Westmount Dental Surgery Blog

What's the difference between Clear Braces and Fixed Braces?

Written by Bas Zafar | 13-Jun-2023 17:14:00

Clear Braces vs Fixed Braces: What’s the Difference?

Both Clear Braces and Fixed Braces intend to improve the alignment of your teeth to produce a straighter smile and better oral health. While traditional fixed metal braces have been used by orthodontists and dentists for decades, Clear Braces is a more recent dental treatment, intended to meet the needs of modern people.

Though there are some similarities between the Clear Braces and Fixed braces, there are probably more differences. 

Here are a few:

Clear vs Visible: While Clear Braces aligners are made from see-through BPA-free plastic, which renders them virtually invisible to other people, traditional braces are made from metal wires and elastic bands. This makes them more visible which can cause anxiety for some patients.

Convenience: Clear Braces can be removed from the mouth whenever necessary though guidelines suggest patients should wear their trays for 20 - 22 hours per day. In contrast, traditional braces cannot be removed as they are stuck to teeth by wires.

Treatment Length: The Clear Braces process can be shorter than the usual treatment period for traditional fixed braces. Because of how Clear Braces works, patients only have to wear the trays for 6 to 18 months whereas traditional braces have an average time of 2 years.

Cost: At Westmount Dental, there is no price difference between a Clear Brace vs Fixed Brace. The average price for teeth straightening is approx £2,500 or £50 per month.

Who are Clear Braces suitable for?

If you suffer with crooked, crowded, protruding or gappy teeth, Clear Braces could be for you. Clear Braces is suitable for both adults and teens who are wanting to improve the alignment of their teeth. 

Teens: The Clear Braces can help correct most misalignments in teenagers’ teeth. Clear Clear Braces are ideal for teens because they use clear aligners to achieve a glowing smile and improved dental health. This is particularly useful as teenage years are so often fraught with self-consciousness.  With shorter treatment times and easier use, Clear Braces is an ideal treatment for teenagers who want that winning smile.

Adults: More and more adults are choosing correctional dental work and taking control over their own health. Clear Braces is ideal for adults who want flexibility with their alignment procedure and want to achieve that improved smile without using a highly-visible metal brace.


Patients needing corrective work on their back teeth may not be suitable for Clear Braces. To get a professional opinion on the suitability of yourself or a family member for the Clear Braces treatment, simply contact Westmount Dental.

The Clear Braces Process: A Closer Look

Now, let’s move on to an in-depth look at the Clear Braces process. Though the process may change slightly depending on your situation, here we’ll detail the general step-by-step treatment form that most people experience during their care at our Westmount Dental clinic

Step 1: Initial Assessment

At the initial assessment, we’ll invite you into the clinic to have a face-to-face discussion with one of our highly trained, well-experienced dentists. If you’ve already had treatment here then you’ll be seen by the same dentist. 

During this visit, we will discuss the Clear Braces process, how Clear Braces works and the likely Clear Braces cost for you. This way you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Step 2: Digital Scans, X-rays and Photographs 

X rays will most likely be taken during your initial consultation after you’ve decided to go ahead with treatment.

We’ll take a number of x-rays and photographs of your mouth, teeth and face from a variety of angles so that we have a detailed map of your mouth mechanics to base our dental work on.

From these images we’ll be able to have a good idea of what we’re working from. The final piece in the jigsaw here is to take impressions of the teeth on which your Clear Braces aligners (or tray) will be based on.

Step 3: Preparatory Work

Some patients may need small composite buttons applied to each tooth to help Clear Braces clear aligners to grip onto each tooth and move them. Each patient is different and not all require these buttons. The buttons are simply made from the same composite material that fillings are made out of and will be removed very easily and without any discomfort at the end of the Clear Braces process. 

Another piece of preparatory work which varies from patient to patient is the amount of interproximal reduction necessary. This complicated sounding procedure is actually quite straight-forward and is simply used to create more space between teeth when the patient’s mouth is crowded. To do this, we will use discs to “sand” away some enamel and free up the tooth for improved, less restricted future movement.

Step 4: First Fitting

You’ll receive your first batch of Clear Braces in the same visit as your preparatory work is done. The clear aligners are modelled from your impressions and should feel tight when first put on.

During this stage, your Westmount Dental dentist will review the fit and may try a few different molds before they are entirely happy. They will likely ask you how the trays feel, whether you can sense any movement or whether they are uncomfortable.

At this point it is entirely normal for your new Clear Clear Braces to feel strange in the mouth. They should be tight - but not painfully so - as they must be strong enough to begin the realignment process.

If you feel any pain or distress during the first fitting of your Clear Braces then speak to your dentist. Remember that they may not be particularly comfortable at first but that you will very quickly become used to them.

Step 6: Changing Your Clear Braces
 
Your Clear Braces will be changed every one or two weeks, depending on the decision of the dentist. Occasionally, should teeth not have moved to the required position, this time may be extended. 

Each new aligner will have been constructed as a next “phase” in the movement of your teeth, inducing your teeth towards the intended alignment goal. This is how Clear Braces works.

You will not need to come to Westmount Dental each time you change your Clear Braces but will have regular check-ups throughout your process.

Of course, should you feel any pain or serious discomfort between visits then please contact the clinic to speak to staff.

Step 7: How to Clean Your Clear Braces

Cleaning your Clear Braces is so easy!

Your trays should be cleaned thoroughly at morning and night and can be done before or after you brush your teeth. This is to remove bacteria that will have built up overnight or during the day. Without sufficient cleaning, the trays may begin to smell.

Cleaning should be done with a toothbrush but without toothpaste.
The trays should also be rinsed every time you take them out during the day. This will help freshen them up to stop smells by removing build-ups or bacteria. Additionally, they should be cleaned after every meal to avoid discolouring.

For best practice, Clear Braces should be soaked in a dental cleaner when not in use. Dental cleaner tablets are widely available.

This cleaning advice for your aligners will be repeated when you visit our dental clinic.

Why Choose Westmount Dental for Clear Braces.

Westmount Dental has helped thousands of patients across the North achieve a beautiful straight smile with Clear Braces. Westmount Dental have also won awards from Invisalign, (a Clear Brace manufacturer) placing our team in the top 1% of providers in Europe.

Westmount Dental is a cutting-edge dental cosmetic clinic, staffed by a team of highly experienced dentists. We offer comprehensive care for the entire family in a relaxed setting. 

To find out more about Clear Braces book a free consultation today!