Braces vs. Clear Aligners: Which Is Right for You?

Traditional metal braces and clear aligners both work by applying steady, controlled pressure to gradually move teeth into position. The main differences come down to visibility, removability, and the type of movement each handles best.

Metal braces are fixed to the teeth for the full treatment period. They tend to handle more complex bite corrections well, and because they can't be taken off, there's no risk of skipping wear time.

Clear aligners are a series of custom, removable trays. They're far less visible day-to-day and can be taken out to eat or brush, but they only work if worn consistently — usually 20-22 hours a day.

Neither option is universally "better" — it depends on how misaligned your teeth are, how disciplined you can be about wearing removable trays, and how much visibility matters to you during treatment.

The only way to know which is right for your case is a bite assessment with a dentist, who can look at your specific alignment and recommend a plan.