– Straighten discreetly,
braces that barely show.
Clear and ceramic braces use tooth-coloured brackets instead of metal, so they blend in and quietly do the work. They are a beautiful middle ground for anyone who wants the reliability of fixed braces without the shiny metal look.
★ 5.0 from 71 Google reviews · Specialist orthodontist · No referral needed · Newmarket now, Albany from August 2026
Reviewed by Dr Shaz MacAvoy, Specialist Orthodontist. Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Orthodontics), registered with the Dental Council of New Zealand.
The reliability of braces, far less visible
Clear or ceramic braces work exactly like traditional braces, brackets and a wire gently guiding your teeth into place, but the brackets are made of a clear, tooth-coloured ceramic instead of metal. From a step back, most people barely notice them.
Blends with your teeth
The ceramic brackets are matched to a natural tooth shade and stay clear throughout, so your braces sit quietly in the background of every photo and every conversation.
No willpower needed
Unlike removable aligners, fixed braces are always on and always working. There is nothing to take out, lose or forget to wear, which is why they are so dependable, especially for teenagers.
Handles the hard cases
Because they are fixed and precise, ceramic braces manage complex bite and rotation problems that clear aligners are not always suited to, without giving up the discreet look.
Clear braces or clear aligners?
These two get mixed up constantly, so here is the honest difference. Milk offers both, and the right choice depends on your teeth and your habits, not on which sounds better.
Fixed, tooth-coloured
Brackets bonded to your teeth with a wire, in a clear ceramic instead of metal.
- Always on, always working, nothing to remember
- Ideal for complex cases and for teenagers
- Far less visible than metal braces
- Eat normally, just avoid very hard or sticky foods
Removable, near invisible
See-through trays you wear about 22 hours a day and take out to eat and clean.
- The most discreet option of all
- Removable for meals, brushing and big occasions
- Needs genuine 22-hour-a-day discipline to work
- Best for mild to moderate cases
Not sure which is you? That is exactly what the free Smile Assessment is for. We will look at your teeth and tell you honestly which option gives the best result, and whether you even need treatment at all. Prefer traditional metal braces? See our braces page, or the premium custom LightForce braces.
Clear pricing, no surprises
Your quote is all-inclusive and based on your whole treatment, not priced per bracket. A full diagnostic work-up with a written plan and exact quote is $390. Simple cosmetic treatment from $7,900, comprehensive specialist treatment from $9,900 with most cases around $10,400, including records, appliances, appointments, retainers and aftercare. Interest-free in-house plans work out around $60 to $76 a week, with $500 off if paid in full and family discounts for siblings.
Discreet braces for every age
Clear and ceramic braces are popular with teenagers who want something subtler than metal, and with adults who want reliable results without an obvious mouth of metal. For younger children we will advise the right timing and appliance. See real before and after results from patients across Auckland.
Answered honestly
Are clear braces the same as Invisalign or clear aligners?
No, they are different things and it is a common mix-up. Clear or ceramic braces are fixed braces with tooth-coloured brackets, so they stay on and work quietly in the background. Clear aligners are removable see-through trays you take out to eat and clean. Milk offers both, and uses Angel Aligners for the removable option. A free Smile Assessment is the easiest way to see which suits your teeth and your lifestyle.
Do clear or ceramic braces stain?
The ceramic brackets themselves are stain resistant and stay clear throughout treatment. The tiny elastic ties that can hold the wire may pick up colour from things like coffee, curry or red wine, but those are changed at every adjustment visit, so any discolouration is temporary and gone at your next appointment.
Are clear braces more expensive than metal braces?
There can be a small premium for ceramic over metal, but at Milk your quote is all-inclusive and based on your whole treatment, not priced per bracket. Simple cosmetic treatment starts from $7,900 and comprehensive specialist treatment from $9,900, including records, appliances, appointments, retainers and aftercare. You get an exact quote after your assessment, with interest-free payment plans available.
How long do clear braces take?
About the same as metal braces, typically 12 to 24 months depending on how much your teeth need to move. Ceramic braces are just as capable as metal for simple and complex cases alike, so choosing the discreet option does not slow your result down.
Can clear braces fix complex problems?
Yes. Because they are fixed to the teeth and work every hour of every day, ceramic braces handle the full range of cases, including complex bite and alignment problems that removable aligners are not always suited to. Every case at Milk is planned by a specialist orthodontist, so the option we recommend is the one most likely to give you the result you want.
See which option suits your smile
A free 20 minute Smile Assessment, in the clinic or over Zoom. No referral needed, no obligation, just honest specialist advice on clear braces, aligners or whatever is genuinely right for you.
Weighing up all your options? Compare braces, clear aligners and LightForce custom braces.