Braces vs Clear Aligners

Which Orthodontic Treatment May Be Right for You?

Braces and clear aligners can both straighten teeth and improve the bite, but they work in different ways.

Braces remain attached to the teeth throughout treatment. Clear aligners are removable trays that must be worn consistently each day.

At Best Western Dental Centre in Cambridge Park, Penrith, Dr Nathan Le provides both fixed braces and clear-aligner treatment using systems such as Angel Aligner and Invisalign®.

The most suitable option will depend on your teeth, bite, treatment goals, lifestyle and ability to follow the treatment instructions.

Request an Orthodontic Consultation

Braces and Clear Aligners at a Glance

	Braces	Clear Aligners
Appearance	Brackets and wires are visible	Transparent and generally less noticeable
Removable	No	Yes
Daily wear	Work continuously because they remain attached	Usually require approximately 20–22 hours of wear each day
Eating	Hard, sticky and chewy foods require care	Removed for eating and drinking anything other than plain water
Cleaning	Requires careful brushing around brackets and wires	Removed for cleaning, but teeth and aligners must both be kept clean
Patient cooperation	Less dependent on remembering to wear the appliance	Strongly dependent on consistent daily wear
Complex treatment	Can provide continuous control for many complex movements	Suitable for many cases, but not every tooth or bite correction
Additional features	May include elastics, springs or other appliances	May include tooth-coloured attachments, elastics or tooth reshaping
Breakages or problems	Brackets and wires may loosen or break	Aligners may be lost, damaged or stop fitting correctly
Retainers	Required after treatment	Required after treatment

How Do Braces Work?

Braces use brackets attached to the teeth and a wire that connects them. The wire and other components apply controlled forces to move the teeth gradually.

Because braces remain attached, they continue working without the patient needing to remember to insert them.

Braces may be particularly useful when:

• More complex tooth movements are required
• Significant rotations or bite correction are involved
• Consistent aligner wear may be difficult
• Additional orthodontic appliances are needed
• Greater control over individual tooth movement is desirable

Braces still require cooperation. Patients must keep their teeth and braces clean, attend adjustment appointments, wear elastics if prescribed and avoid foods that may damage the appliance.

For more information, visit our Braces in Penrith page.

How Do Clear Aligners Work?

Clear aligners are a sequence of customised removable trays. Each aligner is designed to apply controlled pressure to selected teeth.

At our practice, Dr Nathan regularly uses Angel Aligner for suitable cases and also offers Invisalign treatment, a widely recognised clear-aligner system.

Clear aligners may appeal to patients because they are:

• Less noticeable than fixed braces
• Removable for meals
• Removable for brushing and flossing
• Smooth and custom-made
• Convenient for many work and social situations

However, aligners only work while they are being worn. They generally need to be worn for approximately 20–22 hours each day, or as prescribed.

Clear aligners may not be suitable for every orthodontic problem. Attachments, elastics, limited reshaping between selected teeth or additional aligners may also be required.

For more information, visit our Invisalign and Clear Aligners in Penrith page.

Which Option Is Less Noticeable?

Clear aligners are generally less noticeable because they are transparent and do not use conventional brackets and wires.

However, aligners are not completely invisible. Small tooth-coloured attachments may be bonded to selected teeth, and some patients require visible orthodontic elastics.

Braces are more noticeable, although many patients quickly become accustomed to their appearance.

The importance of appearance varies between patients and should be considered alongside treatment suitability, reliability and daily responsibilities.

Which Option Is Easier for Eating?

Clear aligners are removed for eating, so there are usually fewer restrictions on food choices. However, the teeth should be cleaned before the aligners are reinserted whenever practical.

With braces, patients need to avoid or modify very hard, sticky and chewy foods that may damage brackets or bend wires.

Clear aligners must also be removed before drinking anything other than plain water. Drinking sugary or acidic beverages while wearing aligners may increase the risk of tooth decay and staining.

Which Option Is Easier to Clean?

Clear aligners can be removed, making it easier to brush and floss normally. The aligners must also be cleaned and stored correctly.

Braces require careful cleaning around each bracket, underneath the wire and along the gumline. Interdental brushes and other cleaning aids are often helpful.

Both treatments require good oral hygiene and regular dental examinations and professional cleans.

Neither option protects against tooth decay or gum disease if cleaning is inadequate.

Which Treatment Requires More Cooperation?

