What Are the Pros and Cons of Lingual Braces for Your Smile?

Lingual braces are placed on the back, or tongue side, of your teeth, making them nearly invisible from the front. They can correct many of the same alignment issues as traditional braces, but they usually cost more and take time to get used to.

Most people know about traditional metal braces and clear ceramic braces, but many haven't heard of another option. Lingual braces are designed for teens and adults who want something less noticeable than metal braces.

Surfside Smile Co. treats children, teens, and adults, and we can help you weigh your braces options. Because lingual braces often cost more than other types of braces, or even Invisalign, it's worth weighing the pros and cons carefully.

What Are Lingual Braces?

Lingual braces get their name because they're bonded to the lingual, or tongue, side of your teeth. That makes them nearly invisible unless you open your mouth wide. Like traditional braces, they use brackets and an archwire to gradually move your teeth into place. The difference is that lingual brackets are custom-made to fit the backs of your teeth.

Lingual braces have been around for decades, but they aren't for everyone. Let's start with the cost, then the pros and cons.

How Much Do Lingual Braces Cost?

Lingual braces generally cost more than traditional braces. National estimates reported by Healthline put lingual braces at roughly $5,000 to $13,000, compared with about $3,000 to $7,000 for traditional metal braces. Those figures are general national estimates, not Surfside Smile Co. pricing, and your actual cost depends on your case and where you live.

How much would lingual braces cost for you? We can answer that at a complimentary orthodontic consultation, where we'll examine your teeth and give you a personalized estimate.

Braces Behind Teeth Price: Why Lingual Braces Cost More

Several things raise the price of braces behind the teeth:

• Custom fabrication: Each set is made to fit your teeth. Traditional braces can be mass-produced because the front surfaces of teeth are larger and more uniform than the backs.
• Specialized training: Placing lingual braces takes extra training. Without it, brackets can pop off, or the braces may not work as intended.
• Case complexity and insurance: As with any braces, your case complexity and how much your insurance covers affect what you pay.

Pros and Cons of Lingual Braces

The question is whether the pros outweigh the cons for you.

Pros

• Hard to see: Because they're on the back of your teeth, they're nearly impossible to see unless you open wide.
• Customized: Each bracket is made to fit your teeth, which allows precise placement.
• Can't be misplaced: Unlike clear aligners, another popular "hidden" option, lingual braces are bonded to your teeth, so you can't forget or lose them.
• Can treat many cases: They can correct many of the same issues as traditional braces, including some cases that may be harder to treat with clear aligners.

Cons

• More expensive: Custom fabrication and specialized placement raise the price.
• Speech changes: Because they're on the tongue side of your teeth, you may notice a lisp at first. It often improves as your tongue adapts.
• Harder to clean: You can't see the braces easily, which makes cleaning around them trickier. Careful brushing and flossing matter even more.
• Tongue irritation: Your tongue rests and moves against the brackets, which can make it sore until you get used to them. Orthodontic wax can help.
• Possibly longer treatment: Treatment can sometimes take longer than with clear aligners or front-facing braces, and checkups may take longer because of the specialized care.

A few habits can make the adjustment easier. Reading aloud can help your tongue adapt and clear up a lisp faster, orthodontic wax can cushion sore spots, and floss threaders or a water flosser can help you clean behind the brackets.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Lingual Braces?

Are you a good candidate? Can your teenager wear lingual braces? Weighing the pros and cons helps, but your orthodontist's exam matters most.

Lingual braces can work well for many cases, but very complex cases, such as extreme overbites or multiple dental issues, may be better suited to traditional metal braces. The question of braces vs. clear aligners also comes up often. Our guides to clear braces vs. metal braces and braces vs. Invisalign can help. At your consultation, we can talk through whether lingual braces or another option is the best fit for you or your teen. You can also read about the different types of braces.

FAQs About Lingual Braces

How much do lingual braces cost? National estimates put lingual braces at roughly $5,000 to $13,000, and they usually cost more than traditional braces. Your price depends on your case, so we'll give you a personalized estimate at your consultation.

Would lingual braces be better for me than Invisalign? Clear aligners may be faster, more comfortable, and less expensive than lingual braces. However, lingual braces may work better for some more complex cases. We can help you decide at your first consultation.

Are lingual braces more painful than regular braces? You may have extra discomfort on your tongue at first, but tooth soreness is usually about the same as with other braces. Like with metal braces, discomfort should be temporary after placement and adjustments.

Can teenagers get lingual braces? Yes. Many teens choose Invisalign, but those who don't want the added responsibility of wearing aligners, or who have more complex cases, may be good candidates for lingual braces.

Braces Options in Middletown, NJ

Not everyone wants or needs lingual braces, but if you're curious about them, or about any other way to straighten your teeth, we can help you sort through your options in Middletown, NJ.

Schedule a complimentary consultation with Surfside Smile Co. to find out whether metal braces, clear braces, or Invisalign are right for you.

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