It might be the most common question we get:
“Would you recommend braces or aligners?”
And, like so many things in orthodontics, the answer is…
It depends.
We know. Not nearly as satisfying as picking a winner.
The good news is that modern orthodontics gives us more than one really good way to move teeth. Traditional braces have been doing it successfully for a very long time, while clear aligner treatment has advanced tremendously over the past couple of decades.
Today, many patients can achieve an excellent result with either braces or clear aligners.
But they aren't exactly the same. Each appliance moves teeth differently, each has strengths and limitations, and sometimes one simply makes more sense for a particular patient.
So, let’s break it down.
First Things First: Do They Get the Same Results?
This is probably the most important question.
For many patients, they can.
Recent research comparing clear aligners with traditional fixed braces has found similar overall treatment outcomes in many straightforward, nonextraction cases.[1][2]
That is important because aligners were once primarily used for relatively simple tooth movements. Today, improvements in materials, attachments, digital treatment planning, and orthodontic biomechanics allow us to treat much more than just a few crooked front teeth with aligners.
But there is an important catch.
Not every tooth movement is equally easy to accomplish with both appliances.
Certain movements, including significant root movement, large rotations, vertical movements, major bite corrections, and some extraction mechanics, may be more predictable with braces. Research continues to show advantages for fixed appliances in certain complex situations, particularly when precise control of tooth position is required.[2][3]
So when someone says:
“Aligners can do everything braces can do.”
Well… sometimes.
And when someone says:
“Braces always work better than aligners.”
Also not quite.
The better question is:
Which appliance gives us the best combination of predictability, efficiency, and lifestyle fit for this particular patient?
How Do Braces Work?
Braces use brackets attached to the teeth and a series of orthodontic wires to gradually guide the teeth into their desired positions.
Their biggest advantage is simple:
They're always working.
You don't have to remember to put them back in after lunch. They don't disappear into a napkin at a restaurant. And they don't end up in the washing machine in your pants pocket.
Because braces are fixed to the teeth, your orthodontist maintains continuous control throughout treatment.
That can make braces particularly useful when we need to accomplish more complicated tooth movements or when we aren't entirely convinced that a removable appliance will actually remain in someone's mouth.
Parents of teenagers, you know exactly where we're going with this.
How Do Clear Aligners Work?
Clear aligners use a series of custom trays that gradually move the teeth from one position to the next.
Small tooth colored attachments are often placed on certain teeth to give the aligners additional control. Your orthodontist designs the movements, determines the sequence, and makes adjustments throughout treatment.
And yes, aligners really can move teeth.
This isn't simply a cosmetic alternative to orthodontics. In the right patient and with appropriate treatment planning, aligners can accomplish some pretty sophisticated orthodontic movements.
They also have some obvious lifestyle advantages.
They're nearly invisible. They're removable. You can eat normally. Brushing and flossing are generally easier because there are no brackets or wires to clean around.
Sounds perfect, right?
There is one small detail.
You have to wear them.
The Biggest Difference Might Be the Patient
This is especially important when we're talking about teenagers.
Braces work whether you remember them or not.
Aligners do not.
Clear aligner treatment depends heavily on consistent wear. If the aligners aren't worn as directed, the teeth may not follow the planned movements. The trays can begin to fit poorly, or “stop tracking,” and treatment may require additional scans, additional aligners, and additional time.
So when parents ask whether their teenager is a good candidate for aligners, sometimes we're evaluating more than their teeth.
We're also asking:
Will they actually wear them?
A responsible teenager who wears their aligners consistently can be an excellent aligner patient.
A teenager whose AirPods, water bottle, and left shoe disappear on a weekly basis?
Braces may deserve a little more consideration.
What About Treatment Time?
We get this question a lot too.
“Which one is faster?”
There isn't a universal winner.
Research has not consistently demonstrated a meaningful difference in overall treatment duration between braces and aligners when comparable cases are evaluated.[1][2]
Treatment time depends much more on the complexity of the bite, the movements required, growth, biological response, missed appointments, broken appliances, and, with aligners, how consistently they are worn.
A relatively simple case may move quickly with aligners.
A complicated case may be more efficient with braces.
And either treatment can take longer than expected when things don't go according to plan.
The goal isn't simply to finish as quickly as possible.
The goal is to finish well.
Eating, Brushing, and Everyday Life
This is where aligners have some very real advantages.
With braces, there are certain foods we recommend avoiding because hard or sticky foods can break brackets and damage wires.
With aligners, you simply remove them to eat.
Oral hygiene can also be easier with aligners because you can remove them and brush and floss normally. Research has found favorable plaque and gingival health measures in aligner patients compared with patients wearing fixed appliances, although good hygiene is still essential regardless of the appliance.[1]
Braces require a little more effort.
Is it manageable?
Absolutely.
Do we occasionally have to remind teenagers that brushing around the brackets is, in fact, still required?
Also absolutely.
Are Aligners More Comfortable?
Generally, patients tend to find aligners a little easier on the cheeks and lips because there aren't brackets and wires present.
But don't let the word “clear” fool you into thinking they're completely sensation free.
Moving teeth is moving teeth.
Whether we're using a wire or a plastic aligner, we're applying controlled forces to the teeth. Some pressure and tenderness are completely normal, particularly after changing an aligner or adjusting braces.
Most patients adapt to either option pretty quickly.
So When Might Braces Be Better?
Braces may be our preferred option when a case requires particularly complex or precise tooth movements, when we need greater control of certain mechanics, or when patient compliance with removable aligners is questionable.
They are incredibly versatile, predictable, and effective.
There is a reason braces have remained such an important orthodontic tool.
They work.
And When Might Aligners Be Better?
Aligners can be a fantastic option when the necessary movements are predictable with aligner mechanics and the patient is willing to wear them consistently.
They may be particularly appealing to patients who value appearance, want fewer food restrictions, play certain instruments or sports, or simply prefer being able to remove their orthodontic appliance when eating and brushing.
For many teenagers and adults, they offer a really nice balance between effective orthodontic treatment and everyday convenience.
Sooo… Which One Would We Choose?
Braces are a tool. Aligners are a tool.
Neither one is automatically better simply because it is newer, clearer, more traditional, or more technologically impressive.
What matters most is the diagnosis, the movements we need to accomplish, and how well the appliance fits the individual patient.
For one teenager, aligners may be a fantastic choice. For their sibling with a completely different bite, braces may give us better control.
And sometimes both options are equally reasonable. In those situations, lifestyle and patient preference can absolutely help make the decision.
At Mischler Orthodontics, our goal isn't to convince every patient to choose the same appliance.
It's to determine where the teeth need to go, how we can move them there predictably, and which option makes the most sense for the person wearing it.
References
1. Effectiveness of Clear Orthodontic Aligners in Correcting Malocclusions: A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis. 2024. Review of randomized clinical trials comparing clear aligners and fixed orthodontic appliances.
2. Quality and Stability of Orthodontic Treatment Outcomes With Clear Aligners Versus Fixed Appliances: A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis. 2025.
3. Papageorgiou SN, Koletsi D, Iliadi A, Peltomäki T, Eliades T. Treatment outcome with orthodontic aligners and fixed appliances: a systematic review with meta analyses. European Journal of Orthodontics. 2020;42(3):331 to 343.