Incognito Lingual Braces

January Update

2011-02-06T13:42:00.000-08:00

I'm pleased to say that my hygienist was AMAZED by the health of my teeth after using my Waterpik for 3 months. She had to do a fraction of the work and the appointment was much more comfortable than last time.

I have also been to the orth and I didn't get my elastic bands yet! Mr. Shore says that the teeth are starting to knit together so well, the widening is successfully happening without the need for them at present. He will re-assess the situation next visit. In the meantime, he added yet more expansion to the top and re-set the bottom wire. He asked me to leave 6 weeks before my next appointment to allow time for plenty more expansion. I'm pleased to report that, although re-shaping an arch might sound like a painful business, it is so gradual that after a day or two of initial sensitivity, it cannot actually be felt. Great news for me as this is the main job with my teeth! It just takes patience.

YouTube Video Link: January Update

I'm on Twitter and Facebook!

2010-12-22T05:21:00.000-08:00

I have created Twitter and Facebook accounts specifically for communicating with my YouTube and orth friends. I have received lots of friend requests to my personal account from viewers which showed that people were interested in communicating with me in this way.

The messaging system for Facebook is much better than YouTube as it groups conversations logically so I can keep my messages organised.

My Twitter username is: IncognitoBraces and my facebook ID is: www.facebook.com/rose.incognito

Please feel free to friend request me/follow me and I would love to communicate with you in this way. I hope this proves useful to you and enables me to update you more frequently and easily.

Link to YouTube video: Quick Message!

Frequently Asked Questions

2010-12-16T16:01:00.000-08:00

Could I have an Incognito brace?

You need to book a consultation at the nearest orthodontist that is skilled in using Incognito. They will be able to advise you about the best method of treatment for you and if Incognito is suitable for your needs. This consultation usually costs around £100. This might seem expensive, but you're paying for a highly skilled orthodontist to spend time talking to you in detail about your teeth and what you would like to change. They take x-rays and pictures and then go away and examine your case in detail. They feedback to you (usually a couple of days later) about what they could do to help you and what all your options are.

Where can I get Incognito treatment?

You can use the orthodontist finder on the Incognito Website.

http://www.hiddenbraces.com/

http://www.hiddenbraces.co.uk/

How much did your brace cost?

My full brace cost £5500. The cost varies depending on where you live and on whether you wish to have Incognito on both or just one arch. The upper arch is usually more expensive. Several people I talk to via YouTube have Incognito on the top and clarity on the bottom (a normal outside brace with clear pads). There are various payment options available which you can as your nearest Incognito practice about. I know this figure seems initally steep, but it's much cheaper than many other cosmetic surgery procedures and everyone will see the investment there, every time you talk or smile.

Does your brace effect your singing?

Only as much as it affected my speech - slight lisp for the first few weeks. After 2 months, speech and singing were entirely adapted to the device.

Is it difficult to eat?

It's difficult to eat for the first 2-3 weeks when get your brace on and sometimes when it's tightened or the wire changed. This is normal and some soup, yoghurt, protein shakes and straws make life considerably easier! Other than these times, eating is easy. You have to avoid very hard or sticky foods as these may pull off your brace and tearing or chopping up food before you eat them is advisable. Obviously, some foods are going to get stuck in your appliance more than others. For this reason, having a glass of water with your meal and keeping a toothbrush and flossing sticks with you at all times is essential.

Close Ups

2010-10-15T15:55:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures to show you my teeth at the start in January 2010 and now in October 2010 - eight months into treatment.

You can see a difference in the line of the teeth at the front. The front teeth are actually smaller as they have been stripped down and the crossbite on the lower left hand side is nearly gone.

I feel more confident about smiling now and people have started to comment that my teeth look different. I notice a big improvement in the line of my teeth and I feel that it's really changed the way that I look.

Link to YouTube video: Update, Close Ups and Questions Answered

Update

2010-10-15T15:47:00.000-07:00

My orthodontist is currently working hard to get my upper arch to widen. He has put lots of bend into it and it takes considerable effort to get it into place.

He has not changed my lower wire but reset it into place - basically taken it off and put the same wire on again. Despite it being the same wire you can really feel it having an impact. He needed to put this one on again as the canine which has just been connected isn't quite ready for the next wire yet.

I'm going to see him again next week - I anticipate an upgrade on lower wire with a view to putting cross elastics in. The cross elastics will be applied when the lower wire is on a stainless steel one like the top. These will pull back my overbite and allow widening to happen.

