Almost everyone who comes in asks some version of the same question: which one should I get? It’s a fair question, and the honest answer is that it depends on what needs correcting — but there is a lot you can understand before you ever sit in the chair.
Here are the three options we offer, and what genuinely separates them.
Traditional metal braces
Metal braces are the most common type, and they are considerably more comfortable now than they used to be. Made of high-grade stainless steel, they straighten teeth using metal brackets and archwires.
Gone are the days when a metal band with a bracket was placed around every tooth. Wires are far less noticeable, and the latest materials are designed to move teeth faster with more comfort.
They’re also the most customisable in one specific sense: you get to add coloured elastics and change them at every adjustment. For kids and teens, that turns out to be a genuine selling point rather than a consolation prize.
Best when: the case is complex, or you want the most predictable control over tooth movement at the lowest cost.
Clear (ceramic) braces
Ceramic braces work exactly like metal ones but are made of clear materials, so they’re far less visible on the teeth. That’s why they’re used mainly on older teenagers and adults with cosmetic concerns.
There are two trade-offs worth knowing about. Ceramic brackets are larger and more brittle than their metal counterparts, and they require more attention to oral hygiene. For those reasons they tend to be used more on the upper front teeth than the lower ones.
Best when: you want fixed braces without the visibility, and you’re prepared to be diligent about brushing and flossing.
Clear aligners
Clear aligners are a series of invisible, removable, comfortable acrylic trays. Each one is custom-made to fit over your teeth and gradually moves them into position. Like braces, they apply gradual force to control tooth movement — just without metal wires or brackets.
You wear them at least 20 hours a day and switch to a new tray on a schedule we set. Treatment can take anywhere from six months to two years depending on the severity of the case.
The advantages are real:
- They’re easier to keep clean, which makes it easier to maintain the health of your teeth and gums
- They’re comfortable and less likely to irritate gums and cheeks
- They prevent wear on the teeth from grinding
- They’re removable, so you brush and floss normally and eat what you like
We’re a certified provider of Invisalign clear aligners, and we also treat teens with them.
Best when: you want treatment that’s hard to notice and easy to live with — and you’ll genuinely wear them the required hours. That last condition does the heavy lifting.
So what actually decides it?
Three things, roughly in this order:
- What needs correcting. Clear aligners can treat a wide range of conditions — crossbites, crowding, open bites, gapped teeth, overbites and underbites — but they are not right for everyone. Some cases need the control that fixed brackets give.
- How you live. Removable suits some people and defeats others. There’s no shame in knowing you’d lose the trays.
- Cost and coverage. Treatment length and complexity drive the price. Most plans cover part of orthodontic treatment, and we go through insurance and payment options before anything starts, so you know what to expect.
Treatment time varies across all three and can run between one and three years depending on age, method, and how minor or severe the case is. A big factor is you — the more involved and diligent you are, the more efficient treatment will be.
The honest bit
You won’t settle this from a blog post, and you shouldn’t have to. The way to find out is a consultation, where we look at your teeth, discuss options, and give an estimate of how long treatment would take before you commit to anything.
Request an appointment or call us on (212) 966-9628, and we’ll talk it through properly.