LINGUAL

Lingual Braces: Can I Have Braces Behind My Teeth?

Name: Can I have braces bonded behind my teeth?
Creator: Sunmin Kim

Treated by Dr. Sunmin Kim (board-certified orthodontist) · Reviewed by Dr. Sunmin KimAbout the doctor →

Last reviewed October 29, 2026 · Dr. Sunmin Kim (board-certified orthodontist, Certified Orthodontist of the Korean Association of Orthodontists)

At a glance

Good for: People who want braces that are almost invisible from outside
Treatment flow: Examination and diagnosis → bonding inner braces (or combination braces) → adjustments with the direction of force calculated
Duration and limits: For the first 2–4 weeks, your tongue may feel uncomfortable and your speech slightly lisped

Details

Lingual braces are bonded to the inner (tongue) side of the teeth, so they are almost invisible from outside, and they can handle movements that are difficult for clear aligners, such as extraction cases. For the first 2–4 weeks, your tongue touches the braces, which is uncomfortable, your "s" sounds may feel slightly lisped, and cleaning is harder than with braces on the outside. Combination braces, which place braces on the inner surfaces of the upper teeth (the ones that show when you smile or talk) and the outer surfaces of the lower teeth, are an option that reduces tongue discomfort and cost. When we move the front teeth back with inner braces, Ceramic Dental Clinic separately calculates the direction of force so the front teeth do not tip back.

01^°

Even for hidden braces, we chose differently for each person

Depending on the person's job, how deep the bite was and whether extraction was needed, we decided whether to bond both upper and lower braces on the inside or only the upper ones. Here are three typical situations shown with real cases.

CASE01

Protruding mouth needing extraction, and braces must not show because of work

Combination braces · upper braces inside + lower braces outside, premolar extraction

Before · Sep 2022

Side profile before treatment. The front teeth were tipped forward and the mouth looked protruding. This patient met many people at work and wanted to avoid visible braces.

After · May 2025

Side profile after treatment. The mouth moved back as the inner braces on the upper teeth moved the front teeth back.

Condition: Dental protrusion; upper braces must not show when smiling
Chosen: Upper lingual + lower outer braces (combination), premolar extraction
Not done: Inner braces on the lower teeth (the lower teeth do not show much when smiling)
Duration: About 2 years and 10 months

CASE02

Snaggletooth and overlapping front teeth straightened without visible braces

Upper partial lingual + lower partial ceramic · no extraction, space made by reshaping between teeth

Front view of the mouth before treatment, with the upper central incisors overlapping — Front view before treatment. The upper central incisors overlapped each other.

Front view during treatment; the upper braces are on the inside and cannot be seen from the front — Front view during treatment. The upper braces are on the inside and cannot be seen from the front, and tooth-colored ceramic braces were bonded to the lower teeth.

Front view of the mouth after treatment, with the upper front teeth neatly aligned — Front view after treatment. The overlapping upper front teeth now stand in a neat line.

Condition: Snaggletooth and overlapping front teeth without a large lack of space
Chosen: Upper partial lingual braces + lower partial ceramic braces, reshaping between teeth
Not done: Extraction (the lack of space was only a few mm)
Duration: About 14 months
Adjustment period: Usually 2–4 weeks until speaking feels comfortable

CASE03

Deep bite with the lower teeth touching the inner upper braces

Combination braces · making the bite shallower first, then aligning the front teeth

Front view of the mouth before treatment, with the upper teeth deeply covering the lower teeth — Before treatment. The upper teeth deeply covered the lower teeth, so braces bonded inside the upper teeth would have been hit directly by the lower teeth.

Front view of the mouth after treatment, with a shallower bite and neatly aligned front teeth — After treatment. We reduced the bite depth and aligned the front teeth.

Condition: Deep bite (overbite) and front-tooth alignment problems
Chosen: Upper lingual + lower outer braces, adjusting the bite height first
Not done: Inner braces on both upper and lower teeth (there was not enough room on the lower teeth for brackets or for the bite)
Duration: About 2.5 years
Note: A deep bite tends to deepen again after treatment, so retainers are worn for a long time. The retainers are also shaped to keep the bite from deepening again.

* Photos were taken under the same conditions and published with the patients' consent. Treatment results and side effects may vary from person to person.

02^°

How are lingual braces and combination braces different?

Both aim to keep the braces out of sight. The difference is where the lower braces go, and this changes tongue discomfort, speech and cost.