I went to see my hygienist for a scale and polish. Unfortunately I had a very uncomfortable appointment. She did a fantastic job of cleaning my teeth but my teeth bled and it tasted awful as she dislodged all the muck from in between my teeth and my brace. She said that she could see that I'm trying hard to keep it clean. I noticed that she was far more thorough with interdental sticks than I normally am - using them in between my teeth, rather than just in the gaps of my brace like I do. Perhaps I need to be a bit braver and use them in this way myself. I am going to continue to see her every 3 months for a really deep clean.

I continue with normal dental check ups every six months. My dentist is always interested in my brace. When I first got it I remember she surprised the life out of me by grabbing hold of my tongue and giving it a thorough inspection! Haha!

To make a pro-active move towards cleaner teeth and a more effective dental routine, I have now purchased water flosser (Waterpik). I am filming a product review of this and will upload it soon.

Link to YouTube Video: Updates, Close Ups and Questions Answered

Wire and Cleaning Tips

2010-08-22T14:16:00.000-07:00

Hello! I just just had my wire tightened, which has been painful for about three days. As I've said before, it's quite nice when it does hurt as you know it's really working, and unbelieveably, the gap I had in my teeth closed in just ONE day!

My teeth have been bleeding slightly - it's not painful but another indication that they are moving.

Wire Tip:

When you're at the orthodontist, check using your finger that your wire is not cutting into your tongue at all. As your mouth is open and your tongue uncomfortable and disorientated from the appointment, it's not the best judge of this. Checking using a clean finger is the best way and avoids irritating trips back to see your orth to get it sorted. I have made this mistake a number of times now. My orthodontist is always kind and patient with me but it's costs a lot in petrol as I live around 10 miles from the surgery! If you mention the problem whilst you're still there, before you leave that seat, your orth can bend it out of the way, tuck in sharp edges and even grind down any sharpness with a motorised file.

There is a slight error in my video about the wire. I talk about it having a memory which is why you can't bend the ends out of the way. Actually, I've since learnt that before the wire is put into your mouth, the ends are heated with a flame to remove this quality so that they can indeed be bent out of the way. The point I'm making is that it's hard to bend them back out of the way yourself - which is still true. You can have a go with bathroom tweezers but be careful - I've tried this and ended up in more pain! Ouch!

Mouthwash Tips:

I have been using the Listerine Total which I mentioned in previous posts. As the alcohol content is so high on this brand it does really clean away the bacteria which is good, but can really sting your mouth. You can water it down to reduce this and it still works well (and lasts longer, too!).

Keeping this type of brace clean is a big challenge - remember to use an electric toothbrush, interdental sticks and mouthwash, and clean them after every meal. If you have any cuts or abrasions in your mouth, use mouthwash regularly to keep bacteria to a minimum and speed up healing time.

Link to YouTube Video: Wire and Cleaning Tips

Celebrity Lingual Brace Wearers!

2010-08-16T13:17:00.000-07:00

Wow! Everyone's talking about Myleene Klass' brace! She was presenting This Morning and was snapped with her mouth wide open! Look!

There's clearly a lingual appliance on her lower arch. Here's a link to a full article about it on the Daily Mail Website. After they had been spotted, she actually opened her mouth to point them out properly.

The article cites other celebrities who have worn them:

Steve Jones before Incognito...
...and after...

Sadie Frost before:

...and after...

Some pretty impressive results. Allegedly Kelly Brook has also had one, however there is no way of telling as she looks fabulous in every picture I could find of her!

Canine Connected and Stainless Steel Wire on Upper Arch

2010-08-15T14:06:00.000-07:00

Yay! I've finally had my lower canine connected so those wires can start to catch up with my top set. I've just had my first stainless steel wire attached to my upper arch - these are the thickest and strongest. With lots of arch re-shaping to do these are the ones I've been waiting for! Here is where Incognito comes into it's own and outstrips Invisalign - the orthodontist can put tailored bends into the wire to enable it to achieve the exact desired shape.

I am in some pain but can still eat normally. I'm expecting the canine to be especially tender. When your teeth hurt in this way it's a good kind of pain as you know it's progress. It's actually pretty disppointing when they don't hurt!

I've also just had a new puppy! Here's a picture of her. She was born on 1st June so is just 11 weeks old. She is a border terrier, though her grandad was a jack russell. We've called her Snicker! ♥

Quick Update and Mini Mouthwash!

