The lower lingual holding arch, or LLHA, and the Nance arch are both terms that refer to an orthodontic appliance used to reduce crowding in the mouth of patients who have too many teeth in their lower jaw. This article will take a close look at what the LLHA and Nance arch are, how they work, and whether or not they’re right for you.
Orthodontic lingual braces
It sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie—lingual braces, right on your tongue. And, while there are no such devices in existence yet, it’s not difficult to imagine a future where orthodontic patients can go about their lives without ever having to deal with uncomfortable metal brackets on their teeth. The lower lingual holding arch is one of several innovations that will make that dream a reality. Invented by Dr. Thomas J. Nance in 1996, and refined over two decades of clinical research since then, it helps patients avoid orthodontic malocclusion or improper bites and crowded teeth during treatment for major dental issues or minor cosmetic corrections such as crooked eyeteeth or protruding incisors.
Lower lingual holding arch, straight wire brackets
The lower lingual holding arch, also known as a straight wire arch, is a type of orthodontic appliance used to move teeth and create space for crowded teeth. Made of stainless steel or ceramic brackets and wires, it’s less noticeable than other types of tooth aligners like headgear or Invisalign clear aligners. It comes in different sizes to help ensure that your upper and lower teeth match once your teeth are aligned. Straight wire braces are popular with adults and teens who want straighter teeth fast; younger children often prefer other types of aligners since straight wires aren’t always comfortable.
Types of lower lingual braces
If you can’t afford to have an entire treatment plan performed in one shot, it might be possible to stretch your orthodontic budget by breaking up a complex treatment plan into two or more phases. For example, if you need both lower lingual and Nance arches to correct your teeth, it may be better to save money by doing just one arch at a time rather than performing both of them at once. You could also consider getting Invisalign® for some or all of your treatment; receiving Invisalign may take longer, but it’s considerably less expensive than braces or other traditional orthodontic devices.
How can you know if you need to get your LHA?
The easiest way to check if you have a lower lingual holding arch is to place your tongue at rest on your bottom teeth. If you can fit more than one finger underneath your tongue, you probably have an LHA. To test whether or not it’s affecting your speech, say f, v and th sounds in order of increasing difficulty. If you find that there is a significant difference between these sounds then it may be time to consider treatment options. Luckily most issues are fixable with just one trip to your dentist!
The treatment plan for your LHA
There are many dental appliances on the market that can help with your lower lingual holding arch. These appliances, when worn 24 hours a day for about three months, will move your lower jaw forward and down to open up your airway.A affordable orthodontist near me will be able to recommend an appropriate appliance for you and create a plan for treatment. He or she may also provide you with additional follow-up care and supportive devices to ensure that your mouth maintains its newly opened position and is comfortable while you sleep. With any luck, through wearing these devices, exercises, and getting good sleep at night, you’ll see some improvement in how much air you can breathe into your lungs each day.
Benefits and risks of getting your LHA fixed
The lingual holding arch (LHA) is formed from premolars #21 and #22. These premolars are important for providing added support to your lower front teeth; when they’re missing, it can cause added pressure on your front teeth. The LHA can have both benefits and risks for fixing; here are some of them
