Diagnosis & Records
Consultation, photographs, intraoral scans or impressions and radiographs may be part of the planning process.
Lingual braces are fixed orthodontic braces placed behind the teeth, making them far less visible from the front. This guide explains the average lingual braces cost in 2026, why hidden braces usually cost more than conventional metal braces, what may be included in the fee, insurance and retainer costs, treatment factors, advantages, drawbacks and how lingual braces compare with ceramic braces and clear aligners.
CareCredit's current braces cost guide reports lingual braces as the most expensive of the major treatment types in its comparison. The exact orthodontic fee depends on case complexity, treatment duration, provider, geography and what is included.
Current national average reported by CareCredit. The published lingual braces range is $7,321 to $17,411.
Lower end of the reported national range.
Complex or higher-cost care can reach the upper end.
Useful comparison for a more conventional fixed-braces option.
Planning note: national averages are not quotes. Ask whether consultation, records, appliance fabrication, adjustment visits, emergency repairs, removal and retainers are included in your orthodontist's fee.
Lingual brackets and wires are attached to the tongue-facing surfaces of the teeth rather than the front surfaces. The figure labels are deliberately kept away from the tooth illustration for readability.
The braces are fixed behind the teeth, which makes them difficult to see from the front.
Customization, placement behind the teeth and specialized technique help explain why lingual braces generally cost more than conventional metal braces.
Lingual braces cost more on average than conventional fixed braces because the appliance is positioned on the back, or tongue side, of the teeth and may be custom designed for the patient's dental anatomy. The American Association of Orthodontists describes lingual braces as virtually invisible from the outside and notes that they are usually a more expensive orthodontic option.
CareCredit's current braces pricing guide reports an average lingual braces cost of $9,221, compared with $6,343 for metal braces, $5,834 for ceramic braces and $5,108 for clear aligners. These are national planning figures; your local orthodontic quote can be higher or lower.
CareCredit reports a national average of $9,221 for lingual braces, with a published range of $7,321 to $17,411. This wide range reflects major differences in case complexity, treatment duration, provider fees and the way an orthodontic practice packages its services.
| Orthodontic Treatment | Average Cost | Published Range | Visibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lingual braces | $9,221 | $7,321–$17,411 | Virtually hidden behind teeth |
| Metal braces | $6,343 | $2,500–$10,000 | Most visible |
| Ceramic braces | $5,834 | $4,480–$11,312 | Less visible than metal |
| Clear aligners | $5,108 | $1,800–$8,100 | Nearly invisible, removable |
Compare the full treatment package: an orthodontic quote should clarify whether diagnostic records, appliance placement, scheduled adjustment visits, emergency visits, braces removal and retainers are included.
Metal braces are generally the lower-cost fixed-braces option in national price comparisons. CareCredit reports a $6,343 average for metal braces compared with $9,221 for lingual braces. The difference is approximately $2,878 based on those averages.
Placed behind the teeth and difficult to see from the front. They can be appealing for adults or patients who want a fixed appliance with minimal visible hardware.
Placed on the front surfaces of the teeth. They are highly visible but are widely used, durable and generally less expensive than lingual systems.
The choice should not be based on price alone. Your bite, tooth position, periodontal condition, oral hygiene, treatment complexity and orthodontist's experience with a specific appliance system all matter.
Ceramic braces use tooth-colored or clear brackets on the front of the teeth, so they are less visible than metal braces but not completely hidden. CareCredit reports a $5,834 average for ceramic braces compared with $9,221 for lingual braces.
For a patient prioritizing appearance, the tradeoff is usually between less-visible front brackets and brackets hidden behind the teeth. Ceramic braces may be easier for many orthodontists to access during adjustments, while lingual braces provide the stronger aesthetic benefit of keeping the appliance behind the smile.
Clear aligners are another discreet orthodontic option, but the treatment works differently. Lingual braces remain attached to the teeth throughout active treatment, while clear aligners are removable trays that depend on consistent wear.
CareCredit reports a $5,108 average for clear aligners, which is considerably below the $9,221 lingual-braces average. The AAO explains that braces and aligners can treat different ranges of orthodontic problems and that treatment choice depends on the complexity of the malocclusion.
Two patients receiving lingual braces can receive substantially different treatment quotes. The final fee reflects the orthodontic problem and the treatment system used to correct it.
Orthodontic practices package fees differently. Some quote one comprehensive amount, while others separate records, retainers or repairs. Ask for a written financial agreement before treatment begins.
Consultation, photographs, intraoral scans or impressions and radiographs may be part of the planning process.
Bracket placement, archwires and routine adjustment appointments are the core of the orthodontic fee.
Braces removal, final records and one or more retainers may be included or billed separately.
After active orthodontic treatment, retainers help maintain the new tooth positions. CareCredit's dental cost list reports average retainer costs of approximately $344 for a bonded retainer, $181 for a clear plastic retainer and $302 for a molded acrylic retainer.
Your orthodontist may include retainers in the original treatment fee, charge separately or include an initial set but charge for future replacements. Ask about replacement policies because retainers can wear, break or be lost over time.
Orthodontic insurance varies widely. Some dental plans offer no orthodontic benefit, while others cover a percentage of treatment subject to a separate lifetime orthodontic maximum. An ADA introduction to dental benefits gives an example plan design with 50% orthodontic coverage subject to a $1,000 lifetime maximum, illustrating how orthodontic benefits can differ from ordinary annual dental coverage.
