Quick answer: Clear aligners and fixed braces can both straighten teeth, and neither is right for everyone. Aligners are removable and less noticeable but rely on you wearing them. Fixed braces stay in place and may suit more complex cases. A dentist at Great Bookham Dental Practice decides which suits you after an examination.
Choosing between clear aligners and braces is rarely a question of one being better across the board. Each has strengths, and each has limits. Some people prefer the discretion and flexibility of removable trays, while others do better with brackets that cannot be taken out. This guide compares the two fairly, explains where each tends to suit different cases and describes what a dentist looks at before making a recommendation. It is general information, and your own teeth and bite will shape the answer.
What are clear aligners and fixed braces?
Clear aligners
Clear aligners are a series of thin, removable plastic trays made from a digital plan of your teeth. Each tray is slightly different from the last. You wear one for a set period, often a week or two, and it applies gentle pressure so that teeth move a small amount at a time. Most people wear them for the majority of the day and remove them to eat, to drink anything other than water and to clean their teeth. Great Bookham Dental Practice offers teeth straightening with clear aligners
Fixed braces
Fixed braces use small brackets bonded to the teeth, joined by a wire that a dentist adjusts at regular visits. The brackets can be metal or tooth-coloured, depending on the system. Because they cannot be removed, they work around the clock without relying on you to put anything in.
Clear aligners vs fixed braces: a fair comparison
| Factor | Clear aligners | Fixed braces |
| Visibility | Clear plastic, usually less noticeable | Brackets and wire are visible, though some types are less obvious |
| Removability | Removable for eating, drinking and cleaning | Fixed in place for the whole of treatment |
| Hygiene | Easier to brush and floss as normal, but trays need cleaning | Food and plaque can catch around brackets, so extra care is needed |
| Suitability | Often considered for mild to moderate concerns | Can suit a wider range of cases, including more complex ones |
| Discipline needed | High: trays only work when worn for most of the day | Lower: treatment continues whether or not you remember |
| Appointments | Fewer visits in many cases, with reviews to check progress | Regular visits for wire adjustments |
| Limitations | May be less suited to severe crowding or large jaw differences | Can affect eating, may rub the cheeks and need careful cleaning |
| Retainers | Needed afterwards | Needed afterwards |
No single row decides the matter. A person with demanding work and good habits may find aligners fit easily. Someone who knows they would leave trays in a bag may do better with fixed braces. A dentist can talk through where you sit on each point.
Which teeth problems may suit each option?
Where clear aligners may be considered
Aligners are often considered for mild to moderate crowding, gaps between teeth, minor rotations and teeth that have moved after earlier braces. Some bite concerns may also be treatable. In many cases, results depend on your teeth and bite, and nothing is guaranteed.
Where fixed braces may suit better
Fixed braces may be more appropriate where there is severe crowding, heavily rotated teeth, a significant difference in how the upper and lower jaws meet, or a need for teeth to move a long way up or down. They can also suit patients who would find it hard to wear removable trays consistently. We say this plainly because braces suit some cases better, and recommending the right approach matters more than recommending the one we happen to offer.
How clear aligner treatment works
- Examination. A dentist checks your teeth, gums and bite and asks what you would like to change.
- Records. X-rays, photographs and scans or impressions may be taken so the plan reflects what lies beneath the gums as well as what shows.
- Treatment plan and quote. Your dentist explains the proposed movements, the alternatives, the risks and the commitment involved, followed by a personal quote.
- Starting treatment. You receive your first aligners, with guidance on wear, cleaning and what to do if one is lost or cracked.
- Review appointments. Check-ups track progress. Extra aligners, known as refinements, may be needed.
- Finishing and retainers. Retainers are fitted to help hold the teeth in their new positions.
What about cost?
At Great Bookham Dental Practice, Clear aligners start from £1,850 Your own quote is given after assessment, because case complexity, the number of aligners, refinements, retainers and appointments all affect the figure. A new patient adult exam is £75, and an intra-oral X-ray is £25 if your dentist advises one. You can see more in our Fee guide.
For spreading the cost, 0% APR finance is available via Tabeo (subject to status, terms apply). Tabeo is a separate finance provider and the practice does not offer credit itself. You can read more about Tabeo interest-free credit before deciding.
Benefits, risks and limitations
Possible benefits of aligners
They are less noticeable than brackets, can be taken out for meals and make brushing and flossing more straightforward. A digital plan lets you see the proposed movements before you begin, although the final result cannot be guaranteed.
Possible benefits of fixed braces
They work continuously, do not depend on daily habits and may handle a wider range of tooth movements.
Risks and limitations of aligners
- Teeth may feel tender or pressured for a few days after each new tray.
