Hidden vs standard fixed

Lingual braces suit adults who want their teeth straightened without braces showing on the outside of the teeth. They are fixed appliances and can address a wider range of problems than removable treatments.

Standard braces stay attached throughout treatment and can treat a wide range of malocclusions, including severely crooked teeth or difficult bites. Their brackets are visible and cannot be removed during treatment.

Lingual systems may be customised or non-customised, and it is possible to use lingual braces on the upper teeth with standard braces on the lower teeth. Both choices remain fixed to the teeth.

Clean around braces with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. A water flosser or proxy brush can help reach difficult areas, while hard and sticky foods can damage braces.

A small risk with orthodontic treatment is decalcification, which produces white marks on enamel and is usually linked to poor diet and oral hygiene. Lingual braces are less likely than standard braces to leave these marks.

Clear aligners can be removed for eating, brushing and occasional social events, but they treat a narrower set of cases and usually suit light to moderate alignment problems. They can also be lost.

The practical choice turns on whether concealment matters and whether fixed, three-dimensional tooth control is needed. Standard braces move teeth with front brackets and wires; lingual braces place the fixed appliance inside the teeth.