Written by Dr. Chaw Su Kyi on October 19, 2023
Self-esteem issues and worries about appearance are common barriers that stop many from receiving orthodontic treatment. If you are concerned that wearing metal braces on your front teeth will harm your smile, there are other options.
Lingual braces are like traditional braces; however, your natural teeth aren’t hidden behind wires and brackets during your smile transformation.
Due to the complete discretion provided by these invisible braces, they have become popular with several celebrities.
In this guide, we will look at some of the most famous people who have worn lingual braces and discuss the benefits of the treatment.
Lingual braces work like traditional metal braces. With any fixed brace system, brackets are fixed to your teeth while a wire is threaded to create force. Over time, this constant pressure against the teeth moves the teeth to their desired position.
With most fixed braces, the brackets and wires are positioned on the fronts of the teeth. Lingual braces differ, as they are placed on the back of the teeth for complete discretion.
Wearing braces behind your smile means nobody will see them. As such, lingual braces are a popular option for anyone self-conscious about their appearance during treatment.
Orthodontic issues affect many people, and celebrities are no exception. While many celebrities may have already received teeth straightening treatment before they became famous, others need treatment while they are a constant fixture in the public eye.
Actors may need orthodontic treatment but cannot wear traditional fixed braces because of professional commitments. Once in place, a brace cannot be removed. While Invisalign treatment using removable clear aligners is an option, they must be worn for 22 hours daily for maximum effectiveness. Filming schedules may mean actors spend prolonged periods without their aligners.
Lingual braces, however, remain hidden behind the teeth, making them the perfect solution for discretely repositioning crooked teeth.
Invisible braces help celebrities show off their beautiful smile during public appearances, photoshoots, and red-carpet events. In industries where aesthetics are everything, lingual braces leave minimal impact on a celebrity’s professional image and career.
Some celebrities are open about wearing braces. When Tom Cruise corrected his midline and overbite at the age of 40 using ceramic braces, the world could see he was receiving dental treatment. He even wore them to movie premieres.
While celebrities with lingual braces may keep their treatment completely invisible on screen, many are happy to discuss it in interviews. Seeing stars being open about wearing braces can encourage others to consider orthodontic treatment.
The more we see public figures using braces to straighten their teeth, the more orthodontic treatments become accepted and normalised.
Here are some famous faces who wore braces to create the perfect smile.
Britney Spears shot to international fame in her late teens. But while she was starting in the music industry, the singer wore hidden lingual braces to perfect her smile.
Dakota Fanning has starred in Hollywood movies since she was a young child. As she hit her teenage years, she had already started receiving treatment to straighten her teeth using lingual braces.
The actress Emma Watson is best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series. In a truly magical feat, Watson concealed her braces as she straightened her teeth.
As a twist to the story, her character in the films had an overbite. After receiving treatment, Watson had to wear fake teeth on set!
Popular country music singer Faith Hill has been in the public eye since the 1990s. But nobody will have noticed her undergoing orthodontic treatment. In fact, Hill was secretly wearing lingual braces at the 2013 Grammy Awards.
But this was not the first time she needed braces. After straightening her teeth as a child, she did not wear her retainer as directed. Eventually, her teeth started to slide back out of line.
When she was younger, Hollywood actress and America’s Got Talent judge Gabrielle Union had lingual braces. Even though it may have been several years since she received treatment, she has been spotted wearing her retainer recently.
When the world watched the royal wedding of the century, the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton, few people knew that the future Princess of Wales was sporting braces completely hidden from sight—a royal smile transformed by lingual braces.
Despite having a successful acting career without receiving treatment to fix her two front protruding teeth, Katherine Heigl decided to straighten her smile in preparation for her wedding. After researching discreet orthodontic options, Katie said, ‘I do’ to lingual braces.
Australian television presenter Leila McKinnon received lingual brace treatment in her 40s. Some Nine News viewers noticed she had briefly developed a lisp, which quickly passed as she got used to her braces.
When Miley Cyrus was still a child star, the Hannah Montana actress had crooked and crowded teeth and a misaligned bite. As her career changed, so did her smile.
Nobody knew then, but Miley wore lingual braces behind her teeth throughout her time at Disney. By the time she became the pop sensation she is today, her treatment was complete.
Lingual braces effectively treat crowded, gappy, and misaligned teeth. Unlike traditional braces, they are placed on the back of your teeth. Because your braces will remain out of sight, you can straighten your teeth even if you feel self-conscious about treatment.
Several celebrities have worn lingual braces without impacting their career or professional image. If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, this option may be worth exploring.
Dr Chaw Su Kyi is a leading specialist orthodontist with considerable experience delivering life-changing lingual brace treatment. West London Orthodontics attracts patients from areas like Chiswick, Hammersmith, and Shepherd’s Bush.
Call today to schedule your consultation.
West London Orthodontics offers the most advanced orthodontic care for children and adults. Serving patients in Hammersmith, Shepherd's Bush, and Chiswick, Dr Kyi and her team specialise in various brace options, including Invisalign. Book a consultation today.
