What To Expect With Lingual Braces: Before, During And After

Lingual braces are the only fixed orthodontic option that's completely invisible from the front. They sit on the back of your teeth, facing your tongue. If you want the reliability of fixed braces without anyone knowing you're wearing them, lingual braces are worth considering.

Here's what the experience actually looks like.

Before Treatment

The Consultation

Your orthodontist will assess whether lingual braces are suitable for your case. Not every alignment issue can be treated with lingual braces -- they work best for mild to moderate crowding and spacing. Severe bite problems may still need traditional braces or a combination approach.

Digital Scans

If you're a candidate, your orthodontist takes digital impressions (no gooey moulds). These are sent to a lab where custom brackets are designed to fit the unique contours of the back of each tooth.

Cost Discussion

Lingual braces are the most expensive fixed option, ranging from $9,500 to $15,000 in Sydney. The higher cost reflects the custom manufacturing and the specialist skill required to fit and adjust them. Interest-free payment plans are available.

Timeline

From consultation to fitting, expect 4-8 weeks for the custom brackets to be manufactured.

The First Two Weeks

This is the adjustment period, and it's the hardest part.

Speech changes. Your tongue sits against the back of your upper teeth when you speak. Adding brackets there changes the space your tongue has to work with. Most patients develop a slight lisp for the first 1-2 weeks. Practising speaking aloud (reading, talking on the phone) speeds up adaptation.

Tongue irritation. The brackets rub against your tongue, especially in the first week. Orthodontic wax helps a lot. Apply it to any bracket that's causing sore spots. Your tongue will develop small calluses and the irritation fades.

Eating. Start with soft foods for the first few days. Avoid hard, crunchy, and sticky foods throughout treatment. Chewing is awkward at first but becomes normal quickly.

Soreness. Similar to traditional braces -- pressure and mild ache for 3-5 days after fitting and after each adjustment. Paracetamol helps.

During Treatment

Appointments

Adjustment appointments are every 6-8 weeks and last 20-30 minutes. Your orthodontist adjusts the wire and checks progress.

Oral Hygiene

Cleaning is harder with lingual braces than with traditional braces because you can't see what you're doing. A few tools help:

• An interdental brush for cleaning around brackets
• A water flosser for flushing out food debris
• A mirror and good lighting for checking your work

Treatment Duration

Most lingual brace treatments take 18-30 months, slightly longer than traditional braces on average. Complex cases may take longer.

Check-ups

Your orthodontist monitors progress with regular X-rays and photographs. You'll also have regular scale and clean appointments with your dentist to keep everything healthy.

After Treatment

Results

When the braces come off, you'll have a retainer fitted (usually a bonded wire behind your front teeth). This keeps your teeth in their new position. Without a retainer, teeth will shift back.

Retainer Wear

Most patients wear a removable retainer at night in addition to the fixed retainer. Your orthodontist will give you specific instructions based on your case.

Before and After

The results with lingual braces are the same as with traditional braces -- the brackets work the same way regardless of whether they're on the front or back of your teeth. The difference is that nobody saw you wearing them.

Are Lingual Braces Right for You?

Lingual braces suit adults and older teens who:

• Want completely invisible fixed braces
• Have mild to moderate crowding or spacing
• Are willing to invest more time and money
• Can commit to the adjustment period

They're less suitable for:

• Severe bite problems
• Very small teeth (not enough surface for bracket placement)
• Patients who can't tolerate the initial tongue irritation
• Want to find out if lingual braces are an option for you? Book a free consultation at our Blacktown or Dubbo practice.