All types of braces work the same way: an archwire is attached to small brackets bonded to the teeth, and it gradually moves the teeth into the planned position. The differences are in material, visibility, comfort and which cases each system suits. By material there are 4 main types: metal, ceramic, zirconia and lingual. Separately, by how the wire is held, there are self-ligating systems.
Types of braces at a glance
The main differences are visibility, how sturdy the material is and day-to-day comfort. Each type is covered in detail below.
| Type | Visibility | Good to know | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal | Visible, silver | Sturdiest, most precise control; coloured elastics available | Children, teenagers, complex cases |
| Ceramic | Tooth-coloured, hard to spot from a distance | More fragile than metal; clear elastics can yellow | Mild to moderate cases where appearance matters |
| Sapphire | Clear, least noticeable on white teeth | Fragile, hard foods need more care | Adults and teenagers who care about appearance |
| Zirconia | Tooth-coloured | Stain-resistant, sturdier than standard ceramic; not suitable for every case | Adults who put aesthetics first — once the orthodontist confirms |
| Lingual | Invisible from the outside | Speech and tongue discomfort in the first weeks; harder to clean | Adults who do not want braces to show at all |
1. Metal braces
The classic stainless-steel system and the most common option. The brackets are small and sturdy, rarely come off, and the force the wire transmits to each tooth can be controlled most precisely. That is why metal braces are usually the first choice for complex bite problems, for cases where a tooth has to move a long way together with its root, and for children.
- Pros: durability, precise control, can be personalised with coloured elastics
- Cons: visible, lips and cheeks may feel sore for the first 1–2 weeks
Best suited to: children and teenagers, patients with complex cases, and anyone who values a reliable result over appearance.
2. Clear braces: ceramic and sapphire
Clear braces are brackets bonded to the teeth just like metal ones, but made of ceramic or sapphire. They are not removable clear trays (aligners) but a fixed brace system that stays on the teeth until treatment ends. Ceramic braces are made of tooth-coloured ceramic and are hard to notice from a distance. Their more transparent version is sapphire braces, made of monocrystalline sapphire: they let light through and stand out even less on white teeth. They work exactly like metal braces, but the material is more brittle, so hard foods need more care. Ceramic is harder than enamel and can wear the opposing teeth where they touch, so with a deep bite the orthodontist takes this into account when placing the brackets.
- Pros: aesthetic look, smooth surface
- Cons: more brittle; the bracket itself keeps its colour, but the clear elastics on it can yellow from tea, coffee and staining foods
Best suited to: adults and teenagers who care about appearance, especially with mild to moderate problems.
3. Zirconia braces
Zirconium dioxide is a strong, biocompatible ceramic also used for crowns and implant restorations. Brackets made from it are tooth-coloured, resist staining and chip less easily than ordinary ceramic. They are less widely used, however, and in some complex cases may not match the precision of control that metal braces give.
- Pros: among the most aesthetic fixed systems, stain resistance
- Cons: not suitable for every case, limited for complex anomalies
Best suited to: adults who put aesthetics first, once the orthodontist confirms the case allows it.
4. Lingual (inside) braces
Lingual braces are bonded to the inner, tongue-facing surface of the teeth, so they cannot be seen from outside at all. They are usually custom-made for each patient. Because the tongue keeps touching the brackets, speech can change and the tip of the tongue can get sore in the first weeks. Hygiene is harder too: the brackets cannot be seen without a mirror and take longer to clean.
- Pros: completely invisible
- Cons: harder adaptation, cleaning and check-ups take more time
Best suited to: adults whose work involves a lot of talking or public speaking and who do not want braces to show at all. A removable alternative is clear aligners.
Self-ligating braces
This is not a separate material but a way of holding the wire: instead of an elastic tie, each bracket has a small built-in clip. Self-ligating systems come in both metal and ceramic. With no elastics, less food gets trapped around the brackets, and the interval between check-ups is usually longer. Coloured elastics are not used with this system.
