Thinking about straightening your teeth but dreading the “metal mouth” look? You aren’t alone. For many adults and teens in Los Angeles, the desire for a perfect smile is often outweighed by the self-consciousness associated with traditional braces. But what if you could fix your smile without anyone knowing?
Enter lingual braces—the braces that go behind the teeth.
Lingual braces are one of orthodontics’ best-kept secrets. They offer the robust correction power of traditional metal hardware but are completely hidden from view. As a leading provider in the Los Angeles area, Alpan Orthodontics has helped countless patients achieve stunning results with this “invisible” solution.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about behind teeth braces, from how they work to why they might be the perfect fit for your lifestyle.
Key Takeaways
- True Invisibility: Lingual braces are bonded to the back of your teeth, making them completely invisible when you smile.
- Custom-Made: Unlike generic brackets, these are often custom-fabricated to fit the unique contours of your teeth.
- Versatile: They can treat complex orthodontic issues that sometimes disqualify patients from using clear aligners.
- Alpan Orthodontics: We specialize in advanced orthodontic solutions, offering personalized lingual braces treatment across Los Angeles.
What Are Braces Behind Your Teeth?
The technical term for braces on the back of teeth is lingual braces. The word “lingual” refers to the tongue, which is exactly where these brackets sit—on the tongue side of your teeth.
Functionally, they work very similarly to traditional buccal (front-facing) braces. They use brackets and wires to apply continuous, gentle pressure to shift your teeth into the desired position over time. However, the engineering behind them is quite different.
Because the back surfaces of your teeth are much more irregular than the front, lingual braces require a high degree of customization. You can’t just stick a standard square bracket on the back of a tooth and expect it to hold. Instead, the brackets are custom-molded to fit the exact shape of your individual teeth. This ensures a low profile, making them more comfortable for your tongue and effective for moving teeth.
Benefits of Lingual Braces
While clear aligners like Invisalign are popular, they aren’t the only way to get a discreet treatment. Here is why many patients choose braces from behind teeth:
1. Ultimate Cosmetic Appeal
The most obvious benefit is aesthetics. With clear aligners, you still have a plastic sheen over your teeth, and often visible “buttons” or attachments bonded to the front. With lingual braces, there is absolutely nothing on the front of your teeth.
You can smile, take photos, and give presentations at work without anyone spotting your hardware.
2. “Set It and Forget It” Compliance
One of the biggest struggles with removable aligners is… remembering to wear them. You have to take them out to eat and brush, then remember to put them back in immediately. If you lose them or leave them out too long, treatment stalls.
Lingual braces are bonded to your teeth, meaning they are working 24/7 without you having to manage them.
3. Precision for Complex Cases
There is a misconception that invisible options can’t handle “tough” cases. While aligners have come a long way, fixed appliances (braces) generally offer more precise control for complex movements, such as rotating cylindrical teeth, closing large gaps, or correcting severe bite issues.
Lingual braces give you the heavy-duty mechanics of metal braces with the aesthetics of invisible treatment.
4. Customization and Comfort
Because brands like InBrace (which we offer at Alpan Orthodontics) utilize advanced technology, the brackets are designed specifically for your mouth.
This custom fit often results in a lower profile bracket, which helps your tongue adapt faster compared to older, bulkier versions of lingual braces.
The Process of Getting Lingual Braces at Alpan Orthodontics
At Alpan Orthodontics, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Our mission is “Whole Health Comprehensive Orthodontics,” meaning we look at your bite, airway, and facial structure—not just straight teeth.
Here is what you can expect when you choose us for your treatment:
Initial Consultation
Your journey starts with a thorough examination. We utilize advanced imaging technology to map out your oral anatomy. This includes a free 3D smile simulation, so you can visualize your potential results before we even begin.
Dr. Alpan or Dr. Link will evaluate if braces on back of teeth are the best tool for your specific goals.
Custom Fabrication
Once you decide to move forward, we take digital impressions of your teeth. These scans are sent to a specialized lab where your custom brackets and wires are fabricated.
