What are the different types of orthodontic treatment?
Whether you’re thinking about straightening your own teeth, or considering braces for your child, it can be hard to know where to start. From brightly coloured braces, to almost-invisible aligners, the options are endless – and sometimes a little overwhelming.
In this guide, we’ll break down the different types of braces, to help you narrow things down.
What is orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic treatment is a way to straighten your teeth or fix the way your upper and lower jaws line up (also known as your bite). It can help if your teeth are crooked, have gaps, overlap, or don’t fit together properly.
You might want to straighten your teeth to improve your smile – but that’s not the only benefit. Straight teeth are also easier to keep clean, which can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
The most common way to straighten your teeth is by using braces. They work by gently putting pressure on your teeth to slowly move them into the right position over time.
Once your treatment is finished, you’ll need to wear a retainer to help keep your teeth in place.
What are the different types of braces?
There are two main ways to straighten your teeth: removable aligners and fixed braces. An orthodontist (a dentist who specialises in moving teeth) can explain all your options and help you choose the right type of brace for you. They might mention the following orthodontic treatments.
Removable aligners
Invisalign aligners
An aligner is a clear, custom-made mould that fits over your teeth and gently moves them into place. Invisalign is a popular brand of clear aligners used to straighten your teeth. They’re made from a flexible plastic that’s almost invisible – so they look a bit like a retainer.
Your orthodontist will give you several aligners to take home. You wear each aligner for one or two weeks before switching to the next one in the series. Each aligner applies gentle pressure to your teeth to move them slightly. Then the next aligner moves them a bit more, until you’ve worn all your aligners and your teeth have moved where you want.
For aligners to work, you must wear them for 22 hours a day. But you can take them out to eat, brush or on special occasions. They may be a good option if your teeth are mild or moderately crooked, but aren’t always suitable for more severe cases.
Inman aligners
Inman aligners are another type of removable aligner. They’re made of a metal wire that clips to your teeth, and an acrylic plate that rests against the roof or floor of your mouth.
Metal aligners are visible, but not as much as traditional fixed metal braces. You can also take them out to clean your teeth, play sports or a musical instrument. A removable metal brace might work for you if your teeth only need moving a little.
Fixed braces
Metal braces
Traditional metal braces might be the first thing you picture when you think of classic braces. They’re made up of small metal brackets that are fixed to the front of each tooth. The brackets are connected by a thin wire, which is held in place with tiny elastic bands. Your orthodontist will gently tighten the wire every few weeks to gradually move your teeth into the right position.
Fixed braces usually work very well – even for complex dental issues.
Ceramic braces
Ceramic braces work in the same way as traditional metal braces. They’re made up of brackets attached to the front of your teeth and connected by wires. But the brackets are clear or the same colour as your tooth. So they’re not as obvious as metal braces.
Lingual braces
Lingual braces are also just like traditional braces that are made up of brackets and wires. But the brackets are attached to the back of your teeth, so they’re less visible.
Lingual braces might be a good option if you don’t want your braces to be on show. But they can also be harder to clean and usually cost more.
Self-ligating braces
Self-ligating braces look very similar to traditional metal braces. But instead of elastic bands, they use a small clip on each bracket to hold the wire in place. Self-ligating braces may be more comfortable, are less likely to stain, and you might not need to see your orthodontist as often for adjustments.
From your lifestyle to your budget – there’s a lot to think about when it comes to choosing the best type of brace for you or your child. It’s hard to say exactly how much braces might cost and how long your treatment could take. Everyone’s different and it depends on how much your teeth or jaw need moving. So, if you’re thinking about braces, the first thing to do is book an appointment with an orthodontist. They can go through all your options in detail and help you make the right decision for you.
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Sources Sources
- Orthodontic treatment. Oral Health Foundation. dentalhealth.org.uk accessed May 2025
- How do braces work? American Association of Orthodontists. aaoinfo.org, accessed May 2025
- Weir T. Clear aligners in orthodontic treatment. Australian Dental Journal 2017; 62(1): 58-62. doi: 10.1111/adj.12480
- Clear aligners. British Orthodontic Society. bos.org.uk, accessed May 2025
- Your guide to clear aligners. Invisalign. www.invisalign.co.uk, published April 2024
- Clear aligner therapy: The discreet way to straighten teeth. American Association of Orthodontists. aaoinfo.org, published June 2024.
- How it works. Inman Aligner. inmanaligner.com, accessed May 2025
- Removable appliances. British Orthodontic Society. bos.org.uk, accessed May 2025
- Conventional fixed braces. British Orthodontic Society. bos.org.uk, accessed May 2025
- Living with my brace. Oral Health Foundation. dentalhealth.org.uk accessed May 2025
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