The short answer: The main types are metal braces, tooth-colored ceramic braces, lingual braces fitted behind the teeth, self-ligating braces and clear aligners. Fixed braces take about 20 months on average, and some soreness for a few days after fitting or adjustments is normal. Cost depends on the type, how complex your case is and how long treatment lasts: metal braces are usually the most affordable and lingual braces the most expensive. Everyone needs a retainer afterward, and careful cleaning during treatment matters because early decay spots around brackets are common.
Braces move teeth by applying steady pressure through brackets and wires, and most orthodontic problems can be treated successfully with them (American Association of Orthodontists, 2026a). There are now several kinds to choose from, and the best one for you depends on your bite, your budget and how visible you are happy for them to be (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).
This guide compares the types of braces, explains each stage of treatment, and covers how long it takes, whether it hurts, what it costs, the benefits and risks, and how to look after your teeth while wearing braces. If you are deciding between braces and clear aligners specifically, see Invisalign vs. braces.
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What types of braces are there?
Metal braces
Metal braces use stainless steel bands, brackets and wires to gently shift your teeth over time (Cleveland Clinic, 2023). They are typically the most affordable option (American Association of Orthodontists, 2026b), but they are also the most visible.
Ceramic braces
Ceramic braces work like metal braces but use clear or tooth-colored brackets that blend in with your teeth. They are more fragile, can stain and usually cost more than metal braces (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). In a survey, adults rated ceramic braces as more attractive and acceptable than standard metal braces (Rosvall et al., 2009).
Lingual braces
Lingual braces are fitted to the back surfaces of the teeth, so they can’t be seen from the front (Cleveland Clinic, 2023), and they are usually more expensive (American Association of Orthodontists, 2026b). Compared with regular braces, they are more likely to make your tongue sore and affect your speech, but less likely to rub your cheeks and lips (Long et al., 2013).
Self-ligating braces
Self-ligating braces hold the wire with a built-in clip instead of the small elastic bands used with regular brackets (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).
Clear aligners
Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, are removable plastic trays that must be worn for at least 22 hours every day (Cleveland Clinic, 2023). They are less visible and easier to clean around, but in adults braces have produced a more precise final bite overall (Papageorgiou et al., 2020). Our aligners vs. braces comparison covers the evidence in detail.
What happens during braces treatment?
Treatment starts with an assessment, after which the orthodontist recommends the type of appliance that suits your teeth and bite. Fixed braces are bonded to your teeth, and you then return regularly for adjustments and maintenance visits (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).
When the braces come off, you will need to wear a retainer to stop your teeth moving back to their original position (NHS, 2026). Retainers can be removable or fixed behind the teeth, and a Cochrane review of 47 trials found that the evidence is not yet good enough to say which type works best (Martin et al., 2023). For how to keep that retainer clean, see can you clean a retainer with vinegar.
How long do braces take?
A systematic review found that treatment with fixed braces takes about 20 months on average (Tsichlaki et al., 2016). Most people need braces for around two years, although some finish in under 12 months and others need as long as three years (Cleveland Clinic, 2023). In the UK, NHS braces usually stay in place for 1 to 2 years (NHS, 2026).
Studies disagree on whether clear aligners are faster: one review found treatment was about 6 months shorter with aligners (Ke et al., 2019), while another found no significant difference (Papageorgiou et al., 2020). How long your treatment takes depends mostly on how complex your case is.
Do braces hurt?
They are sore at first. Expect tenderness for a few days after your braces are fitted, and again for a short time after each adjustment; otherwise, braces shouldn’t hurt (Cleveland Clinic, 2023). Clear aligners tend to cause less pain in the first few days, but the difference disappears after that (Cardoso et al., 2020). If your teeth are still painful more than a few days after fitting or an adjustment, contact your orthodontist (NHS, 2026).
How much do braces cost?
There is no standard price. Costs depend on the type of treatment, how complex your case is and how long it lasts; metal braces are typically the most affordable, lingual braces usually the most expensive (American Association of Orthodontists, 2026b), and ceramic braces usually cost more than metal (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). The only reliable figure is a written estimate from an orthodontist after an assessment.
Ways to manage the cost include dental insurance, which varies by policy, health savings or flexible spending accounts, in-house payment plans and, for some families, charitable programs. Ask whether the price is all-inclusive, covering the braces, all appointments including emergency visits, and retainers afterward (American Association of Orthodontists, 2026b). In the UK, braces are usually free on the NHS only for people under 18 who need them (NHS, 2026).
What are the benefits of braces?
The clearest benefits are a straighter smile and a corrected bite. A systematic review found that orthodontic treatment before age 18 led to moderate improvements in emotional and social well-being, although the studies were of low to moderate quality (Javidi et al., 2017).
Some commonly claimed benefits have weaker support. Crowded teeth can be harder to clean, but research has not shown that braces by themselves improve gum health (Bollen, 2008), and there is no good evidence that orthodontic treatment prevents or treats jaw joint (TMJ) problems (Fernández-González et al., 2015).
What are the risks of braces?
The most common problem is early decay around the brackets, which shows up as chalky white spots. A meta-analysis of 14 studies found that 45.8% of patients developed new white spot lesions during treatment with fixed braces (Sundararaj et al., 2015). Gum inflammation is also more common with braces than with clear aligners, and the risk of white spots is lower with aligners (Llera-Romero et al., 2023). Careful cleaning and cutting down on sugar during treatment help protect against both (NHS, 2026).
How do you look after your teeth with braces?
The NHS advises brushing with fluoride toothpaste in the morning, at night and after meals, using an interdental brush to clean between your teeth and under the wire every day, limiting sugary food and drink, and keeping up regular dental check-ups (NHS, 2026). Avoid hard, crunchy or sticky foods such as nuts and caramels, which can damage brackets (Cleveland Clinic, 2023). Our guides to water flossers, electric toothbrushes and chewing gum with braces have more tips.