For systems like InBrace, a specific “Smartwire” is designed to move your teeth according to the treatment plan created by our doctors.
Attachment (Bonding)
When your custom braces arrive, you’ll come in for your bonding appointment. Because looking into the mouth backwards is difficult, the brackets are usually placed on your teeth all at once using a custom tray. This ensures perfect placement.
Once the adhesive is set, the wire is inserted, and your journey to a straighter smile begins immediately.
Care and Maintenance
Having hardware near your tongue does require some adjustment, but most patients adapt within a week or two.
Here is how to keep your treatment on track:
Oral Hygiene
Cleaning braces behind teeth requires diligence. Because you can’t see them as easily in the mirror, you rely more on feel.
- Flossing: Use a floss threader or a water flosser (highly recommended) to clean between teeth and under the wires.
- Brushing: Use an electric toothbrush and make sure to angle the bristles to clean around the brackets on the inside of your bite.
- Rinsing: An antimicrobial mouthwash can help reach areas your brush might miss.
Dietary Restrictions
Just like regular braces, you should avoid foods that are sticky, hard, or chewy. Popcorn, caramel, whole apples, and nuts can dislodge a bracket.
Since lingual brackets are custom-made, replacing a broken one can sometimes take longer than replacing a standard bracket, so being careful with your diet is key to keeping your treatment time short.
Regular Check-ups
You will visit Alpan Orthodontics periodically for adjustments. We know you are busy, which is why we utilize tools like Propel and OrthoPulse to potentially speed up results by 30%, meaning fewer appointments and faster treatment times for you.
Are Lingual Braces Right for You?
Lingual braces are an excellent option, but they aren’t for everyone.
Ideal Candidates:
- Adult professionals who want to maintain a polished image.
- Actors, models, or musicians (especially wind instrument players) who can’t have front-facing appliances.
- Teens who are self-conscious about bullying or photos.
- People who know they won’t be disciplined enough to wear removable aligners for 22 hours a day.
Potential Challenges:
- Speech Lisp: It is common to develop a slight lisp for the first few days or weeks as your tongue gets used to sharing space with the brackets. Practice reading aloud helps this go away quickly.
- Cost: Because of the custom fabrication and the specialized skills required to place and adjust them, braces from behind teeth can sometimes be more expensive than traditional metal braces.
You should always consult with your orthodontist to find the best treatment for you! During your consultation, we will be honest about whether your specific bite (deep bites, for example) might interfere with the brackets on the back of your upper teeth.
Alpan Orthodontics: Your Lingual Braces Experts in Los Angeles
Finding a provider comfortable with lingual orthodontics can be challenging because it requires specialized training and equipment. Dr. David Alpan is a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) in the industry and Alpan Orthodontics has been a staple in Los Angeles, Century City, and Woodland Hills for decades.
We treat the smile, the bite, the face, the TMJ, and the airway because everything is connected. When you choose us for your lingual braces, you aren’t just getting straight teeth; you are getting a team dedicated to your long-term oral health and a smile that lasts a lifetime.
FAQ
Q: Do braces behind the teeth hurt more than regular braces?
A: The discomfort level is similar to traditional braces—you will feel pressure on your teeth as they move. However, you may experience some irritation on your tongue initially. We provide dental wax to help smooth over any rough spots while your mouth toughens up.
Q: How long does treatment take?
A: Treatment time varies by case complexity, but generally, it is comparable to traditional braces (12 to 24 months). At Alpan Orthodontics, we use acceleration technologies that can reduce this time significantly.
Final Thoughts
You shouldn’t have to choose between a professional appearance and a healthy, straight smile. Braces behind your teeth offer the perfect compromise: powerful orthodontic correction that is completely invisible to the world.
Whether you are in the boardroom or the classroom, lingual braces allow you to improve your smile with total confidence. If you are in the Los Angeles area, let the team at Alpan Orthodontics show you what’s possible.
Ready to transform your smile? Stop living with crooked teeth or hiding your smile. Schedule your free consultation online today or call one of our convenient Los Angeles locations to see if lingual braces are right for you.