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Clear braces are a fixed orthodontic treatment for teeth misalignment. They’re sometimes referred to as ceramic braces and are an aesthetic alternative to metal braces.
As the name suggests, clear braces are see-through, making them similar to clear aligners, such as Invisalign. Unlike Invisalign, they’re not removable. And like traditional metal braces, they use wires and brackets to move your teeth.
The brackets in clear braces can be made of different materials, including:
Clear aligners can save you thousands of dollars compared to braces. Learn about clear aligners.
Clear braces work in much the same way as traditional metal braces.
Brackets are attached to your teeth with special glue or orthodontic bands. They hold the archwires in place while they gradually move your teeth.
Treatment with clear braces usually takes between 18 to 24 months. Similar to regular braces, dentist and/or orthodontist appointments occur every 4 to 6 weeks to check treatment progress.
The metal brackets and wires on clear braces are colored to match your teeth. Any rubber bands or elastic components are see-through or white. This makes them a lot less noticeable than traditional metal braces.
We recommend at-home clear aligners if you have mild teeth misalignment. View our top recommendations.
Clear braces can fix a variety of problems that may be too difficult for clear aligners.
This includes severe instances of:
Clear braces can also address complex cases, such as when there’s both crowded teeth and an underbite.
Clear aligners and clear braces are both discrete forms of orthodontic treatment. But there are some important differences between them.
Advantages of clear aligners:
Disadvantages of clear aligners:
Advantages of clear braces:
Disadvantages of clear braces:
Aside from Invisalign, there is also a variety of at-home clear aligners to choose from.
Here’s how some of them compare:
Candid | Byte | ALIGNERCO | SmileDirectClub | NewSmile | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hybrid Model of Care | Fast Treatment | Budget Aligner Option | Original At-Home Aligner | Budget Aligner Option | |
Cost | $3,300 (varies by provider) | $1,999 to $2,399 | $870 to $1,070 | $2,050 | $1,495 to $1,595 |
Treatment Length | 4 to 12 months | 4 to 12 months | 4 to 6 months | 8 to 12 months | 4 to 6 months |
Financing Available | Depends on provider | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
In-Office Consultation | ✓ | ✓ | X | X | ✓ |
Orthodontist-directed | ✓ | X | X | ✓ | X |
The per-arch cost for treatment with clear braces is usually between $4,000 and $8,000. This varies depending on the brand.
Here are some brands of ceramic braces and their costs per arch:
On average, treatment with clear braces costs $1,000 more per arch than traditional braces. But clear braces are potentially more affordable than Invisalign, which can range between $3,500 to $9,000.
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What’s Next?
The most popular at-home clear aligner kits can be found right here: