‘Brace’ yourself—this patient guide is a long one.
We’re sorry for the pun above. But honestly, who could pass up the opportunity?
This blog will discuss more than twelve orthodontic treatment options (dental braces and aligners). The goal is to help you pick the best one for your needs.
Table of contents
An Important Note About Braces!
Before we dive in, we want to mention that the fundamental science of moving teeth is the same no matter which orthodontic appliance you choose.
Orthodontics is a type of dental treatment that uses appliances to slowly move your teeth. There are different types of braces and clear aligners, like Invisalign, that can achieve this.
Braces come in different styles and prices. To find the best one for you, visit an orthodontist for a free consultation. They can help you choose the right braces for your needs.
New types of braces have been created to fix various dental issues. These issues include crooked teeth, bite problems, and gaps between teeth. Traditional braces, also known as conventional braces, have been the standard for many years. They typically involve metal ties and elastic bands to secure the bracket system to the teeth.
Jump to a teeth-straightening solution to align your teeth to desired position and avoid further dental problems including tooth decay.
This guide will let you compare over a dozen orthodontic appliances so that you can understand the differences for yourself. Treatment time can influence the choice of ideal type of braces or clear aligners.
This blog has a lot of information. You can use the table of contents to find the orthodontic treatment and orthodontic appliance you’re interested in. Having straighter smile and fixing your malocclusion hasn’t been easier. Click this link to read more information about payment plan for your orthodontic treatment.
Types of braces:
Fixed Orthodontic Braces
Fixed orthodontic appliances are most common type of braces that a experienced orthodontist attaches to teeth. This treatment requires visits to a clinic. The appliance needs regular adjustments. This helps to ensure the teeth are moving correctly.
Because they are “fixed,” these appliances can’t be removed as oppoed to invisalign braces.
Fixed orthodontic appliances are a reliable treatment choice for patients of any age. Orthodontists also use elastics to correct misalignment of the bite.
Traditional Metal Braces
What they are:
Fixed orthodontic appliances made from metals like stainless steel or alloys of materials like titanium, nickel, and chromium.
How they work:
An orthodontist attaches metal brackets to your teeth, and these brackets have a groove for holding the metal arch wire. This wire is then held in place by small rubber bands that are wrapped around the brackets. Every four to eight weeks, you’ll visit the orthodontist to have your tooth movement checked. The orthodontist will remove the rubber bands, adjust the arch wire, and then secure it in place again with the bands.
Average treatment cost:
$3,000–8,000
Average treatment length:
1.5—3 years
What they look like:
Metal braces deliver that classic “braces look” that many people associate with teenagers. But metal braces aren’t just for kids—they’re also an excellent choice for adults who want straighter teeth. You can accessorize metal braces with rubber band colors of your choice.
What they feel like:
Metal braces are definitely hard to ignore… at first! The metal brackets may feel bulky against the inside of your lips and cheeks, but you will adjust to the sensation.
When you first get braces or have them adjusted, your teeth and gums may feel sore. You can easily manage the discomfort by using over-the-counter pain medication, ice packs, or oral anesthetic gels. If a wire is poking your mouth or gums, your orthodontist can help. They can fix the wire and give you wax to protect sharp areas of your braces.
How to care for them:
Brush your teeth (and around your braces!) from all angles, multiple times per day. Use a floss threader or orthodontic flossing device to clean in between your teeth. Avoid hard, sticky, crunchy or gummy foods as these can damage your braces. Your dentist may recommend that you use a fluoride rinse to prevent cavities during your orthodontic treatment.
Pros:
- Effective and dependable treatment that’s provided by a professional
- Often the most economical choice
- Good for all ages
Cons:
- Highly visible
- Not removable
- Must avoid certain foods during treatment
Self-Ligating Braces (e.g, Damon™ System)
What they are:
Orthodontic appliances come in metal or clear brackets with a metal arch wire. They do not require rubber bands around the brackets. Damon™ Braces is one of the most well-known brands of self-ligating braces.
These braces use a bracket system, often with passive brackets equipped with a spring-loaded door or special clips. This design claims to reduce the need for elastic ties or metal ties, leading to less friction between the wire and brackets. Consequently, wearers experience less discomfort, less time in braces hence shorter treatment times. The reduced friction and absence of elastic bands in self-ligating braces also contribute to easier cleaning and maintenance.
