Clear Braces vs Metal Braces: Which is Right for You?

Braces are one of the advanced options in dentistry that not only straighten your teeth but also help deal with other orthodontic problems. Clear and metal braces are an advanced and high-in-demand option when choosing this option to make your teeth look better. Mostly, children and adolescents tend to use these braces.

In this article, we will discuss both these types of braces so that it is easier for you to choose the best braces according to your requirements. Moreover, we recommend completing your research about braces before jumping into the orthodontist clinic.

Read: Cleaning A Mouthguard: Tips, Tricks, And Deep Cleaning

Let’s discuss the main types of braces, pros and cons, cost, and health benefits.

What Are Clear Braces?

As the name reveals, clear braces come with frosted wires that match your teeth and contain ceramic brackets. Unlike metal braces, the brackets are transparent and match the teeth. This makes them less noticeable to other people than traditional metal braces, which is why they are high in demand.

Clear braces work just like traditional braces and help straighten your teeth, keeping the molars upright and treating various gum diseases.

Now, let’s discuss the pros and cons of using clear braces to fix the teeth.

Pros of Clear Braces

Here we share some advantages of using clear braces:

1: Aesthetics

Clear vs metal braces bring one of the finest experiences to the user with their transparency and aesthetically pleasing nature that makes them less noticeable. In this way, it improves the quality of life of the patients who feel self-conscious and self-doubt their personality.

2: No irritation

Clear braces avoid irritation to the gums and other soft tissues compared to traditional metal braces, whose wires and brackets can be problematic.

3: Treatment benefits

Advanced invisible braces give all the treatment benefits that traditional braces serve. Such a type of braces is in high demand for their unnoticeable characteristics.

Cons of Clear Braces

As there are benefits of transparent braces, look at some side effects as well.

1: Size

Although the braces look incredible with invisible brackets, there is a con to using them, which is their size. The brackets are larger than metal braces. It might not be visible, but the user can notice the difference.

2: Expensive

While choosing the braces, you must know that clear braces are a little more expensive than metal braces. This is their unique design and high-quality transparent material used. Furthermore, their fittings and maintenance are also more costly.

3: Easy to damage

The material used in the clear braces is prone to damage as it is less durable and costs more for repairs.

4: Prone to staining

Do clear braces stain? The one-word answer is yes. The arch wires used in clear braces are made of porous material prone to staining.

5: Period

Clear vs metal braces have this huge disadvantage that is not negligible. One of the cons of choosing this type of braces is to be patient as they take longer to realign teeth than metal braces.

Read: 10 Effective Tips For Cleaning Teeth With Braces

What Are Metal Braces?

Metal braces are one of the oldest and quintessential treatments for issues related to gums and teeth. Metal wires and brackets are tightened occasionally to help shift your teeth in the right position and enhance your smile and confidence.

Made of high-grade stainless steel, they last longer than invisible braces and clear ones. The wires are easily customized with colorful elastics (rubber bands) that give you a unique smile.

Read: Clear Braces Vs Metal Braces: Which Is Right For You?

Pros of Metal Braces

1: Durability

Metal braces made of durable material are less likely to damage and incur additional repair costs.

2: Less staining

Metal braces are not as transparent as the clear ones. Clear and metal braces are prone to staining due to the porous and transparent material. Metal braces only change the shade due to the pigmentation from food.

3: Effective treatment

According to patients’ experience and dentists’ recommendations, metal braces are more effective than other braces in realigning teeth, covering the gaps, and setting bite issues.

4: Cheaper cost

One of the pros of choosing metal braces is their cheaper cost. A budget-friendly and viable option for patients who can’t spend much to straighten their teeth.

5: Creativity

Metal braces are more noticeable than other type of aligners. Patients can choose different colored rubber bands to express their style, show their favorite colors, or support their favorite sports team.

Read: Little Smiles: Using Finger Brushes For Baby Dental Health

Cons of Metal Braces

Here we share a few disadvantages of using metal braces over clear braces:

1: Side effects

One of the major side effects of using metal braces regarding health is that they can create mouth sores, especially initially or after an adjustment. So, one must be very careful with their use.

2: High maintenance

Metal braces are high-maintenance solutions as they are time-consuming to fix the issues. Moreover, they require special techniques for brushing and flossing to maintain good oral health.

3: No aesthetics

Metal braces are more noticeable and bring no aesthetics to your personality. Hence, impacting the overall quality of life for many patients, particularly older teens and adults, is only possible with clear braces.

Clear vs Metal Braces Cost

Various types of braces come with different product tags. Typically, you can expect to pay $1,500 to $4,000 more for ceramic vs metal braces price.

Further, depending on your issue and time frame, you might pay extra for maintenance and repairs.

Another more challenging thing about choosing clear vs metal braces is that most dental insurance plans do not cover the cost of installing the braces. However, they are best for orthodontic problems and are still considered a cosmetic treatment, which is a huge drawback.

Read: Flossing With Braces: Health Benefits, Methods & Expert Tips

Final Verdict

Finally, invisible braces are a great choice for effectively transforming and treating problems from teeth to gums. But, it also depends on the user to choose any braces according to their requirement, budget, and other demands.

Get professional advice from world-class dentists at Palm Valley Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics.

FAQs

Which braces are better, metal or clear?

Compared to traditional metal braces, clear bracket braces are the best choice for aesthetics. But they tend to be more fragile in nature. On the other hand, metal braces are more durable for long-term use.

Do clear braces take longer than metal ones?

According to orthodontic advice, clear braces take around 20 months to straighten teeth and solve other gums’ problems.

Which type of braces is best?

Clear braces, while not invisible, are still far less noticeable than metal braces; on the other hand, metal braces come with highly durable material that makes them better for long-term treatment.

Do clear braces turn yellow?

Clear braces are prone to staining compared to traditional metal braces. Avoid dark-colored foods and drinks to reduce staining.