Decades ago, there was one option for adults who wanted straighter teeth: braces. But things have changed since then. Advances in dental technology have given us new and innovative orthodontic and cosmetic options. But that also presents a problem—which one should you choose? Your dentist or orthodontist can provide recommendations based on your unique smile, but it’s good to know your options. That’s why we’ve assembled this overview of the six of the most common teeth-straightening options.

In-Office Clear Aligners

Clear aligners have been a less-visible braces alternative since Invisalign introduced the concept over 20 years ago. Under the guidance of a dentist or orthodontist, you’ll receive a series of clear plastic trays customized to fit your teeth, and you’ll wear each set for around two weeks, 20–22+ hours per day. Slowly but surely, they’ll shift your teeth into place.

But why do we specify “in-office” clear aligners? In recent years, several aligner brands have emerged. Ones like Invisalign and Linea are administered in-person by a dentist, with regular in-person or remote check-ins. These brands can incorporate orthodontic attachments and treat mild-to-severe cases of crowding, spacing, and bite issues. Other brands, however, don’t include any hands-on care (see below), making them unsuitable for many moderate-to-severe misalignments and bite issues.

To get started, you’ll see a dentist, who will examine your teeth before taking x-rays, impressions, and/or scans to assess the health of your teeth and create your aligners. Then, you’ll have regular in-person or virtual visits to monitor your progress, based on your dentist’s treatment plan. However, clear aligners often require fewer office visits than braces, since brands like Linea can use virtual check-ins to evaluate your progress effectively.

Invisalign often costs $3,000–$12,000 AUD and takes 6-18 months. While Linea can cost anywhere from $2,698 to $4,998 and treatment typically lasts 4-13 months, depending on the severity of your misalignment.

Pros of In-Office Clear Aligners

• Can treat many of the same cases braces can.
• Nearly invisible in your mouth.
• Removable for eating, drinking, photos, presentations, etc.
• Some brands (like Linea) can be more affordable than braces.
• Typically fewer required office visits than braces.

Cons of In-Office Clear Aligners

• Since they’re removable, you have to remember to wear them every day for 20–22 hours.
• They might not be a viable option for certain severe jaw misalignments or significantly rotated teeth.

Metal Braces

Even though teens and adults might not always enjoy wearing metal braces, and they might get a bad rap in pop culture, you can’t deny their results. These metal brackets and wires, affixed to the teeth, are sturdy and reliable enough to correct a wide range of misalignments, including severe bite issues.

Orthodontists affix one bracket to each tooth, then feed a wire through, which they can tighten to apply pressure and make dental shifts. Braces are also compatible with other appliances like elastics and palatal expanders to help make more complex or significant movements. Metal braces often cost $6,000–$12,000 AUD, but can be cheaper or more expensive depending on your case, orthodontist, and location. Typically, they take around 12–24 months.

Pros of Metal Braces

• Can treat a wide range of severe misalignments.
• Available at almost every orthodontic office.
• Very durable, so it’s uncommon to break a bracket.
• You don’t have to remember to remove and replace them every day.

Cons of Metal Braces

• Very visible and may be uncomfortable.
• Not removable, so you have to avoid certain foods and take more time cleaning your teeth.
• Can be more expensive than some clear aligner alternatives.
• Require regular adjustments, so they need more office visits than clear aligners.

Ceramic Braces

Braces have been around since the 1800s, but the ones you’ll see today are a far cry from the ones in Victorian England. Now, we have a few much more discreet options, including ceramic braces. They use clear or tooth-colored brackets and wires to help disguise their appearance. They can treat many of the same issues as traditional metal braces, although some plastic brackets might not be as sturdy. And despite being less visible than metal braces, they’re still more visible than clear aligners.

Ceramic braces have pretty much the same process as metal ones—an orthodontist will affix them to your teeth and you’ll have regular appointments for exams and tightening. Also like metal braces, orthodontists can supplement them with other appliances for particularly complex cases. But because they’re a specialty appliance, they’re often more expensive than their silver counterparts, typically running $6,500–$12,000 AUD.

Pros of Ceramic Braces

• Much less visible than traditional braces.
• The material is often more comfortable than metal.
• Can treat a variety of mild-to-severe dental and jaw misalignments.
• You don’t have to remember to wear them every day.

Cons of Ceramic Braces

• Some materials aren’t as durable as metal braces.
• Might stain more easily from certain foods and beverages.
• Cost slightly more than many other orthodontic treatments.
• Less discreet than clear aligners.

