Self-ligating marketing claims

Fixed braces can treat a wide range of malocclusions, including very bad bites or crooked teeth, and tend to work faster than other treatments.

Advanced self-ligating brackets are an alternative brace option, while conventional braces use the familiar bracket-and-wire system that stays attached throughout treatment.

Ceramic brackets and advanced self-ligating brackets are alternative fixed-brace options, while elastic bands can provide extra force for tooth movement and bite correction.

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste; water flossers and proxy brushes can help clean hard-to-reach areas around braces.

Hard and sticky foods can damage braces. Softer foods and smaller pieces of fruit and vegetables reduce that risk, and orthodontic wax can cover a sharp edge temporarily if a wire or bracket breaks.

Clear aligners are removable for eating and brushing and are typically used for light to moderate alignment issues, whereas fixed braces can handle a wider range of problems.

The relevant comparison is the tooth movement and bite correction needed, because elastic bands, headgear, or palatal expanders may also be used when extra force or expansion is required.