Lingual Braces

Lingual braces use custom-fabricated brackets bonded to the back surface of the teeth, on the tongue-facing side, with an archwire running along the lingual surface to apply the force that moves teeth into position. Because the brackets sit behind the teeth rather than in front, the appliance is not visible during normal speech, smiling, or close-up interactions, making it the least visible fixed-appliance option in orthodontics. Each bracket is typically manufactured to fit the individual contour of the tooth it bonds to, requiring a digital scan or impression of the patient's dentition before treatment begins.

Treatment at Garrison Orthodontics begins with diagnostic imaging and a clinical assessment to determine whether lingual braces are appropriate for the case. Dr. Copeland reviews the patient's bite, alignment, and tongue space, then submits the case for custom bracket fabrication. Once the brackets and indirect bonding tray are produced, placement is completed in a single appointment, with progress monitored at scheduled visits throughout the course of treatment. Cases typically run between eighteen and thirty months depending on complexity, somewhat longer than equivalent labial braces because of the mechanics involved in lingual tooth movement.

Lingual braces are appropriate for patients who want the precision of fixed-appliance treatment without any visible hardware, particularly adults in professional settings or anyone who has declined other treatments specifically because of appearance. There is typically an adjustment period of several weeks during which the tongue adapts to the presence of the brackets, and patients often report a temporary effect on speech, particularly with certain sounds, that resolves as the tongue accommodates. At the conclusion of active treatment, retention is managed through custom retainers to maintain the corrected position long-term.