What it means for you
If you’re an adult considering braces
Ceramic or lingual braces and clear aligners are less visible options, but they cost more or suit fewer cases (American Association of Orthodontists, 2026b; Cleveland Clinic, 2022; Papageorgiou et al., 2020). Ask for a written, all-inclusive estimate for each option you are offered.
If you’re a parent
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children first see an orthodontist no later than age 7, so that problems with jaw growth or tooth development can be spotted early; treatment does not necessarily start then (American Association of Orthodontists, 2026c). Our parent’s guide to kids’ teeth covers the early years.
If you’re choosing between braces and aligners
Braces are the more predictable choice for complex bite problems, while aligners can work well for simple cases if you wear them consistently (Papageorgiou et al., 2020; American Association of Orthodontists, 2026a).
Questions to ask your dentist
- Which types of braces are suitable for my teeth and bite?
- How long do you expect my treatment to take?
- Is my case suitable for clear aligners?
- What does the fee include, such as emergency visits and retainers?
- Will I have a fixed or removable retainer, and for how long?
- How should I clean around my braces?
When to see a dentist
Contact your orthodontist or dentist if (NHS, 2026):
- Your teeth are still painful more than a few days after your braces were fitted or adjusted
- Your gums are very red, swollen or painful
- Your braces are broken
For a knocked-out or broken tooth, facial swelling or other urgent problems, see what to do in a dental emergency.
The bottom line
Metal, ceramic, lingual and self-ligating braces and clear aligners can all straighten teeth; they differ mainly in visibility, comfort and cost. Fixed braces take about 20 months on average, soreness lasts a few days after each adjustment, and everyone needs a retainer afterward. Careful cleaning matters, because white spots of early decay are common during treatment (Tsichlaki et al., 2016; Martin et al., 2023; Sundararaj et al., 2015).
References
American Association of Orthodontists. (2026a). Braces vs. clear aligners: Which treatment is best for you? https://aaoinfo.org/whats-trending/braces-vs-clear-aligners/
American Association of Orthodontists. (2026b). How much do braces cost? Factors, insurance, & savings. https://aaoinfo.org/whats-trending/how-much-do-braces-cost/
American Association of Orthodontists. (2026c). When should kids see an orthodontist? Waiting vs. early care. https://aaoinfo.org/whats-trending/does-my-child-need-to-wait-to-see-an-orthodontist/
Bollen AM. (2008). Effects of malocclusions and orthodontics on periodontal health: Evidence from a systematic review. Journal of Dental Education, 72(8), 912–918. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18676800/
Cardoso PC, Espinosa DG, Mecenas P, Flores-Mir C, Normando D. (2020). Pain level between clear aligners and fixed appliances: A systematic review. Progress in Orthodontics, 21(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40510-019-0303-z
Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Clear braces: Types, benefits & how to clean. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23568-clear-braces
Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Dental braces: Types & how they work. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24601-teeth-braces
Fernández-González FJ, Cañigral A, López-Caballo JL, Brizuela A, Moreno-Hay I, Del Río-Highsmith J, et al. (2015). Influence of orthodontic treatment on temporomandibular disorders. A systematic review. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry, 7(2), e320–e327. https://doi.org/10.4317/jced.52037
Javidi H, Vettore M, Benson PE. (2017). Does orthodontic treatment before the age of 18 years improve oral health-related quality of life? A systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 151(4), 644–655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2016.12.011
Ke Y, Zhu Y, Zhu M. (2019). A comparison of treatment effectiveness between clear aligner and fixed appliance therapies. BMC Oral Health, 19(1), 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-018-0695-z
Llera-Romero AS, Adobes-Martín M, Iranzo-Cortés JE, Montiel-Company JM, Garcovich D. (2023). Periodontal health status, oral microbiome, white-spot lesions and oral health related to quality of life—clear aligners versus fixed appliances: A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression. Korean Journal of Orthodontics, 53(6), 374–392. https://doi.org/10.4041/kjod22.272
Long H, Zhou Y, Pyakurel U, Liao L, Jian F, Xue J, et al. (2013). Comparison of adverse effects between lingual and labial orthodontic treatment. The Angle Orthodontist, 83(6), 1066–1073. https://doi.org/10.2319/010113-2.1
Martin C, Littlewood SJ, Millett DT, Doubleday B, Bearn D, Worthington HV, Limones A. (2023). Retention procedures for stabilising tooth position after treatment with orthodontic braces. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 5(5), CD002283. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD002283.pub5
NHS. (2026). Braces. https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/braces/
Papageorgiou SN, Koletsi D, Iliadi A, Peltomaki T, Eliades T. (2020). Treatment outcome with orthodontic aligners and fixed appliances: A systematic review with meta-analyses. European Journal of Orthodontics, 42(3), 331–343. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejo/cjz094
Rosvall MD, Fields HW, Ziuchkovski J, Rosenstiel SF, Johnston WM. (2009). Attractiveness, acceptability, and value of orthodontic appliances. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 135(3), 276.e1–276.e12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2008.09.020
Sundararaj D, Venkatachalapathy S, Tandon A, Pereira A. (2015). Critical evaluation of incidence and prevalence of white spot lesions during fixed orthodontic appliance treatment: A meta-analysis. Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry, 5(6), 433–439. https://doi.org/10.4103/2231-0762.167719
Tsichlaki A, Chin SY, Pandis N, Fleming PS. (2016). How long does treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances last? A systematic review. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 149(3), 308–318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2015.09.020
References checked October 2026 · Editorial policy · Report a correction
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