Metal braces or clear braces?
Both are fixed braces that work in exactly the same way and fix the same problems. The only real difference is how they look. Metal braces use small, strong stainless steel brackets. Clear braces use tooth-coloured ceramic brackets that blend in, so they are much harder to spot. Metal is the toughest and most cost-effective. Clear is the discreet choice. Both are specialist-planned, both start from $7,900, and your first Smile Assessment is free.
★ 5.0 from 71 Google reviews. Specialist-planned. No referral needed.
Reviewed by Dr Shaz MacAvoy, Specialist Orthodontist. Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Orthodontics), registered with the Dental Council of New Zealand.
Two kinds of braces
Same treatment, two looks. Here is what each one is best at.
Metal braces
Best for children and teens, and anyone who wants the strongest, most cost-effective option.
- Small stainless steel brackets, far lower profile than years ago
- The toughest option and the hardest to damage
- Usually the most cost-effective way to straighten teeth
- Fun coloured elastics that kids love to choose
- Handles everything from simple to the most complex cases
Clear (ceramic) braces
Best for adults and older teens who want fixed braces but would rather they were hard to notice.
- Tooth-coloured ceramic brackets that blend with your teeth
- Much harder to spot in photos and up close
- Move teeth just as well as metal, across the same range of cases
- A little more delicate, so worth a bit more care with hard foods
- Often a small step up in cost from plain metal
Prefer custom, low-profile brackets designed for your teeth? Ask about LightForce custom braces at your assessment.
Metal vs clear, compared
| Metal braces | Clear (ceramic) braces | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Shiny silver brackets, with coloured elastics if you like | Tooth-coloured brackets that blend in |
| How noticeable | Noticeable up close | Subtle and easy to miss |
| Strength | Toughest, hardest to damage | Strong, but a little more delicate |
| Cost | Most cost-effective option | Similar, often a small step up |
| Range of cases | Simple through to the most complex | The same range as metal |
| Treatment time | Same as clear for the same case | Same as metal for the same case |
| Best for | Children, teens, value, tough cases | Adults and older teens who want discretion |
Whichever you choose, the fee is driven by your case, not the bracket. Both are quoted all-inclusive from $7,900, with interest-free plans, a $500 discount if paid in full, and a family discount.
What actually decides it
How visible you want it
If blending in matters most, clear ceramic brackets are the answer. If you do not mind them showing, or you like coloured elastics, metal is perfect.
Your age and lifestyle
Metal is the fit-and-forget favourite for children and busy teens. Clear suits adults and older teens who want something more subtle at work or in photos.
Your budget
Metal is the most cost-effective. Clear can be a small step up. Either way the fee is all-inclusive from $7,900 with interest-free plans, so the difference is modest.
Clear braces are not clear aligners
It is easy to confuse the two because both are discreet. Clear braces are fixed to your teeth with tooth-coloured ceramic brackets and stay on the whole time. Clear aligners are a series of removable see-through trays you take out to eat and clean. We offer both, so if near-invisible and removable appeals to you, aligners may be the better fit.
Metal vs clear braces, answered
What is the difference between metal braces and clear braces?
They work in exactly the same way and fix the same problems. The only real difference is the brackets. Metal braces use small stainless steel brackets, which are strong and cost-effective. Clear braces use tooth-coloured ceramic brackets that blend in, so they are much harder to notice. Both are fixed braces, planned and delivered by a specialist orthodontist.
Are clear braces the same as clear aligners like Invisalign?
No, and this is a common mix-up. Clear braces are fixed to your teeth with tooth-coloured ceramic brackets, so they stay on the whole time. Clear aligners are a series of removable see-through trays you take out to eat and clean. Both are discreet, but they are different treatments. We offer both and will help you choose.
Do clear braces cost more than metal braces in Auckland?
At Milk your fee is driven mainly by how complex your case is, not by the type of bracket, and it is all-inclusive. Treatment starts from $7,900 for simple and cosmetic cases and from $9,900 for comprehensive cases. Clear or ceramic options can sit a little higher than plain metal. Your exact fee is confirmed in writing after your specialist assessment, and interest-free plans are available. See our pricing for the full breakdown.
Are clear braces as strong as metal braces?
Metal brackets are the toughest and hardest to damage, which is one reason they are so popular with children and teenagers. Clear ceramic brackets are strong too but a little more delicate, so they need a bit more care with hard and crunchy foods. For most people either works well, and your specialist will confirm the best fit for your case.
Do clear braces work as well as metal braces?
Yes. Because they use the same brackets-and-wire mechanism, clear braces move teeth just as effectively as metal braces and treat the same range of cases, from mild to complex. The choice usually comes down to looks, budget and your day-to-day life rather than the result.
Which is better for my child, metal or clear braces?
Metal braces are usually the better fit for children and younger teens. They are the toughest and most cost-effective, and many kids enjoy choosing coloured elastics. Clear braces tend to suit older teens and adults who want something discreet. At the free Smile Assessment we give you an honest recommendation for your child.
Not sure which suits you? Let us help
Book a complimentary Smile Assessment and a specialist will show you both options on your own teeth and give you an honest recommendation. In clinic or over Zoom, no obligation and no referral needed.