Scientists have not proven these claims to be accurate. Overall, the self-ligating braces isn’t majorly change brace wearers time compared to traditional braces.
How they work:
“Self-ligating” braces adjust themselves without rubber bands, called ligatures. Self-ligating brackets have a lock mechanism that allows the archwire to move freely as the teeth shift. An orthodontist attaches brackets to the teeth, similar to regular braces. The orthodontist secures the archwire in place with a sliding mechanism inside the brackets.
Average treatment cost:
$6,000
Average treatment length:
1–2 years
What they look like:
Self-ligating braces are like regular metal braces. They have smaller brackets and don’t need rubber bands or “wings” to hold them in place. You can increase the esthetics by opting for clear brackets (ceramic material).
What they feel like:
Self-ligating braces feel like regular metal braces, but they are often even more comfortable. This is because the self-ligating system puts less intense pressure on the teeth than regular braces with rubber bands on the brackets.
How to care for them:
Brush your teeth as usual at least twice per day. Because self-ligating braces don’t have wings and rubber bands on the brackets, it’s easy to brush them and keep them clean. Remember to use an orthodontic flossing device, and stay away from foods like carrots, caramel, popcorn, chips, and other crunchy and sticky items that can damage your braces.
Pros:
- Easier to keep clean
- Slightly smaller than regular braces
- No need for color ties
Cons:
- More expensive than regular braces
- The door can break and you need to change the bracket
Custom Digital Braces
What makes custom digital braces the best?
Simply the fact that this orthodontic treatment system focuses on finding the best solutions for you. Yes, it’s the personalization that makes all the difference.
Custom digital orthodontics is an approach that brings together the best of braces solutions we reviewed above. It combines remote consultations, treatment virtual check, and customize proactive treatment planning with the expert insights of an orthodontist. The virtually simulated treatment plan is likely lead into a high quality care at shorter period of time.
The result?
We customize a tailored treatment plan to fit your unique goals, oral health condition, and esthetic priorities.
What they are:
Custom digital braces are personalized orthodontic appliances made just for you to help your teeth move quickly and comfortably. This would lead in fewer appointments to address orthodontic issues. Customization involves designing the bracket positions digitally. Smart robots bend wires to carry out the treatment plan with high precision.
How they work:
The custom digital braces treatment approach incorporates the latest digital technology including:
- Fully digital evaluations with no need for messy impressions
- Virtual consultations
- Virtual treatment progress checking options
- In-office 3D printing technology to accurately position the braces
- Treatment planning software that precisely simulate your final results and helps determine the best approach for straightening your teeth
- Robotic-bent archwires for high precision
- Customized brackets (placed with 3D-printed trays to ensure perfect positioning)
- Clear aligners that are designed and printed on-site to complement braces
Average treatment cost:
$2,000–12,000
Average treatment length:
6 months to 2 years
What they look like:
Custom digital braces allow you to choose how they look. You can make them as visible or invisible as you prefer for your orthodontic treatment. You can pick braces inside or outside of your teeth.
What they feel like:
Custom digital braces feel great because you will have expert insights and care helping you along every step of the way. Right from the start, you’ll work with a skilled specialist who can help you decide on a treatment that will be as comfortable as possible for you without compromising on efficiency. The experienced orthodontic team will continue to assess your situation and can do so remotely for your convenience, if you’d prefer.
How to care for them:
Your orthodontic team will teach you how to take excellent care of your digital custom braces. You will receive clear instructions on caring for your teeth with braces. This includes keeping them clean, fresh, and functioning properly.
Pros:
- Personalized treatment plan
- Qualified and competent professional care
- Unlimited treatment customization options
- Fast, efficient care
- Convenient and easy appointments
- Individualized financing options
Cons:
- We can’t think of any drawbacks to this arrangement!
Clear Braces
Ceramic (Tooth-Colored) Braces
What they are:
Fixed orthodontic appliances consisting of strong ceramic brackets and a tooth-colored metal wire.
How they work:
Clear ceramic braces work the same way that metal braces do. An orthodontist attaches the brackets to your teeth and then fastens an arch wire in place over them with clear rubber bands. This wire will need to be tightened or adjusted at intervals during treatment.