Your real plan can use different percentages, age restrictions, waiting periods, network rules, treatment-in-progress exclusions or lifetime limits. It may also base payment on an allowed fee that is lower than the orthodontist's full fee.
Ask whether adult orthodontics is covered, whether lingual braces are eligible, what percentage the plan pays, whether there is a lifetime maximum and whether payments are made all at once or over the course of treatment.
Because lingual brackets sit on the tongue side of the teeth, they can require an adjustment period. The AAO notes that lingual braces can be more challenging to clean and may be uncomfortable at first. Some patients may notice tongue irritation or temporary speech changes while adapting.
The tongue contacts the inside surfaces of the teeth during speech and swallowing, so lingual hardware can feel unfamiliar early in treatment.
Brackets behind the teeth are less visible but also harder to see during brushing and interdental cleaning, making technique especially important.
Fixed braces can trap food and plaque around brackets and wires. With lingual braces, the hidden position makes careful oral hygiene particularly important because it is harder to inspect the appliance visually.
Lingual braces can correct many orthodontic problems, but they are not automatically the best choice for every patient. The AAO notes that the appropriate treatment type depends on the malocclusion and individual needs. Tooth size, bite, gum health, oral hygiene, treatment complexity and available lingual-braces expertise can all influence the decision.
Do not choose orthodontic treatment based only on visibility: a specialist should evaluate the bite and explain which systems can predictably achieve the treatment goals.
Very discreet appearance; fixed appliance that does not depend on remembering to wear trays; ability to treat many orthodontic problems; front surfaces of the teeth remain free of visible brackets.
Higher average cost; more difficult cleaning; tongue irritation or speech adaptation early in treatment; not every orthodontist offers lingual systems; appliance access can be technically demanding.
The main reason patients consider lingual braces is aesthetics. Because the brackets sit behind the teeth, the appliance is difficult to see during normal conversation or photographs. The price premium may be worthwhile for someone who strongly values a hidden fixed appliance and is a suitable clinical candidate.
For another patient, ceramic braces or clear aligners may provide enough discretion at a lower average cost. The best value is therefore not simply the cheapest treatment—it is the treatment that can achieve the orthodontic goals while matching the patient's preferences, maintenance ability and budget.
Ask which lingual system or customized appliance will be used and whether both arches are treated.
Check whether all routine adjustments, emergency repairs and treatment refinements are part of the fee.
Ask which retainers are included, how many sets you receive and what replacement retainers cost.
Separate the orthodontist's total fee from the estimated insurance benefit and any financing charges.
If your orthodontic plan also requires restorative dental work before, during or after treatment, these three calculators can help you budget those separate services.
This guide uses current national consumer cost data for braces pricing and authoritative orthodontic sources for treatment descriptions. Cost figures are planning references rather than local fee schedules.
| Source | Used For | Important Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| CareCredit Dental Braces Cost Guide | Lingual, metal, ceramic and clear-aligner averages and ranges. | National cost data does not predict a specific orthodontist's quote. |
| CareCredit Dental Procedure Cost List | Average retainer costs and orthodontic procedure comparisons. | Actual local fees can differ. |
| American Association of Orthodontists — Braces | Lingual-braces placement, visibility and comparison with other orthodontic treatments. | Clinical education, not a fee schedule. |
| American Association of Orthodontists — Braces Cost | Why cost varies and why lingual braces are generally more expensive. | Does not provide one universal price. |
| American Dental Association — Dental Plan Benefits & Limitations | General insurance limitations and plan benefit concepts. | Your own benefit contract determines actual coverage. |
Common questions about hidden braces prices, insurance, comparisons, cleaning, retainers and treatment planning.
CareCredit reports an average lingual braces cost of $9,221 and a published range of $7,321–$17,411.
They are placed behind the teeth and may use customized brackets and wires. The hidden position and specialized treatment technique generally make them more expensive than conventional metal braces.
Yes on average. CareCredit reports $9,221 for lingual braces compared with $6,343 for metal braces.
Yes in the current national comparison. Ceramic braces average $5,834 versus $9,221 for lingual braces.
Yes on average. Clear aligners are reported at $5,108 compared with $9,221 for lingual braces.
They are mounted on the back or tongue side of the teeth, making them virtually invisible from the front for many patients.
Like other orthodontic appliances, they can cause temporary soreness after placement and adjustments. Their tongue-side location can also cause irritation while the mouth adapts.
Some patients notice temporary speech changes while the tongue adapts to brackets behind the teeth. The degree and duration vary.
They can be more challenging to clean because the brackets are behind the teeth. Careful brushing and interdental cleaning are important throughout treatment.
Coverage depends on the plan. Some plans provide orthodontic benefits subject to percentages, age limits and lifetime maximums, while others may exclude adult orthodontics or certain treatment types.
Sometimes. Orthodontic offices package fees differently, so ask whether the first set of retainers is included and what future replacements cost.
CareCredit reports average costs of about $344 for bonded retainers, $181 for clear plastic retainers and $302 for molded acrylic retainers.
No single appliance fits every case. An orthodontist must evaluate the bite, tooth anatomy, gums, treatment goals and other clinical factors before recommending a system.
Neither is universally better. They have different advantages, limitations and case-selection considerations. The appropriate option depends on the malocclusion, treatment goals and patient preferences.
No. It is an educational cost guide using published national planning references. Your orthodontist must provide the actual treatment plan and fee.
Ask for a written orthodontic quote that clearly states the appliance, both arches if applicable, adjustment visits, repairs, removal, retainers, insurance estimate and any charges that can occur outside the main treatment fee.
Review Lingual Braces Cost