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Elite Dental Clinic

Lingual braces

Lingual Braces in Kondapur, Hyderabad

Lingual braces in Kondapur are fixed braces bonded to the back surface of the teeth, so nothing shows when you smile. They move teeth in the same way as other fixed braces, but they sit against the tongue, which brings their own adjustments.

Elite Dental Clinic is a dental clinic in Kondapur, Hyderabad. This page is medically reviewed by Dr. Revathi Indukuri, a dentist at the clinic, and braces are planned by the clinic's orthodontists. It explains how braces behind the teeth in Kondapur work, who they suit, the risks and the trade-offs.

Illustration of five teeth with brackets and a wire fixed to their back surfaces, seen faintly through the teeth, drawn in Elite Dental gold and charcoal
Treatment
About 1.5 to 3 years
Brackets
Behind the teeth
Visits
Every 4 to 8 weeks
Open
Every day

Open every day from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. If you have pain or swelling, call or send a WhatsApp message before you come so your visit can be planned.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Revathi Indukuri, BDS, MDS (Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics). Last reviewed . About the reviewer

Quick answer

Lingual braces are fixed braces with brackets and a wire bonded to the inner surface of the teeth, where they cannot be seen from the front. At Elite Dental Clinic in Hyderabad, the orthodontist checks whether your teeth and tongue suit them, and explains what to expect with speech and cleaning.

01 Overview

What are lingual braces and how are they different?

Lingual braces work in the same way as other fixed braces. Brackets are bonded to the teeth and an arch wire is adjusted at regular visits to move the teeth gradually. The difference is where they sit. With lingual braces, the brackets are on the tongue side of the teeth, so they are hidden from view. Compared with metal braces and ceramic braces, which sit on the front, they are the most discreet fixed option.

Some lingual systems use brackets that are custom-made for each tooth from a scan, so they fit the back of your teeth closely and sit lower, which can be more comfortable. Others use standard brackets.

A systematic review of the evidence found that pain and discomfort were similar between lingual and front-fitted braces, although the tongue was more often the site of the discomfort with lingual braces. Patients were more likely to have difficulty with speech and chewing, and little data existed on how well the treatments worked compared with each other.1

For a wider look at hidden choices, see invisible braces, which also covers clear aligners. The general process is on the braces treatment page.

In short, lingual braces are hidden from the front, and the trade-off is a tongue that has to get used to them.

Lingual braces are often built with custom-made brackets shaped to the back surface of each tooth.

BehindFront
Lingual braces sit on the back of the teeth

02 Candidacy

Are lingual braces right for me in Kondapur?

Suitability is decided by an orthodontist after an examination and records. The two lists below describe the general pattern.

Who may suit lingual braces

  • Adults whose work or life makes visible braces difficult
  • People who want fixed braces that work all day without relying on wearing trays
  • Teeth that are long enough to carry the brackets behind them
  • People who can commit to careful cleaning and a longer adjustment period

Needs caution or a different plan

  • Very short or small teeth, where brackets have little surface to stick to
  • A deep bite where the lower teeth bite on the brackets
  • Speech-heavy work such as teaching or presenting, where early speech changes would be hard
  • Poor cleaning habits, because brackets behind the teeth are harder to clean

Lingual braces suit committed patients with suitable teeth, and not everyone should have them.

03 Options

Which type of lingual braces will I get in Kondapur?

Lingual braces come in more than one form, and the orthodontist helps you choose.

Custom-made lingual brackets

Each bracket is designed on a scan of your teeth and made to fit the back of that tooth. They are lower in profile, usually more comfortable for the tongue, and the wire is bent by a machine to a plan. They take longer to prepare.1

Made for you

Standard lingual brackets

Ready-made brackets are bonded to the back of each tooth and the wire is bent by hand. They suit a wider range of cases and can be quicker to start, though they may be bulkier for the tongue.

