Traditional metal braces have been used to straighten crooked teeth for many years and produce reliably positive results. They work via metal brackets and wires that are fixed in your mouth for the duration of treatment and gradually shift your teeth into a more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing position. While many patients associate metal braces with adolescents, a growing number of adults are beginning to see their advantages as well.

There is a clear alternative to highly visible metal brackets and wires. This innovative orthodontics solution works with clear aligners made of smooth, durable plastic instead of metal components. During your treatment, you’ll use a customized series of these aligners to move your teeth into a straight, healthy, and aligned position. Unlike fixed traditional braces, clear aligners are removable for dental hygiene routines and meals. They even allow you to eat a broader selection of foods.

Lingual braces work in a similar way to conventional metal braces; the major difference is that they’re affixed to the back of your teeth, the lingual side, meaning the side closest to your tongue. Because of their unique design they offer some of the benefits of traditional braces alongside the more discreet advantages of clear aligners, though they do use metal brackets and wires.