Average treatment cost:
$4,000–8,000
Average treatment length:
1–3 years
What they look like:
Ceramic braces blend in with the color of the surrounding teeth, so they are much less noticeable than metal braces. That’s why you might also hear ceramic braces called “clear braces” or “esthetic braces.”
What they feel like:
Just like metal braces, ceramic braces will feel bulky in your mouth for a while as you get used to the feeling of having a fixed orthodontic appliance attached to the outside of your teeth. You will quickly adjust, however. If you experience any discomfort after an orthodontic adjustment, you can soothe it away with over-the-counter medication, an ice pack, or an oral numbing gel.
How to care for them:
Brush your teeth and brackets thoroughly from all angles at least twice per day. Make sure to brush the fronts of the brackets, and then angle your toothbrush to clean them from above and below.
Do this on both the upper and lower sets of braces. Use an orthodontic flosser to reach under the arch wire to clean the spaces between your teeth. Keep dark-colored foods and beverages to a minimum because these can stain the clear rubber bands.
Pros:
- Effective and dependable treatment that’s provided by a professional
- More esthetic and less visible than metal braces
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive than metal braces
- Clear rubber bands can become stained, which would make your braces noticeable
- Not removable
- Can limit your food choices for the duration of treatment
Invisible Braces
Lingual Braces
What they are:
Fixed orthodontic appliances consisting of metal brackets and wires attached to the inside surface of teeth.
How they work:
Lingual braces work just like regular metal braces. They sit on the inner side of your teeth instead of the outer surface, which is the only difference.
An orthodontist will glue brackets to the inside of your teeth and connect them with a wire. They call these lingual braces because they place them on the side closest to your tongue. Brackets that are custom-designed tend to be the most comfortable.
Average treatment cost:
$10,000
Average treatment length:
1–2 years
What they look like:
The best part about lingual braces is that they look like you’re wearing absolutely nothing on your teeth! To show someone your braces, you need to open your mouth wide so they can see inside.
What they feel like:
Lingual braces can be rough on the tongue, but getting the brackets customized makes them much more comfortable.
How to care for them:
Brushing and flossing around lingual braces can be difficult. Using electric toothbrushes and water flossers can make it easier to clean around lingual braces. Avoid chewy, sticky, or crunchy foods that could harm your braces. These types of foods can get stuck in your braces.
Just like with other types of braces, it’s important to be mindful of what you eat. Stick to softer foods to prevent any damage to your braces.
Pros:
- Truly ‘invisible’ for the best esthetics
- Compared with regular braces, less likely to affect your ability to play certain musical instruments
- Can be customized for the most comfortable fit and most effective tooth movement
Cons:
- More expensive than regular braces
- Not ideal for young children who need orthodontic treatment
- It can take more time to get used to talking with lingual braces
- Few orthodontists have experience in placing lingual braces
Clear aligners also know as Invisalign treatment
Clear aligner treatment is popular for patients of all ages. Aligner treatment is available in dentistry practices and orthodontic practices. Quality of orthodontic treatment with clear aligners is often varies between care provided by orthodontists vs dentists.
Usually, a doctor prescribes professional clear aligner treatment, and the aligners are made by a big company. Nonthless, services are avaiable to directly provide aligners to patients.
Numerous aligner brand now exist that are constantly innovating and developing patented processes to produce better clear aligners.
Invisalign® Clear Aligners
What they are:
Clear aligners made from Invisalign’s patented SmartTrack® material. This material used to be unique, but now there are many improved plastic options thanks to new technology.
How they work:
When you go to an Invisalign provider, they will scan your teeth and put the information into a computer. The Invisalign software will then show you a picture of how your teeth will look after treatment.
Your Invisalign doctor will then approve your computer generated treatment plan. After your doctor prescribes a treatment plan, Align Technology creates a series of clear aligner trays. Your doctor will give you aligners to wear for 1-2 weeks until your teeth are ready for the next set.
Average treatment cost:
$3,500–7,000
Average treatment length:
6–24 months
What they look like:
Invisalign clear aligners are transparent and have a subtle texture that makes them just cloudy enough that they resemble the appearance of natural teeth. The aligners have scalloped edges that follow the gum line. Other people won’t be able to tell that you are wearing the aligners unless they look closely. They come in a set of aligners that you have to wear 22 hours a day.