01Upper and lower lingual braces

Braces are bonded to the inside of both upper and lower teeth. They are almost invisible from outside, but the tongue touches both sets, so the first adjustment is the hardest and the cost is the highest.

02Combination braces

Only the upper teeth, which show easily when you smile or talk, have braces on the inside; the lower teeth have braces on the outside. The lower braces are often hidden by the lip, and tongue discomfort and cost are lower. Tooth-colored ceramic brackets are used on the outside of the lower teeth.

Occlusal view, taken with a mirror, of lingual braces bonded inside the upper teeth — Lingual braces bonded inside the upper teeth. This is the side the tongue touches, so they feel very foreign for the first few weeks.

Front view of the mouth during combination braces, with inner braces on the upper teeth and outer braces on the lower teeth — Front view during combination braces. The upper braces are on the inside and cannot be seen; only the lower teeth have outer braces. When smiling or talking, the lower braces are mostly hidden by the lower lip.

Which suits you is decided by how much your lower teeth show when you smile and how deep your bite is. Lingual braces are custom-made for each patient by a dental laboratory.

03^°

How lingual braces treatment works

There are six steps, from the examination to retainers. For each step, we note what we handle differently from outer braces because the braces are on the inside.

Side-view X-ray, 3D scan model and panoramic X-ray — Full examination. We measure the front-tooth angle and lip position with a side-view X-ray, check the roots and jawbone with a panoramic X-ray, and record the teeth in 3D, inner surfaces included, with the iTero intraoral scanner.

STEP 01

In the full examination, we check bite depth and the inner surfaces of the teeth

We take facial and intraoral photos, a side-view X-ray of the face and a panoramic X-ray, and make a tooth model with the iTero intraoral scanner. For lingual braces, we especially check how deeply the upper and lower front teeth overlap and whether the inner surfaces of the teeth are tall enough to bond the braces.

Why we do thisIf the bite is deep, the lower teeth hit the inner upper braces, so the braces may come off or the back teeth may not meet well for the first few weeks. If the lower teeth are short, there is not enough room to bond braces inside them. These two points decide whether we choose upper and lower lingual braces or combination braces.

Example of a 3D design screen for setting the position and height of the inner braces on the upper teeth — Bracket position design. The inner surfaces of teeth vary in shape, so the position and height of each bracket are set on a model in advance.

STEP 02

We set the bracket positions on a model in advance and design the forces so the front teeth do not tip back

The inner surfaces of teeth are very curved and differ from person to person, so it is hard to place the braces by eye in the dental chair. We first design the bracket positions on a 3D model on the computer, then use a tray to transfer them to those exact spots.

Why we do thisInner braces sit on the tongue side of the tooth's center of force, so even when pulled in the same direction, the tooth tips differently than with outer braces. If the front teeth are simply pulled back, they tend to tip inward, so we separately calculate the wire angle and pulling point. My research measuring the force and moment on teeth is the basis for these calculations.

Occlusal view of the inner upper teeth shortly after the braces were bonded — Shortly after the braces were bonded. We check where the tongue touches and give you protective wax for spots that bother you.

STEP 03

We bond the braces and help you adjust over the first few weeks

On the day the braces are bonded, we check where your tongue touches and show you how to brush, how to use an interdental brush and which foods to avoid. For the first 2–4 weeks, your tongue feels a strong foreign sensation and your "s" sounds may feel lisped, but most people gradually get used to it.

Why we do thisBecause the tongue keeps touching the braces, it may get rubbed or sore at first. Wax and oral ointment help you through this period, and if the same spot keeps hurting, we smooth the edge of the bracket.

Front view of the mouth around the start of treatment — Progress of the same patient (combination braces). The upper braces are on the inside and cannot be seen from the front; only the outer braces on the lower teeth are visible.

Front view of the mouth midway through treatment — Progress of the same patient (combination braces). The upper braces are on the inside and cannot be seen from the front; only the outer braces on the lower teeth are visible.

STEP 04

Once a month we change the wire to move the teeth

You usually come once a month for a wire change or adjustment. With lingual braces, the brackets are closer together, so the wire feels stiffer than with outer braces, and we raise the force a little at each stage.

Why we do thisOn the inside, the distance between teeth is shorter than on the outside, so the same wire delivers more force to the teeth. A strong wire from the start increases pain and makes brackets come off more easily, so we move from thin wires up step by step.

STEP 05

We finish the bite while checking the front-tooth angle

In the finishing stage, we check the front-tooth angle again with a side-view X-ray and fine-tune the upper and lower bite and the front-tooth edge line.

