Lingual Braces

Adults who want their braces concealed may choose brackets on the tongue-facing tooth surfaces. As fixed appliances, they can treat a wider range of problems than removable systems, and they come in customised and non-customised forms.

Fixed braces can feel strange after fitting and teeth may be sore for several days. Soft food and pain relief can make the first few days more comfortable.

Poor diet and oral hygiene can cause decalcification, leaving white marks on enamel. White-mark damage is less frequent and less severe on the lingual tooth surfaces than with standard braces.

The treatment period reflects the tooth and jaw movement required. Once the fixed appliance is removed, a retainer is worn to reduce teeth returning to their original positions.

Brackets and wires are attached to the inside surfaces of the teeth, where they guide movement. An upper lingual appliance can be combined with standard braces on the lower teeth.

Allow for a few sore days after fitting, then keep the inner tooth surfaces clean throughout treatment. Retention begins after the brackets are removed.

Standard fixed braces place brackets on the visible tooth surfaces, while removable appliances come out of the mouth. Lingual braces keep the appliance inside the teeth.

The brackets stay fixed while the teeth move, so cleaning the inner surfaces needs daily attention. Hard and sticky foods can damage a fixed appliance.

Orthodontic costs vary with the appliance and complexity of treatment. In the NHS system, eligibility for children considers age and whether teeth affect daily activities, while adults commonly pay privately.