Lingual braces: treatment, price and complete guide

Lingual braces are orthodontic appliances that are invisible, yet very effective in straightening teeth. It is indeed placed behind the teeth and works like traditional braces without being seen from the outside!

What age should I use lingual orthodontics?

Lingual orthodontics is not suitable for children who are still growing, as their teeth usually do not have enough surface area to accommodate the braces. The lingual appliance is therefore reserved for adolescents and adults.

However, the decision remains with the orthodontist, as some jaws are not compatible, especially for people with short teeth.

What does lingual orthodontics cure?

Lingual orthodontics can be used to treat many defects, both aesthetic and functional. It allows us to restore order to uneven teeth, with teeth that are poorly positioned, too far apart or that, on the contrary, overlap. Lingual orthodontics is also used to correct an alignment or spacing prior to the placement of night braces or implants.

Orthodontics is also used to treat malocclusion problems that lead to chewing, swallowing and sometimes speech problems.

Lingual braces are usually worn for eighteen to twenty-four months while the problem is being addressed.

How are lingual braces fitted?

Your orthodontist will begin by taking impressions of your jaws. This mold is the basis for the prosthetist to make your custom appliance. He prepares the attachments and positions them for your practitioner.

The installation is done in one session, with the gluing of the internal rings, then their fixation. You then set up a schedule for monitoring and readjustment visits that are four to six weeks apart.

As the lingual appliance corrects your problem, the orthodontist will tighten it to increase its pulling power. He or she will take the opportunity to check for side effects such asgingivitis or cavities.

The first few days of treatment may be a little painful, as the braces put stress on your teeth. You have to get used to it quickly. If you are still experiencing discomfort after a few days, it is likely that your brace has been adjusted incorrectly and is too tight. In this case, you must return to the orthodontist very quickly to release the tension.

Always be careful during the first few days, as you may cut your tongue. Indeed, it is naturally positioned against the teeth and will have to adapt so that you are no longer embarrassed, especially when eating and speaking.

Finally, you may lisp a bit, but you should quickly regain your speech quality.

At the end of your treatment, the orthodontist stabilizes the work with a retainer that you will wear for a few more months. It can be a fixed retainer, with wires bonded to the inside of the teeth, or a removable mouthpiece that you will wear only at night.

Why choose lingual braces?

Lingual braces are just as effective as traditional braces. His choice is most often aesthetic. For an adult, wearing rings can be a source of embarrassment, as well as a professional problem for anyone who has regular contact with the public. On the other hand, wearing braces can sometimes stain the teeth, which is not a problem on the inside.

From a comfort point of view, after a short acclimatization period, the patient gets used to it and forgets that he is wearing a device.

What are the barriers to wearing a lingual appliance?

Lingual braces make brushing your teeth a little tricky, but so do braces. You have to pay much more attention to your oral hygiene and be careful not to let food debris get stuck between your braces and your teeth.

When you wear a lingual appliance, you must avoid certain foods. Anything hard can damage your braces, anything stringy can get stuck in them, and anything sticky can clump together and promote plaque and cavities.

It takes a while to adjust to the new system so that you can speak perfectly and avoid causing micro cuts on your tongue.

The main obstacle is the cost of the lingual appliance, which is much higher than that of braces. For the orthodontist, the work on the inner side is more complicated, and therefore takes more time, not only during the installation, but also during each control and readjustment visit.

Moreover, not all orthodontists fit lingual braces, this remains a specificity. If you are concerned, talk to your dentist who will tell you where to turn.

How much does a lingual appliance cost?

The cost of lingual braces ranges from €4,500 to €8,000, which is two to four times the price of conventional braces. The cost depends on the price your orthodontist charges, the length of treatment, the manufacturer you choose and the number of visits you need to make to adjust your appliance as your problem is corrected. On average, it is necessary to count 1 500 € per semester of treatment.

Because it is a specialty, the price charged by the orthodontist can be much higher than that of his colleagues.

Orthodontics, whether braces or lingual appliances, are not covered by health insurance after the age of 16. Ask your health insurance company about its reimbursement schedule. Ask your orthodontist for a detailed estimate that you can give to your health insurance company in order to evaluate what will be reimbursed.

If you want to know which mutual insurance company offers the best deal for orthodontics, don't hesitate to use the free mutual insurance comparison tool we provide:

What are the alternatives to lingual braces?

Today, more and more patients are turning to clear dental aligners. They are as discreet as the lingual appliance but are generally a little less expensive.

While Invisalign has been the undisputed market leader for nearly 20 years, many other brands have also emerged in recent years. Dr Smile, one of them, offers for example remote treatments from 33€ per month. If you would like to know if your case could be corrected by a Dr Smile treatment, don't hesitate to make an appointment at a Dr Smile practice:

Lingual Braces Frequently Asked Questions

Do lingual braces hurt?

The placement of lingual braces is quite laborious because the braces are placed on the inside of the teeth. Discomfort is to be expected during the first few days, as well as at each wire change, but this is also the case with other orthodontic methods.

Do lingual braces cause a lisp?

There is a period of adjustment after the placement of a lingual appliance and you may have difficulty pronouncing certain sounds for a few days.