What they feel like:
You will notice a difference when you put Invisalign trays on for the first time. These clear aligners, made from thin plastic, are strong and you will feel the added thickness over your teeth. It’s normal for your teeth to be sore for a day or so when you put in a new tray.
How to care for them:
Take your Invisalign trays out every time you drink or eat anything other than plain water. Clean your trays regularly with soap and water or an Invisalign-approved cleaning solution to keep them fresh and clear. Store your trays in their container where they’ll be safe whenever you aren’t wearing them. To keep your breath fresh and prevent cavities, make sure to take good care of your teeth while wearing aligners.
Invisalign Teen is a product similar to Invisalign, but designed specifically for teens. Basically, all clear aligner options are available to fix crooked teeth in teens.
Types of Invisalign
Invisalign system offeres various Invisalign packages. Invisalign express, Invisalign lite, or Invisalign full are examples of these packages. Orthodontists offering aligner therapy would pick one of these packages and some might not offer all of these choices.
Pros:
- Convenient removable aligners let you eat whatever you like
- Takes just as long as braces and can be even faster
- Esthetic orthodontic solution
- Relatively easy oral hygiene
Cons:
- Aligners are easy to misplace or damage, which can stall your treatment progress
- Aligners must be worn 20–22 hours per day, and it’s easy to forget
- May not work well for complex tooth alignment problems
- More expensive than online clear aligners
ClearCorrect® Clear Aligners
What they are:
The Straumann Group, a company with expertise in esthetic dentistry, creates clear aligners using medical-grade plastic.
How they work:
ClearCorrect aligners work like Invisalign aligners. ClearCorrect aligners are similar to Invisalign aligners.
Your dentist will use digital scans of your teeth to create a treatment plan. They will then order custom clear aligners for you. You wear the aligners for a minimum of 20 hours per day, taking them out only to eat, drink, and clean your teeth.
Average treatment cost:
$2,500–5,500
Average treatment length:
6–18 months
What they look like:
ClearCorrect aligners are slightly thinner and lighter and more transparent than Invisalign clear aligners. When you wear them, no one will notice a thing.
What they feel like:
ClearCorrect clear aligners might be a bit thinner than Invisalign, but they will still feel snug when you put them on your teeth. Your teeth and gums might be a little sore when you remove the aligners, but this is normal with clear aligners.
How to care for them:
To keep your ClearCorrect aligners clean and fresh, rinse them every time you take them out. This is especially important after eating or drinking anything other than water. Prevent bacterial growth by cleaning them with clear soap or an aligner cleaning solution your dentist or orthodontist provides.
Keep your teeth clean, as well! Brush at least twice a day and floss at least once. Keep your ClearCorrect aligners inside their case whenever you aren’t wearing them.
Pros:
- Truly “invisible” orthodontic appliance
- Excellent esthetics
- Scalloped along the edges to avoid pressing on the gums
- Provided by a qualified dental professional
- More affordable than Invisalign
- Convenient and removable
Cons:
- Newer than the Invisalign brand of aligners
- Aligners are a bit stiffer than Invisalign aligners
- Treatment with ClearCorrect could take longer than treatment with Invisalign
- Aligners are easy to misplace or damage, which can stall your treatment progress
- Aligners must be worn 20–22 hours per day, and it’s easy to forget
Spark™ Clear Aligner System
What they are:
Clear aligners designed by Ormco, the same company behind Damon Braces, using their patented TruGEN™ material.
How they work:
Spark clear aligner treatment is like other doctor-prescribed aligner treatments. You start by seeing an orthodontist who scans your teeth and creates a treatment plan using special software at their office. The orthodontist will order your clear aligner trays from Spark company.
The orthodontist will order clear aligner trays for you from Spark company. You should wear the trays for 20-22 hours a day. Your orthodontist will tell you when it’s time to switch to the next set.
Average treatment cost:
$3,500–8,000
Average treatment length:
6–18 months
What they look like:
Spark clear aligners are ultra-transparent for the most “barely there” look possible. The aligners have scalloped and polished edges to make them comfortable and keep them away from the gum line. Clear aligners are designed to be more stain-resistant than other options. When you’re wearing Spark aligners, no one else would notice them.
