braces are very effective at straightening and positioning teeth. However, there may be minor differences.
The following table compares the potential differences in final tooth alignment:
| Braces Type | Tooth Alignment |
| Lingual (inside) braces | Teeth may be aligned very slightly closer to the lingual (tongue) side compared to outside braces. However, the difference is usually negligible. |
| Traditional (outside) braces | Teeth may be aligned very slightly closer to the buccal (cheek) side compared to inside braces. But again, any difference is typically insignificant. |
In summary, while lingual braces could result in teeth aligned a minor amount closer to the tongue, and outside braces a minor amount closer to the cheeks, the final tooth positions are considered clinically the same between the two types of braces. Both will effectively straighten teeth for a beautiful, healthy smile.
Will Your Teeth Look Whiter After Inside Or Outside Treatment
Braces alone don’t impact tooth color or shine since aligners don’t whiten enamel directly. Some whitening may occur as tight contact between teeth opens during correction, allowing better cleaning. But most whitening differences involve patients using custom tray bleaching—not appliance type itself.
Which Braces Are More Affordable?
Both types of braces involve considerable costs. Lingual treatment commonly charges higher initial fees than traditional braces. This is because lingual appliances require more advanced bonding techniques and specific staff training. However, long-term factors like retainers may affect the final expenses. Overall costs depend on individual orthodontists and insurance coverage.
Inside Or Outside Braces Usually Cost More Up Front
Generally, lingual braces carry a premium upfront cost compared to standard braces. Average initial fees for lingual treatment tend to range between 5-20% higher. This covers the specialized skills, bonding agents, and appointment time needed for precise lingual placement. But expenses vary significantly between offices and covered services.
Is One Type Of Braces Covered Better By Insurance
Insurance reimbursement for orthodontics differs greatly between plans. Some cover set dollar amounts regardless of appliance type, while others have percentage limitations. A few plans do pay slightly higher percentages for conventional braces over lingual. Out-of-pocket costs depend on individual annual or lifetime orthodontic limits.
Patients should inquire about their specific coverage for each option to estimate out-of-pocket responsibilities. Coverage may also affect the orthodontist referral choices available. Total costs always involve co-pays, deductibles, and non-covered services too.
Costs Vary More Between Orthodontists For One Option
Expenses for the same appliance can fluctuate noticeably between orthodontic offices. Fees factor in variables like staff experience, geographic location, and available technologies. More established providers may charge higher rates overall.
Community clinics usually offer the most affordable prices, while specialty lingual practices tend to be costlier on average. Getting pre-treatment estimates from multiple providers helps compare costs appropriately. Support services like payment plans also impact affordability.
Term Costs Like Retainers Factor Into The Price Difference
Retainer fees shouldn’t impact initial appliance costs since both options require retention. However, lingual patients may spend more overall due to additional adjustable retainer modifications during treatment.
Standard retainers made of simple wires or Vac-Formed plastic cost around $300-500 total. But lingual retainers involve extra visits and laboratory fees for precision-fitted plastic or metal forms wrapping all tooth sides, doubling the charges. Overall costs weigh both initial appliance and long-term maintenance prices.
Braces Are More Affordable
Generally, traditional brackets carry a lower upfront cost than lingual braces. However, long-term retainer costs can shrink the gap. The most affordable solution hinges on individual insurance coverage, not just appliance type alone. Multiple price quotes factoring all services provide the most realistic cost comparison for each patient’s specific needs and budget. Affordability often plays less of a role than appearance and oral health priorities in the final choice.
Frequently Asked Question
Will Braces Hurt?
Initial soreness is common as teeth adjust, but discomfort usually subsides after a few weeks.
How Long Do Braces Treatment Take?
Average treatment time is 12-24 months, depending on the individual case. Sometimes longer may be needed for complex corrections.
Are There Differences In Results?
No, both types can achieve excellent straight teeth. Outcomes rely more on patient care than appliance placement.
Are Inside Braces More Expensive?
Generally yes, lingual treatment costs 5-20% higher on average due to specialized techniques. Insurance coverage impacts out-of-pocket costs.
How Noticeable Are Inside Braces?
From the front, inside braces are completely inconspicuous. Only the orthodontist sees the wires during adjustments.
Conclusion
Both braces inside teeth and outside braces have advantages and disadvantages to consider. The best option will depend on individual factors like cost, appearance concerns, and orthodontic needs.
. While braces inside teeth provide maximum discretion, traditional braces apply forces from both sides to possibly treat some cases a bit faster. Talking to an orthodontist can help evaluate which treatment method best suits specific dental corrections and personal priorities. With compliance, superb results are achievable regardless of bracket placement inside or outside.
