Orthodontists prefer that those being fitted for oral braces do not wear oral piercings for the duration of their orthodontic treatment. Oral piercings can damage braces, interfere with the way they work and even damage your teeth.
If you have a lip piercing that you're keen to keep but you are equally keen to have your teeth straightened, then you may have more luck with your orthodontist if you have lingual braces fitted. How do these braces work and why might they work better with a lip piercing?
What Are Lingual Braces?
Like regular train track braces, lingual braces use a permanent post and wire system to straighten teeth. However, lingual braces are positioned on the back of the teeth rather than the front.
Some people choose this option because they don't want to be seen wearing braces. Lingual braces are relatively hidden from view. These braces may be beneficial if you have a lip piercing.
How Do Lip Piercings Affect Braces?
If you have regular braces, then your lip piercing will be a pain for both you and your orthodontist. The inside of the piercing will sit against the braces on your bottom teeth all the time.
Your piercing may tap against posts hard enough to damage or dislodge them. You're also likely to have regular problems when your lip jewellery gets caught on or in your brace wires. This can move the wires out of position or even break them.
Any of these problems affect your orthodontic work. Damage and breakages need to be fixed. Brace wires that go out of position can't do their job and need to be replaced or realigned. Any gap in your treatment means that your orthodontic work will take longer.
Lingual braces eliminate some of these problems. If your braces are attached to the back of your teeth, then your lip piercing is less likely to come into contact with the brace posts or wires. Your teeth act as a barrier between your piercing and your orthodontics.
If you're interested in trying lingual braces, talk to your orthodontist. They may be willing to try this treatment so that you don't have to take out your piercing.
Make sure to find out exactly what this kind of orthodontics involves. While lingual braces may be easier with a lip piercing, these braces can be harder to take care of because of their position. It may be simpler to lose the piercing until after you've had regular orthodontic work.
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