2010-08-15T13:09:00.000-07:00

I'm back from a great holiday! Whilst I was away a big gap has appeared around my lower canine so hopefully it can be connected!? Fingers crossed!! I'm off to see Mr. Orth in a few days and will update you again then as to brace progress!

I bought a baby bottle of mouthwash from Superdrug. Just 95ml. It was only about £1 and a great size for your bag! Remember you can always dilute Listerine a little as it's powerful stuff. I think you're better rinsing for longer with it slightly diluted rather than having to stop after 10 seconds as it's burning! Alternatively you can buy small refillable bottles from a chemist and pour a little of your mouthwash of choice into them.

Awww! Isn't it cute!?

After Appointment

2010-07-10T15:26:00.000-07:00

After chatting to the orth about my wonky incisors, he investigated the probelm and discovered that something had come loose which is why they had not stayed together in that neat block. He set about correcting it immediately and re-attached another wire behind the teeth to bring them back together. As he did this, he used his fingers to exert pressure on the teeth to push them back into place. Since the appointment these have not been painful and hopefully they will start to come together neatly.

Unfortunately, there still wasn't enough space to connect my lower canine, so I had to have a third spring put into place. He obviously meant business this time as the pain was incredible - even work me up at night and I have noticed a gap appear! This is great news but kind of frustrating - I normally visit the orth every month but this time it's going to be six weeks until my next appointment as I am going on holiday. I would have liked my canine to have been connected but never mind!

These things can't be rushed. You have to be a patient patient!

Link to YouTube Video: After Appointment

Orth tomorrow....

2010-07-07T15:21:00.000-07:00

I'm going to see my orth tomorrow. Despite having the wire in a figure of eight behind my front incisors keeping them together, they seem to have come out of position and the neat line that was there is gone - they're looking quite wonky again :-( I'll chat to my orth about this tomorrow and get it sorted.

I've had no pain or obvious progress this month which feels a little disheartening to be honest, but it's a work in progress so I must be patient!

No pain!? Yay!

2010-06-11T11:29:00.000-07:00

Despite having my upper wire changed and having all my soup and yoghurt on standby, I am astonished that I am in no pain at all! Wow!

YouTube Video Link: Quick Update!

Starting to Look Different

2010-06-09T10:17:00.000-07:00

After having the elastic bands placed behind my front six incisors, I couldn't actually bite into anything for a month! All worth it though, as my teeth have really moved into a block and are looking wider and more even along the top. This is where you really benefit from choosing Incognito - you can actually see yourself gradually get more attractive! With conventional braces you have a "big reveal" at the end, but with these you can enjoy the benefits immediately from the moment they start to move! I feel so much more confident already with the line and size of my top set of teeth changed!

The orth has removed the elastics and used a wire in a lattice behind my teeth to keep them together in a neat block.

There still wasn't enough room to connect my lower left canine so the orthodontist has put another, bigger spring into the gap to try to widen it further. The lower set cannot progress without the canine being attached, so no wire change there, however my top set wire has been upgraded to a thicker, more powerful wire.

I barely even remember my tongue having been so sore at the beginning now - it's so comfortable now and if you watch my Vlog you can see that my speech is really settled and normal.

YouTube Video: Starting to Look Different

Owww!

2010-05-20T09:06:00.000-07:00

Ooh my teeth really hurt at the front! The elastics helping them to come together are putting the teeth under a lot of tension and I can't bite anything! I absolutely don't mind as they're starting to come together and look much nicer, but ...owwwww!!

Spring and Stripping

2010-05-13T08:03:00.000-07:00

Link to YouTube Video: Spring and Stripping

I went to the orth this morning and he has placed a spring on my lower set and has stripped down the sides of my big front incisors!! (Stripping is where your teeth are filed or ground down.)

The spring will create enough space around my canine for it to turn and be attached to the lower wire. At the moment it can't be connected due to the angle it's at, so the spring will create enough space for it to turn and be connected.

The orthodontist chose this visit to strip down my teeth as there was already some space between the teeth so it seemed ideal. The actual stripping was not painful, but I was tired and this always makes me more of a wimp! The spacers [which were put in place around my mouth to keep my lips away from my teeth] dug into my gums. The spacers are essential because the stripping equipment is extremely dangerous - if it can strip enamel down, just think what it could do to your flesh! My teeth did bleed a little but did not hurt. All I could feel was vibration and the spacer digging into my gum. The orthodontist has a special measuring device that allows him to check that the teeth are stripped exactly as suggested by Incognito so he used this to measure the gaps.

