Dental Braces Types: Metal, Ceramic and Clear Aligners

Dental braces types fall into a few groups: metal braces, tooth-colored (ceramic) braces, braces placed behind the teeth, and removable clear aligners. All of them move teeth with gentle, steady pressure. They differ in how they look, how you clean them and how a clinic charges for them. This guide helps you compare them before you book a visit.

This is general information, not medical advice. Whether metal, ceramic or clear aligners fit your bite is a call for an orthodontist who has examined your teeth.

Metal braces

These are the braces most people picture. Small brackets are cemented to the teeth. A thin wire links the brackets, and the orthodontist tightens it at regular visits. Metal brackets are small and strong, and they have been used for a very long time.

The main trade-off is looks. The metal shows when you smile. You cannot take them off, so brushing takes more time and care.

Sources: American Dental Association, Mouth Healthy, "Braces" (https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/braces), on brackets and wires.

Ceramic and lingual braces

Ceramic braces work the same way as metal ones. The brackets are tooth-colored, so they blend in with the teeth. People who want a quieter look often ask about them. Ask the clinic how the brackets hold up to stains and whether they cost more than metal. Prices differ from clinic to clinic.

Lingual braces are fixed to the back of the teeth, so they are hard to see from the front. Ask a clinic if it offers them and whether your teeth suit them.

Sources: American Dental Association, Mouth Healthy, "Braces" (https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/braces), which notes that brackets may be metal or tooth-colored and sometimes sit behind the teeth.

Clear aligners

Clear aligners are plastic trays made to fit your teeth. You swap to a new tray in a set order, and each one moves the teeth a little. You can take them out to eat and to brush. That makes cleaning easier than with fixed braces.

The best known system is Invisalign. Its maker, Align Technology, was founded in 1997, and the US Food and Drug Administration cleared Invisalign in 1998. Aligners are a removable option, so they only help if you wear them as your clinic directs. They suit people who can stay disciplined.

Sources: Wikipedia, "Invisalign" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invisalign), on the company founding and the 1998 clearance; American Dental Association, Mouth Healthy, "Braces" (https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/braces), on aligners being a removable option.

How the types compare

Use these simple points when you weigh your options.

• Looks: clear aligners and lingual braces are the least visible. Ceramic is next. Metal is the most visible.
• Cleaning: aligners come out, so brushing and flossing stay close to normal. Fixed braces need extra time around every bracket.
• Food: fixed braces mean avoiding sticky and hard foods. Aligners come out for meals, but you must put them back in.
• Visits: fixed braces need regular adjustments. Aligners need check-ups and new trays.
• Cost: clinics price by case, so ask for the full amount in writing, including follow-up visits.

Treatment length depends on the person. Most people are in treatment for one to three years, followed by retainer wear. A retainer holds the teeth in their new place once the braces come off.

Sources: American Dental Association, Mouth Healthy, "Braces" (https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/braces), on foods to avoid, treatment time and retainers.

Questions to ask a clinic

A good first visit should leave you with clear answers. Bring this list.

• Is the person treating me an orthodontist, or a general dentist who also does braces?
• Which types of braces would suit my teeth, and why?
• What is the total cost, and what does it cover? Are retainers included?
• How long will treatment take, and how often are the visits?
• What will I need to do each day to keep my teeth and gums healthy?
• What happens if a bracket breaks or I lose an aligner?

An orthodontist is a dentist with extra training in straightening teeth and jaws. Some general dentists also offer braces, depending on their experience and how complex your case is. Both can be a fair choice. What matters is that you know who will treat you.

Ask for a written plan and a price list. Compare at least two clinics. Be careful with any clinic that promises a result before it has examined your teeth.

Sources: American Dental Association, Mouth Healthy, "Braces" (https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/braces), on the role of the orthodontist and when treatment often begins.

Looking after your teeth during treatment

Plaque builds up fast around brackets. Plaque is the sticky film that causes decay. Too many sugary foods can lead to plaque around the brackets, and that can stain or damage the teeth. Skip popcorn, corn on the cob, chewing gum, whole apples and other sticky foods. Ask your dentist which foods to avoid. If you use aligners, clean the trays as your clinic shows you.

Kids often start treatment between ages 8 and 14, and healthy teeth can be treated at any age, so adults can get braces too.

Sources: American Dental Association, Mouth Healthy, "Braces" (https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/braces); Wikipedia, "Invisalign" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invisalign).