Call Us 0151 236 5166
You’ve probably spent hours researching lingual braces. You’ve compared options, watched videos, read forums and tried to work out the right choice for your teeth.
This is real effort and completely understandable. Ortho treatment is a big decision and most folks need to feel informed and comfortable before moving on. Lingual braces are a highly sophisticated orthodontic system and we’re going to help you understand whether it’s for you. In the right hands, systems like Win, Incognito and just unbranded brackets on the backs of the teeth can be a perfect solution for those of you who want absolute invisibility.
We made this guide because we realised that most online research and AI research into lingual braces was not useful. This is because Lingual braces are highly case dependent making this less about ‘I think I want them’ and more about ‘will this actually work for me?’ Looking at someone else’s before and afters does not answer the question whether this will work for you. So we’ve given you our dentist’s decision-making process below so you can see for yourself.
Lingual braces are sometimes the ideal solution. But for many, other approaches deliver more predictable, comfortable and stable results. The difference cannot be determined from articles, or before and afters. It comes from clinical assessment and diagnosis. To see our main page about braces click here Braces Liverpool.
Smileworks assess and treat lingual braces cases for patients across Liverpool and the North West. This page explains how lingual braces work, who they’re suitable for, and how orthodontists decide whether they’re the right option for you. We also advise on how you can get Incognito, Win or any other lingual appliance at Smileworks.
If you’re looking for clarity, you’re in the right place.
You may be wondering how dentists decide whether lingual braces are suitable and what factors matter. The answer is biology, complexity and compliance.
This kind of clinical decision-making is rarely explained online because most dentists (including us) spend their time treating patients rather than writing about it.
Before deciding whether lingual braces are suitable, dentists are not thinking about aesthetics or trends. They are assessing:
→ Biology
→ Movement predictability
→ Lifestyle compatibility
→ Long-term stability
The decision is rarely simple, and patient preference alone is never the determining factor. That does not mean lingual braces are off the table, it simply means the right choice depends on what works best in your individual case.
Lingual braces are fixed orthodontic appliances bonded to the inner (lingual) surfaces of the teeth rather than the outer (labial or buccal) surfaces. Because they sit behind the teeth they’re invisible.
This is great for people like actors, lawyers and folks who genuinely need discreet treatment. But their value is more than aesthetic. When used in the right clinical situation they offer precise, highly controlled tooth movement.
Unlike removable systems like Spark or Invisalign, lingual braces apply continuous and controlled forces to guide tooth movement. This allows dentists greater control over rotations, spacing, and bite correction, particularly in more complex cases.
Research shows that fixed appliances (whether placed on the front or the inside surfaces of the teeth) tend to achieve more predictable outcomes than removable aligners.
Lingual braces are not new. They’ve been used for decades and modern systems such as Incognito have refined the technique through precision engineering. Incognito brackets are crafted from a gold alloy and individually manufactured for each patient, improving both comfort and accuracy.
Because lingual braces sit on the inner surfaces of the teeth, they can feel quite different from traditional braces. Some patients adapt quickly, while others find them difficult to tolerate, which is why careful case selection matters. Studies also show that speech adaptation and tongue comfort can vary, particularly in the early stages of treatment.
From a clinical perspective, the decision goes beyond invisibility or precision. Dentists consider whether the level of control is truly needed, how well a patient is likely to adapt, and whether the added complexity and significantly increased cost are justified.
Adult lingual braces brands are Incognito™, WIN, and Forestadent® 2D. But a good braces dentist can make hidden braces out or regular brackets and wires and bond them to the backs of the teeth. Dr Eduardo says: “There’s no need for branded products in practice although patients often have their hearts set on a particular brand.”
When a patient wants lingual braces, dentists are immediately considering and evaluating certain mechanical, lifestyle, cost and compliance trade-offs.
Brackets and wires on inner tooth surfaces make certain movements harder.
Dr Eduardo says: “The wire is not an arch shape it’s a mushroom shape. This makes certain movements like arch expansion more difficult and take longer.”
The tongue naturally rests against the inner surfaces of the braces and many patients get irritations and injuries to the tongue. All this means more visits and when you think these braces are twice the price of other systems, it sometimes seems an inelegant solution.
The decision always comes down to whether the benefits justify the trade-offs for that individual case.
We often treat patients whose public profile makes discretion an absolute priority. In one recent case, a high-profile social media figure chose lingual braces to keep treatment invisible. Once treatment began, there were some mechanical limitations, comfort challenges and lots of visits.
In hindsight, some patients say they might have preferred aligners or conventional fixed braces once they fully understood the trade-offs. Eduardo has reflected on cases like these and occasionally found himself thinking, “was this really the best choice for them?”
