What Are Lingual Braces?
Lingual braces are orthodontic brackets and wires bonded to the back (lingual, or tongue-side) surfaces of the teeth rather than the front. Because the hardware faces inward, lingual braces are the only truly invisible fixed appliance. Nothing shows when the patient smiles or speaks.
They correct the same conditions as conventional braces: crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites.
Popular lingual systems include Incognito (by 3M), Harmony, the now-defunct InBrace, and Brava by Brius (the newest entrant). Each uses custom brackets manufactured to fit the contours of each tooth’s lingual surface. Treatment typically takes 18–36 months.
Roughly two to three times the cost of every other discreet option.
Clinical Note
Four factors drove the decision. Each observed firsthand over years of lingual orthodontic practice.
Manufacturer Instability
Lingual braces companies have repeatedly shut down or left the US market. InBrace is the most recent casualty, patients were left mid-treatment with no replacement parts. Incognito and Harmony have faced their own distribution and availability challenges.
Brava by Brius is the newest entrant, but the fundamental market dynamic remains unchanged: low patient demand makes lingual braces economically fragile for manufacturers. When your custom brackets cannot be replaced, treatment stalls or must restart with a different system entirely.
Severe Tongue Discomfort
The tongue is one of the most sensitive structures in the body. Lingual brackets press directly against it during speaking, eating, and swallowing. Research shows lingual braces cause more severe pain and longer recovery than front-facing braces or aligners. Many patients experience a noticeable lisp lasting one month or more.
A published study of 68 adults found lingual braces produced the most severe pain of all braces types.
Breakage & Emergency Delays
When a custom lingual bracket breaks or debonds, it cannot be replaced from office stock. It must be reordered from the manufacturer, a process that can take weeks. During that time, treatment progress stops or reverses. With front-facing braces, replacement brackets are readily available in-office for same-day repair.
Disproportionate Cost
Lingual braces cost significantly more than any alternative. The premium reflects custom manufacturing, specialized training, and longer chair time, not better outcomes.
Clear ceramic braces deliver equivalent discretion at conversation distance. Angel Aligners are typically the lower-cost clear option. Current fees are on our braces cost page.
Exact pricing is confirmed at the consultation after Dr. Marty reviews the specific case.
Clear ceramic braces and modern aligners achieve the same discreet result without those risks, which is why Bold Bite Orthodontics now routes discretion-focused patients there instead.
The Decline of Lingual Braces as a Category
Brava by Brius is the newest entrant, but early clinical feedback describes steep learning curves, extended tongue adaptation periods, and limited case-type suitability. The industry pattern is consistent: the discreet-treatment market has moved to clear ceramic brackets and aligners, not lingual systems.
Which is the category Bold Bite now recommends.
Lingual Braces vs Clear Braces vs Invisalign
If discretion is your priority, these alternatives deliver comparable or superior invisibility with dramatically lower risk.
| Factor | Lingual Braces | Clear Ceramic Braces | Invisalign / Angel Aligners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility |
100% hidden (behind teeth)
|
Translucent, near-invisible at conversation distance
|
Clear removable trays, nearly invisible |
| Tongue Pain |
Severe, constant tongue contact
|
None, brackets face outward
|
None, smooth plastic |
| Speech Impact |
Lisp lasting 1+ months (research-confirmed)
|
Minimal, brief adjustment
|
Minimal, brief adjustment |
| Manufacturer Stability |
InBrace shut down; Incognito/Harmony uncertain; Brava newest in same low-demand market
|
Established brands, no history of market exits
|
Invisalign (Align Tech) + Angel, stable |
| Bracket Replacement |
Custom reorder, weeks of delay
|
In-office replacement, same day
|
N/A, trays are replaceable |
| Starting Price |
a premium
|
See current fees
|
Invisalign and Angel Aligners: see current fees |
| Complex Cases |
Effective but limited by access
|
Full range, same as metal
|
Mild to moderate preferred |
| Oral Hygiene |
Extremely difficult to clean
|
Moderate, careful brushing needed
|
Easy, remove trays to brush |
| Offered at Bold Bite |
No. Discontinued
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Lower Entry
Angel Aligners offer near-total invisibility and zero tongue discomfort. Current fees are on our Invisalign cost page.
What Bold Bite Recommends Instead
Patients in Jacksonville who arrived on this page looking for invisible treatment have three strong options at Bold Bite Orthodontics, each discreet in its own way, each backed by manufacturers with no history of market exits, and each priced at roughly half or less of what lingual braces cost. Dr. Marty will match the case to the right option during the free consultation.
Clear Self-Ligating Ceramic Braces
Invisalign & Angel Aligners
Modern Metal Braces
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Bold Bite stop offering lingual braces?
(1) Company instability, lingual braces manufacturers have repeatedly shut down or left the US market, leaving patients stranded mid-treatment. InBrace is the most recent example.
(2) Patient experience. Lingual brackets cause significantly more tongue pain, speech impediment, and eating difficulty than any other braces type. (3) Breakage risk, when custom lingual brackets break, they must be reordered from the manufacturer, delaying treatment by weeks.
Modern clear ceramic braces and clear aligners now achieve the same discreet appearance without these risks.
What are the best alternatives to lingual braces?
Both avoid the tongue pain, speech issues, and manufacturer instability risks of lingual braces.
How much do lingual braces cost?
The premium on lingual braces reflects custom manufacturing and longer chair time, not better outcomes. Use our cost calculator to see exact pricing for alternatives.
Are lingual braces more painful than regular braces?
Many patients experience a noticeable lisp that can last one month or more. A study of 68 adults found that lingual braces patients had the most severe pain of all braces types.
What happened to InBrace, Incognito, and other lingual braces?
This pattern of instability is a core reason Dr. Marty discontinued lingual braces, when a manufacturer exits, patients needing replacements have no recourse. This risk does not exist with established systems like metal braces, ceramic braces, Invisalign, or Angel Aligners.
Will Bold Bite ever offer lingual braces again?
If a new lingual system emerges with proven long-term stability, in-office bracket replacement, and comparable comfort to modern alternatives, Dr. Marty will reassess. Until then, the recommendation remains clear ceramic braces or Angel/Invisalign.
