How much lingual (behind-the-teeth) braces cost

Updated October 12, 2026.

Lingual (behind-the-teeth) braces usually cost $8,000 to $10,000 in the US before insurance. They are usually the most expensive option because the braces are custom-made to fit behind the teeth.

What lingual braces are

Lingual braces are brackets and wires like traditional braces, but they are fitted to the back surfaces of the teeth instead of the front (Cleveland Clinic). The AAO describes them as custom-made to fit the tongue side of your teeth, making them invisible from the outside (AAO), and says that despite their hidden position they effectively correct many orthodontic issues (AAO). Most people who choose them do so because they don't want anyone to be able to tell they have braces (Cleveland Clinic).

Why lingual braces cost the most

Because the braces are custom-made for the back of your teeth, the AAO describes lingual braces as usually a more expensive option (AAO). The published figures agree:

• CareCredit data published in 2022: $8,000 to $10,000, the highest of the four main types (CareCredit).
• CareCredit's 2024 average: $9,221, also the highest (CareCredit).
• Healthline's range: $5,000 to $13,000, showing how widely quotes can vary (Healthline).

At the low end of the 2022 ranges, lingual braces cost $5,000 more than metal braces and $4,000 more than clear aligners.

Lingual braces vs other options you can't easily see

If the goal is treatment that nobody notices, there are three options. They differ a lot in price and in how they fit into daily life.

Aligners are often the cheaper hidden option, but the AAO says they typically treat light to moderate alignment problems (AAO). If your case needs fixed braces and you don't want them seen, lingual braces are the main choice. Ceramic braces cost less again, but they are on the front of the teeth.

Comfort, cleaning and getting used to them

The AAO says lingual braces can be more challenging to clean and may be uncomfortable at first (AAO). With any braces, Cleveland Clinic lists temporary discomfort after placement and adjustments, and irritation of the tongue, lips or cheeks, as common, mild side effects; orthodontic wax over a rough spot helps (Cleveland Clinic). Because lingual braces sit on the tongue side, ask the orthodontist what to expect in the first weeks and how to clean around them.

Good cleaning protects the investment. Plaque that builds up around brackets can lead to cavities and gum problems (Cleveland Clinic), and dental work during treatment adds cost.

Who lingual braces suit

Adults often prioritize discreet options such as clear aligners, clear brackets or lingual braces, according to the AAO (AAO). Lingual braces make most sense if:

• being seen with braces would genuinely affect your work or confidence;
• your orthodontist says aligners won't give the result your case needs; and
• you can budget for the highest price range, or your insurance helps.

Ask whether the practice offers lingual braces and how it would approach your case. If seeing the braces doesn't bother you, ceramic or metal braces cost less for the same kind of fixed treatment.

How the price is set at your first visit

You won't get a firm price for lingual braces from a website. At the first appointment the orthodontist reviews your dental and medical history, takes records such as X-rays, explains the treatment options and then presents the cost, payment options, insurance coverage and any discounts (AAO). Most AAO orthodontists offer low-cost or free initial consultations (AAO), so it costs little to get a second opinion on a quote this large.

Age matters too. Cleveland Clinic says braces work just as well for adults, though they may take a little longer than for children, whose jaws are still developing (Cleveland Clinic). Longer treatment can mean a higher fee.

Paying for lingual braces

Insurance helps less with lingual braces than with cheaper options, because plans pay up to a lifetime maximum. In OrthoFi data for 2021 cited by Align, orthodontic coverage averaged $1,772 (Align, citing OrthoFi); against CareCredit's 2024 average of $9,221 for lingual braces, that would leave about $7,449 to pay. HSA and FSA money can cover part of the rest: for 2025 the health FSA limit is $3,300 (IRS Publication 969).

Monthly cost of lingual braces

After lingual braces: retainers

Treatment doesn't end when the braces come off. Everyone needs a retainer afterward, and the AAO says a retainer is typically needed for life, though you may wear it less often over time (AAO). The first set is often part of the treatment fee, but replacements may cost extra (AAO). A bonded (permanent) retainer is a thin wire bonded to the inner side of the teeth (AAO), so it stays out of sight too; in CareCredit's 2022 data bonded retainers cost $500 to $1,000. See retainer costs.

Questions to ask about lingual braces

• Would aligners or ceramic braces work for my case, and what would they cost?
• How long will treatment take, and are all adjustment visits included?
• What does the fee include: records, repairs, retainers?
• How does my insurance pay for lingual braces? Some plans pay only what metal braces would cost (Healthline).

Lingual costs in your state

Prices follow local living costs. Using 2024 state price levels, the typical price for lingual ranges from about $7,800 in Arkansas to $9,950 in California. See every state on braces cost by state, or run the calculator for lingual.

Is it worth the price?

With insurance

If your plan covers orthodontics, it typically pays a share of the fee up to a lifetime maximum. At 50% coverage, a $8,000 to $10,000 treatment would leave you about $4,000 to $5,000 if the plan had no maximum. Most plans have one: with a $2,500 lifetime maximum, as in Delta Dental of Virginia's example, you would pay about $5,500 to $7,500. Some plans only pay what standard metal braces would cost and leave you the difference for a pricier option (Healthline). Read more about how orthodontic insurance works.