This is exactly why dentists sometimes guide patients toward different options. The goal is always long-term comfort, predictability, and satisfaction. Not always going with the most discreet solution. It is very difficult to explain and foresee the challenges with lingual systems and dentists are always using their vast experience to evaluate what’s best in the circumstances for this patient.
Dentists may guide patients toward alternative systems when mechanics (arch expansion), comfort or long-term predictability are likely to be compromised. Simple cases do not ever need lingual braces.
They not only irritate the tongue in some cases but also affect speech. So for someone speaking for their job, we would take pause before recommending. In cases where other appliances can achieve the same result more efficiently, with fewer trade-offs those options are preferred.
Choosing not to recommend lingual braces is not a limitation. It’s often the clearest sign that the decision is being made with long-term comfort, stability, and overall treatment success in mind. We’d love for everybody to spend £9,000 on their fancy gold braces but we care more about your happiness and outcomes.
Often Spark or Invisalign are absolutely the better solution and it is very typical for a patient to come in wanting Incognito and leaving with a much simpler, better value system that still gets them all the convenience they need. But at the end of the day, you’re in braces for a number of months but the result needs to be stable and beautiful for decades after. So the long-term is where we focus.
Lingual prices braces (Liverpool vs London):
| Types of Lingual Braces | London Typical Range | North UK Typical Range | What Affects Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Branded bespoke lingual (Incognito, WIN, fully customised) | £8,000 to £11,000+ | £7,000 to £10,000+ | Case complexity, specialist experience, treatment length |
| Non branded lingual (standard internal brackets) | £2,500 to £7,000 | £2,000 to £6,500 | One or two arches, alignment difficulty, finishing detail |
Lingual braces pros, cons, and trade-offs:
| System | Visibility | Best For | Comfort | Control | Typical Visits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lingual Braces | Completely hidden | Patients wanting invisible treatment with precise control | Adaptation period for tongue | Excellent for complex cases | Every 6 to 10 weeks |
| Clear Aligners | Nearly invisible | Mild to moderate alignment | Usually comfortable | Less precise for some movements | Fewer visits in many cases |
| Fixed Braces | Visible | Broad suitability | Initial soreness | Very predictable | Every 6 to 10 weeks |
It starts with you.
Before discussing appliances, mechanics or treatment timelines, Eduardo wants to understand what has brought you in. What is on your mind? What is bothering you? Why now? Whether your priority is confidence, comfort, aesthetics, or a combination of all three.
Your story shapes the recommendation. Orthodontics is not about choosing a product. It is about understanding what outcome would genuinely improve your daily life.
Eduardo has a rare ability to make complicated things feel simple. Lingual braces, aligners, and fixed appliances all come with different mechanics, pros and cons. Patients often say that after a few minutes of conversation everything suddenly feels obvious.
There is no jargon and no pressure. Eduardo’s role is to guide you and he cares very deeply about his patients. Your happiness is a point of professional pride. He places himself at the centre of the decision-making process as if the outcome were his own. Patients often describe this as an “I’ve got you” feeling. A sense that their comfort, confidence, and long-term satisfaction really matter.
By the end of the consultation, you will understand whether lingual braces are genuinely suitable and why, what alternatives may work better, precisely how treatment will look feel, how long it will take, the itemised cost (set out in your treatment plan) and what kind of result you can look forward to.
If you’ve read this far, you’ve probably realised choosing lingual braces is not about picking the most discreet option. It’s about understanding what will work for your teeth, your bite, and your lifestyle.
This is where Eduardo’s experience makes all the difference.
Patients often say its a relief to finally know. No more comparing systems, no more second guessing, no more worrying about making the wrong choice. Just a clear, professional recommendation based on science.
A consultation with Eduardo is not a commitment to treatment, it’s an opportunity to stop guessing and get clarity. Even if you decide not to start right away, you’ll leave with a personalised treatment plan that explains exactly what’s happening, what your options are and what outcomes you can expect.
Some patients choose to take that plan away and continue their research feeling better informed. Many find that once they have clear answers the need to keep searching disappears.
If you’re ready for that clarity then the next step is simple. Book a consultation with Eduardo and let us help you make a decision you feel confident about.
You do not have to figure this out alone. We are here to guide you.
Lingual braces are expensive. Incognito have eye-waveringly high lab coders because the brackets are fully customised, precision engineered and made from gold alloy. They involve more clinical time and more planning and sometimes take longer.
LINGUAL BRACES | £9000
However cost alone is never the deciding factor. The real question is whether lingual braces offer a meaningful advantage in your specific case compared to other systems.
This is why price is always discussed alongside suitability. The goal is not to choose the most expensive option but the one that delivers the best long-term outcome for you.
Orthodontic treatment lasts months. The result lasts decades. That is the timescale we use when discussing value. Patients typically pay with our specific lingual braces payment plans at Smileworks.
Here’s how to find us, or just google “lingual braces near me”. You can also call us to speak to someone: 0151 236 5166
