There are several kinds of braces, and most of the differences are about looks and comfort, not about how well teeth move. This guide helps you choose.
Key points
- Most of the differences between brace types are about looks and comfort, not about results.
- The main types are metal, ceramic, self-ligating, lingual braces and clear aligners.17
- Your orthodontist decides first what can treat your problem, and complex cases may need fixed braces.
- Self-ligating braces did not significantly shorten total treatment time, and most brand claims about speed and comfort are not supported by strong evidence.34
- All fixed braces collect plaque and need cleaning with an interdental brush every day, and a retainer is needed afterwards.2
At a braces consultation you may be asked which type you would like. The options can sound confusing, and marketing does not help. The British Orthodontic Society notes that fixed braces are the most common type of appliance and can move teeth very precisely, but that many brands and designs exist and manufacturers' claims of better results are often not backed by scientific evidence.1 Here is a practical guide.
The main types
Metal braces
Stainless steel brackets are bonded to the teeth and joined by a wire, held by small elastic rings that you can usually choose in a colour, or in silver.1 They are the type most often used in children, and they are robust. The drawbacks are that they are visible, the elastic rings can discolour between visits, and hard food can break the brackets.1 See our page on metal braces.
Ceramic braces
The brackets are made of a hard, tooth-coloured ceramic, and the wire can be tooth-coloured too.1 They are popular with adults and can be as effective as metal at moving teeth. The trade-offs are that ceramic brackets are slightly harder to remove at the end and are sometimes not recommended for the lower teeth if the bite is deep.1 See ceramic braces.
Self-ligating braces
These have a built-in clip that holds the wire, instead of elastic rings. Two practical advantages are supported by the British Orthodontic Society: wire changes take less time, and there is less risk of discolouration because no elastics are used.1 The same society says there is no evidence that the mechanism produces a better result than a conventional fixed appliance.1 A meta-analysis found that pain, the number of appointments and the total treatment time did not differ significantly,3 and in one network meta-analysis alignment was about 10 days faster with active clips, but total treatment time was no different.4 See self-ligating braces.
Lingual braces
These are fitted behind the teeth so they cannot be seen. They can produce high-quality results, and they involve laboratory work and longer adjustment appointments.1 The British Orthodontic Society lists initial speech difficulty, tongue soreness and harder cleaning as the drawbacks.1 A review of 11 trials found more oral discomfort, more speech impediment and more difficulty eating than with braces on the front,5 and another review of 8 studies found more speech difficulty and more tongue pain.6 See lingual braces.
Clear aligners
These are removable, custom-made trays worn full-time, day and night, except at meal times.7 They are most often used where the teeth can be lined up without taking any out, for example in mild to moderate irregularity.7 See clear aligners.
What matters when you choose
What your teeth need. Your orthodontist decides first what can treat your problem. Complex cases may need fixed braces.
How visible you want them to be. Ceramic, lingual and aligners are less obvious than metal.
How you feel about speech and eating. Lingual braces affect the tongue, and aligners must come out for meals.
Cleaning. All fixed braces collect plaque, and you need an interdental brush every day.2
Your habits. Aligners depend on wear time. Fixed braces depend on avoiding hard food.
Your lifestyle. For example, people who play contact sports or wind instruments may have preferences.
What does not matter as much as marketing suggests
Most of the claims about speed, comfort and results for particular brands are not supported by strong evidence. Fixed braces usually stay on for 18 to 24 months, and in a review of 22 studies the average was 19.9 months, whichever type was used.18 A good choice is therefore less about the brand and more about suitability, comfort and cleaning.
A comparison table
| Type | Looks | Main strengths | Main drawbacks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal | Visible | Robust, widely used | Visible, rings can stain |
| Ceramic | Tooth-coloured | Discreet, effective | Harder to remove, not always advised on lower teeth |
| Self-ligating | Metal or ceramic | Quicker wire changes, no elastics | No better result |
| Lingual | Hidden | Cannot be seen | Speech, tongue, cleaning |
| Aligners | Clear | Removable | Only mild to moderate cases, must be worn |
Questions for your orthodontist
- Which types can treat my problem, and which cannot?
- Why do you recommend this one?
- How will it affect my speech and eating?
- How do I clean it?
- What are the visits like?
- What will I need afterwards?
After the braces
All fixed brace treatment is followed by a retainer, because teeth tend to move back without one.1 Our guide to retainers explains why, and our overview of braces treatment describes the whole process.
A short worksheet to use before your consultation
Write down your answers, and bring them with you.
- How visible can the braces be? Not at all, a little, or it does not matter.
- How do I feel about speech? Do I perform, present or speak a lot?
- What do I eat? Do I eat hard or sticky food often, and how much would I change?
- How careful can I be with cleaning? Be honest about time and routine.
- How reliably could I wear trays? If you often forget things, fixed braces may suit better.
- What activities do I do? Contact sport, wind instruments or singing.
- How long do I expect treatment to take? Ask the orthodontist for a range.