Ready-made

Lingual braces on one arch with other braces on the other

Some patients have lingual braces on the upper teeth, which show most, and front-fitted braces below, such as ceramic braces. This can cut the tongue irritation and the time needed for adjustment.

Combined

If a removable option suits you better, see Invisalign and self-ligating braces for fixed ones with clips.

Compared onLingual bracesMetal braces on the front
How visibleHidden behind the teethSilver and obvious
TongueIrritation is more likely1Cheek and lip are more likely to be sore
SpeechOften affected for a few weeksLittle effect
CleaningHarder to reachEasier to see and reach

Lingual braces trade tongue comfort, speech and cleaning for being fully hidden.

04 Procedure

How are lingual braces fitted, step by step?

Planning takes a little longer than for front-fitted braces. The steps below are what usually happens.

Brackets are bonded in one visit, and the wire is adjusted every few weeks.

  1. Examination, records and scans for lingual braces

    The orthodontist examines your teeth, bite and tongue space and takes photos, X-rays and a scan or impressions. For custom brackets the scan is sent to a laboratory, which can take a few weeks.

  2. Treating cavities and cleaning the teeth first

    Cavities and gum problems are treated first, and a teeth cleaning is done. Fluoride may be advised.

  3. Bonding the brackets to the back of the teeth

    The inner surfaces of the teeth are cleaned and dried, and each bracket is bonded in the planned position and hardened with a light. This takes longer than front bonding, because the back of the teeth is harder to reach.

  4. Fitting the wire and getting used to your tongue

    The arch wire is fitted and you are shown how to clean and what to expect. Wax is provided for tongue sore spots. Speech practice, such as reading aloud, helps.

  5. Adjustment visits every few weeks

    Every four to eight weeks the wire is changed or tightened. Adjustments can take longer than for front braces, and the orthodontist checks that the brackets are firm.

  6. Removing the braces and fitting retainers

    At the end the brackets are removed, the teeth polished and retainers fitted. Retainers keep the teeth from drifting back.

05 Cost

What decides the cost of lingual braces in Kondapur, Hyderabad?

Treatment is planned for one person, not sold as a product, so the cost follows your evaluation.

Every treatment is different, so Elite Dental Clinic does not quote a cost before an examination. You receive a written plan that lists each stage before any treatment starts.

What the evaluation looks at

  • How complex the crowding or bite problem is
  • Whether custom-made or standard brackets are used
  • How long treatment is expected to take
  • The number and length of adjustment visits

What you decide with the dentist

  • Whether one or both arches have lingual braces
  • Retainers after treatment
  • Treatment of cavities or gum problems first

Your own care matters too, because broken brackets and missed visits lengthen treatment.

The cost follows the plan, and the plan follows the evaluation.

06 Aftercare

How do I look after lingual braces?

Lingual braces ask more of your tongue and your cleaning. The steps below help.

The first two weeks

Your tongue may feel sore and your speech may sound different. Use wax over any sharp bracket, eat soft food and practise speaking and reading aloud. Most people adapt within a few weeks.

Cleaning behind the teeth

Brush after every meal, using a small-headed brush and a mirror to reach the inner surfaces. Interdental brushes and a water flosser help. Plaque left behind the teeth causes white marks and cavities that you cannot see.

Foods and habits

Avoid sticky sweets, chewing gum and hard foods such as nuts and ice. Do not push your tongue against the brackets or chew on pens.

Retainers and check-ups

Wear your retainers as advised. Keep to your adjustment visits and your cleaning visits, because problems behind the teeth are hard to see yourself.

When to call us

Call the clinic if a bracket comes off, a wire pokes into your tongue or cheek, or if you have a tongue ulcer that does not heal in two weeks. If a bracket is swallowed and you feel pain in the chest or throat, seek medical advice. If swelling spreads to the face or neck, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, go to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Expect a sore tongue at first, and clean behind the teeth with extra care.

07 Limits

When are lingual braces not the right choice?

