What are lingual braces?
With most fixed braces, the brackets sit on the front of the teeth; with lingual braces, the brackets and wire sit on the inner surfaces, on the tongue side. The British Orthodontic Society (BOS) explains that the name comes from “lingua”, Latin for tongue, and describes them as virtually invisible appliances fixed to the back of the teeth.
Because the inner surfaces of teeth vary a great deal in shape, the brackets or their bases are individualised; a 2003 review in the German dental journal zm (Müller-Hartwich and Jost-Brinkmann) explains that lingual brackets require precise laboratory work and indirect bonding.
Can people see lingual braces?
According to BOS, lingual braces are concealed on the inside of the teeth and are most often worn by adults who want straighter teeth but do not want to be seen in braces; Cleveland Clinic gives the same reason. BOS also notes that lingual braces on the upper teeth can be combined with standard braces on the lower teeth, which are then visible. Tooth-coloured brackets on the front of the teeth are covered in our guide to ceramic braces.
Who are lingual braces suitable for?
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) describes lingual braces as an option for people who prioritise appearance and says they effectively correct many orthodontic issues. According to BOS, fixed lingual braces allow greater three-dimensional control than removable treatments and can treat a wider range of problems. The zm review says the indications are generally the same as for front braces, with some points to consider:
- Short crowns: if the visible part of the teeth is not tall enough, lingual brackets may be limited; on the back teeth they can be combined with outer brackets.
- Deep bite: patients whose upper front teeth heavily overlap the lower ones (in German, “Deckbiss”) can usually be treated well.
- Severe gum disease: teeth with much reduced support need adapted mechanics, whichever side the brackets are on.
BOS says the technique needs special skills and considerable experience, and that only a limited number of orthodontists offer it: about 10% of the 960 registered orthodontic specialists in the UK. More on adult treatment is in orthodontics for adults.
Do lingual braces affect speech or irritate the tongue?
BOS names tongue soreness and effects on speech as the main drawbacks. The AAO explains that lingual braces leave less space for the tongue, making speech issues more likely, especially with sounds such as s and t, although patients usually adapt quickly.
- Systematic review: Long and colleagues (The Angle Orthodontist, 2013) analysed six studies. Overall pain was similarly likely with both types; tongue pain was more common with lingual braces and cheek and lip pain less common, and lingual treatment made speech difficulty more likely. Most studies followed patients for about three months.
- Istanbul University study: among 60 adolescents (Caniklioglu and Ozturk, 2005), 90% of the lingual group and 26.7% of those with front brackets reported a sore tongue. Everyone with lingual braces had some speech difficulty; it resolved within 30 days for 76.7% but persisted at three months for 23.3%.
- zm review: about half of patients adapt in less than a month, while some need more than three months.
The AAO suggests speaking slowly and clearly, reading aloud or practising in front of a mirror, and recording yourself to identify difficult sounds.
How do you keep your teeth clean with lingual braces?
In the Istanbul study, oral hygiene did not differ significantly between the groups, but everyone with lingual braces reported food trapped between the brackets, compared with 80% of the other group.
The inner surfaces may be less prone to white marks: BOS says lingual braces are less likely to mark teeth than standard braces. In a 2016 systematic review (Mistakidis and colleagues), the only randomised trial, a small study comparing both techniques in the same mouths, found about 4.8 times as many lesions on the outer surfaces as on the inner ones; the review rated most of its evidence as low quality.
The NHS recommends fluoride toothpaste in the morning, at night and after meals, a daily interdental brush between the teeth and under the braces, avoiding hard, crunchy and sticky foods, and regular dental check-ups during treatment. Our guide to eating and cleaning with braces has more detail, including orthodontic wax for a bracket that rubs.
How long does treatment with lingual braces take?
The AAO says most people wear braces for 12 to 24 months, with adjustments every 4 to 12 weeks; BOS adds that more difficult problems may take longer. In the review by Mistakidis and colleagues, studies comparing lingual and front brackets found similar active treatment times, such as 14.6 versus 15.4 months in one study and 32.5 versus 29.4 months in another, without a significant difference. The zm review also considers the duration equal to that of conventional fixed braces.
When the brackets come off, retention begins. BOS considers retainers essential and advises long-term retention; fixed retainers are usually glued to the back of the teeth, and if the glue fails, the tooth may drift.
How do lingual braces compare with front braces and clear aligners?
| Feature | Lingual braces | Braces on the front of the teeth | Clear aligners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Inner surfaces; virtually invisible from the front | Metal is noticeable, ceramic less so | Clear and removable |
| Speech and comfort | Tongue soreness and speech difficulty more common | Cheek and lip soreness more common | AAO: some patients report temporary speech problems |
| Cleaning | More food trapping in one study; fewer white marks reported | BOS: more likely to mark teeth | One small study: better plaque and gum scores than lingual braces |
| Where they fit | BOS: more control than removable treatment; needs special skills | NHS: fixed metal braces are commonly used | BOS: very effective for mildly irregular teeth; lack control in severe cases needing extractions |
The pain and speech comparison comes from Long and colleagues; the aligner comparison comes from a small study in the Mistakidis review. See also how long clear aligner treatment takes.
What do lingual braces mean if you live abroad?
BOS says fixed braces usually need appointments every four to ten weeks and advises against starting treatment if you know you cannot keep them; research shows that treatment takes six months longer on average when it is transferred to another orthodontist. As only a limited number of orthodontists offer the lingual technique, it may also be harder to find someone near your home to repair a loose bracket or take over treatment, and retention continues long after the brackets come off. Before deciding, ask:
- how often you would travel, and how check-ups would be arranged in between;
- what would happen if a bracket came loose at home;
- whether an orthodontist near you would take part, including during retention.
The General Dental Council advises speaking to your own dentist before travelling abroad for treatment, and asking what aftercare the clinic provides and whom to contact afterwards. Our page on planning your visit notes that orthodontic treatment usually means several trips.
How is the orthodontic option chosen at Rönesans?
Orthodontics is one of our clinic’s departments, and this includes clear aligner treatment. Lingual braces are described here as general information; which method suits you, and which options can be planned at our clinic, is assessed at the examination of your teeth, gums, jaws and bite. Impressions can be taken with an intraoral scanner, without impression paste; where the dentist decides it is necessary, 3D imaging is carried out with our cone-beam CT (CBCT) scanner.
If treatment is needed, you receive a written treatment and cost plan with unit and total costs, and you know from the start which dentist will look after you. The cost is confirmed after the examination, and follow-up runs as a defined process. At the end of treatment, patients from abroad receive a copy of their treatment summary and copies of their X-rays, which can help a dentist or orthodontist at home. We are open Monday to Friday 10:00–22:00 and Saturday 10:00–19:00, Türkiye time.
Send photos and X-rays on WhatsApp at +90 532 363 49 54 for a preliminary assessment, call +90 264 606 09 43 or use our contact page; during working hours we reply in English and German within 15 minutes. The final plan is made only after an in-person examination; see aftercare and follow-up for staying in touch once you are home.