Hello everyone,

I am now 33 yr old and everytime I look at the mirror and smile I stop because of the crowding appearance of my upper incisors. It is not major and it has never been a big deal but I has gotten worse with age and one can clearly tell that the two incisors are not aligned. The other problem I have is severe crowding in my lower teeth, and although this crowding is pretty bad, it is hardly as visible when I speak as I do not show my lower teeth that much.

I have been hesitating between Invisalign and Incognito lingual braces for a while now. Invisalign would sort out my main appearance issue with the upper teeth. However reading about it, the buttons seem to be a put-off. Also it does not solve the issue with the lower teeth.

On the other hand I am very scared of the lingual braces:
1. lisping would be a big issue in my job
2. I am single and have a few dates every now and again. I am panicked by the idea of kissing/snogging and more with a lingual in my mouth
3. I am even more panicked when I think that my tongue is going to be shredded!!

So .. for the lisping I was thinking either use the lingual braces in a staggered fashion: first upper teeth and then once used to it, say 4 weeks later, get the lower teeth also .. would that help? has anyone experienced it?

Also, perhaps a 'lighter' solution would be to use lingual braces on the visible upper teeth and ceramics on the less visible lower teeth - do you know whether this would help lisping? Would it help kissing/snogging and more too?

Thank you for sharing your experience!

I can completely relate to you. Initially, I had intended to get Invisalign- mainly for aesthetic reasons. But I found out that I would require conventional ceramic braces after the Invisalign treatment to achieve the best results. That's when I started to research Linguals more heavily. I had researched it in the past and many people call it "tongue torture" which was why I never considered it but I took the plunge! (again, for aesthetic reasons)

I had my linguals in for about two weeks now. The first 5 days for me was terrible but it progressively gets better. Everyone told me that it would get better in time but I almost didn't believe them... To be honest, the first night, I wanted to rip them out. In hindsight, I have no regrets getting them done. I'm starting to forget that they are even there.

I never had a problem with a lisp but people did notice I wasn't talking like my usual self. I had a terrible lazy tongue. It made me really self-conscious but more recently, I noticed my speech is almost back to normal! I couldn't be happier.

As for the kissing. That shouldn't even be a concern!

My tongue was a bit sore for the first 3-4 days but just remember to drink plenty of liquids. The brackets don't bother me anymore. My tongue has fully adjusted.

It was harder for me to get adjusted to the upper linguals... I thought about lower ceramics but I am glad I didn't go that route. You'll eventually adjust Hope that helps.

Wow - that's very very reassuring! amazing you did not lisp .. I guess it is something that really depends on people's mouth, mouth size, tongue etc. I hope my experience goes like yours!! will see, I am due for initial appointment to take measures in 3 weeks .. have not yet decided on combo upper lingual + nothing lower, or upper+lower or upper+ ceramic .. will see, thanks for the feedback! will keep you posted!

I got just upper linguals - about two and a half weeks ago. Your tongue gets used to it quickly - I'd say I'm used to it by now. I don't bother with the wax or anything.
But...my speech was weird for the first two weeks, for sure. But people didn't mention it or ask or anything. I am still having trouble with the S's and people say, "What?" a lot more than they used to!

But I am vain and wouldn't have gone any other way
As for the kissing - I asked hubby and he says he can't feel the braced unless you're searching for them.
I hope this helps...

oops, braces not braced.

sure it does - thanks for sharing!! my feeling is that linguals are never a piece of cake, they do make people lisp, they re not ideal for the perfect snog .. but they are not deal breaker and enduring them is worth the while if I am reading you correctly .. ok thanks

I had upper and lower lingual braces 7 years ago for about a year. I think it was worth the effort but am not sure if I wouldn't rather go for regular ones next time.

I was practically unable to speak for about a day when I had the upper ones fitted. It was terrible. I couldn't even ask people for the way. My tounge was just stuck on wires. It took me some days to practice and roughly two weeks until my speech impediment disappeared.

I don't think my speech ever got fully back to normal whilst in lingual braces. In German I could get away with keeping my tongue away from my front teeth. But the lingual braces certainly didn't help with my German accent when speaking English.

Do you manage to get out a 'th' with lingual braces? I'm a candidate for lifelong retainers and had one of those tiny wires bonded to the back side of my upper incisors about a week ago. Nothing as bad as lingual braces but still I would say my English tongue is a bit tortured or 'lazy', as sj86 put it.

Linguals are the best thing I've ever done, I fretted ages over it and was worried like you.. but they are amazing.. my speech is perfect now, sometimes when I'm tired or my mouth is really dry it makes it slightly, and I mean slightly, awkward speaking.. but nobody has ever noticed.. only my family know I have braces, nobody else..

Kissing is fine, my gf never notices anything and we do some fine French kissing

Do it, you will regret it if you don't and will be happy when you do.

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Linguals have come a long way in 7 years... my tongue touches my brackets but it touches the flat part which just feels like the back of my teeth..

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I got upper linguals and lower ceramics about a week and a half ago and it's been pretty smooth sailing. Tongue discomfort for sure, but the ceramic on the bottom are actually worse than the linguals. Wax takes care of both.

My speech issues weren't so bad and it's almost back to normal. Everyone swears they can't hear a difference, but *I* can so obviously that's what matters .

And kissing, I was absolutely and utterly terrified of. I was worried he'd feel them or I'd be bugged. Nadda. Smooth sailing .

What about giving oral sex? Don't mean to be inappropriate, but it is a valid question...for some of us, I guess

ooo good question ElleNY! I'm getting both upper and lower iBraces tomorrow and I've been freaking out just a touch I'd also like to know the answer that question...

Okay yeah so sensitive question . Be careful! Use wax! It's been possible but I've been being like ridiculously careful and such and it'll probably be 2 years before we get too adventurous again (when they come off!). It's definitely still possible though.

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I just got both upper and lower incognito braces on yesterday. The pain isn't too too bad... I mean it hurts, but I have still been going to work and getting things done i need to. However, my speech is TERRIBLE!

I am so worried it won't ever get back to normal. I teach first grade, so its kinda important by Sept that I can say all my letter sounds and talk normal.

Do you think it will get better on its own? Is there anything I should do to help my speech? I am SO SO nervous about this. I sound absolutely ridiculous when talking to people. People keep saying, "well, i'm sure your tongue is swollen, so thats why you sound so bad", ... but it doesn't seem that swollen. It hurts, but it is NOT puffy.

My other question is flossing. It hurts so bad to floss my teeth right now because they are sore. Do you think I should skip flossing and just use the water pik and brush like crazy until the tenderness in my teeth go away?

I would appreciate any response!! Thanks so much!