Oh how I wish they could be stripped down even more! *Sigh* (Obviously the can't because the enamel layer would be gone and the dentine exposed which would be very unhealthy indeed!) It certainly feels lovely to know that they are now smaller than before. I asked when he'd strip across the bottom and he said that this would happen right at the end when all the teeth are lined up and in place. I can't wait for that!!

Finally, after stripping down the teeth at the front, elastic bands were placed behind my front top six teeth to bring them together in a lovely neat block.

For more information about stripping see some of the links below:

Private Healthcare UK - Orthodontics Guide: Enamel Stripping - FAQs - really good.

DB Orthodontic Supplies - See what tools are used for this!

New Wire and Signs of Movement!

2010-05-01T07:21:00.000-07:00

I had my new wire put on two weeks ago. My teeth were painful for a week and eating was difficult. They are actually starting to look quite different - the crossbite is straightening up so much and my teeth are wider and more even at the top.

As I go through my treatment I'm gradually learning more about the braces and the processes involved. The orthodontist explained to me that the wires get progressively thicker and more powerful. In fact, the starter wire is only designed to get your teeth ready to move rather than actually making a large difference.

Link to YouTube Video: Update

I recorded this video on my phone so the lighting and quality is not so good - but it's really handy to be able to upload from it!

Starting to Feel Comfortable!

2010-03-13T06:04:00.000-08:00

Link to YouTube Video: Starting to Feel Comfortable

I've had my braces on for about a month and a half now. The top set of braces are on and it took hardly any time to get used to them. You can hear in my video that I am still slightly lisping but I feel comfortable and speaking and eating are fine! I actually forget that they are on.

I can eat anything - some foods obviously get caught more than others - but I take my manual orth toothbrush, toothpaste and interdental sticks out in my bag and it's no problem to clean up.

If you consider that the brace is on for at least a year and a half, then two months is hardly any time to get used to it. You also accept when you decide to have the brace that there will be a period of adjustment so it's not too bad at all!

Wire Troubles

2010-03-10T06:28:00.000-08:00

After having my braces attached at the top, the wire was really cutting my tongue. Unfortunately you can’t use wax right at the back of your mouth as it’s virtually impossible to dry it off enough to get the wax to stick!

I went back to see my orthodontist (12 miles away!) and he cut it right back to the penultimate molar. At the time this felt much better – but no, it was tearing my tongue to shreds at the sides. I tried to put up with it, thinking that the tongue would toughen up as it did at the front, but when something is actually cutting you it’s not possible for this to happen. (At the front the braces rub but don’t cut you.)

The second time I went back, the orthodontist used a diamond grinder to completely remove any sharp edges on the wire. As a result, the braces are much more comfortable. In fact, the relief after having it cut my tongue for over a week was pretty amazing!

Now there is no pain at all other than the occasional achy tooth which I quite like as I know that they are moving! Just normal painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen and it feels fine.

Top Set of Braces Applied

2010-02-19T07:32:00.000-08:00

Over the last month I have adapted really well to my lower set - it has taken a while, but I have reached the point where talking, eating and caring for it has become very easy. Most of the time I now forget that I have it on!

I had my upper arch brace fitted today. It feels a little uncomfortable, as I knew it would initially, but I can just tell from how it feels that it will not be as difficult to adapt to as the lower set.

The upper fitting took about 40 minutes and because it's easier to access those teeth, the orthodontist didn't need to use the contraption that holds your tongue out of the way which was uncomfortable last time.

As usual, my orthodontist and the nurses there were really caring and helpful. I paid another installment of £200 whilst I was there to keep chipping away at the final balance!

I have to go back in April to have the wires changed and tightened.

Luckily, over the next few days I am not very busy so I can have time to adapt to it a little more easily than the lower set! I can feel the tension on the top set already. I am most excited about the top set as they are the set which need most work doing. The orthodontist said that he thinks they will start to move quite quickly. I can't wait!

Link to YouTube video: Top Set of Braces Applied

10 Things To Get You Through Your First Month With Incognito

2010-02-09T08:38:00.000-08:00

I've just uploaded a video onto YouTube with a list of 10 things you need to get through your first month with a lingual brace. I hope you find them helpful!