- How do I feel about visits? How often can I attend?
Your answers do not decide the type, but they help your orthodontist to recommend a good fit among the types that suit your teeth.
Matching types to common concerns
| Concern | Types to discuss |
|---|---|
| "I do not want people to see them" | Ceramic, lingual or clear aligners |
| "I forget things easily" | Fixed braces of any type |
| "I want to eat what I like" | Clear aligners, with discipline about wearing them |
| "I play contact sport" | Any, with a mouthguard fitted over them |
| "I need the most control for a complex problem" | Fixed braces |
| "I have a small problem and finished growing" | Clear aligners may be an option7 |
These are starting points for a conversation, not rules. The orthodontist will test them against your own teeth.
What can change the plan
Even after you have chosen, the plan can change. A bite that is deeper than expected, a tooth that is slow to move or a health issue can lead the orthodontist to adjust the appliance, add elastics or change the type. Ask in advance what would trigger a change, how it would be explained and what it would involve. A plan that allows for adjustments is more realistic than one that promises everything will go exactly as drawn.
Myths and facts
Myth: ceramic braces are always less comfortable. They are slightly harder to remove at the end, but they can be as effective as metal, and many adults prefer them.1
Myth: lingual braces are the answer because nobody can see them. They can give high-quality results, but they affect speech and the tongue more, and are harder to clean.15
Myth: self-ligating braces always shorten treatment. Total treatment time did not differ significantly in the meta-analysis.3
Fact: your orthodontist's skill and the plan matter more than the brand of bracket.
Thinking about your own preferences
Write down what matters to you: appearance, speech, comfort, speed, ease of cleaning and the time and effort involved. Then ask your orthodontist which options fit your teeth, and which fit your priorities. If two options are equally suitable for your teeth, choose the one you will find easiest to live with for two years.
Frequently asked questions
Which type is the most comfortable?
It varies. Many people find the soreness is similar across types, and the differences are in speech, rubbing and eating.
Are ceramic braces weaker than metal?
They can be as effective at moving teeth, but they are slightly harder to remove and are sometimes not advised on lower teeth in a deep bite.1
Can adults have braces?
Yes. Braces are not only for children and teenagers.2
Do coloured elastics matter?
They are a matter of taste, and they can discolour between visits.1
Are there braces that are quicker?
Reviews do not show that any bracket type shortens total treatment time significantly.3
Can children have ceramic braces?
Often, yes, though metal is most commonly used in children.1
Do I have to choose the brace type myself?
You are asked for your preferences, but your orthodontist decides which types can treat your problem and recommends from those. The final choice is shared.
Are lingual braces suitable for everyone?
No. They are fitted behind the teeth, can affect the tongue and speech and are harder to clean. Your orthodontist can say whether they suit your teeth and your bite.
About the author
Dr Anupam Sinha, BDS, MDS – Orthodontics. BDS (2002), KLE Vishwanath Katti Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum. MDS in Orthodontics (2006), SDM College of Dental Sciences, Dharwad. His thesis work won a national research award in 2005, and he holds a certification in aesthetic dentistry. He sees patients at Orion Dental Clinic in Greater Kailash 1, South Delhi. Read the full profile of Dr Anupam Sinha.
Sources
- British Orthodontic Society. Conventional fixed braces (patient information). https://bos.org.uk/conventional/
- NHS website. Braces and orthodontics (patient information). Page review date 29 June 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/orthodontics/
- Čelar A, Schedlberger M, Dörfler P, Bertl M. Systematic review on self-ligating vs. conventional brackets: initial pain, number of visits, treatment time. Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics, 2013;74(1):40-51. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23299650/
- Maizeray R, Wagner D, Lefebvre F, Lévy-Bénichou H, Bolender Y. Is there any difference between conventional, passive and active self-ligating brackets? A systematic review and network meta-analysis. International Orthodontics, 2021;19(4):523-538. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34629309/
- Papageorgiou SN, Gölz L, Jäger A, Eliades T, Bourauel C. Lingual vs. labial fixed orthodontic appliances: systematic review and meta-analysis of treatment effects. European Journal of Oral Sciences, 2016;124(2):105-118. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26916846/
- Ata-Ali F, Ata-Ali J, Ferrer-Molina M, Cobo T, De Carlos F, Cobo J. Adverse effects of lingual and buccal orthodontic techniques: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 2016;149(6):820-829. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27241992/
- British Orthodontic Society. Clear aligners (patient information leaflet). https://www.bos.org.uk/Public-Patients/Patient-Information-Leaflets/Clear-Aligners
- Tsichlaki A, Chin SY, Pandis N, Fleming PS. How long does treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances last? A systematic review. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 2016;149(3):308-318. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26926017/
Medically reviewed by Dr Anupam Sinha, BDS, MDS – Orthodontics, on . General information for patients from Orion Dental Clinic, last updated 23 October 2026. It is not advice for one person, so ask a dentist what suits you. To report an error, contact us.