Lingual Braces

If you are looking for a discreet way to straighten your teeth and don’t want to get more traditional braces then having the brackets and wires on the inside or lingual side of your teeth may be an option worth considering.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces work like traditional braces but the brackets and wires are placed on the inside surface of your teeth so no one will know you are having your teeth straightened.

Lingual braces can be more challenging to get used to and are often more expensive given the additional chair time required for each appointment and for the bespoke brackets and arch wires to be made but for many people, this is an investment worth making.

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Like traditional braces, the process starts with an appointment to review what needs doing and the options available to you. Some people are not suitable for lingual braces and your orthodontist will explain the reasons for this and the other options you might wish to consider. Lingual braces tend to be more expensive with fees from £4500 to £8000 frequently quoted. Lingual braces take longer to get used to and you may find your speech affected for the first week or two. Many patients report their tongue getting sore from rubbing on the brackets but this soon passes.

Features

Completely invisible

With the brackets on the inside, no one will know you are wearing braces

Permanent

With your braces fixed in place, they will work 24/7

Effective

It is possible to get a very good final result from lingual braces although some patients report having to use traditional labial braces to get the final result they are looking for

Comfort

It will take a while to get used to lingual braces and your tongue will get sore but  this will pass soon

Availability

Lingual braces are not widely available given the skill required to use them effectively so you will need to find a specialist orthodontist

Elastics

You may be required to use elastics to achieve some tooth movements and these may be more visible

Speech

It can take a few days to get used to your lingual braces so keep practicing and don’t give up

Cost

Lingual braces tend to be the most expensive orthodontic option

Determination

Lingual braces take some getting used to and not everyone tolerates the brackets on the inside well so you need to be committed to have lingual braces

Blog posts

Can you help with some orthodontic research?

Can you help with some orthodontic research?

I am Dr. Aoibheann Wall, an NHS trainee Orthodontist working at a dental hospital in London. As part of my training, I am doing some research into adults who get braces and would be grateful if you could complete my survey.

Orthodontic Hygiene

Orthodontic Hygiene

A common complication of orthodontics is tooth decay, although this can be prevented by appropriate cleaning and maintenance of the teeth and appliances. In this article, Dr. Bethany Rushworth offers advice on how to look after your teeth during orthodontic treatment.

Top ten ‘getting started’ braces tips

Top ten ‘getting started’ braces tips

If you are thinking about getting braces, congratulations, it's something you won't regret. To get you started, here are my top ten 'getting started' braces tips. 1. Take some time to do your research. There are many different treatment options provided by a large...

Orthodontic special offers

Orthodontic special offers

In just about every other industry, you will find seasonal or product special offers and orthodontics is no exception. Every January, a time when we all like to make some New Year resolutions that we may or may not stick to, quite a few orthodontic practices promote...

Can vibration speed up orthodontic treatment?

If you were to ask an adult patient what experience they wanted from orthodontic treatment, I'm sure many would answer that they wanted it completed as quickly as possible. Manufacturers or various orthodontic systems and devices are well aware of this and you will...

Looking after your team member with braces

Looking after your team member with braces

During a catch up with a former colleague in London recently, they mentioned that two of their team members will be getting braces in the near future. We chatted about how she can best support them and on the way back to my hotel, jotted down a few notes that I hope...

A coffee with Dr. Asif Chatoo

A coffee with Dr. Asif Chatoo

In a fascinating interview discussing architecture to digital orthodontics, Dr Asif Chatoo shares his thoughts on lingual orthodontics.

Rachel has finished her treatment

Rachel has finished her treatment

Rachel, who writes the engaging 'a nesting nomad' travel blog has finished her lingual braces treatment and in this final instalment, describes the de-bonding process and the fitting of her retainers. It's been great following her progress and if you are thinking...

How lingual braces are fitted

In this informative video produced by 3M and Dr Steffen Decker, you can see all the steps involved in the indirect bonding of lower lingual Incognito braces. https://youtu.be/NcsVgWs0mlo

A braces update from Rachel

A braces update from Rachel

In another instalment on her braces blog, Rachel describes the amazing progress she has made in just six months. The gap between her front teeth has closed and now her orthodontist is working on the finishing touches so that she can finish treatment early in 2017. Her...

A braces blog update from Rachel

A braces blog update from Rachel

Rachel, who writes the fantastic 'a nesting nomad' blog has written another braces update detailing her experience to date and what to expect at an adjustment.  Her blog is predominantly about travel and has some beautifully written articles and some amazing...

London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic

London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic

I was delighted to receive an invitation to spend some time at the well respected London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic in Wimple Street last week. During my time there, I met the team, experienced some amazing scanning technology and spent time talking to Dr. Asif Chatoo...

Scanning vs Impressions

Scanning vs Impressions

I think I can confidently say that having alginate impressions has been my least favourite part of undergoing adult orthodontics so I was extremely interested in taking up a kind offer from Dr. Asif Chatoo at the London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic to try their scanning...

A lingual braces blog – by Rachel

A lingual braces blog – by Rachel

I was searching through Twitter earlier today and unexpectedly came across a lovely blog, A Nesting Nomad, by Rachel, who is undergoing Incognito lingual braces treatment.  Her blog details the process and her thoughts about getting braces as well as detailed progress...

How I got my smile back – a lingual braces blog

How I got my smile back – a lingual braces blog

I have just come across another lovely blog written by Victoria who is undergoing lingual braces treatment at the London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic.  In her post, she describes why she decided to get braces as an adult and how she regained her confidence to smile...

Goodbye Miss Gappy – A lingual braces blog

Goodbye Miss Gappy – A lingual braces blog

I attended an event in London last week and was delighted to meet Charlotte who has recently finished her lingual brace treatment at the well respected London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic under the care of Asif Chatoo.  Her blog is a detailed account of her treatment...

Inside I’m Smiling

Inside I’m Smiling

'Inside I'm Smiling' is a great blog created by a lingual (behind the teeth) brace wearer who undertook her treatment at the well respected London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic. The blog contains a lot of detail about the process of getting lingual braces, wearing...