We get questions all the time about invisible braces and we’re here to help you understand what invisible braces are (and aren’t!) We’ll also talk about the pros and cons of invisible braces and how these treatments, while not actually invisible, are much more discreet than traditional metal brackets and are suitable for a wide range of cases. Keep reading to learn more.
“Invisible braces” is a bit of a misnomer, and it’s not a term orthodontists use. However, we get questions about them all the time, so it’s worth clearing up some of the confusion. When people talk about “invisible braces,” they’re probably referring to one of two common types of orthodontic treatment: Clear aligners or ceramic braces.
Much less common but also a discreet option are lingual braces, which are placed on the back surface of the tooth (the tongue side) and so aren’t visible from the front.
What are clear aligners?
According to the AAO, clear aligners are thin, transparent plastic-like trays that are custom-formed to fit your mouth and sequentially apply the pressure required to move the teeth. The use of clear aligners has increased dramatically in recent years, and there are many different brands out there offering a similar product.
What are ceramic braces?
Ceramic braces involve a bracket and wire system similar to traditional metal braces, but the brackets themselves are made from a tooth-colored material (aluminum oxide) so the braces are less noticeable. The archwires can also be tooth colored, which makes them even more discreet.
Pros and Cons of Clear Aligners
Pros
- Removable
- Unlike traditional metal braces which are attached to your teeth at the beginning of treatment and stay there until you’re finished, clear aligners can be removed anytime for eating, cleaning or adjusting.
- Nearly invisible
- The transparent plastic-like material of clear aligners isn’t impossible to see, but most people won’t notice you’re wearing them.
- Fewer eating restrictions
- You have to remove your aligners to eat, so there aren’t strict diet restrictions like there are with metal braces. However, you do have to wear the aligners 20-22 hours per day, so sipping on sugary drinks and coffee all day long is not an option. You have to be mindful of how much time you spend with your aligners out eating and drinking, and make sure you’re not overdoing it.
- Easier to brush teeth
- Brushing and flossing during clear aligner treatment is easy because you simply remove them, follow the proper dental hygiene routine, and put them back in! You don’t have to worry about floss threaders or brushing around brackets.
- No concern about broken brackets or poking wires
- Orthodontic emergencies are rare, but they can happen with traditional metal braces. The worst that can happen with a clear aligner is that you break it or lose it, but neither of those scenarios involve any discomfort or injury to your mouth.
Cons
- Easy to lose
- Because you have to take your aligners out to eat, drink certain beverages, and brush your teeth, there are many opportunities throughout the day to misplace them. The best way to avoid this is to ALWAYS store them in your plastic aligner case when you’re not wearing them, and NEVER wrap them up in a napkin or put them loose in your pocket or purse.
- Have to be worn 20-22 hours a day
- Aligners are removable, but that doesn’t mean you can take long breaks from them during the day or at night. Treatment success depends on wearing them for the right amount of time every day. If you remove them too often or leave them out too long, your treatment can take longer or not work at all.
- Compliance can be difficult for younger patients
- Kids and teens can use clear aligners but are more likely to lose, break, or forget to wear them. Fixed appliances like traditional metal braces can be a better option because you don’t have to worry about compliance.
Pros and Cons of Ceramic Braces
Pros
- Discreet
- Tooth-colored brackets and archwires make ceramic braces a great option for those who want to correct a bad-bite and straighten their teeth but don’t like the idea of something as noticeable as metal brackets. Adults are the most likely to request ceramic brackets for their treatment.
- Effective treatment for patients with complex cases not suitable for clear aligners
- New technology is making it easier and easier to treat a wider range of patients with clear aligners, but there are still cases that require the more traditional bracket and archwire system.
- Less allergenic
- Nickel, a common material used in metal brackets, is a common allergen and can cause reactions in some patients. Ceramic braces are hypoallergenic and a great choice for patients with sensitivities.
- Safe for MRI tests
- Traditional metal brackets have to be removed if the patient needs a Magnetic Resonance Imaging test. Ceramic brackets are made from a different material so they can be left on.
- Cost effective
- Ceramic braces are slightly more expensive than traditional metal braces, but they are still usually more affordable than clear aligners.
Cons
- Brackets are larger than traditional metal brackets
- Ceramic brackets can feel more bulky than traditional metal braces.
- Cost
- There isn’t a huge difference in cost, but for some people the marginally higher price tag is a deciding factor.
- Potentially less durable than metal
- Ceramic brackets are slightly more prone to breaking than metal brackets. That being said, if you follow your orthodontist’s instructions about food restrictions and braces care, you should be fine.
- Diet restrictions
- Unlike clear aligners treatment, ceramic braces treatment has the same kind of food restrictions as traditional metal braces. Patients have to stay away from crunchy, chewy, sticky foods and candies, avoid sugary drinks and coffee, and be extra careful with foods that could get stuck in their brackets.
Which treatment is right for me?
Clear aligners and ceramic braces are both effective, safe options for a wide range of patients as long as you do your treatment under the supervision of a qualified orthodontist. While some dentists do offer clear aligner treatment to their patients, orthodontists are the only ones with the right education, experience, and skills to design and implement your personalized treatment plan.
TAO member orthodontists are specialists committed to maintaining the highest standard of care for patients in Texas. When you trust your smile to one of our members, you can rest assured that your well-being and safety is their top priority.
To find a member orthodontist near you, visit our searchable, online directory.
Many of our members offer an initial consultation at no cost to you, so you can get an examination and understand your options before making a decision.
Why wait? Schedule an appointment today!
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