What they feel like:
Spark clear aligners are lightweight, efficient, and comfortable in design. You will notice the difference when you first wear Spark aligners—your teeth might feel bulky under your lips. But you will soon become accustomed to the sensation.
How to care for them:
Remember to rinse your Spark aligners every time you take them out. Wash them thoroughly every day with a cleaning solution approved by your dentist.
Do not wash your aligners in hot water. Remove them from your mouth whenever you eat or drink anything other than plain cool water. Keep your Spark aligners in a safe place when not in your mouth. Remember to brush and floss daily to prevent food and germs from getting trapped under your aligners.
Pros:
- Spark aligners are more clear than Invisalign
- Removable
- Potentially more comfortable and more efficient than Invisalign
- Easy oral hygiene
Cons:
- Requires you to be diligent about wearing the aligners for 20+ hours per day
- Removable aligners can be easy to misplace
- Only available from orthodontists
uSmile™ Clear Aligners
What they are:
Clear aligners made of Zendura® FLX thermoplastic material and hybrid treatments developed by uLab™ Systems, a team of experienced orthodontic experts who helped develop clear aligner technology decades ago.
How they work:
You can get clear aligners from uSmile at the orthodontist’s office or at uLab systems in the USA. When you visit an orthodontist with uSmile clear aligners, they will first scan your teeth.
They will then use uLab software to create a personalized treatment plan. This plan may involve clear aligners and a fixed orthodontic appliance. This plan may include clear aligners and a fixed orthodontic appliance.
For instance, you may begin your orthodontic treatment with braces and then switch to clear aligners tailored to your needs. Or you might need to wear braces on your lower teeth while wearing a clear aligner on your upper teeth.
Average treatment cost:
$3,500–7,000
Average treatment length:
6–24 months
What they look like:
uSmile clear aligners look very similar to other clear aligners. This means that when you’re wearing them, no one else will even notice unless you tell them.
What they feel like:
uSmile clear aligners provide a unique treatment experience because they allow you to combine different kinds of orthodontic treatment. So depending on your individual treatment plan,
How to care for them:
Carefully follow the orthodontist’s instructions for caring for your uSmile clear aligners. You may have a special treatment plan that involves using both braces and clear aligners. Make sure you follow the correct cleaning instructions for the appliances you have been given.
Pros:
- Personalized orthodontic treatment plan that can combine different orthodontic appliances for best results
- Treatment is provided by a qualified orthodontist
- Invisible or nearly invisible esthetics
- Only provided by orthodontists
Cons:
- A new clear aligner system compared to Invisalign
- More expensive than box aligners
Online Clear Aligners | Box orthodontics
Clear aligners purchased online may not be the best option for fixing your teeth. This is because they lack the same level of professional oversight as other alternatives clear plastics..
To purchase clear aligners online, you will be assigned to a dentist or orthodontist. This doctor may not know you well and may not be able to accurately diagnose your needs. As a result, there’s a higher risk of complications.
Despite this, ordering clear aligner treatment online is still an affordable and attractive orthodontic option for many people.
SmileDirectClub™ Clear Aligners
What they are:
Dentists prescribe clear aligners made of a thermoplastic material to patients based on remote diagnoses.
How they work:
SmileDirectClub became the trendsetter when they popularized the model of DTC (direct-to-customer) clear aligner treatment. Just ask for a kit to make an impression of your bite at home to get started.
Then, send it back to the company. Alternatively, you visit SmileShop for a digital scan. SmileDirectClub has dentists who will approve your treatment plan. Then, they will send you all the aligner trays you need to finish your treatment.
You can also choose a plan that suits your goals. To see fast results with SmileDirectClub aligners, wear them for at least 22 hours a day for six months.
SmileDirectClub has named their new treatment plan Nighttime Aligners™. You can wear these aligners for only 10 hours a day, or while you sleep. This treatment will take longer, however, given that you aren’t wearing the aligners as often.
Lots of promises with the box orthodontics like smile direct club never materialized. Smile direct club filed for bankruptcy.
Treatment cost:
$2,050
Average treatment length:
4–6 months for daytime treatment, 10 months for nighttime treatment
What they look like:
SmileDirectClub aligners look similar to any other average clear aligner.
What they feel like:
SmileDirectClub aligners are made with Comfort Sense technology for an easy fit.
