What's the process associated with getting dental lingual braces (iBraces)?
iBraces is a registered trademark of Lingualcare Inc., a 3M Unitek company.The technology associated with lingual braces (such as iBraces) is very sophisticated.
The process associated with getting lingual braces, such as iBraces, is different that that utilized with traditional dental braces technique. The metal components (brackets and wires) that are used with lingual braces are all custom-fabricated for each individual patient using cad/cam and robotic wire bending technology. And when a patient's (upper or lower) brackets are attached to their teeth they are all cemented into place at the same time.
A) To start the process, your dentist will first need to take impressions of your teeth.
The brackets and wires used to treat iBraces lingual braces patients are all custom made. So, to start the process of getting your new braces, your orthodontist must first take a set of very precise impressions of your upper and lower teeth. These impressions are then sent, along with a prescription from your dentist describing the desired final alignment of your teeth, to the dental laboratory that will make your lingual braces hardware (orthodontic brackets and wires).
B) The dental laboratory will fabricate your lingual braces hardware.
Once received, the orthodontic laboratory will make plaster casts from the impressions that your dentist has sent. A laboratory technician will then, per your orthodontist's instructions, create a "setup" of your case from these plaster casts. A setup is a mockup of your teeth arranged in perfect alignment.
Once completed, the setup is scanned into a computer. This digitized information is then used to design and create (cad/cam technology) your customized orthodontic brackets and the series of arch wires that will be needed for your treatment (robotic wire bending technology). Once fabricated, your brackets are imbedded into an applicator tray. This tray will fit over your teeth and hold your brackets in precise alignment during the procedure used to attach them. At this point all of the your orthodontic hardware is returned to your dentist's office.
C) Attaching your lingual dental braces to your teeth.
An appointment will be made for you where you return to your orthodontist's office so your lingual braces can be attached.
Usually this is about four weeks after your impressions were first taken.
The cementation process associated with getting your lingual braces placed is pretty straightforward. Your orthodontist will apply cement to the back of each bracket and then press the applicator tray that holds them into place over your teeth (this means that all of your brackets on one arch are cemented into place at the same time). The idea is that the applicator tray ensures that each individual bracket remains in precise alignment while its cement sets.
Once the cement has set the orthodontist will break away the applicator tray. The brackets will remain in place on your teeth. Any excess cement that is present will be smoothed or trimmed away. Once the brackets have been secured, the first of the pre-bent arch wires that the laboratory has prepared will be installed. Your lingual braces are now in place and your are undergoing active treatment.
