Most people assume that straightening their teeth means choosing between something visible and something removable. Metal braces or Invisalign. Front-facing or take-out.
There is a third option. And most people in New York City have never heard of it.
C5 Hidden Orthodontics uses ultra-fine wires — no brackets — bonded to the back surfaces of your teeth, where they are completely invisible from the front. Even when your mouth is open, the wires are hard to see. The treatment is fixed, which means it works around the clock without any compliance requirement. And because there are no bulky brackets, it is remarkably comfortable.
Bright Healthy Smiles is now offering C5 on the Upper East Side. If you have been looking for hidden braces in NYC — or wondering whether there is a better option than the ones you already know — this may be the answer.
C5 uses the same mechanical principles as traditional braces — controlled wire tension moving teeth through bone — but delivers those forces from behind the teeth using precision-engineered wires customized to each patient’s anatomy.
The wire is made from nickel-titanium, the same advanced alloy used in the highest-performance orthodontic systems. It is super-elastic, which allows it to exert consistent, gentle force as it moves from its deformed state (bonded to your current tooth positions) toward its original, programmed shape.
Using 3D scans of your exact dental anatomy, the C5 wires are fabricated to your unique specifications. No two patients' wires are identical.
Because C5 is bonded in place, it is working 24 hours a day — no taking aligners out, no forgetting to put them back in. Treatment timelines are therefore more predictable.
At each appointment, the wires are repositioned to the next phase of tooth movement.
C5 is particularly well-suited for:
If you have tried Invisalign before and struggled with consistent wear, or if you know you will not reliably keep aligners in for 22 hours a day, a fixed lingual system removes that variable entirely.
Attorneys, physicians, executives, teachers, performers, and anyone whose appearance during speech and presentation matters. C5 is not detectable in normal conversation or on camera.
Teenagers who are self-conscious about the appearance of traditional braces — or whose parents want to avoid the social dynamics that come with visible metal — are strong candidates for C5. The fixed nature of the system also solves the compliance problem that makes aligner therapy difficult with some teens.
C5 performs best in cases that do not require significant skeletal or complex bite correction. Your orthodontist will evaluate your specific situation at consultation.
C5 wires sit on the back surfaces of your teeth. From the front, nothing changes — no metal, no visible hardware, no evidence of treatment at all.
Unlike aligners, C5 works continuously — bonded in place from your first appointment to your last. No taking out, no putting back in, no compliance tracking.
Most C5 cases are completed in 3 to 12 months. Because the wires work 24/7, treatment progresses efficiently and predictably from start to finish.
No brackets means no raised edges for your tongue to feel. The wires lie flat against your teeth. Most patients adapt within days — far faster than bracket-based lingual systems.
Because the wires are bonded to the back surfaces of the teeth, C5 is invisible from the front in everyday conversation, photographs, and professional settings. Even when your mouth is open during speaking or laughing, the wires are extremely difficult to see.
For professionals in client-facing roles, parents who do not want their orthodontic treatment to be a conversation topic, or teenagers who want to straighten their teeth without the social dimension of visible braces, this matters enormously.
Unlike clear aligners, C5 does not require you to remember to put anything back in after meals. Unlike Invisalign, there is no compliance tracking, no risk of leaving them out too long, no gradual realizing that your treatment has stalled because your wear hours were low.
C5 is in place all day, every day, from the bonding appointment until treatment is complete. That consistency translates directly to predictable results.
Traditional lingual braces use brackets on the back of each tooth. Those brackets are custom-made but still occupy meaningful space on the lingual surface and have edges that the tongue contacts throughout treatment.
C5 has no brackets. The wires lie flat against the teeth with minimal profile. Most patients report that they adjust to the feel of C5 within a few days — dramatically faster than traditional lingual braces, which can take several weeks.
Depending on the complexity of your case, C5 treatment typically takes 3 to 12 months. Cases involving mild to moderate crowding or spacing often resolve on the shorter end of that range. Your treatment timeline will be discussed and estimated at your consultation based on your specific clinical situation.
Because C5 uses wires without brackets, cleaning around the appliance is more straightforward than with traditional braces. Regular brushing and flossing — with some additional attention to the lingual surface — keeps your gums healthy throughout treatment.
Your journey begins with a complimentary consultation at Bright Healthy Smiles. We review your dental and medical history, discuss your goals, and give you an honest assessment of whether C5 is the right approach for your specific situation. Not every case is a good fit for hidden braces — and we will tell you that clearly if it applies, along with what we would recommend instead.
If you are a candidate for C5, we take a full 3D scan of your teeth using our in-office digital scanning technology. No impressions, no trays, no discomfort. The scan captures a precise model of your dental anatomy that becomes the foundation of your custom wire fabrication.
Based on the 3D scan and your clinical evaluation, our orthodontists develop a personalized treatment plan that maps the exact sequence of tooth movements your case requires. You will see a visualization of the planned treatment before anything is bonded to your teeth.
Your custom C5 wires are bonded to the back surfaces of your teeth in a single appointment. The process is straightforward and completed at our Upper East Side office. You leave the appointment with your treatment already underway and no visible change to your smile from the front.
You return to Bright Healthy Smiles every 6 to 8 weeks for adjustment appointments. At each visit, the wires are repositioned to guide the next phase of movement. Between appointments, you use our remote monitoring technology to check in with the team — so we are always up to date on your progress.
When your teeth have reached their ideal positions, the C5 wires are removed and a retainer is fitted to maintain the results. As with all orthodontic treatment, consistent retainer wear after treatment is essential to prevent shifting over time.
Offering C5 requires specialized training and certification. Not every orthodontic practice in New York City has access to this system, and not every provider who offers lingual treatment has the same level of expertise in placing and adjusting it.
At Bright Healthy Smiles, C5 is offered by our board-certified orthodontists — Dr. Nika Grigaitis and Dr. Charlotte Guerrera — as part of a comprehensive orthodontic program that also includes Invisalign, traditional braces, and early orthodontic treatment for children. We offer hidden braces alongside every other option because we believe each patient should be matched to the treatment that is genuinely right for them — not the one that is most profitable or most convenient to offer.
Dr. Nika Grigaitis and Dr. Charlotte Guerrera, our two board-certified orthodontists, are dedicated to helping children and teens feel comfortable, confident, and supported throughout every stage of orthodontic care. From braces for kids to NYC’s newest clear aligner and hidden-braces systems, they combine experience, compassion, and personalized attention to create positive experiences for both patients and parents.
Schedule a complimentary consultation at Bright Healthy Smiles on the Upper East Side. Our board-certified orthodontists will evaluate your case, explain your options honestly, and tell you whether C5 hidden braces are the right fit for your smile goals.
Answers to common questions adults ask about hidden braces.
Bright Healthy Smiles discusses all financial details transparently at your consultation before any treatment begins. We are happy to review insurance coverage, financing options, and cost expectations so you can make a fully informed decision.
Orthodontic coverage varies significantly by plan. Many plans include a lifetime orthodontic benefit that applies to C5 treatment. We will review your specific coverage at consultation and clarify what is applicable before you commit.
We offer flexible payment arrangements for orthodontic treatment, including financing options that spread the cost over the course of your treatment. Our team explains all options clearly so you can plan accordingly.
Your initial C5 consultation at Bright Healthy Smiles is complimentary — no charge, no commitment. It is simply the opportunity to find out whether this is the right treatment for you.