The orthodontist may advise another option in these situations:

  • Very small or short teeth that cannot carry the brackets.
  • A deep bite where the lower teeth would knock the brackets off.
  • A job that depends on clear speech, where the early speech changes would be a problem.1
  • Active cavities or gum disease that has not been treated.
  • A wish for the lowest tongue irritation, where aligners or front-fitted braces may suit better.

For other hidden choices, see invisible braces and smile designing.

Risks and complications

The risks include sore teeth and a sore tongue, speech changes, difficulty chewing early on, mouth ulcers, white marks or cavities if cleaning is poor, shortening of the tooth roots in some patients, and teeth moving back if retainers are not worn.

In the systematic review, lingual braces were linked to more tongue pain and more speech difficulty than front-fitted braces, and complaints about difficulty cleaning and dietary changes were reported.1

The review found little data on how well lingual braces work compared with other braces.1 Results vary between people and no one can promise a particular outcome or finishing date.

Lingual braces carry extra tongue, speech and cleaning risks beyond those of all braces.

08 Your visit

What happens at your first lingual braces appointment in Kondapur?

At the first visit the orthodontist asks why you want hidden braces, examines your teeth, bite and tongue space, and may take photos and X-rays. You are told whether lingual braces suit you, how long treatment might take and what the alternatives are. You receive a written plan that lists each stage before any treatment starts.

Bring earlier dental records. Tell the orthodontist about your work, how much you speak, any allergies, and how you clean your teeth now.

The team speaks English, Telugu and Hindi. You are under no obligation to go ahead with treatment.

The first visit weighs your reasons against the trade-offs and ends with a plan.

09 Why this clinic

Why choose Elite Dental Clinic for lingual braces in Kondapur?

Dr. Revathi Indukuri in a white coat at the reception of Elite Dental Clinic, Kondapur

Medical reviewer of this page

Dr. Revathi Indukuri

BDS, MDS (Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics)

BDS, Sree Sai Dental College Research Institute, 2009

MDS, Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, Andhra Pradesh, 2016

Lingual braces are the only fixed braces that cannot be seen from the front, and for some people that matters a great deal. The trade-off is a tongue that feels the brackets, speech that needs a few weeks to settle and teeth that take more care to clean. I explain this before anyone chooses them.

Dr. Revathi Indukuri

Dr. Revathi Indukuri reviewed this page as a dentist at the clinic. The clinic's team board lists orthodontists, who plan and monitor braces, and the clinic can treat decay and gum problems before braces begin.

Orthodontists on the team

The team board lists orthodontists, who plan and monitor braces from start to finish.

The trade-offs are explained first

You are told about the tongue, speech and cleaning effects before you choose lingual braces.

A written plan before treatment

You receive a written plan before any treatment starts, so you know what is being done.

Alternatives compared honestly

Aligners, ceramic and metal braces are explained alongside lingual braces, including where they suit better.

The Elite Dental Clinic team standing together in the clinic corridor in Kondapur
The Elite Dental Clinic team at the Kondapur clinic.

Orthodontists, honest trade-offs and a written plan are what this clinic stands behind.

10 Reviews

Patient reviews of Elite Dental Clinic in Kondapur

4.9 out of 5 overall Google rating from 437 reviews. See all reviews on Google

Recent patient reviews of Elite Dental Clinic

“Had a good experience at this dental clinic. The staff was friendly and helpful, and the dentist explained the treatment clearly. The clinic was clean and the overall experience was comfortable. Would recommend this clinic for dental care.”

Hajra Begum, Google review

“Very excellent service provided and dr Revathi mam was very kind and done too professional service..towards patient.. I am very happy that I got to know about elite dental clinic”

marey alexcharitha, Google review

“Very good treatment and I had an excellent experience at this dental hospital.”

krishna chaitanya, Google review

11 Visit us

Dentist in Kondapur, Hyderabad: location, hours and access

Elite Dental Clinic 2nd floor, Artham's Arcade, above Vijaya Diagnostics
Kondapur, Raghavendra Colony, Gachibowli
Hyderabad, Telangana 500084
070320 78789
Opening hours
Monday to Sunday9:00 am to 9:00 pm

The clinic is on the second floor of Artham's Arcade, above Vijaya Diagnostics, in Raghavendra Colony.