1) Someone to look after you who understands what you're going through
2) Electric Toothbrush with normal and orthodontic heads - and loads of toothpaste!
3) Orthodontic Wax and tissues to dry area before you apply wax
4) Mouthwash
5) Orthodontic brush and paste to carry with you during the day
6) Interdental Brushes
7) Breatheasy nose strips to help you breathe through your nose at night rather than mouth breathing which dries out tongue and makes it worse (not applicable if you already breathe through your nose at night!)
8) Fresh breath spray - more comfortable than sucking a mint!
9) Soft foods like soup, protein shakes and yoghurt
10) Straws to drink through

Link to YouTube Video: Ten Things To Get You Through Your First Month

First Week With Braces

2010-01-27T15:50:00.000-08:00

This week has been really hard - the pain is not overwhelming but rather constant and nagging. It prevents you from focusing properly on things and I have not felt like myself at all. I had a problem with one of the back fixtures coming away and had to go back to get that re-cemented.

It's exactly one week now since I had it attached and today, for the first time, I have had a very comfortable day!! It is such a relief to finally feel that I am used to it being there.

If you have this type of brace you just need to be patient through the first period of adjustment - as painful and uncomfortable as it may be, you WILL get used to it!

I am surprised at how many people are watching my video logs on YouTube - I have had 3,500 views in just 6 days! Mine seems to be the only vlog about lingual braces which is perhaps why it is becoming popular. It's great to know that it is helping other people!

For my next video, I am planning a video of the top ten things you need to get you through your first week!

I am now looking forward to the next few weeks to see any further movements in my lower arch and to get my upper set fitted in 3 weeks!

TIPS FOR SORE TONGUE:
1) Use wax to provide instant relief
2) Use mouthwash to keep irritated areas of the tongue clean
3) Talk less!
4) Try to ignore the new appliance rather than feeling it with your tongue constantly (tempting!)

Here are links to my videos about my first few days with the lower set:

First Day Part 1
First Day Part 2
First Few Days

Having my lower set of braces fitted

2010-01-22T15:22:00.000-08:00

Ooh goodness what a day!

I went to have my braces fitted today. I felt really nervous - it was all I could think about. When I arrived, I brushed my teeth and then the orthodontist was really caring and chatted to me about what he was going to do. He showed me models of my teeth that had been sent from Germany - one to show my teeth as they are, and another showing my teeth as they will look! I was so excited to see that! If you have a conventional brace you don't get to see what they're going to look like so that's certainly worth spending the extra money on! Whenever it's painful, I can look at that and remind myself of how gorgeous my teeth will look next summer!

The box that the brace and moulds arrived in from Germany.

3D model showing my teeth now - before treatment.

3D model of how my teeth will look when they are finished!! WOW! You can't tell on here but the overbite is gone too!

My brace in its casing ready to be fitted!

My orthodontist fully prepared my lower set of teeth for the braces by polishing them; "sandblasting" them; painting on a green gel (which I think was to sanitise them) which was left on for 1 minute; and painting them with a coat of varnish. Inbetween each of these steps, he washed them with a little jet wash and his assistant sucked out any excess moisture with a suction tube.

This process took nearly an hour and I was on my back with my lips in a spacers to keep my mouth open and tongue pushed back with a piece of plastic to keep it in the back of my mouth. I had to try really hard to relax my tongue which was hard, especially when the saliva drips backwards and you want to swallow, but can't. I had to concentrate on breathing through my nose.

Both the orthodontist and his assistant kept telling me what was happening, which was helpful.

Then he put the cement into the tray that the brace was sitting in and applied it to my teeth with some pressure. He then shone a special blue light at each of them to set the adhesive. This took a few minutes and felt warm. He used a screen to protect his eyes, which enabled me to see what was happening in its reflection!

When the brackets were in place, he had to pick away the clear casing. This was tricky and some of the casing didn't come off - later I had to tell him where I could still feel it so it could be removed.

I was then so relived to have the lip spacers taken out and was able to sit up and wash my mouth out as come of the chemicals - particularly the abrasive powder ("sandblasting") tasted salty and unpleasant. At this point, I felt my brace for the first time with my tongue. It was sharp and rough in my mouth. A thought it might be sharp as it was not finished, but actually it is quite sharp and grazes your tongue a lot!

Finally, the orthodontist fitted my wire which was tricky and one twisted canine could not be attached -he has to wait for the teeth to start to move in order to attach it. The other canine is attached and I can certainly feel the difference now, as one starts to move!