Why we do thisWhen the front teeth are moved back with inner braces, they easily end up tipped back more than planned. Even if they look neat from outside, tipped-back front teeth look shorter and deepen the bite, so we always check the angle at the end.

Front view of the mouth on removal day, with a shallower bite and an even front-tooth edge line — Final check. The upper teeth that covered the lower teeth deeply before treatment (left) cover them by the right amount on removal day (right), and the front-tooth edge line is even.

Fixed retainer bonded behind the lower front teeth — Retainers used after the braces come off. The thin wire bonded behind the front teeth (left) cannot be seen from outside, and a clear retainer (right) is used with it.

Clear retainer — Retainers used after the braces come off. The thin wire bonded behind the front teeth (left) cannot be seen from outside, and a clear retainer (right) is used with it.

STEP 06

We remove the braces and hold the result with retainers

After removing the braces and smoothing the inner surfaces of the teeth, we bond a thin wire retainer behind the front teeth and also give you a clear retainer. For 2 years after treatment, retainer check-ups and adjustments are included in the orthodontic fee.

Why we do thisTeeth moved with lingual braces also tend to move back, as with any orthodontic treatment. Especially when a deep bite has been reduced, it tends to deepen again, so we advise wearing retainers for a long time.

* Clinical photos were published with the patients' consent. Side effects such as temporary pain or discomfort may occur depending on the person.

The first 2–4 weeks after bonding are the most uncomfortable; after that, most people have no trouble with everyday conversation.

04^°

Upper and lower lingual or combination: how do we decide?

We consider both how important it is that the braces do not show and the conditions in your mouth.

How much your lower teeth show when you smile · If your lower teeth show a lot when you smile or talk, we recommend upper and lower lingual braces; if they hardly show, combination braces.
Bite depth · If the bite is deep, the lower teeth hit the inner upper braces, so a plan that makes the bite shallower first is needed.
Length of the lower teeth · If the lower teeth are short, there may not be enough room to bond braces inside them.
Jobs where speech matters · If your work involves a lot of speaking, such as lecturing, broadcasting or interpreting, we plan the adjustment period around your schedule.
Gums and brushing habits · The toothbrush does not reach the inside well, so gum inflammation is treated first.

05^°

Comparing orthodontic appliances

	Lingual braces (upper and lower)	Combination braces	Ceramic braces	Invisalign
Visibility	Almost invisible from outside	Upper braces cannot be seen; lower braces are mostly hidden by the lip	Tooth-colored brackets, less noticeable than metal	Clear aligners; only the edges show up close
Tongue and speech discomfort	Greatest in the first 2–4 weeks	Less than lingual	Rubbing on the inside of the lips and cheeks	Speech changes for 1–2 days after each aligner change
Cleaning	Hardest	Inside of the upper teeth is hard	Interdental brush needed	Easy, since you remove the aligners to brush
Movements possible	Most, including extraction cases	Most, including extraction cases	Most, including extraction cases	Most; difficult movements need auxiliaries
Visit interval	Usually once a month	Usually once a month	Usually once a month	Usually 2–3 months
Cost	See the fee schedule →	See the fee schedule →	See the fee schedule →	See the fee schedule →

06^°

Who lingual braces suit, and when another appliance is better

Good for you if

Braces must not show because of your job or situation
You need extraction treatment but want the braces out of sight
You find it hard to keep to clear aligner wearing time, but visible braces are also a concern

Other treatment comes first

Gum inflammation: we treat the gums first
Cavities: we bond the braces after treating them
Jaw joint pain: we manage the pain first

Another appliance may be better

When the lower teeth are short and there is not enough room to bond braces inside
When even a few weeks of speech changes would be hard to manage with your schedule
When it is hard to brush carefully all the way to the inner surfaces

07^°

Side effects and limits

Please read

· Your tongue may get rubbed, sore or ulcerated by the braces. It is usually worst in the first few weeks.

· For the first 2–4 weeks, sounds such as "s" may feel lisped, and how quickly you adjust differs from person to person.

· The toothbrush does not reach the inner surfaces well, which raises the risk of cavities and gum inflammation.

· If the bite is deep, the braces may come off, or the back teeth may not meet well for the first few weeks.

· When the front teeth are moved back a lot, they tend to tip back, so the angle must be checked continuously.

· Shortening of tooth roots or gum recession can occur with orthodontic treatment regardless of the appliance type.

· Fabrication of the braces and treatment time are longer, so the cost is higher than braces on the outside.

