The right treatment depends on your age, how complex your case is, and your lifestyle. Your dentist will assess your teeth and recommend the best option for you. 

Most common

Metal braces

Fixed · 12–24 months · All ages

Metal braces use small brackets bonded to each tooth, connected by a wire. Your dentist tightens the wire gradually over time, pulling teeth into alignment. They work for almost every type of misalignment — mild to severe.

These are the most reliable and affordable option for complex cases. They stay on your teeth throughout treatment, so there's no temptation to forget to wear them.

Less visible

Ceramic braces

Fixed · 12–24 months · Teens & Adults

Ceramic braces work exactly like metal braces but use tooth-coloured or clear brackets. This makes them far less noticeable. They are a good middle ground — nearly as discreet as clear aligners, but able to handle more complex corrections.
The brackets can stain slightly with tea, coffee, or turmeric, so some care is needed with diet.

Most popular today

Clear aligners

Removable · 6–18 months · Teens & Adults

Clear aligners are custom-made transparent plastic trays that fit over your teeth. You wear a new set of trays every 1–2 weeks, each one moving your teeth a little further into place. They are nearly invisible and can be removed for eating and brushing.
They work best for mild to moderate cases. If you have crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth and want a discreet solution, aligners are often the best choice.

Completely hidden

Lingual braces

Fixed · 18–24 months · Adults

Lingual braces are exactly like metal braces, except they are fitted to the inside (tongue side) of your teeth instead of the outside. This makes them completely invisible from the front — nobody will know you're wearing them.
They are more complex to fit and adjust, so they require a specialist. They can take a little longer to get used to and may feel slightly uncomfortable initially.

For minor cases

Removable retainers

Removable · 3–12 months · Minor corrections only

Retainers are removable appliances usually used after braces to keep teeth in place. In some very mild cases — such as a single slightly turned tooth or minor relapse after previous treatment — a retainer can also do limited active correction.
They are not a replacement for braces or aligners in moderate or complex cases. Your dentist will tell you if this option applies to you.

Severe cases only

Jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery)

Surgical · 1–2 years with braces · Adults

In cases where the misalignment comes from the jaw itself — not just the teeth — braces or aligners alone may not fully correct the problem. Jaw surgery physically repositions the upper or lower jaw, or both.
This is always used alongside orthodontic treatment and is only recommended when other options are not enough. It's planned carefully over several months and carried out by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.