Two different types of braces
The two broad types are fixed braces, which stay attached to teeth, and removable clear aligners, which move teeth through a series of trays.
The short answer
Fixed braces use bonded brackets and an archwire to apply force, while aligners use shaped thermoplastic trays changed through a planned sequence.
How do fixed braces and aligners move teeth differently?
An orthodontist assesses crowding, spacing, bite, jaw growth, roots, hygiene, and any need for attachments, elastics, or extractions before choosing an appliance.
How is the most suitable orthodontic appliance selected?
An orthodontist assesses crowding, spacing, bite, jaw growth, roots, hygiene, and any need for attachments, elastics, or extractions before choosing an appliance.
Clean carefully around brackets, or wear aligners as prescribed and remove them for eating and brushing. Both approaches require reviews and retainers afterward.
What should you do when braces or an aligner causes problems?
Seek an orthodontic review for a broken wire or bracket, jaw discomfort, difficulty biting, or an aligner that no longer seats fully.
Clean carefully around brackets, or wear aligners as prescribed and remove them for eating and brushing. Both approaches require reviews and retainers afterward.
When should appliance fit or bite discomfort be reviewed?
Which appliance can move each tooth predictably, and how will bite correction and retention be handled?
Seek an orthodontic review for a broken wire or bracket, jaw discomfort, difficulty biting, or an aligner that no longer seats fully.
What should you ask about predictable movement and retention?
scan
Clean carefully around brackets, or wear aligners as prescribed and remove them for eating and brushing. Both approaches require reviews and retainers afterward.
Frequently asked questions
Can this be managed at home?
Seek an orthodontic review for a broken wire or bracket, jaw discomfort, difficulty biting, or an aligner that no longer seats fully.
When should I arrange care?
Which appliance can move each tooth predictably, and how will bite correction and retention be handled?
Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.