Lingual & Incognito Braces: The Completely Hidden Braces Option 1

Lingual & Incognito Braces: The Completely Hidden Braces Option

ByDr.O Reading Time: 5 minutes
Lingual & Incognito Braces: The Completely Hidden Braces Option | Othman Orthodontics in Lombard & Orland Park, IL

Lingual & Incognito Braces: The Completely Hidden Braces Option

Many patients want a straighter smile but don’t want anyone to see braces on their teeth. If that sounds like you, lingual braces and Incognito™ braces may be exactly what you’re looking for.

At Othman Orthodontics, with offices in Lombard, IL and Orland Park, IL, we offer lingual braces and Incognito braces for patients who want the control of braces with the secrecy of a truly “hidden” option.

In this guide, we’ll explain:

  • What lingual and Incognito braces are
  • How they work and how they differ from traditional braces
  • Their advantages and considerations
  • How they compare to Invisalign
  • Who is a good candidate for hidden braces

What Are Lingual Braces?

Lingual braces are braces that are placed on the tongue side (lingual side) of your teeth instead of the front. That means:

  • They are essentially invisible when you smile, talk or laugh.
  • They work using brackets and wires, just like traditional braces.
  • They allow your orthodontist full control over tooth movement.

From the outside, no one can see that you’re wearing braces. Only you and your orthodontic team in Lombard or Orland Park know.

What Are Incognito™ Braces?

Incognito™ braces are a specialized type of lingual braces. They are:

  • Custom-designed for each tooth using advanced digital technology.
  • Made from gold alloy brackets that are low profile and precisely contoured.
  • Bonded to the back surfaces of your teeth for completely hidden treatment.

Incognito braces combine the power of custom engineering with the invisibility of lingual placement, making them one of the most discreet orthodontic options available.

How Lingual and Incognito Braces Work

Although they’re placed on the back of the teeth, lingual and Incognito braces follow the same basic principles as traditional braces:

  • Brackets are bonded to each tooth.
  • A precisely shaped archwire connects the brackets.
  • The wire gently guides teeth into new, ideal positions over time.

Because they sit on the inside surfaces, they require:

  • Specialized training and experience from your orthodontist.
  • Custom planning and, in the case of Incognito braces, custom-made brackets and wires.

At Othman Orthodontics, we use digital planning and careful diagnostics to design your lingual or Incognito treatment around your specific needs and goals.

Benefits of Hidden Braces

1. Truly Invisible from the Front

Unlike ceramic braces (which are more discreet but still visible) or clear aligners (which can be seen up close), lingual and Incognito braces are completely hidden behind your teeth. This is a major advantage for:

  • Professionals in client-facing or camera-facing roles.
  • Adults who prefer a low-profile treatment.
  • Performers, public speakers and people often in photos or video.

2. 24/7 Treatment (No Removal Needed)

Because lingual and Incognito braces are fixed in place, they:

  • Work around the clock, just like traditional braces.
  • Don’t rely on you remembering to wear aligners 20–22 hours a day.

For some patients who want an invisible option but worry about removable aligners, hidden braces offer the best of both worlds.

3. Comprehensive Control for Complex Cases

Lingual braces and Incognito braces can treat many of the same issues as front-side braces, including:

  • Severe crowding or spacing.
  • Bite problems like overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite.
  • Rotations and vertical tooth movements.

For many complex cases that are not ideal for clear aligners alone, hidden braces provide a powerful alternative.

What to Expect: Comfort, Speech and Adaptation

Comfort

With lingual and Incognito braces, brackets and wires sit close to the tongue. This can cause:

  • Irritation or soreness on the tongue when treatment begins.
  • A short adjustment period as your mouth gets used to the appliances.

We provide wax and specific tips to smooth rough spots. Over time, most patients adapt and feel much more comfortable.

Speech Changes

Because the appliances are near your tongue, some patients experience:

  • A temporary lisp or change in speech sounds.
  • Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds in the first days or weeks.

With practice—reading aloud, speaking slowly and giving your tongue time to adapt—speech usually improves significantly or returns to normal.

Lingual Braces vs Invisalign

Many patients considering invisible treatment compare lingual braces vs Invisalign. Here’s how they differ:

Visibility

  • Lingual/Incognito braces: Completely hidden behind the teeth.
  • Invisalign: Very discreet from a distance; aligners may be seen up close.

Removability

  • Lingual braces: Fixed in place—no need to remember to wear them.
  • Invisalign: Removable for eating and brushing, but requires discipline to wear 20–22 hours per day.

Food and Diet

  • Lingual braces: Similar food restrictions as traditional braces (avoid hard and sticky foods).
  • Invisalign: Remove aligners to eat; no specific food restrictions, but must brush before putting aligners back in.

Cleaning

  • Lingual braces: Requires careful brushing and flossing around brackets and wires.
  • Invisalign: Easier brushing and flossing; aligners themselves must be cleaned regularly.

During your consultation, we’ll explain whether your case is suitable for lingual/Incognito braces, Invisalign or both.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Lingual or Incognito Braces?

Hidden braces may be a great choice if you:

  • Strongly prefer that your treatment not show from the front.
  • Are an adult or mature teen.
  • Have healthy teeth and gums.
  • Are willing to invest in a premium, customized orthodontic option.

Certain severe bite or jaw shapes, very small teeth or other factors may affect whether lingual braces are recommended. We’ll thoroughly evaluate your case before making a recommendation.

Cost and Financing for Hidden Braces

Because of their customization, materials and technical demands, lingual and Incognito braces typically cost more than traditional or ceramic braces. At Othman Orthodontics, we help make them more accessible by offering:

  • Clear, upfront fee estimates.
  • Insurance benefit checks when applicable.
  • Flexible, often interest-free payment plans.
  • Use of FSA and HSA funds (when allowed by your plan).

Learn more about your financial options on our Lombard and Orland Park financing pages.

Hidden Braces in Lombard & Orland Park, IL

Lombard Office

Our Lombard office serves Lombard, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Wheaton, Villa Park, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Hinsdale, Westmont, Lisle, Naperville with:

Orland Park Office

Our Orland Park office offers the same hidden braces expertise for patients in Orland Park, Tinley Park, Palos Heights, Palos Park, Homer Glen, Oak Forest, Mokena, Frankfort, New Lenox, Lockport.

Schedule a Hidden Braces Consultation

If you’re interested in completely invisible braces, it’s time to explore lingual and Incognito braces with an expert team.

Contact Othman Orthodontics today to schedule an orthodontic consultation in Lombard, IL or an orthodontic consultation in Orland Park, IL.

We’ll evaluate your teeth and bite, explain whether lingual or Incognito braces are right for you, compare them with other discreet options, and design a customized plan to straighten your teeth—without anyone seeing your braces when you smile.

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