When most people think of braces, they imagine a mouth full of metal—something obvious, bulky, and best avoided in adulthood. But what if we told you there’s a way to straighten your teeth without anyone seeing your braces at all?
Welcome to the world of lingual braces – the most invisible orthodontic option available because the braces are placed BEHIND your teeth. At The OrthoSpaceship, Dr. Hakim and Dr. Chantal combine the power of lingual braces with a comprehensive, whole-health approach to give patients a straighter smile that doesn’t just look good, but supports long-term oral health, jaw function, and confidence.
In this post, we’ll walk you through what lingual braces are, who they’re for, how they compare to other treatments, and why our patients—especially those in front of a camera—choose them again and again.
When most people think of braces, they imagine a mouth full of metal—something obvious, bulky, and best avoided in adulthood. But what if we told you there’s a way to straighten your teeth without anyone seeing your braces at all?
Welcome to the world of lingual braces – the most invisible orthodontic option available because the braces are placed BEHIND your teeth. At The OrthoSpaceship, Dr. Isaac Hakim and Dr. Chantal Hakim combine the power of lingual braces with a comprehensive, whole-health approach to give patients a straighter smile that doesn’t just look good, but supports long-term oral health, jaw function, and confidence.
In this post, we’ll walk you through what lingual braces are, who they’re for, how they compare to other treatments, and why our patients—especially those in front of a camera—choose them again and again.
What Are Lingual Braces?
Lingual braces are similar to traditional braces—but with one major difference: they’re placed behind your teeth. That means they’re completely hidden when you talk, smile, or laugh.
Just like traditional braces, they use a system of brackets and wires to move your teeth into alignment. But instead of being bonded to the front of your teeth, lingual brackets are custom-fit to the inner (lingual) side, making them virtually invisible.
At The OrthoSpaceship, we use low-profile, self-ligating lingual brackets, which are smaller, more comfortable, and more efficient than older systems. These brackets work by using a metal door rather than elastic ties, which allows the wires to work longer and more effectively with fewer office visits.
Lingual Braces vs. Other Options
| Feature | Lingual Braces | Invisalign | Traditional Braces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Hidden behind teeth | Clear, but still noticeable | Fully visible |
| Effectiveness | High, even for complex cases | Moderate to high | High |
| Removable | No | Yes (requires discipline) | No |
| Comfort | Tongue-side irritation | Generally more comfortable | Lip-side discomfort |
| Compliance Required | No | Yes | No |
| Maintenance | Special hygiene tools | Must clean trays | Brush around brackets |
Many patients at The OrthoSpaceship come to us after trying clear aligners but struggling with compliance or losing trays. Lingual braces offer the best of both worlds—they’re invisible and always working.
The OrthoSpaceship Difference: Advanced Self-Ligating Lingual Braces
Not all lingual braces are created equal. At The OrthoSpaceship, we’ve intentionally chosen to use a self-ligating lingual bracket system that offers more comfort, efficiency, and precision than other systems on the market.
Let’s break down the differences:
Types of Lingual Braces on the Market
InBrace
This system uses a pre-formed wire and Smartwire technology, offering a “set it and forget it” appeal. While it gained popularity for its simplicity and direct-to-consumer marketing, it’s not fully customizable for complex cases and limits the orthodontist’s ability to control finer details of movement. It’s often best for very mild to moderate cosmetic issues, not comprehensive correction.
Incognito
Once considered the gold standard in lingual orthodontics, Incognito offered custom-designed gold brackets for each tooth. While effective, it was a highly labor-intensive and expensive system that has since been discontinued, limiting availability and support.
Why We Chose Self-Ligating Lingual Brackets
At our office, Dr. Isaac Hakim and Dr. Chantal Hakim use a self-ligating lingual bracket system that we believe offers the best blend of comfort, performance, and precision for our patients. Here’s why:
- Low-profile brackets reduce tongue irritation and make the adjustment period easier
- Self-ligating design uses a small metal door instead of rubber ties, which means less friction and more comfortable forces
- Wires work longer between visits, moving teeth more efficiently and reducing the number of appointments you need
- Greater control over tooth movement, allowing us to treat more complex cases than other systems can manage
Because these brackets are fully customized for each patient and placed with precision using your 3D digital scans, they offer the ideal combination of invisibility, comfort, and high-level orthodontic control.
Precision Placement with Custom Technology
Every patient at The OrthoSpaceship begins with a comprehensive whole-health evaluation. We don’t just look at your teeth—we analyze how your bite, jaw joints, airway, and facial growth are working together. Here’s what makes our process unique:
- We take a 3D CBCT scan to evaluate airway health, jaw joints, bone support, and any underlying issues that could affect treatment
- We use digital scans to create custom lingual brackets for each tooth, which are then manufactured and precisely positioned
- Every treatment plan is developed and reviewed in detail by Dr. Hakim and Dr. Chantal to ensure it supports long-term function, stability, and aesthetics
This level of planning gives patients peace of mind knowing that everything is being done right the first time.
Why Choose The OrthoSpaceship?
There are many offices that offer lingual braces—but very few take the time to understand your health as deeply as we do.
At The OrthoSpaceship, Dr. Hakim and Dr. Chantal don’t just straighten teeth—they build treatment plans that support healthy jaws, better breathing, stable joints, and beautiful smiles that last. Every lingual case is carefully selected and thoughtfully designed for your unique anatomy and lifestyle.
As we always say:
If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it again?
Ready to See If Lingual Braces Are Right for You?
Your journey starts with a conversation. Schedule your complimentary consultation at The OrthoSpaceship, and let Dr. Hakim and Dr. Chantal guide you toward a treatment plan that’s right for your smile and your health.