Lingual braces are fixed orthodontic brackets and wires bonded to the back (tongue side) of the teeth, so they cannot be seen when you smile. They move teeth with the same mechanics as conventional braces and can treat most crowding, spacing and bite problems.
They offer fixed-brace control without visible metal, which appeals to adults. The main limits are comfort and practicality: they affect speech and the tongue for the first weeks, adjustments are more demanding, and treatment still needs visits every 6 to 8 weeks for 12 to 30 months.
What Lingual Braces (Hidden Braces) involves
Records come first: photographs, a panoramic and side-view X-ray, and a digital scan of your teeth. Because the inner surfaces of teeth vary greatly in shape, the brackets are custom made or custom positioned in a laboratory on a digital set-up of the planned result, which takes 3 to 6 weeks. At the fitting visit the brackets are bonded to all teeth at once using a transfer tray, and the first thin wire is tied in. Wires are then changed and adjusted at regular visits, moving to stiffer, robot-bent or hand-bent wires as teeth align. At the end the brackets are removed, teeth are polished, and fixed and removable retainers are fitted.
Who is a good candidate for Lingual Braces (Hidden Braces)?
They suit motivated adults and older teenagers who want fixed braces that do not show.
- Adults in public-facing jobs who do not want visible braces
- Cases too complex for aligners, such as rotations, extractions or deep bite correction
- Musicians who play wind instruments and contact sports players, since the lips are spared
- People who know they would not wear removable aligners for 22 hours a day
It is usually not the right choice if:
- Very short teeth or a severe deep bite that would knock the brackets off
- Untreated gum disease or poor oral hygiene
- Anyone unable to attend regular adjustments with the same orthodontist
- People with a strong gag reflex or a large tongue who may not adapt
- Patients seeking the quickest, lowest-cost option
Technique options
- Fully customised lingual systems: Brackets and wires made individually from a digital set-up. Used for comprehensive treatment of both arches.
- Social six or 2D lingual brackets: Low-profile brackets on the front six to eight teeth only, for mild crowding or relapse after earlier braces.
- Self-ligating lingual brackets: Clips hold the wire instead of ties, which can shorten adjustment visits.
- Combined approach: Lingual braces on the upper arch, with ceramic braces or aligners on the lower, to balance appearance, comfort and cost.
What happens during your treatment
Fitting takes 1.5 to 2 hours and needs no anaesthetic. You lie back with your mouth held open and dry while brackets are bonded. Adjustment visits take 30 to 45 minutes. Teeth ache for 3 to 5 days after fitting and after each wire change, and the tongue feels rubbed until it toughens.
Preparing for your trip
This is a poor fit for a single trip. Expect a fitting visit and then adjustments every 6 to 8 weeks for 12 to 30 months. It works for people who live in or travel to Istanbul regularly, or when a local orthodontist agrees in advance to continue the same system, which many will not.
- Tell the doctor about medication, allergies, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and any history of cold sores, keloid scars or autoimmune disease
- Avoid alcohol, aspirin and anti-inflammatory painkillers for a few days beforehand if your own doctor agrees, to reduce bruising
- Arrive without make-up on the treatment area and avoid sunbeds and strong sun for two weeks before
Recovery and results
There is no recovery in the surgical sense, but adaptation takes 2 to 4 weeks. A lisp is common at first and improves with reading aloud. Orthodontic wax or silicone covers protect the tongue. Eat soft food for the first week and avoid hard or sticky food throughout. Cleaning needs interdental brushes and often a water flosser. Retainers are worn long term once the braces come off.
- Back to everyday activity: None, 2 to 4 weeks to adapt
- When results show: First changes in 2 to 3 months
- How long they last: Long term with retainers
Safety, risks and revision policy
The risks are those of any fixed brace, plus some that come from the position behind the teeth.
- Tongue soreness and ulcers, mainly in the first weeks
- Temporary change in speech
- Decalcification and decay on hidden surfaces if cleaning is poor
- Brackets coming loose, which needs a prompt repair visit
- Root shortening or gum recession, as with any orthodontic movement
- Relapse of tooth position if retainers are not worn
Every written proposal arranged through Clinic-Y states what the clinic covers if a correction is needed. Ask for it before you book, not after.
Cost of Lingual Braces (Hidden Braces) in Türkiye
Clinic-Y does not publish a single price for Lingual Braces (Hidden Braces), because the honest figure depends on your case. What moves it:
- Fully customised system versus front-teeth-only brackets
- One arch or both
- Length and complexity of treatment, including extractions
- Laboratory fees for the custom set-up
- Retainers and the number of adjustment visits
Send your photographs or reports and you receive written, all-inclusive proposals from suitable teams, side by side. Reviewing your case is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are lingual braces slower than normal braces?
Treatment time is broadly similar in experienced hands. Individual visits tend to be longer.
Can I have them fitted abroad and adjusted at home?
Only if an orthodontist at home agrees beforehand. Systems differ, and many clinicians prefer not to take over a case started elsewhere.
Are they better than clear aligners?
Neither is better overall. Lingual braces handle complex movements and need no daily discipline. Aligners are removable and easier on the tongue.