I was then given lots of tips about how to clean and maintain it, how to cope with soreness and problems and, of course, tips on eating.

Finally...my orthodontist gave me a present...an iPod Shuffle!! I was thrilled as I haven't got one and was a great treat to have for having my brace on!

Fitting Tips:

Use vaseline for the day before so that your lips will stretch without getting sore.
Breathe through your nose. (If you have a blocked nose, re-schedule!)
Try to relax and put your trust in your orthodontist.
Think about something nice that you're looking forward to - like having a truly beautiful smile!

Impressions

2009-11-20T00:48:00.000-08:00

Eek! This is the biggest chip and pin payment I've ever made!

My Impressions and Bite

I had my impressions taken yesterday for my brace. At this appointment I paid £1500 for my brace to be ordered from the factory in Germany. I also booked the date for my lower set of braces to be fitted - 20th January 2010!

Impressions are moulds of your teeth from which actual models of your teeth can be cast. Here is a website with some pictures of impressions on.

I had a blue putty impression taken to begin with. They feel big and a little uncomfortable in your mouth but don't need to be in for very long, so it's fine. My orthodontist chatted to me about the braces and he also had a digital radio playing good music so it seemed really quick to me!

As the impressions need to be sent away and there will be a very high definition 3D scan made of the teeth from them, a very detailed impression needs to be taken. My orthodontist then squirted a purple liquid into the blue impressions and re-inserted them into my mouth to take a second, more detailed impression on top. This was slightly more uncomfortable and had to be in for a few more minutes. It had to be pressed really firmly into my teeth so that a good impression could be taken which hurt my gums a little bit.

My top set of impressions had to be done twice as there was a tiny error on one of the teeth. I didn't mind at all though, because it's so important to have it as accurate as possible for the brace to be made to fit. The second time, the orthodontist squirted some of the purple liquid directly onto my teeth so that he would definitely get an accurate one the second time.

I also bit into a pink piece of wax to show how my teeth connect and bite together.

Impressions Tips:

Use lots of lip salve or vaseline on the two days before your appoinment as they need to be stretched wide.
Breathe through your nose.

Research and Links

2009-10-31T08:16:00.000-07:00

I have spent hours trawling through the web looking for information. Here are links to only the most useful web pages and YouTube videos. I hope this saves you some time!

Incognito Braces Official Website
This is the type of brace that I have opted for.
http://www.lingualtechnik.de/

iBraces Official Website
Another manufacturer of lingual braces, but not an option at my orthodontist - more widely used in the United States.
http://www.lingualcare.com/

Invisalign Official Site
Clear aligners option.
http://www.invisalign.co.uk/

Wikipedia - Dental Braces
A more general site about the history of braces and an overview of all options available to you.
Dental Braces - Wikipedia

British Orthodontic Society
Information about lingual braces from the BOS. Go to Adult Orthodontics, Lingual Orthodontics.
http://www.bos.org.uk/

British Lingual Orthodontic Society
A website which brings together orthodontists who can perform this type of treatment and give you more information about lingual braces.
NB: The "find an orthodontist" facility on here is not very effective.
http://www.blos.co.uk/

YouTube Videos

Here are two video links to parts 1 and 2 of interviews with people who have undergone treatment with lingual braces.

Part 1
Part 2

Here are some fantastic time lapse videos of teeth seemingly moving into position. It shows you what movement can be achieved through these braces.

Time Lapse Videos

Pre-Brace Nerves

2009-10-28T03:11:00.000-07:00

I've booked my first appointment to have my impressions taken which will be sent away to Germany for the brace to be made at the Lingualtechnik centre. I have just been reading about how they are made. The staff at my orthodontists have been so friendly and helpful and chatted to me for ages on the phone.

During the time it's taken me to get the money together, I have been focusing on getting the funds together and the final result only. Now that I have my appointment booked, I am starting to think a little more about having the appliance fixed into my mouth.

I know that there will be discomfort but what worries me is the effect that it could have on my singing. You use your tongue and teeth a lot to make consonant sounds so this is something that I will have to overcome and find a different way of producing certain sounds. My whole job depends on me using my mouth to sing and I cannot take time off to get used to it so I need to adapt fast!

