Get to Know About Clear Aligners (Part 1)

Hoping to straighten your teeth but worried about metal braces affecting your smile? Well, fret not! You might be excited to learn about THE “invisible braces”. Read on!

Whilst traditional or conventional braces are generally reliable in creating a beautiful smile [1], some individuals might prefer a less conspicuous appliance to achieve the same result.

With the advance of technology in orthodontics (the dental specialty which focuses on teeth alignment, bite pattern and more), clear aligners are thus introduced!

What are clear aligners?

Clear aligners are almost-transparent plastic trays that are custom-made to fit your teeth. These aligners move your teeth to the desirable position by applying gentle pressure to the teeth. [2] You might wonder how “clear” these aligners are. They are ALMOST invisible as they are made of transparent medical-grade plastics. Although someone who’s talking to you up-close can still see the clear aligners on your teeth, they are definitely less perceptible than conventional braces. [3]

Removability

Oh, you still don’t feel comfortable with people noticing the clear aligners on your teeth. No problem about that, you can choose to remove your clear aligners during social settings then. [4] This also means you can enjoy food as usual since you should remove your clear aligners when eating. [5] In contrast, patients with conventional braces have to avoid hard or sticky food such as popcorn, nuts and caramels to avoid damage to the braces’ brackets. [6] Do take note that although aligners are removable, you should wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours EVERY DAY to effectively move your teeth. [5]

Pro tip: Don’t accidentally misplace and lose your aligners after removing them. You can store them in a plastic case.

Treatment Duration of Clear Aligners

The duration of clear aligner treatment depends on how complex your case is and how compliant you are in wearing these aligners. The average treatment duration of clear aligners is 12 to 18 months, it might be even shorter for simple cases. [7] It is difficult to quote a specific duration so best to consult a certified dentist who can assess your teeth in person. [8]

How are clear aligners different than conventional braces?

Effectiveness in Teeth Movement

Clear aligners are effective in moving teeth, BUT to an extent. (Yes, there’s a catch) Let us quickly jump back to conventional braces, clear aligners’ “rival”. You might call conventional braces old-fashioned and frown at their appearance. However, do you know the reason they are still an orthodontist’s tried-and-true treatment option for DECADES? This is because they can execute more difficult tooth movements predictably. Whether the malocclusion (misalignment of upper and/or lower teeth [9]) case is easy or complex, your orthodontist can utilise the good old conventional braces to grant you that Hollywood smile. [10]

On the other hand, clear aligners have limitations in certain complex cases. [11] Therefore, clear aligners are only recommended to correct mild to moderate malocclusion cases, with or without the aid of orthodontic elastics. [12]

With further advancement in clear aligner technology, clear aligners may achieve the same result as conventional braces sooner than expected. Who knows?

Price Comparison

It might not be easy to compare prices between conventional braces and clear aligners. There are different types of materials used in conventional braces; there are also myriad clear aligner brands available in the market. That being said, in general, to correct a similar malocclusion case, clear aligners would be pricier than conventional braces. This is because the consumer has to bear the manufacturing cost of the aligners [13], not to mention certain clear aligner products are also protected by patents. [14]

Speed to Straighten Teeth

Clear aligners can often work faster than braces for many patients, but the overall time depends on the complexity of the case. [15-17] As you know, braces are FIXED onto your teeth throughout your treatment. Therefore, they constantly apply force to move your teeth. [18] On the other hand, since aligners are removable, they cannot move your teeth when they are outside your mouth (obviously). This is why braces may give quicker results than clear aligners. [15,19] A clear-cut answer cannot be given since either option could be quicker depending on the circumstances.

Comfort

Clear aligners are thin plastic trays that are custom-made to snugly fit your teeth. Although there might be some discomfort when changing into a new set of aligners, you will quickly adapt to the aligners in just a few days. Besides that, the discomfort experienced when wearing clear aligners is quite minimal as compared to having conventional braces. [19]

Other Braces Options Which are More Natural-Looking

You dislike the appearance of conventional braces but clear aligners are unsuitable for you. No worries, there are other options like ceramic braces and lingual braces.

Ceramic Braces

The brackets in ceramic braces are made of tooth-coloured ceramic, plus the braces wire can be tooth-coloured too. Therefore, the braces can blend in better with the underlying tooth surface. However, ceramic braces are more expensive than conventional braces.