FAQ

Are lingual braces really invisible from outside?

The braces are bonded to the inner (tongue) side of the teeth, so they are almost invisible when you talk face to face or from the side. When you open your mouth wide or smile with your head tilted up, the inner braces may show slightly.

How much do lingual braces affect speech?

For the first 2–4 weeks, your tongue touches the braces and your "s" sounds may feel slightly lisped, but most people gradually get used to it. With combination braces, only the upper teeth have braces the tongue touches, so adapting is a little easier.

How are combination braces different from lingual braces?

With combination braces, only the upper teeth, which show easily when you smile or talk, have braces on the inside, and the lower teeth, which show less, have braces on the outside. Tongue discomfort and cost are lower than with upper and lower lingual braces.

Can lingual braces be used for extraction cases?

Yes. Treatment that moves the front teeth back while closing extraction spaces can also be done with inner braces, and we separately calculate the wire angle and pulling point so the front teeth do not tip back.

Do lingual braces take longer?

Teeth move at about the same speed as with outer braces, but fine adjustment in the finishing stage sometimes takes a little longer. We tell you the expected duration after the examination, based on how much movement is needed.

What if my tongue hurts during lingual braces?

At first, putting protective wax on the braces and applying oral ointment to sore spots usually helps within 1–2 weeks. If the same spot keeps hurting, come in and we will smooth the edge of the bracket.

Why do lingual braces cost more?

The inner surfaces of teeth vary in shape, so the bracket positions must be designed on a model in advance and then transferred to the teeth, and each adjustment visit takes longer. Detailed costs are listed on the fee table in our treatment cost guide.

Are there foods I should not eat with lingual braces?

Hard nuts, ice, chewy rice cakes and caramel easily knock off brackets, so it is best to avoid them. Instead of biting directly with your front teeth, cut food into small pieces and chew with your back teeth.

Evidence and references

Kim S, et al. Influence of different ligation methods on force and moment generation in a simulated condition of the maxillary crowded anterior dentition with linguo-version and rotation. Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering, 2022. doi:10.3233/BME-211288 (Measurement of orthodontic force and moment on teeth)
Dr. Sunmin Kim's training: completed two training courses of the Korean Society of Lingual Orthodontics (these are training courses, not a society certification). About the doctor

COSTAll costs are gathered on one page, the treatment cost guideSee orthodontic costs →

ABROAD

Visiting from abroad

Questions from patients who travel to Seoul for treatment.

How much does lingual braces cost?

Lingual braces (upper and lower) are KRW 8,600,000, and combination braces (upper lingual, lower ceramic) are KRW 7,600,000. The orthodontic fee includes the orthodontic diagnosis, extraction (except wisdom teeth), mini-screws, basic retainers and retention care for 2 years. If you have only the diagnosis and do not start treatment, it is KRW 50,000 (KRW 100,000 if a CT scan is needed). If a retainer breaks or is lost later, remaking it costs extra. International and Korean patients pay the same fees. We explain the total before treatment starts. See our fee schedule.

Can I continue treatment after I go home?

Yes, but it needs a plan. Fixed braces need regular adjustment visits: the first two visits are 2 weeks apart, then usually once a month. Clear aligners are easier from abroad: after you receive your aligners, you visit once every 2–3 months, and between visits we check by photo only if something comes up. Your doctor tells you at diagnosis which method fits your case.

Can I have my consultation in English?

Yes. The doctor in charge of each field consults with you directly in English. For orthodontics, this is Dr. Sunmin Kim, a board-certified orthodontist. Before you travel, you can send photos of your teeth on WhatsApp or by email. An accurate diagnosis is made after we examine you in person.

What happens after treatment, and what if something comes off?

You need retainers after treatment, because teeth tend to move back. Retention care for 2 years is included in the orthodontic fee. If a bracket comes off or a wire hurts after you go home, send us a photo on WhatsApp. We check it and tell you what to do. Some repairs need a visit.

Results, the number of visits and schedules vary from person to person. More questions: Visiting from abroad.

OrthodonticsMy mouth looks like it sticks out→OrthodonticsMy bite is so deep my lower teeth disappear→OrthodonticsHow are ceramic braces different?→OrthodonticsInvisalign and clear aligners: will they work for my teeth?→OrthodonticsMy braces are finished, but I worry my teeth will shift again→OrthodonticsOrthodontics: where and how should I get treatment?→

Treatment results and side effects may vary from person to person.

You can ask first by sending a photo of your smile

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