Last updated: September 2026
The question used to be simple: braces or nothing. Now there are enough orthodontic options that the harder question is which one suits your teeth, your life and your budget. Metal braces, ceramic braces, and clear aligners all straighten teeth, but they do it differently, suit different cases, and fit into daily life in different ways.
Metal brackets bonded to each tooth, connected by a wire that applies controlled pressure to move teeth into position. They are visible, they are fixed (you cannot remove them yourself), and they work on virtually every case, including complex ones. They have been refined over decades and remain the most versatile orthodontic tool.
The same bracket-and-wire mechanism as metal braces, but the brackets are made from tooth-coloured ceramic or clear material. They are less visible than metal, though the wire is still there. Ceramic brackets are slightly larger and more fragile than metal ones, but the cosmetic improvement matters to many patients.
A series of custom-made, removable plastic trays worn in sequence. Each tray moves the teeth a small amount, and you progress to the next tray every one to two weeks. They are nearly invisible when worn, and they come out for eating and cleaning. At Divine Dental Care, we use Angel Align and Spark systems.
Clear aligners are the most discreet option. Up close, the trays have a slight sheen, but from conversational distance they are difficult to notice. Ceramic braces are less visible than metal but the wire and the brackets are still there. Metal braces are the most visible.
For adults commuting from Croydon or Ringwood to the CBD for professional work, visibility is often the first concern. It is a legitimate priority, not vanity, and it is one of the reasons clear aligners and ceramic braces have become as popular as they have.
This is where the differences are clinical rather than cosmetic.
Your dentist will tell you which options are realistic for your case after the assessment. Dr Cecilia Chan and Dr Joy Liu both have interests in orthodontic treatment and see patients for alignment and bite correction. Dr Cedric Ong has postgraduate orthodontic training. The assessment is not a sales pitch for one system; it is a clinical evaluation of what will work.
This varies enormously by case, but as a rough guide:
Aligner treatment time is heavily dependent on compliance. The trays need to be in your mouth 20 to 22 hours a day. Every hour they are out is time the teeth are not being moved. If you are honest with yourself about whether you will wear them consistently, that should influence your decision.
Aligners win here. You take them out to eat and drink (anything other than water), so there are no food restrictions. You brush and floss normally.
Braces require avoiding hard, sticky and chewy foods (popcorn, toffee, hard nuts, corn on the cob). Cleaning takes more effort: food gets trapped around brackets and under wires, and you need specialised brushes or floss threaders to clean properly.
Both options involve pressure, which is how teeth move. Braces can irritate the inside of the cheeks and lips, particularly in the first week and after adjustments. Wax applied to the brackets helps. Aligners are smoother in the mouth but can cause pressure and tightness each time you switch to a new tray.
Neither is painless, and neither is unbearable. Most patients adapt within a few days of each adjustment or tray change.
Braces require adjustment appointments every four to eight weeks. Each visit involves tightening or changing the wire. Aligners typically require check-in appointments every six to ten weeks to monitor progress and hand over the next batch of trays. Both need you in the chair regularly, but aligner appointments are often shorter.
The cost of orthodontic treatment depends on the complexity of the case and the treatment duration, not just the system used. As a general pattern:
Health fund contributions toward orthodontics vary widely by policy. Many extras policies contribute to orthodontic treatment, but annual limits often mean the benefit is spread across the treatment period. Check with your fund for the specifics of your cover.
The decision tree is usually shorter than people expect:
Divine Dental Care offers traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, clear aligners (Angel Align and Spark), and shorter-course cosmetic braces. The first step is an assessment to determine which options suit your teeth and your bite. From there, you get a treatment plan with a timeline and cost for each viable option.
We are at 59 Wicklow Ave, Croydon, accessible from Heathmont, Bayswater and Kilsyth along Dorset Road, or from Ringwood and Mooroolbark via the Lilydale line to Croydon station. Saturday appointments are available.
Call (03) 9725 8040 or book online. Our traditional braces and clear aligners pages have further detail on each option.
This article is general information comparing orthodontic options. It is not personal dental advice. Your dentist will assess your individual case and recommend the options that are clinically suitable.