- Types of Braces at TEETH @ Tiong Bahru
Lingual Braces in Singapore
Lingual braces are fixed dental braces on the inner surfaces of your teeth. Unlike traditional braces, their brackets and wires are usually hidden. These orthodontic braces can straighten teeth and treat misalignment, crowding, spacing, and certain bite problems. They are sometimes called invisible braces but are not literally invisible, as they can be seen from some angles.
TEETH @ Tiong Bahru lists lingual braces at $8,000 to $12,000, with an estimated treatment time of 18 to 30 months. Lingual braces may cost more than traditional braces, and your exact cost, treatment duration, and need for a specialist referral depend on your teeth, gums, bite, and planned tooth movements.
- The appliance
What Are Lingual Braces?
Lingual braces, also called internal braces, use small brackets bonded to the tongue-facing surfaces, connected by an archwire. They are called lingual braces because they are on the tongue-facing side.
Unlike traditional braces, including metal and ceramic braces, which are fitted to the front surface of the teeth, lingual braces sit behind the dental arches. Some use customised brackets and wires shaped for each tooth; others use standardised components.
Both remain fixed during active orthodontic treatment, unlike removable clear aligners, including Invisalign® aligners.
| At a glance | Lingual braces |
|---|---|
| Appliance | Fixed brackets and an archwire |
| Position | Inner, tongue-facing surfaces of the teeth |
| Visibility | Usually hidden from normal view |
| Common uses | Crowding, spacing, rotated teeth and selected bite problems |
| TEETH listed fee | $8,000 to $12,000 |
| TEETH listed treatment time | 18 to 30 months |
| Removal | By the treating dentist after the active treatment |
| After treatment | Retainers are needed |
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How Do Lingual Braces Work?
Lingual braces work similarly to traditional braces. The archwire and brackets apply consistent and controlled forces to the teeth. These forces cause the bone and supporting tissues around each tooth to remodel, allowing the tooth to move gradually.
At review visits, the dentist checks the progress by assessing your bite, tooth movement, gums and braces. The wire may be changed or adjusted as the treatment progresses, and elastics or other components may be added as needed.
Lingual braces require monitoring for safe orthodontic treatment. Your dental specialist must carefully plan the direction and amount of force for your teeth and supporting bone.
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What Can Lingual Braces Treat?
Lingual braces can straighten teeth and address many orthodontic issues. They may be used for:
- crowded or rotated teeth
- gaps between teeth
- protruding teeth
- a deep bite or overbite
- misaligned bites, including selected underbites, crossbites and open bites
- cases that need detailed control of several tooth movements
These braces cannot correct every jaw difference on their own. Complex orthodontic issues and other complex cases may need specialist assessment and sometimes jaw surgery. See the conditions braces can treat for a broader explanation.
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Who May Be Suitable for Lingual Braces?
This orthodontic treatment may suit adults and teenagers seeking less visible braces for aesthetic reasons. You need healthy teeth and gums, enough tooth surface for brackets and careful cleaning. Maintaining proper oral hygiene is essential.
Other orthodontic options, such as ceramic braces, invisible braces and clear aligners, can be used instead of lingual braces based on your orthodontic needs.
Treatment may be less suitable if you have active tooth decay, active gum disease, limited bracket space, severe tongue sensitivity, or a difficulty maintaining oral hygiene. These dental problems and other issues will require treatment or assessment by your dentist first.
Small teeth and a severe overbite do not automatically rule out treatment. The clinician assesses visible surface height and shape, your bite and whether opposing teeth would strike the brackets.
- The process
What Happens during Lingual Brace treatment?
Metal braces treatment begins with an initial consultation, assessment and a personalised treatment plan.
Initial consultation and records. The dentist will examine your teeth, gums, bite and jaws. Photographs, X-rays and digital scans or impressions may be needed.
Treatment planning. The dentist will discuss your teeth-straightening and orthodontic goals, planned tooth movements, appliance design, treatment complexity, expected duration, risks, and fees. Some systems require laboratory-made components.
Preparation. The dentist will manage tooth decay and active gum disease before fitting. Some plans require a tooth extraction for braces, but many do not.
Fitting. The dentist cleans and keeps the teeth dry. The dentist bonds the brackets to the inner surfaces, often using a transfer tray, and places the archwire.
Reviews and adjustments. You return at intervals set by the treating dentist. As treatment progresses, the dentist will check your oral health and the appliance before the next adjustment.
Removal and retention. The dentist removes the brackets after the active movement is complete. Retainers after braces help limit unwanted movement.
How Long Do Lingual Braces Take?
Do Lingual Braces Affect Speech?
Lingual brackets sit close to the tongue, so your speech may change after a fitting. Many patients notice a temporary lisp or a difficulty with sounds made near the front teeth, though the mouth will adapt. Speech improves, but the pace of improvement varies from person to person, ranging from days to several weeks or longer. Consider this if your work depends heavily on speaking.
Contact the clinic if a wire or bracket is injuring your tongue, or if a speech problem remains troublesome.
