Lingual technique: the brace on the inside
Invisible and yet fixed – with a price that is not paid by the bank account alone.
With the lingual technique, the brackets are bonded not to the outside but to the inside of the teeth – towards the tongue. Nothing is visible from the outside, not even up close. This is the only way to wear a fixed brace completely invisibly.
What it can do
Everything a fixed brace can do. Unlike aligners, it has no limitation with rotations or vertical movements – it grips the tooth directly. For adults who have a pronounced malocclusion and want nothing to show, it is often the only fitting answer.
What it costs – and not only in euros
It is the most expensive design: the brackets are custom-made for each tooth, the archwires individually bent. Add to that the adjustment period: in the first two to four weeks the tongue is bothered by the brackets, speech is altered, s-sounds are difficult. It settles, but it does not settle immediately.
The care
The inside is harder to reach than the outside and harder to check – you cannot see what you are doing. Interdental brushes and a mouth mirror are part of the routine here, and professional cleaning at shorter intervals is sensible.
The essentials at a glance
- The brackets sit on the inside – invisible from the outside, even up close.
- It can do everything a fixed brace can do. Unlike aligners, it has no limit with rotations and vertical movements.
- It is the most expensive design, because brackets and archwires are custom-made.
- Two to four weeks of adjustment: the tongue is bothered, s-sounds are difficult. It settles.
Answered briefly
Frequently asked questions
In the first weeks, yes, especially with s and sh sounds. The tongue needs time to get used to the changed shape. For most people it is no longer an issue after two to four weeks; anyone who speaks a lot professionally should schedule the start accordingly.
The pressure on the teeth is the same. In addition, the tongue can become sore at first where it rubs against the brackets. Protective wax helps during this period.
With very short tooth crowns, the bracket finds too little hold on the inside. A very deep bite can also be a reason to take a different approach first. The examination clarifies this.
Considerably more than a fixed brace bonded on the outside, and usually more than aligners as well. The exact amount depends on the system and the extent of treatment and is stated in the treatment and cost plan.