Choosing the right type of brace for you is an important first step
We are proud to offer a wide variety of orthodontic treatments at Colchester Orthodontic Centre, giving you a choice of systems to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. We will help you decide the best type of brace for you at your consultation appointment, and have provided a handy table to help you see the differences below.
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
by Dental
DesignSite last updated: January 2025
