Which Brace is for you
| Brace comparison | Metal fixed braces | Clear fixed braces | Invisible braces (Invisalign) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Visible | Discreet | Barely visible |
| Effectiveness | Very effective at solving most orthodontic problems | Very effective at solving most orthodontic problems | More suitable for mild orthodontic problems |
| Diet | Very hard or sticky foods should be avoided. | Very hard or sticky foods should be avoided. You should rinse your mouth after consuming heavily pigmented food and drink as they can stain the elastics. | Diet is unaffected as aligners can be taken out for eating. |
| Tooth brushing | Extra time and care needs to be taken when cleaning teeth, which should include using special brushes. | Extra time and care needs to be taken when cleaning teeth, which should include using special brushes. | Teeth can be brushed and flossed as normal because aligners can be taken out. |
| Comfort | The metal brackets and wires can rub on the inside of the mouth and may cause ulcers in the first few weeks of wear. | Ceramic brackets are smoother than metal ones and less likely to cause irritation to the inside of the mouth. | Smooth plastic aligners do not rub or scratch the inside of the mouth. |
| Speech | These braces have very little impact on your speech. However, you may notice a difference in the first couple of days while you are getting used to wearing them. | These braces have very little impact on your speech. However, you may notice a difference in the first couple of days while you are getting used to wearing them. | These have minimal effect on speech as they are designed to fit snugly over the teeth. |