Lingual braces

Lingual braces are similar to conventional braces; the difference is they are hidden behind your teeth, making them nearly invisible. (Speaking about ingenuity!) However, lingual braces may be more difficult to keep clean and can be more uncomfortable during eating and speaking. [20,21]

After much deliberation, if clear aligners are your top winner among the other braces options, hop on to our next article to learn the process of clear aligner treatment!

Reference

1. Conventional Fixed Braces [Internet]. British Orthodontic Society (BOS). Available from: https://bos.org.uk/conventional
2. Aligners [Internet]. American Association of Orthodontists. Available from: link
3. Identifying and Treating Malocclusions Classes I, II, and III [Internet]. American Orthodontic Society. 2022. Available from: link
4. Baum A. How Braces Work: A Comprehensive Guide [Internet]. American Association of Orthodontists. 2020. Available from: https://aaoinfo.org/blog/how-orthodontics-works-braces/
5. Kassam SK, Stoops FR. Are clear aligners as effective as conventional fixed appliances? Evidence-Based Dentistry [Internet]. 2020 Mar 1;21(1):30–1. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32221494/
6. Who Isn’t Eligible for Clear Aligners. American Association of Orthodontists. Available from: https://aaoinfo.org/treatments/aligners/
7. Australia O. Traditional Braces vs Clear Aligners [Internet]. Orthodontics Australia. 2020. Available from: https://orthodonticsaustralia.org.au/traditional-braces-and-clear-aligners/
8. Align Technology [Internet]. Aligntech.com. 2020. Available from: https://www.aligntech.com/patents
9. Orthodontics Australia. Invisible Braces: Clear Teeth Aligners For Adults [Internet]. Orthodontics Australia. 2021 [cited 2025 Jun 27]. Available from: https://orthodonticsaustralia.org.au/all-about-clear-aligners/#are-clear-aligners-really-invisible
10. Navigation Menu Header [Internet]. Invisalign.com.my. 2020 [cited 2025 Jun 27]. Available from: https://www.invisalign.com.my/how-invisalign-works
11. Baum A. Orthodontic Treatment with Clear Aligners [Internet]. American Association of Orthodontists. 2018. Available from: https://aaoinfo.org/whats-trending/orthodontic-treatment-with-clear-aligners/
12. Gu J, Tang JS, Skulski B, Fields HW, Beck FM, Firestone AR, et al. Evaluation of Invisalign treatment effectiveness and efficiency compared with conventional fixed appliances using the Peer Assessment Rating index. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics [Internet]. 2017 Feb 1;151(2):259–66. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889540616306758
13. Zheng M, Liu R, Ni Z, Yu Z. Efficiency, effectiveness and treatment stability of clear aligners: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Orthodontics & Craniofacial Research. 2017 May 26;20(3):127–33.
14. Australia O. Traditional Braces vs Clear Aligners [Internet]. Orthodontics Australia. 2020. Available from: https://orthodonticsaustralia.org.au/traditional-braces-and-clear-aligners/
15. Invisible Braces: Clear Teeth Aligners For Adults [Internet]. Orthodontics Australia. 2021. Available from: https://orthodonticsaustralia.org.au/all-about-clear-aligners/
16. Baum A. Braces vs. Clear Aligners [Internet]. American Association of Orthodontists. 2019. Available from: https://aaoinfo.org/whats-trending/braces-vs-clear-aligners/
17. Invisible Braces: Clear Teeth Aligners For Adults [Internet]. Orthodontics Australia. 2021. Available from: https://orthodonticsaustralia.org.au/all-about-clear-aligners/
18. Palmer M. What Can I Eat with Braces [Internet]. American Association of Orthodontists. 2023. Available from: https://aaoinfo.org/blog/what-can-i-eat-with-braces/
19. Orthodontics Australia. Invisible Braces: Clear Teeth Aligners For Adults [Internet]. Orthodontics Australia. 2021 [cited 2025 Jun 27]. Available from: https://orthodonticsaustralia.org.au/all-about-clear-aligners/#what-are-the-benefits-of-clear-aligner-treatment
20. Conventional Fixed Braces [Internet]. British Orthodontic Society (BOS). Available from: https://bos.org.uk/conventional/
21. Orthodontic Treatment Options For All Ages [Internet]. Orthodontics Australia. 2023. Available from: https://orthodonticsaustralia.org.au/treatment-options/