Lingual Braces Cost – Is It Worth It?

Do you know that over 4 million people in Canada and the USA wear braces? With lingual braces being most people’s preference. Why?

For starters, they are aesthetically pleasing. Unlike traditional braces, lingual braces are applied to the back surface of your teeth. It means they are not visible to the naked eye. Also, compared to aligners, they are more effective in correcting bite alignments and complex tooth movements. 

Do these factors peak your interest in lingual braces?  There is one important decision driver: lingual braces cost. Lingual braces are more costly than traditional braces. It relies on many factors, from your orthodontist’s level of expertise to your dental needs. This blog will cover the nuances of lingual braces cost. We will also take a quick look at the components of lingual braces and the factors driving them.

Let’s dive in.

Components And Materials For Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are similar to traditional braces and help fix your smile and teeth alignment. The only difference is that you put it on the back surface of your teeth, which makes it invisible to the people around you.

With lingual braces, orthodontists have to customize brackets and attach them to the back of each tooth, so no one can see it easily. As with traditional braces these lingual brackets and wires need periodic adjustments so they put the right pressure and help your teeth move.

How Do Lingual Braces Work

• Your orthodontist will take an impression of your teeth and build a custom transfer tray for your brackets.
• They will place these tailored brackets on the back of each tooth using the custom made transfer tray.
• Orthodontists will then place custom made wires to those brackets and will have periodic adjustments for your teeth to move into the needed position.

Because they are attached to the back of your teeth, lingual braces are great to enjoy your improving smile over the course of treatment. The success of lingual braces also highly relies on your orthodontist’s experience, make sure to pick a skilled orthodontist like Dr. Stephan Tisseront.

 

As a world leader in the technology of Custom Lingual (behind your teeth) braces, I am proud to be the largest provider in the U.S. My background also includes Wilckodontics, Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs) and all the latest technological advances that make sense for my patients.

I am the founding member of the prestigious Elite Lingual Orthodontist Study Club (ELOS) that gathers the best lingual providers in the US and Canada.

 

 

Factors Affecting Cost Of Lingual Braces

Numerous factors affect the cost of lingual braces, which often include:

• Level of dental complexity and customization

The position of your teeth and the condition of your oral health will determine the treatment time and cost of braces. More complex cases mean more customization would be required.

• Treatment time

Complex dental cases would need more attention from your orthodontist, which means more visits for adjustments.

• Location

Do you dwell in a larger city or a posh urban area? It may affect your lingual braces treatment cost. Vice versa if it’s a small town.

• Orthodontist’s experience

Lingual braces need a high level of experience since it involves delicate hands and proper techniques during appointments. Which automatically means more of an investment in return for their expertise.

 

Average Cost Of Lingual Braces

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, braces cost anywhere between $8000 to $10,000.  However, you need to take in consideration location and complex treatments which can go as high as $13000.

 

Lingual Braces Cost With Insurance

Insurance coverage is one of the factors of lingual braces cost. Some dental plans cover a part of your braces treatment. The financial coordinator will help you figure out your insurance benefits.

Apart from this, other factors that determine lingual braces cost with insurance include:

• Age and oral condition of your teeth
• The severity of the orthodontic problem
• Length of treatment

Lingual Braces Vs Other Orthodontic Treatments

Clear aligners and traditional braces are the two most preferred alternatives to lingual braces. Both these methods generally are less of an investment. If you want to balance exceptional results, cost, and time, then traditional braces are the best. Go for clear aligners if you want a treatment that doesn’t affect the aesthetics of your mouth but could have some treatment compromises aligners can not fix.

Here’s a detailed comparison chart for better analysis:

Characteristics	Lingual braces	Clear aligners	Traditional braces
Cost	$5000-13000	$3500-8500	$2500-9500
Appearance	Invisible since they are put on the back of the teeth. Possibility of small clear buttons on upper canines for rubber bands if bite alignment is needed.	Invisible since they involve wearing transparent trays. Most likely will have some visible attachments on teeth to help with certain tooth movements. Not all tooth movements can be fully corrected with aligners.	Visible since they are applied to the front of the teeth. You have the choice of ties every appointment. Especially fun for children who like picking a new color each visit.
Suitable for	All cases	80% of cases	All cases
Treatment length	12-24 months	12-24 months	12-24 months
Frequency of visits	6-8 weeks	8-12 weeks	6-8 weeks
Appointment duration	30-45 minutes	20 minutes	30 minutes
Cleaning	Needs special cleaning to remove debris	Trays can be removed to clean	Require special effort to clean

Conclusion

In this blog, you have learned all the vital nuances of lingual braces cost and how various factors affect the cost of lingual braces. Although the are more costly than traditional braces, there’s always a silver lining! Try doing this:

• Make sure to choose the right insurance plan that covers a portion of your treatment.
• Many orthodontic offices offer  interest free financing options or other credit facilities.