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Lingual orthodontics in Valencia is currently the most discreet fixed orthodontic treatment available. The braces are bonded to the inner surface of the teeth, completely hidden from view, offering the effectiveness of conventional fixed orthodontics without any visual impact during treatment.
For many adult patients and professionals, wearing visible braces for one or two years is not a viable option. Lingual orthodontics solves this problem at its root — there is nothing to see from the outside, regardless of the angle from which you look. Unlike clear aligners, there is nothing to remove or forget to put on: the braces work continuously without depending on patient discipline.
At Asensio Dental Clinic, we perform lingual orthodontic treatments in Valencia using personalized digital design technology. All cases are planned and supervised by Dr. José Luis Lanuza (Registration No. 46002399), an orthodontics specialist with a Diploma in Lingual Orthodontics by Dr. Vittorio Cacciafesta and over 20 years of experience in advanced orthodontics. On this page, you will find everything you need to know about this treatment, how it works, and when it is the most suitable option.
What is lingual orthodontics and how does it work?
Lingual orthodontics is a fixed orthodontic system in which braces and wires are placed on the lingual side of the teeth — the inner side, the one in contact with the tongue — instead of the outer side as in conventional orthodontics. From the outside, the teeth look completely normal throughout the treatment.
The mechanism is identical to traditional fixed orthodontics: the metal wire exerts controlled and progressive pressure on the braces to move the teeth into the desired position. Periodic check-ups allow the orthodontist to adjust that pressure and monitor the progress of the treatment. The difference from conventional braces is exclusively the positioning — the clinical result is equivalent.
Lingual braces are custom-made for each patient through a digital design process that guarantees a precise fit to the anatomy of each tooth. This personalization process is more complex than that of conventional braces, which explains why lingual orthodontics has a higher cost and requires an orthodontist with specific training in the technique.
The initial adaptation period usually lasts between two and four weeks, during which the patient may notice some difficulty in the pronunciation of certain sounds and increased salivation. These discomforts disappear as the tongue adapts to the presence of the braces on the inner surface of the teeth.
Advantages of lingual orthodontics
| Completely invisible | The braces are on the inner surface of the teeth and are impossible to see from the outside, regardless of the angle. |
| Effective in complex cases | Unlike aligners, lingual orthodontics allows for the resolution of severe malocclusions with the same level of control as conventional braces. |
| No wear discipline required | Since it is fixed, it does not depend on the patient remembering to wear it. Treatment progresses continuously without interruptions. |
| No lip chafing | Being on the inner surface, there is no contact with the lips or cheeks, eliminating one of the main sources of discomfort in conventional fixed orthodontics. |
| Total personalization | Each bracket is digitally designed to fit the patient’s anatomy, ensuring a precise fit and more controlled dental movement. |
What is the treatment process like?
The lingual orthodontic treatment at Asensio Dental Clinic follows these steps:
Initial diagnosis: clinical examination with a 3D intraoral scanner, digital X-ray, and occlusion analysis to determine if lingual orthodontics is the most appropriate treatment for the case. This first consultation is free of charge.
Personalized digital design: based on the 3D scan, custom lingual braces are manufactured for each of the patient’s teeth. This process usually takes between four and six weeks.
Placement: the braces are bonded to the inner surface of the teeth in a clinical session. The orthodontist verifies the fit and position of each bracket before placing the initial wire.
Periodic check-ups: every six to eight weeks, Dr. Lanuza makes the necessary adjustments to monitor the progress of the treatment and verify that the teeth are moving as planned.
Removal and retention: at the end of the treatment, the braces are removed, and a retainer is placed to maintain the position achieved. The retainer can be removable or fixed depending on the characteristics of the case.
Price of lingual orthodontics in Valencia
The price of lingual orthodontics in Valencia is higher than that of other orthodontic systems due to the custom manufacturing process of the braces and the greater technical complexity required for their placement and adjustment. The factors that determine the final cost are the complexity of the case, the duration of the treatment, and whether it involves one or two arches.
At Asensio Dental Clinic, we offer interest-free financing to split the payment into monthly installments adapted to each patient. Consult the detailed prices for lingual orthodontics and all orthodontic treatments or request your personalized quote without obligation at the first free consultation.
Lingual orthodontics or Invisalign: which to choose?
Both lingual orthodontics and Invisalign are invisible orthodontic treatments, but they work very differently and have different indications. Lingual orthodontics is fixed — working continuously without depending on the patient — while Invisalign is removable and requires a minimum compliance of 22 hours per day to be effective.
In terms of clinical indications, lingual orthodontics can resolve more complex cases than Invisalign, especially those requiring precise dental intrusion or extrusion movements. For moderate cases, both systems offer equivalent results. Dr. Lanuza — a specialist in both techniques and an Invisalign Diamond Provider with over 1,000 cases — will advise you on which one is most suitable for your case after the initial diagnosis.
If you want to explore other orthodontic options, at our clinic we also offer self-ligating braces, cosmetic orthodontics, fixed orthodontics, and children’s orthodontics. You can consult all treatments on our orthodontics in Valencia page.
Frequently asked questions about lingual orthodontics
Is lingual orthodontics as effective as traditional braces?
Yes. The clinical result of lingual orthodontics is equivalent to that of conventional braces. The difference is exclusively the positioning — the braces are on the inner side instead of the outer side. For complex cases, lingual orthodontics offers the same level of dental movement control as any other fixed orthodontic system.
Does lingual orthodontics hurt?
The level of discomfort is similar to that of any fixed orthodontics. During the first few days after placement and after each check-up, it is normal to feel pressure on the teeth. The difference from conventional braces is that there is no chafing on the lips or cheeks, although there may be a period of adaptation for the tongue to the contact with the braces during the first few weeks.
How long does the adaptation period last?
The phonetic adaptation period usually lasts between two and four weeks. During this time, the patient may notice difficulty in the pronunciation of some sounds, especially “s” and “t”. This difficulty disappears as the tongue learns to move around the braces. Most patients report that those around them hardly notice changes in their pronunciation after the first week.
Can lingual orthodontics be done in all cases?
Lingual orthodontics is compatible with the vast majority of malocclusion cases. However, in some cases with a very deep bite, lingual braces may interfere with the occlusion when closing the mouth, requiring specific planning. The initial diagnosis with a 3D scanner determines if the case is suitable for lingual orthodontics or if another system is more appropriate.
Is lingual orthodontics more expensive than Invisalign?
Generally yes, although it depends on the complexity of the case. Lingual braces require a more costly custom manufacturing process than entry-level Invisalign aligners. For complex cases requiring Invisalign Full, prices can be comparable. Consult the indicative prices for both treatments on our pricing page.
Are lingual braces noticeable when speaking or kissing?
During the initial adaptation period, there may be slight phonetic difficulty, especially with certain sounds. Once that period is over — usually in two to four weeks — most patients speak completely normally. As for physical contact, the braces are on the inner surface of the teeth and are not perceptible from the outside or during normal contact.