Patients looking for braces behind the teeth in Kondapur will find the clinic above Vijaya Diagnostics in Artham's Arcade, Raghavendra Colony. Languages spoken: English, Telugu and Hindi. More about the clinic: dentist in Kondapur.

The clinic is on the second floor above Vijaya Diagnostics and is open every day from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.

12 Travelling patients

Lingual braces in Hyderabad for patients from other cities and countries

Lingual braces need adjustment every few weeks, often for two years or more, so they suit people who live in or near Hyderabad. Connect with the clinic on WhatsApp or by phone before you travel, and the team will help plan an assessment visit.

If you are moving to Hyderabad for work or study, ask the team about the likely length of treatment, the visit schedule and how custom brackets are prepared. If you travel often, ask whether another option would suit you better.

Ask for your records, X-rays and a written summary before you leave. The clinic is open every day from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, and the team speaks English, Hindi and Telugu.

Plan the visits before you travel, and take your records home.

13 Questions

Lingual braces questions from patients in Kondapur

What are lingual braces?

They are fixed braces bonded to the inner, tongue-side surface of the teeth, so they cannot be seen from the front. They use brackets and a wire like other braces and move the teeth in the same way. Some are custom-made from a scan of your teeth.

Do lingual braces hurt?

The teeth feel sore for a few days after fitting and after adjustments, as with other braces. The tongue is more often sore with lingual braces, and wax helps. Reviews found that overall pain was similar to front-fitted braces.

Will lingual braces affect my speech?

They can, especially in the first weeks, because the brackets take up space where the tongue rests. Most people adapt within a few weeks, and reading aloud helps. If speech is central to your work, discuss it with the orthodontist.

How long does treatment with lingual braces take?

Commonly from about one and a half to three years, depending on the problem. Adjustment visits can take longer than with front braces. A retainer is worn afterwards. The orthodontist gives an estimate after the records.

Are lingual braces as effective as front braces?

They can treat many of the same problems, but a systematic review found little data comparing how well they work. They may be harder to adjust in some cases. The orthodontist tells you whether your teeth suit them.

Are lingual braces hard to clean?

Yes, the back of the teeth is harder to see and reach. A small-headed brush, interdental brushes, a water flosser and a mirror help. Regular cleaning visits are important, and white marks or cavities can develop if plaque is left behind.

How is the cost of lingual braces decided?

The cost is given after the examination and scans. The complexity of the problem, whether custom or standard brackets are used, the treatment time, the retainers and any treatment needed first all change the plan. You receive a written plan before treatment starts.

Can I have lingual braces on only one arch?

Yes. Some patients have lingual braces on the upper teeth, which show most, and front-fitted braces on the lower teeth. This can reduce tongue irritation and adjustment time. The orthodontist advises whether it suits your case.

14 Second opinion

Want braces that nobody can see?

Bring your questions to an examination. The orthodontist will tell you whether lingual braces suit your teeth and your tongue, and compare them with the other hidden options. Call or send a WhatsApp message to book. The visit is the first step, and you are under no obligation to go ahead with treatment.

15 Related

Treatments often considered alongside lingual braces

Invisible braces

A comparison of aligners, ceramic and lingual braces.

Ceramic braces

Tooth-coloured fixed braces that sit on the front of the teeth.

Metal braces

The traditional, strongest option that lingual braces are compared with.

Sources

  1. Lingual orthodontic treatment: what is the current evidence base?, The Angle Orthodontist, 2013
  2. Braces (Mouth Healthy), American Dental Association
  3. Critical evaluation of incidence and prevalence of white spot lesions during fixed orthodontic appliance treatment, Journal of International Society of Preventive and Community Dentistry, 2015

This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an examination, and results vary between patients.