Braces colours
The colour of the bracket itself depends on the material: metal brackets are silver, while ceramic, sapphire and zirconia brackets are tooth-coloured or clear. When people talk about "coloured braces" they usually mean the small elastic ties (ligatures) around each bracket. These are replaced at every adjustment visit, roughly every 4–8 weeks, so you can pick a new colour each time.
- Clear and white elastics are discreet but can yellow from tea, coffee, cola and spicy food.
- Dark colours (navy, purple, dark green) make teeth look whiter and hide stains better.
- Yellow and brown shades can make teeth look duller.
- With ceramic and zirconia braces clear or tooth-coloured elastics are usually chosen to keep the aesthetic effect.
Children and teenagers often choose bright or alternating colours. The colour of the elastics has no effect on how treatment progresses or on the result.
Comparison: which braces suit whom
The final choice is made by the orthodontist after diagnostics, taking into account the complexity of the case, the type of bite, hygiene habits and aesthetic expectations. As a general guide:
| Situation | Usually chosen |
|---|---|
| Child or teenager | Metal (coloured elastics optional) |
| Adult, aesthetics matter | Ceramic, sapphire or zirconia |
| Braces must not show at all | Lingual or aligners |
| Complex orthodontic anomaly | Metal |
| Fewer orthodontic visits | Self-ligating system |
Braces at German Dental Clinic
Orthodontic treatment starts with digital diagnostics: a 3D scan, panoramic and cephalometric X-rays and a photo protocol. Based on them, the orthodontist explains the options (braces, aligners or a combined approach), the timeline and the stages. See which systems we work with and how treatment runs on the orthodontics page.
Frequently asked questions about braces
Are clear braces the same as clear aligners?
No. Clear braces are small ceramic or sapphire brackets: they are bonded to the teeth, joined by a wire and stay on until treatment ends. Aligners are removable clear plastic trays that are replaced with new ones stage by stage. The two methods are compared in our article on braces vs aligners; which one suits you is something the orthodontist decides after diagnostics.
How noticeable are clear braces?
Ceramic braces are tooth-coloured and sapphire braces let light through, so they show far less than metal braces when you talk or smile. They are not invisible: up close you can see the brackets and the wire. If the braces must not show at all, the alternatives are lingual braces or aligners.
Can you choose the colour of your braces?
Yes, though what you choose is the colour of the elastic ties, not the bracket itself. The elastics are replaced at every adjustment visit, so the colour can change every 4–8 weeks. The bracket's own colour is set by its material: metal is silver, ceramic and zirconia are tooth-coloured. Self-ligating systems have no elastics.
Do ceramic braces stain?
Ceramic, sapphire and zirconia brackets themselves resist staining. What usually yellows is the clear elastics on them, and those are replaced with new ones at the next visit. To keep staining down, rinse your mouth with water after tea, coffee and dark drinks and brush on time.
Which braces straighten teeth fastest?
Treatment time depends mostly not on the bracket material but on the complexity of the case, age, the state of the bone and how closely the patient follows the instructions. Mild cases usually take 6–12 months, moderate and complex cases 18–30 months. The exact timeline is given after diagnostics, together with the treatment plan.
Do lingual braces affect speech?
In the first days, yes: the tongue touches the brackets, so some sounds can come out differently and the tip of the tongue can get irritated. Most patients adapt within a few weeks. If your job involves constant talking, discuss this with the orthodontist at the consultation beforehand.
At what age can you get braces?
The best age for a first orthodontic check-up is 7–8, while a full set of braces is usually fitted once the permanent teeth have come through. There is no upper age limit: with healthy gums and bone support, teeth move at any age; in adults treatment may simply take a little longer.
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Clinic services on this topic
- Orthodontics — braces and aligners, digital diagnostics and a staged treatment plan
- Clear aligners — treatment with invisible trays: intraoral scan, 3D plan, a staged set of aligners
- Aesthetic dentistry — veneers, crowns, restorations and whitening
Orthodontic consultation | +994 10 208 01 04
