What’s the difference between clear aligners and traditional braces?
What’s the difference between clear aligners and traditional braces?
When it comes to orthodontic treatment, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” solution. There is, however, one that actually fits you.
You might be picturing the full metal grin of traditional braces or those smooth, virtually invisible clear aligners your friends swear by. Either way, your choice isn’t just about straighter teeth (although that’s the goal). It’s also about how you’ll eat, talk, and smile for months on end.
At Dr. Wondersmile, we help people make that decision every day. For some, wearing braces is the most effective route to their dream smile. For others, the benefits of clear aligners make them the obvious winner. We’re here to show you the real differences so you can decide which one will get you grinning sooner.
How clear aligners and braces work
Clear aligners
Clear aligners are a series of custom-made, virtually invisible trays that fit your teeth snugly. Each set applies gentle pressure to guide tooth movement, and you swap them out every 1–2 weeks. They’re removable (for eating, brushing, and flossing) but need to be worn around 22 hours a day to work effectively.
Here at Dr. Wondersmile, your treatment starts with an advanced 3D scan so your aligners are perfectly tailored to your smile. They’re designed for comfort, built to fit into your routine, and delivered straight to your door while we monitor your progress remotely.
Traditional braces
Traditional braces use metal brackets, wires, and elastic bands to straighten teeth over time. The brackets are fixed to each tooth, and adjustments are made regularly to keep your treatment moving.
They can be made from stainless steel (metal braces) or tooth-coloured ceramic (ceramic braces) for a less noticeable look. Braces work for all levels of misalignment, including complex cases that aligners can’t always address. Since they are fixed, they’re always working.
Appearance and confidence
Clear aligners
Clear aligners are virtually invisible and custom-fitted, so most people won’t even know you’re wearing them unless you tell them (and let’s face it, you probably will). You can smile in photos, speak in meetings, or film that TikTok without the metal grin stealing the spotlight. They blend in seamlessly during everyday life so you can focus on your day instead of your dental gear.
Traditional braces
Braces, on the other hand, make their presence known. Maybe not quite like Darla from Finding Nemo vibes, but they’re hard to miss in close-up chats or group photos. Ceramic braces are a bit more subtle, but metal brackets and wires still stand out. The upside is you can lean into the look with coloured bands for personality, turning them into part of your vibe.
Comfort in daily life
Clear aligners
Lightweight and barely noticeable once they’re in, clear aligners slip into your routine without much fuss. You can take them out for meals, sports, or that random urge to brush your teeth after coffee. The trays fit your teeth snugly, so apart from a bit of pressure when you change to a new set, they don’t demand much adjustment time.
Traditional braces
Brackets and wires can rub, catch, and leave you reaching for dental wax like it’s lip balm. Tightening appointments bring that familiar ache, and eating anything with bite can be a mission for days. You might also be wrangling rubber bands, which have a habit of snapping at the worst moments.
Eating, drinking and lifestyle flexibility
Clear aligners
You can remove your aligners to eat and drink whatever you like (so you can still enjoy popcorn at the movies or a sneaky mid-afternoon choccie). The trade-off is you’ll need to clean your teeth (and your aligners) before putting them back in, so spontaneous snacking can feel like more of a production. Still, for many people, the freedom to eat without restrictions is worth the extra rinse-and-brush routine.
Traditional braces
Braces stay in while you eat, so the menu needs a bit of editing. Hard, sticky, or chewy foods are a no-go unless you enjoy emergency trips to your orthodontist. Corn on the cob becomes “corn off the cob,” and anything with crunch can feel risky. The upside is you don’t have to think about taking anything in or out before a meal.
Treatment time and appointments
Clear aligners
With Dr. Wondersmile all-day aligners, treatment can take as little as 6 months for mild to moderate cases. You’ll switch to a new set of aligners roughly every two weeks, so your teeth are always making small, consistent adjustments. After your initial in-person 3D scan appointment, your custom aligners are shipped straight to your door and your progress is monitored remotely by our licensed dental team.
Traditional braces
Most people wear them for 1–2 years, sometimes longer depending on the complexity of their treatment. Adjustments have to be made in person, which means regular visits to your orthodontist. Those appointments keep the process moving, but they can also mean rearranging work, school, or social plans every few weeks.
Oral hygiene and maintenance
Clear aligners
Keeping your smile fresh is simple with clear aligners. You just pop them out, brush and floss your teeth as normal, then give the trays a quick clean before popping them back in. No threading floss through wires, no mystery food stuck somewhere you can’t quite reach, and no extra gadgets unless you want them.
Traditional braces
Braces make brushing and flossing a full-on mission. You’ll need special tools (e.g. floss threaders and interdental brushes) to get around brackets and wires, and if you skip a spot, plaque and staining can build up fast. Bits of food love to hide in the hardware, so keeping your smile fresh can take extra time and patience.
Cost considerations
Clear aligners
At Dr. Wondersmile, our pricing is as straightforward as our treatment. Clear aligners start from as little as $49 a week, with no hidden fees and no surprise add-ons. Most of our patients complete their treatment for around $1950 in total, and you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for from day one. Fewer in-person appointments also mean you save on both time and travel costs along the way.
Traditional braces
Braces can set you back anywhere from $7,000 to $9,000 over the course of treatment. And not just because of the hardware itself, but because of the regular in-chair adjustments you’ll need for years. Frequent visits to the orthodontist add up fast, and that’s before you factor in the extra cleaning tools and repairs for breakages.
Ready to ‘straighten’ things out?
Clear aligners and traditional braces can both straighten teeth, but the right choice really comes down to how you want the journey to feel.
At Dr. Wondersmile, our invisible braces are designed to fit into your life, not take it over. They’re affordable, discreet, and overlooked by real dental professionals from start to finish.
Take our online smile quiz today to see if clear aligners are right for you. Your perfect smile could be closer than you think!