If you are intested in what I sound like pre-brace you can listen at www.myspace.com/acousticrosemusic

My Teeth: The Problems

2009-10-26T10:31:00.000-07:00

Link to my YouTube Channel to see video of my teeth! IncognitoBraces

Before: Front Close-Up

This is a rather unflattering picture which makes me a little uncomfortable to upload to be honest, but if I'm going to show the difference I need to include it!

My Concerns

My main concern is my over sized middle upper incisors. You will see that I have quite a narrow smile so visually they have a big impact. They are also uneven - one is lower than the other, so my smile feels wonky. I also have a significant overbite (Class II Malocclusion) , where my top set of teeth hang far in front of my lower set.

You may also notice that on my lower teeth to the left of the picture I have a crossbite where the teeth bend right in and do not meet the upper teeth.

Solutions

My orthodontist will manipulate the top set of teeth to push my front incisors back and also grind them down a little at the bottom and sides of the teeth. My canines and premolars (bicuspids) will be widened so that my middle teeth are not so conspicuous. My middle teeth will also be moved upwards to be placed in line with the rest of my top set of teeth and evened out to a horizontal line.

On the bottom, the teeth on the right side of my mouth will be pushed out to eliminate the crossbite. Because I have opted for a fixed lingual brace, my orthodontist will have full control over my teeth to ensure that I can still bite together properly.

If you click on any of the specialist words that I have used, I have added hyperlinks to websites where you can find examples of these issues. For a website which explains the names of the teeth please click here. For full index to orthodontic terms click here.

About Incognito Lingual Braces

2009-10-26T07:33:00.000-07:00

What are Incognito Lingual Braces?

Incognito Lingual Braces are fixed to the inside of the teeth, so people cannot tell that you are undergoing treatment. Lingual comes from the Latin word for tongue as the appliance is placed right next to your tongue behind the teeth. They are quite an expensive option as they are made from an alloy with a high proportion of gold (18k), they are custom made so expensive to manufacture, and also because of the extra time and expertise required for their successful management. They are made in Germany. The fixtures do not involve elastic bands but have a new bracket system where the wire clips into place, giving your orthodontist excellent control.

Why choose Incognito over other options?

I also considered Invisalign as a orthodontic treatment which involves a series of clear plastic trays (like retainers) which you wear over your teeth and change every two weeks. You can remove them to eat and brush your teeth. Invisalign is a little less expensive than Incognito. (About £500 less) [I have found this very straight-talking article about Invisalign interesting.]

I opted for Incognito as the brace is completely hidden and the orthodontist has full control over your teeth. As you never remove your brace, the tension remains constant on your teeth and the results will be more effective. The price difference isn't actually that much when you think about the entire cost and the long-term benefits to your life.

How much do they cost?

My initial consultation was £100, where the orthodontist talked to me about my teeth, took impressions, x-rays, photographs and worked out a treatment/payment plan for me. This involved two appointments.

The full cost of treatment for me is £5500. This includes all treatment, all appointments, the gold appliance and retention. The price will vary between orthodontists, but I hope this gives people a good guide price.

My orthodontist has broken it down into payments which work well for me:

£1500 when I order my brace and have impressions taken
£1000 when my appliance is fitted
£200 every 4-6 weeks for approximately 18 months which I pay each time I go in to have my brace tightened
The remaining balance is due when my appliance is removed

I made sure that I had £2500 when I started the process, plus a bit extra in the bank to ensure I could make each payment.

I was also offered an option to take out a loan so that I could have started treatment immediately. This option involved larger regular payments and a credit check.

About Me

2009-10-26T02:20:00.000-07:00

Hello!

This blog is intended for anyone who is considering getting Incognito Lingual Braces. These are the type of braces that are fixed onto the inside of your teeth and cannot be seen by people looking at you.

When I was researching this style of brace for myself, I found that there was very limited feedback about people's experiences, which is why I decided to create a blog which details my treatment. I am also filming a video diary, which is available on YouTube at www.youtube.com/incognitobraces. If you have a youtube login (free) you can Subscribe to my Vlog and get a notification whenever there is a new one to watch. This is free and doesn't cost anything.

I am a singing teacher from the West Midlands, UK. I am 29 and happily married to Richard ♥. I decided to get lingual braces partly due to my age, and as I am always on show with my job and enjoy performing so it was important to me that they are hidden.

I really hope that my blog helps people considering treatment. It is a huge commitment financially and in terms of time and discomfort, so it's important to be sure about it. I will continue to add to my blog throughout my treatment.

Rose ♫