Clear braces: What are they and how do they work?

In recent years, clear braces, also known as transparent braces or invisible braces, have become a very popular orthodontic choice.

The beginnings of orthodontics were based on studying, preventing, and correcting problems in the development, shape, and position of teeth to achieve a perfect smile.

By now, clear teeth braces are a viable option alongside traditional braces. Innovations in orthodontics seek to offer their patients benefits in a society where great importance is placed on physical appearance.

Following society's aesthetic demands, the possibility of using clear braces came to light as it offers a better appearance whilst maintaining its main function, which is to correct alignment.

What are clear braces?

While most people are familiar with traditional braces, the preferences and demands of many patients have changed. They want the freedom and flexibility of a practically invisible solution that doesn't impact their appearance or their ability to maintain an active lifestyle.

 Cue, clear braces from Impress! Our aligners, or clear braces, are an ideal solution for lots of reasons, but there is an alternative understanding of clear braces that people might confuse with the Impress approach.

Many people aren't sure what is meant by "clear braces". Our invisible aligners, or clear braces, as they may also be known, are an innovative straightening solution in orthodontics made with aesthetics and accuracy in mind.

You can also ask some orthodontists for traditional metal braces with clear brackets, but the braces are still pretty visible due to the arch wire. Despite their visibility, they may still be referred to as clear braces as well.

Clear fixed braces are produced with materials that take on a white or tooth-like shade. The most common materials used are ceramic and sapphire because they are more durable and do not change their colour over time.

Types of clear and invisible braces

There are different types of invisible or clear braces depending on the materials they are made of and their placement:

• Sapphire brackets: The synthetic sapphire from which aesthetic brackets are made is the latest innovation in the sector. They are very high-quality and so transparent that they are very unnoticeable.
• Ceramic or porcelain brackets: These are very resistant, durable and very discreet, although they have a more opaque colour than sapphire brackets.
  
• Zirconium brackets: Zirconium for making brackets is another option. Like porcelain brackets, these brackets are white.
  
• Resin brackets: The materials used are resin and polycarbonate-based plastic.
•  Lingual brackets: They are placed on the inside of the teeth, so although they are metallic, these brackets are not visible to others.
  

How are clear braces applied?

During your first visit to Impress, the orthodontist will do a series of diagnostic tests (from panoramic X-rays to intra-oral and extra-oral photos) to get a full understanding of each patient’s mouth.

There are two main procedures for invisible braces. The first is the placement of the clear brackets directly onto the patient's teeth. This is usually a slower application and treatment time.

The second method, which we use at Impress, is to use your scans and imaging to stage the process of your teeth straightening, which are sent to our factories to be made. It means that when you receive your Impress Kit, you'll have all the aligners you need for every stage of your treatment.

It is necessary to visit the orthodontist regularly to adjust the appliances if you opt for traditional braces with clear brackets. This is to reposition the teeth appropriately. The success of the results lies in the patient attending these appointments.

Alternatively, Impress treatment is hybrid, meaning you can manage the progress of your treatment from home, by simply uploading regular photos to the Impress App each week, and coming into the clinic only at critical points of your treatment.

In both cases, the treatment culminates in the use of retention appliances to prevent the teeth from returning to their initial position and to make the treatment worthwhile.

Benefits of clear braces

• They are almost invisible to others.
• Maintain the natural aesthetics of your smile whilst correcting the position, leaving you to enjoy your day-to-day and forget you're wearing them!
• They use recyclable material that is strong, durable, and resistant, which in turn offers increased oral hygiene.

• Aesthetic and discreet option, enabling you to conceal your orthodontic treatment whilst remaining effective. 
• Available for both children and adults.

Disadvantages of clear braces

As with many other options, there are one or two disadvantages to clear braces. In principle, it is not compatible with patients with highly complex dental problems. When choosing this type of material, it's important to consider that the duration usually lasts a little longer and comes with higher costs. Another slight disadvantage of clear braces are also more delicate, and if adequate care is not taken, they can break.

Alternatives to clear braces

Advances in orthodontics offer several different options to meet your needs.

The alternative to clear braces and the evolution of orthodontics is invisible aligners.

Impress’ aligners offer a great alternative to clear traditional braces. The main advantage of invisible aligners is that they offer an alternative for improving and correcting alignment, bearing in mind the patient's aesthetic needs.

The most essential point to highlight about this orthodontic innovation is that the quality of treatment is maintained while offering benefits in terms of oral hygiene, not creating wounds and sores caused by metal braces, and allowing patients to enjoy meals without restrictions, as they are removable.

They are designed according to the needs of the patient and the structure of the jaw. For effective results, it is compulsory to keep changing the aligners, to be able to exert the necessary pressure on the teeth to position them correctly inside the mouth. The aligners are manufactured from strong acrylic or plastic resin materials.

Do you want to start treatment or get to know more about clear aligners? Make an appointment online or get in touch by phone/WhatsApp at +44 203 808 1072.

Updated: September 2025