Lingual brackets

Lingual brackets have recently become fashionable again due to the increasing number of adults seeking orthodontic treatment. Special brackets are attached to the inside of the teeth, and custom-made arch-wires used to align the teeth into position. Treatment can be as successful as all the methods above, but because the appliance is not noticeable to others, patients often find this type of appliance more acceptable.

There are some draw-backs though. As the appliance is on the inside of the teeth, it usually irritates the tongue and affects speech slightly at least in the early stages of treatment. The complexity of the treatment means that the adjustment visits are longer and so usually is the total treatment duration. This, together with the technical cost of customising each bracket and arch-wire for every patient, means that it is significantly more expensive.