Lingual Braces

One way to make braces less visible: Make them clear. Another way: Hide them completely. That’s the concept behind lingual braces, which go behind your teeth instead of in front. They have similar components, but they’re completely hidden from view. Plus, they can treat many of the same issues that other types of braces can.

Their timeframe is pretty similar to metal and ceramic braces, but they’re also the most expensive type of braces. Although the price depends on your orthodontist and misalignment, some cases can cost $9,000–$15,000.

Pros of Lingual Braces

• Completely hidden from view.
• Can treat even severe cases and bite issues.
• Not removable, so you won’t ever forget to wear them.

Cons of Lingual Braces

• Usually more expensive than other types of braces.
• May irritate the tongue and cause a lisp at first.
• More difficult to clean, since they’re harder to see and reach.

Veneers

Okay, we’re reaching a little bit, because veneers don’t technically straighten teeth. But they can give the appearance of a perfectly straight, white smile. Made from porcelain or dental resin, these are durable shells that fit perfectly over specific teeth. They’re thin enough that they won’t affect talking or eating, but strong enough to chew.

Veneers only work for very mildly spaced or crowded teeth, and because they just cover up the misalignment, they won’t correct the underlying cause. The dentist will prep your teeth by scraping away some of the surface enamel, then affix the veneers. The entire process typically only takes 1–2 office visits. Porcelain veneers are usually more expensive ($1,000–$3,000 AUD per tooth), but usually last 10–20 years. By comparison, composite veneers usually cost $250–$1000 per tooth, but last around 5–10 years.

Pros of Veneers

• Only take two to three office visits to transform your smile.
• Can cover stained teeth as well as misaligned ones.
• Feel just like normal teeth.

Cons of Veneers

• Only work for very mild cases of spacing and crowding.
• After the dentist shaves down tooth enamel to apply veneers, it won’t come back.
• You’ll need to replace your veneers at some point.

Snap-On Veneers

Also called removable veneers or clip-on veneers, these are like traditional veneers in the sense that they can cover up cosmetic issues like stained teeth and mild crowding or spacing. But they’re removable instead of bonded to your teeth. Snap-on veneer companies will send you a kit to make dental molds, which they’ll use to make a set of replica teeth that fit perfectly over your real ones.

These options are typically much cheaper than porcelain or composite veneers—anywhere from $100 to $2,000 per set. However, they’re not as durable, and some people find them unrealistic and/or uncomfortable. Plus, depending on the brand you get, you might not be able to wear them while eating.

Pros of Snap-On Veneers

• Much cheaper than other options.
• Very low time commitment.
• They’re removable, so you can wear them when you want.

Cons of Snap-On Veneers

• Some brands are less realistic than others.
• They could be uncomfortable if you don’t wear them often.
• They don’t correct the underlying issue.

At-Home Clear Aligners

As we noted earlier, some clear aligner brands are fully remote, meaning they don’t require any in-person office visits. Also called “mail-order aligners” or “direct-to-consumer aligners,” these companies ask you to make dental impressions yourself and mail them in. Then, they’ll use those impressions to create clear aligners and deliver them to your house. Because they don’t require office visits, these brands are typically cheaper than other orthodontic treatments—around $1,500–$3,000 AUD.

However, they can only treat very mild cases of crowding and spacing, plus a very limited scope of bite issues. Essentially, they’re intended as a cosmetic treatment, and usually only shift the front six teeth (the “social six”). Many at-home aligner brands incorporate virtual check-ins, but without in-person care, it’s harder to catch and address potential issues.

Pros of At-Home Clear Aligners

• Can complete the entire treatment from home.
• Often less expensive than other orthodontic treatments.
• Typically shorter treatment time (because they only accept milder cases).

Cons of At-Home Clear Aligners

• Can’t correct more complex cases or various bite issues.
• There’s no in-person oversight from a dentist or orthodontist.
• Impressions taken at home could be less accurate than those from a professional.

How to Choose A Treatment and Get Started

Lists like this can be a little overwhelming. With so many options, how do you know which to choose? Braces are sometimes the only option for exceptionally severe cases, and veneers are a quick fix for minor cosmetic issues. But clear aligners strike a balance between power, versatility, and appearance, providing a convenient option that can meet the needs of most adults who want straighter teeth.

In-office treatment is an investment in your smile, confidence, and dental health, but that investment can be pricey. Even though the prices of at-home aligners might be tempting, you might pay more in the long run if their lack of oversight leads to further issues. Remember that costs can vary significantly between treatments and dentists, and some innovative companies have found ways to deliver effective, dentist-directed treatment for less than many other options.