Clear-aligner treatment relies heavily on patient cooperation. The aligners must be:

• Worn for the prescribed number of hours
• Changed according to instructions
• Removed and stored safely during meals
• Cleaned properly
• Brought to review appointments
• Replaced promptly if lost or damaged

Braces cannot be removed by the patient, so treatment is less dependent on remembering to wear the appliance.

However, patients with braces must still cooperate with cleaning, diet, elastics and regular appointments.

Braces or Clear Aligners for Teenagers?

Either option may be suitable for a teenager.

Clear aligners may work well for teenagers who can wear and care for them consistently. Braces may be more reliable when there are concerns about remembering to wear aligners or when complex tooth and bite movements are required.

The decision should consider:

• The teenager’s teeth and bite
• Their stage of dental development
• The required tooth movements
• Oral hygiene
• Personal preference
• Their ability to follow instructions
• The risk of losing or damaging aligners

Braces or Clear Aligners for Adults?

Adults can have braces or clear-aligner treatment provided their teeth, gums and supporting bone are healthy enough.

Many adults prefer clear aligners because they are less noticeable and removable. Other adults choose braces because they do not want the responsibility of wearing and managing removable trays.

Adult orthodontic treatment may also need to be coordinated with implants, crowns, veneers, gum treatment or other dental care.

Which Treatment Is Faster?

Neither braces nor clear aligners are always faster.

Treatment time depends on:

• The complexity of the tooth and bite correction
• The type and amount of movement required
• Biological response
• Patient cooperation
• Attendance at review appointments
• Breakages, lost aligners or interrupted wear
• Whether refinements or additional treatment are required

An estimated treatment time will be provided after your orthodontic assessment and records have been reviewed. Exact treatment times cannot be guaranteed.

Which Treatment Costs More?

The cost depends on the complexity and extent of treatment rather than the appliance alone.

Clear-aligner fees may vary according to the selected system, number of aligners, need for refinements and laboratory costs. Braces fees may vary according to treatment complexity, appliance type and treatment duration.

Your complete fees and payment arrangements will be provided in your individual treatment plan.

Private health-fund benefits vary between policies. Patients should confirm their orthodontic benefits and limits directly with their insurer.

Our Approach to Orthodontic Treatment

Dr Nathan generally prefers a non-extraction approach whenever it is clinically appropriate.

Whether treatment uses braces or clear aligners, space may sometimes be created through planned tooth movement, dental arch development or expansion, or limited reshaping between selected teeth.

Extractions are rarely required in Dr Nathan’s orthodontic treatment, but they cannot always be avoided. They may still be recommended when necessary for a safe, balanced and stable result.

The choice between braces and clear aligners is separate from the decision about extractions. Both require an individual diagnosis and treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Braces Produce Better Results Than Clear Aligners?

Not in every case. Both can produce good results when used for an appropriate patient and treatment plan. Braces may provide more predictable control for some complex movements, while clear aligners can work well for many suitable cases.

Can Clear Aligners Treat Complex Cases?

Clear aligners can manage a growing range of orthodontic problems, but they are not suitable for every case. Some patients may benefit from braces, additional appliances or a combination of treatments.

Are Clear Aligners More Comfortable?

Both braces and aligners can cause temporary pressure or tenderness as the teeth move. Braces may initially irritate the lips or cheeks, while aligners may feel tight when a new set is inserted. Individual experiences vary.

Can I Change from Aligners to Braces?

Sometimes a treatment plan can be changed, but additional records, time and fees may be required. Discuss any concerns before stopping or changing treatment.

Will I Need Retainers?

Yes. Retainers are required after both braces and clear-aligner treatment to help maintain the new tooth positions.

Examples of Orthodontic Treatment Results

These photographs show actual patients treated at our practice. Orthodontic needs, treatment experiences and outcomes vary between patients, and similar results cannot be guaranteed.

[Insert 4–6 selected cases: approximately half treated with braces and half with clear aligners]

Each case should be clearly labelled with the confirmed treatment type.

Request an Orthodontic Consultation

If you are deciding between braces and clear aligners, an individual orthodontic assessment is the best place to begin.

One complimentary orthodontic consultation is available per patient. A suitable OPG taken within the previous six months is required. If you do not already have one, an OPG can be arranged at our practice for $130.

Dr Nathan will assess your teeth and bite, discuss your preferences and explain which treatment options may be suitable for you.

Request an Orthodontic Consultation

Page reviewed by Dr Nathan Le, BDS (University of Sydney), August 2026.