There are many different options in orthodontics for straightening crooked teeth and aligning bad bites. Traditional metal braces may seem to have been replaced by invisible aligners, braces on the back of the teeth and braces of clear ceramic, but many people still get traditional metal braces. In some cases, they are actually still the best option for straightening teeth.

One advantage to traditional braces is that they are usually the most economic orthodontic option. They also can correct more problems than other types of treatments can. Clear aligners are very different than braces, and while they are good for straightening front teeth and correcting minor malocclusion or bad bites, they are not effective for teeth that need to be rotated or moved vertically.

Lingual braces go on the back of the teeth and are technically the only type of orthodontic treatment that is truly invisible when you are smiling. Lingual braces are the most difficult for the patient to get used to wearing because they sit close to the tongue and can interfere with swallowing and speaking. They are also the most difficult braces to clean, and treatment time is usually longer than with other types of braces or aligners.

Clear braces are made of ceramic or porcelain. They work like metal braces, but they are not as durable. The brackets, though clear, are actually larger than the brackets of most metal braces. The brackets and the ligatures, which are usually clear or white, are not noticeable from a distance, but actually quite visible up close.