Clear Aligners vs. Braces: Everything You Need to Know
Table of Contents
- Conditions Treated
- Aligners & Braces?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Treatment Time
- Cleanliness
- Visibility Issues
- Pain Tolerance
- Convenience
- Cost considerations
Both clear aligners and braces help to straighten your teeth. The devices can also adjust the way your teeth fit together.
Braces are generally best for severe bite problems, says the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). But you can choose aligners for mild-to-moderate issues. Choose doctor-supervised, at-home aligners like those we offer at Byte, and you'll save time and money.
What's the Difference Between Aligners & Braces?
| Traditional braces | Invisalign aligners | Doctor-supervised, at-home aligners | |
|---|---|---|---|
| cost | $5,000–$7,500 | $5,000–$7,500 | about $2,000 |
| conditions treated | severe malocclusions | mild to moderate issues | mild to moderate issues |
| treatment time | 2 years | 6 months or longer | 4 months |
| cleanliness | low; braces aren't removable, and you can't floss | high; aligners are removable | high; aligners are removable |
| easy to see? | yes | no | no |
| comfortable? | uncomfortable; wires and brackets harm soft tissues | moderate pain when switching trays | moderate pain when switching trays |
| convenient? | no; in-person appointments are mandatory | no; in-person appointments are mandatory | yes; check in via an app or video chat |
Let's dive into each area in detail, so you'll have all the information you need to make the right decision for your health and your mouth.
Brackets are glued to the front or back of your teeth, connected by wires. During treatment, the wire gets shorter or bends a bit. The movement pushes your teeth into new positions.
Plastic trays wrap around your teeth and push them into new positions. Movements are gentle, and while it can be uncomfortable, this option is often less painful than braces. Swap out trays periodically to move your teeth into new spots.
Conditions Treated: Which is Right?
Both braces and aligners can shift teeth to proper positioning, but they work best for different issues.
People with dental crowding have teeth tightly packed inside the mouth. Sometimes, teeth don’t have enough room inside the jaw.
In a study published in 2018, researchers examined the efficacy of aligners and fixed appliances (braces) in treating this problem. The test group included 100 patients using Invisalign and 100 using braces. They found that more than 90% of people treated with Invisalign showed a significant improvement, but 37% needed additional trays.
Studies like this suggest that either aligners or braces could treat crowding.
People with an open bite have teeth that don’t touch when the mouth is closed. In a study published in 2018, researchers examined aligners and braces in the treatment of this problem. Participants included 17 people treated with braces and 36 treated with aligners. The researchers said the correction was similar between the two groups, and they could not find statistically significant differences.
Studies like this suggest that an open bite could be treated with either aligners or braces.
People with generally crooked teeth have a smile that just doesn’t look right. They may have mild gaps, subtle twisting, or other general problems that keep them from looking their best.
In a study published in 2022, researchers examined the efficacy of clear aligners vs. fixed appliances in moving teeth overall. They reviewed 361 published studies and tried to draw conclusions from the data other researchers gathered. They found that aligners were effective for problems considered mild or moderate. They said braces worked best when treating severe cases.
Studies like this suggest that the severity of your dental condition might dictate whether braces or aligners work best for your dental condition.
People with an overbite have upper teeth that sit too far in front of the lower. People with an underbite have lower teeth that sit too far in front of the upper. Some people have a large gap between their teeth when their mouth is closed, while others have a smaller space.
In a study published in 2022, researchers examined 50 people with a deep (or severe) overbite. Half were treated with Invisalign, and half were treated with braces. Both sets of people were treated for a similar timeframe. All of them got better, but the treatment was slightly different. People with braces experienced changes in their incisors and molars, while people with aligners had changes in their incisors only.
Studies like this suggest that braces and aligners address bite problems differently, but both might be effective.
Treatment time: How long will it take?
This table can help you understand how long treatment typically takes, along with the factors that might extend your time in treatment.
| Average length of treatment | What could make it last longer? |
Braces | Missed appointments Broken brackets Severe dental issues | |
Invisalign | Missed appointments Broken trays Severe dental issues | |
Byte aligners | Noncompliance with treatment Severe dental issues |
Why is the Byte system so fast? Thank HyperByte. Researchers say accelerated orthodontic treatment with vibration is effective, as these vibrating tools speed up bone remodeling and reduce pain.
Use the HyperByte tool (sent with your aligners), and you'll see the results.
When you're living with a better bite, you'll reduce your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and chewing problems, AAO says.
Cleanliness: How vulnerable are your teeth?
You must brush your teeth to keep them clean, whether dental appliances are in use or not. But braces can make cleaning your teeth tough.
Brackets for braces are glued onto your teeth, and wires connect them. This permanent hardware creates spaces that trap bits of food, and when bacteria start feeding, plaque forms. That can lead to tooth decay.
Aligners are different. You take out these devices and clean them when you eat or drink anything other than water.
You can clean your teeth unimpeded. When you have aligners, you don't have to change any of the following:
How you brush your teeth
How you floss your teeth
How you use mouthwash
You simply take out your aligners before you do these things.
Head to the dentist for a cleaning, and you can take out your trays for a full polish and fluoride treatment.
The result is a healthier, cleaner mouth.
Visibility issues: Do you want your treatment noticed?
Modern braces are typically made of metal or ceramic materials, and companies have developed colorful wires and bands to string the teeth together. Some people want to express a personal sense of style with their braces, and they appreciate the color. You may not.