Do Lingual Braces Hurt?
Wearing lingual braces may cause initial soreness and tooth tenderness after fitting or adjustments. Initial discomfort can include tongue irritation, particularly early in treatment, and usually improves as your mouth adapts. Overall discomfort varies, but lingual braces are not proven to be less painful than front braces.
Soft foods may help while your mouth adjusts. Contact the treating dental clinic if your pain is severe, swelling develops, a bracket becomes loose, a wire is displaced, or an ulcer does not heal.
- Advantages and Limitations
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces offer a discreet solution because they may appear virtually invisible during normal conversation. Lingual braces also stay fixed, so orthodontic treatment doesn’t depend on remembering to wear clear aligners each day.
The main cons of lingual braces are cost, access and adaptation. The brackets are harder to see and clean, and fitting and adjustments require appropriate training and experience. Tongue irritation and speech changes can occur. Additionally, lingual braces are usually more expensive than traditional metal braces.
Lingual Braces vs Traditional Braces and Invisalign
| Feature | Lingual braces | Traditional front braces | Clear aligners, including Invisalign® and OneSmile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Behind the teeth | On the front of the teeth | Covers the tooth surfaces |
| Visibility | Usually hidden | Visible | Usually less noticeable |
| Removable | No | No | Yes |
| Daily wear dependence | Low, because the appliance is fixed | Low, because the appliance is fixed | High, because wear instructions must be followed |
| Cleaning | More difficult to see and reach | Requires cleaning around the brackets and wires | Removed for brushing and flossing |
| Speech | Temporary changes can occur | Usually less effect on the tongue | Temporary changes can occur |
| Suitability | Broad range in selected patients | Broad range | Depends on the required movements and wear |
Traditional metal braces use visible metal brackets. Ceramic braces use less noticeable tooth-coloured brackets. Clear aligners, including Invisalign aligners, are removable orthodontic options. Your choice depends on your bite, planned movements, oral health and priorities. To weigh the pros and cons of lingual braces, read about aligners versus braces or compare the types of braces.
- Current fees
How Much Do Lingual Braces Cost in Singapore?
Costs for lingual braces can vary, but at TEETH @ Tiong Bahru, we offer the following range:
How to Clean Lingual Braces
Maintaining good oral hygiene with lingual braces can be more challenging because the brackets sit behind the teeth and are hard to inspect. Food particles and plaque left around lingual braces can contribute to tooth decay, white marks and gum inflammation.
- Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Clean along the gumline and around every bracket and wire. Be sure to clean the inside of your teeth and not just the outside.
- Clean between the teeth every day to remove food particles. A floss threader, orthodontic floss or interdental brush can help you reach under the wire.
- Rinse your mouth with water after meals if you cannot brush.
- Use mouthwash only as an addition to brushing and interdental cleaning, and follow your dentist’s advice.
- Avoid hard, sticky and very chewy foods that may loosen the brackets or bend the wire.
- Attend regular orthodontic appointments and regular dental check-ups. Report damaged braces rather than waiting for your next dental visit.
What Happens after Lingual Brace Treatment?
Teeth can move after orthodontic treatment, so you will need a retainer after the braces are removed. The retainer may be removable, fixed behind the teeth, or a combination of both.
Follow the prescribed wear and review schedule for your retainer. Retention is part of your orthodontic journey. Long-term wear is often advised because the risk of movement continues over time. Good oral hygiene also supports a healthy smile and helps prevent complications.
Lingual Braces Assessment
Orthodontic clinics can assess lingual braces, traditional metal braces, other metal braces, ceramic braces, invisible braces, traditional braces or clear aligners for your orthodontic needs. The dentist examines your oral health and bite, reviews the required movements, and explains the expected time, risks, fees, and required follow-ups. A teeth straightening plan may support your goal of a more confident smile, but outcomes vary. Contact TEETH @ Tiong Bahru to book an appointment to learn more about lingual braces and whether they are right for you.
- fAQs
Common Frequently Asked Questions
Are lingual braces completely invisible?
Lingual braces are sometimes called invisible braces because the brackets and wire sit behind the teeth. However, the braces may be visible from some angles or when the mouth is wide open, so complete invisibility isn’t guaranteed.
Are lingual braces faster than traditional braces?
Lingual braces, metal braces and traditional braces use the same biological process. Treatment time depends more on the required movements, bite, biology, and the treatment plan than on the bracket position.
Can lingual braces treat an overbite?
These braces may treat selected deep bites and other overbite problems. Suitability depends on the cause and severity of the bite, tooth positions and jaw relationship.
Can lingual braces be fitted to the upper teeth only?
Sometimes. A single-arch or mixed approach may be possible, but the clinician must assess how the upper and lower teeth meet. When treating only one arch, the specialist will be careful not to create an unstable or harmful bite.
How long does it take to get used to lingual braces?
Initial discomfort, tongue contact and speech changes often improve over several days or weeks, but some patients may need longer. Adaptation depends on the braces’ design, tooth position and the individual’s sensitivity.