How to care for them:
To take care of SmileDirectClub clear aligners, rinse and clean them regularly. Avoid eating while wearing them. Maintain good oral hygiene as you would with any other clear aligner.
Pros:
- Removable and convenient
- Affordable
- Can be sufficient for correcting very mild cases
Cons:
- Ineffective for complex tooth alignment cases
- Without x-rays and a thorough evaluation by a qualified dental professional, some potential problems could slip by unnoticed
- If something goes wrong, it can be hard to get the help (or compensation) you need
- Higher risk of complications during treatment
Candid™ Clear Aligners
What they are:
Clear aligners offered through a hybrid model. The plastic aligners are shipped directly to customers and treatment is monitored remotely, but you must visit a participating dentist in-person to get a prescription for these aligners.
How they work:
Dentists prescribe Candid clear aligners based on a scan taken at their office. You will get a kit with aligners, teeth whitening foam, and Candid Monitoring™ materials. The kit will help you take scans of your teeth at home.
Wear aligners as directed by your dentist. Send photos of your teeth every two weeks for tracking progress in treatment.
Average treatment cost:
$4,000
Average treatment length:
4–12 months
What they look like:
Candid clear aligners look similar to other clear aligners.
What they feel like:
The aligners feel tight when you first put in a new set of trays, but your teeth will quickly adjust to the sensation as they shift.
How to care for them:
To care for Candid clear aligners, rinse and clean them regularly. Avoid eating while wearing them. Remember to maintain good oral hygiene.
Pros:
- Remote monitoring by dental professionals
- Removable compared to fixed braces
- Affordable
Cons:
- Ineffective for moderate to complex tooth alignment cases
- If something goes wrong, it can be hard to get the help (or compensation) you need
- Fewer options for customizing your treatment
byte® Clear Aligners
What they are:
Prescribe and order direct-to-consumer clear aligners online.
How they work:
Treatment starts by ordering an at-home impression kit. Send your completed impression to the byte company. A licensed dental professional will review it, create your treatment plan, and send you your aligners.
byte offers two clear aligner treatment plan options: one for daytime wear and one for nighttime wear. Just like SmileDirectClub, byte also offers a nighttime aligner plan.
Byte, like SmileDirectClub, has a nighttime aligner plan. With this plan, you wear the aligners only at night. This allows your teeth to be free of any dental appliance during the day.
The kit has a whitening treatment, retainer, and a device called HyperByte that helps move teeth faster. Wear your aligners per the plan you selected and the directions that come with your kit. You should wear daytime aligners for 22 hours per day and nighttime aligners for 10 continuous hours overnight.
Average treatment cost:
$1,895 for the daytime aligner plan, $2,295 for the at-night aligner plan
Average treatment length:
4–6 months
What they look like:
byte clear aligners look very similar to other clear aligners.
What they feel like:
Wearing clear aligners may cause some discomfort, but byte uses a device called HyperByte to reduce pain. HyperByte is a special tool that vibrates quickly to help the aligners fit better and make treatment faster. The company states that if you feel any pain lasting longer than 10 days, you should see a local orthodontist.
How to care for them:
To take care of byte clear aligners, rinse and clean them frequently. Avoid eating while wearing them. Remember to maintain good oral hygiene throughout the treatment.
Pros:
- Cost of treatment includes extras like teeth whitening, a retainer, and the HyperByte device
- Includes a lifetime guarantee
- Removable and convenient
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not as effective as in-office aligner treatment
- Without x-rays and a thorough in-person evaluation by a qualified dental professional, some problems could slip unnoticed
- If something goes wrong, it can be hard to get the help (or compensation) you need
- Higher risk of complications during treatment
Takeaway
Clearly, there’s more than one way to straighten teeth. To improve tooth alignment, it is best to see a qualified expert. The expert should use modern techniques for a personalized treatment plan.
So don’t waste time on DIY teeth straightening techniques and gimmicky DTC online clear aligners! Prominent brands like Invisalign and ClearCorrect cannot provide the same degree of customization as a specialized digital orthodontics provider.
You only have one smile, after all! Give it the quality of care it deserves and by visiting a digital orthodontist.
Dr. Rooz Khosravi, DMD, PhD, MSD, is an expert on digital orthodontics and founder of PORTH™ Personalized Orthodontics in Sammamish and Bellevue, Washington.