Many people who have orthodontic treatment are self-conscious about their looks. You may feel like any of the following:
People are watching your teeth rather than looking into your eyes
Everyone notices how crooked your teeth are
People make assumptions about your vanity or your health
For the privacy-conscious, aligners are a better choice. The devices are still noticeable for those who look hard, but they don't catch sunlight like metal wires.
You should wear your aligners almost all the time, but if you have a high-pressure situation, such as a job interview, you could take them out. You're in control of your appearance with aligners.
Pain tolerance: How much discomfort can you handle?
Researchers say that people with braces experience a dip in quality of life during the first three months of treatment. That might be caused by a painful adjustment to a mouth filled with braces.
You must grow accustomed to the following with braces:
Chapped lips: Your lips must stretch to make room for the brackets. Your lips might not fully close, resulting in a dryer mouth and lips.
Poking wires and brackets: The brackets stick out from your teeth, often rubbing the inside of your lips. Your devices can also rattle loose, and when that happens, you can get scrapes and sores.
Mouth sores: Welts are common during braces treatment. Wax can help, but your mouth will feel sore and tender until you develop calluses.
Aching with adjustments: When your braces are tightened, you may feel slightly uncomfortable for the next few days as your teeth adjust to the pressure.
Good steps to follow to help you stay comfortable with braces include the following:
Try an over-the-counter pain medication like aspirin.
Use a topical painkiller for direct pain relief. Massage it into your gums in a circular motion for extra pain-killing power.
Apply orthodontic wax to the rough edges of your braces.
Use an ice pack on your cheek or swirl ice water inside your mouth.
Eat soft foods whenever possible.
Rinse with warm water to help heal cuts and sores.
Moving teeth is painful, and both braces and aligners cause that discomfort. But aligners are thin and smooth. They don't pull on your lips, and they don't poke your gums. Your teeth may be sore, but your soft mouth tissues should emerge unscathed.
Both oral and topical painkillers could be helpful in easing aligner discomfort. If you feel like your trays are cutting into your gums, ask your team what to do to make things better.
Convenience: How much time do you have?
With both aligners and braces, a professional supervises every step in your treatment plan. But braces and Invisalign require in-person appointments. Byte does not.
Opt for braces or Invisalign, and prepare to see your dental health team for periodic checkups and adjustments. That means sitting in a crowded waiting room, hoping your visit will start on time and that you'll be back to work or your daily schedule without much delay.
Choose doctor-monitored, at-home aligners, and you’ll deal with your teeth on your schedule. A doctor will oversee the whole process, ensuring that your treatment plan is designed appropriately and things are moving along as planned. But you won't have to deal with in-person appointments and crowded waiting rooms.
Cost considerations: How much will you pay?
Braces cost between $5,000 and $7,500 on average. Invisalign aligners, administered in orthodontic offices in a system similar to braces, also cost up to $7,000.
At-home aligners cost about $2,000. For people looking for the smallest price tag, aligners are clear winners.
Additional costs associated with aligners vs. braces include the following:
Missed appointments. Braces and some types of aligners require in-person appointments with a dental professional. If you miss your appointments, the treatment could take longer. Research from CostHelper suggests that most dental professionals use one-size-fits-all pricing, so you’re not charged more for extended treatment. However, if you need new aligners due to missed appointments, you could get charged.
Emergency repairs. If you break part of your braces or lose your aligners, you could get charged for those issues.
You can cut that cost even more with the following:
Dental insurance: Some insurance companies chip in to help families cover the cost of orthodontic care. However, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield explains that most dental insurance plans cover preventive care, but they don’t automatically cover orthodontic treatment. If you want this coverage, you may need a special “rider” or amendment. If you do have insurance from a company like Aetna, the company could pay 50% of the cost of your treatment to a maximum of $2,000 in your lifetime.
Health savings accounts: Get tax benefits for saving money to pay for health issues. Use those funds to pay for your dental care.
Discounts: Companies (like Byte) offer discounts to military members and other groups. Pay attention to the deals, and you could knock a bit of money off your price.
No matter how much you pay, remember that you're investing in your smile. The fees are worth your long-term dental health.
Clear Aligners vs. Braces Frequently Asked Questions
Aligners are quick and efficient, and aligner treatment times tend to be shorter than braces treatment times. But braces also work on more complex cases, and those take more time to fix.
At-home, doctor-supervised aligners are much less expensive than traditional braces.
Of course. If your aligner treatment isn't right for you, an orthodontist could apply braces to your teeth.
It depends. Teens with significant dental issues may benefit from braces, while those with mild-to-moderate issues may appreciate aligners.
No. Both braces and aligners pressure your teeth to take up new positions, and that movement can be uncomfortable. Aligners tend to cause less discomfort than braces do, but they’re not entirely pain-free.
Aligners are medical devices that should be applied by a professional. At Byte, we assess your oral health and necessary care before creating your aligners. If we think your issue isn’t right for aligner treatment, we’ll tell you. That decision is based on what’s best for your long-term health, and unfortunately, it’s not negotiable. You may want to use aligners for everything, but it’s not always best for your long-term goals.
Doctors look at your oral health, tooth position, bite, and smile to determine how much your teeth should move. They also examine your willingness to participate in the treatment program and your lifestyle. All of that data helps them determine which option is best for you.