- Speech can be slightly affected at first.
- Small tooth-coloured attachments may be bonded to some teeth.
- Treatment may take longer if trays are not worn as directed.
- Refinements may be needed.
- Drinking anything sugary or acidic with trays in may increase the risk of decay.
Risks and limitations of fixed braces
- Brackets and wires can irritate the cheeks and lips.
- Cleaning around them takes time, and poor cleaning may lead to marks or decay.
- Some foods need to be avoided.
- Brackets can come loose and need repair visits.
For both, teeth can drift back without retainers. The alternatives to either option include other orthodontic approaches or choosing not to have treatment, and your dentist should explain all of them.
Retainers, aftercare and common mistakes
Whichever option you choose, teeth tend to drift towards their old positions afterwards. Retainers help hold the new alignment and are usually worn long term. Your dentist will advise on the type and how often to wear it .
With aligners, brush before putting trays back in, rinse them and keep them in their case when they are out. Common mistakes include:
- wearing trays for fewer hours than advised
- wrapping them in a tissue, where they are easily thrown away
- having hot or sugary drinks with them in
- skipping review appointments
- moving to the next tray early
- stopping retainer wear once treatment ends
With fixed braces, thorough cleaning around the brackets, avoiding hard or sticky foods and attending every adjustment visit are the main points.
Why choose Great Bookham Dental Practice
Great Bookham Dental Practice is at 1 The Garstons, Great Bookham, Surrey, KT23 3DT. Teeth straightening sits alongside general dentistry, hygiene and deep cleaning, restorative care and cosmetic treatments, so gum health, fillings or other work can be looked at in the same place before or during treatment. You can see the full range on Our services, and read about the people you may meet on Meet our team.
Appointments are available Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm, and Saturday, 10am to 2pm, which may help if weekdays are difficult. We are closed on Sundays and bank holidays.
Who we see locally
Patients visit us from Great Bookham and nearby areas including Little Bookham, East Horsley, West Horsley, Oxshott and Leatherhead.
What to expect at a consultation
Your first visit is a conversation as much as an examination. We ask what you would like to change, check your teeth, gums and bite, and may recommend X-rays so that any plan rests on proper information. If aligners look suitable, we explain how treatment would work for you. If another approach looks more appropriate, we say so and explain why.
You will also hear about the alternatives, the risks, the importance of retainer wear and the commitment treatment needs from you. A personal quote follows the assessment. There is no need to decide on the day. Bring your questions, your medical history and any old retainers if you have worn braces before.
Next steps
The choice between aligners and braces is easier once a dentist has looked at your teeth. An examination shows what is realistic for you and which route fits your habits and lifestyle.
To Book a consultation with Great Bookham Dental Practice, call 01372 454 355, book online at https://onlinebookingnow.portal.dental/ or email Info@greatbookhamdentalpractice.co.uk. You will find us at 1 The Garstons, Great Bookham, Surrey, KT23 3DT. We are open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm, with Saturday appointments from 10am to 2pm, and closed on Sundays and bank holidays.
Frequently asked questions
Neither is better for everyone. Aligners are removable and less noticeable, while fixed braces work continuously and may suit more complex cases. The right choice depends on your teeth, bite and how consistently you can wear trays. A dentist decides after an examination.
Treatment time depends on how far your teeth need to move rather than on the type alone. Milder cases may take several months, and complex ones a year or longer. Wearing aligners as directed and attending reviews affects the timeline. Your dentist gives an estimate
For suitable cases, aligners may achieve good results. Fixed braces may handle more complex tooth movements. Outcomes cannot be guaranteed with either, and both need retainers afterwards. Your dentist will explain which option is realistic for your teeth and bite.
It depends on your case and the system used. At the practice, clear aligners start from £1,850 , with a personal quote after assessment. Your dentist will explain costs for any alternative.
Yes, aligners are removable for eating, drinking and cleaning. They only work if worn for most of the day, though, and wearing them for fewer hours than advised may slow treatment. Fixed braces cannot be removed.
In many cases, yes. You can brush and floss normally with aligners out, whereas brackets and wires collect food and need extra care. Aligner trays themselves still need cleaning, and sugary drinks while wearing them may raise decay risk.
In most cases, yes. Teeth tend to drift back towards earlier positions, so retainers are usually worn after active treatment, often long term. Your dentist will explain which type suits you and how often to wear it.
They can be, once enough adult teeth have come through and the teenager can wear them consistently. A parent or guardian is usually involved in consent. A dentist will check whether aligners or fixed braces are the more practical choice.
A dentist decides after examining your teeth, gums and bite, and may take X-rays first. Suitability cannot be judged from photographs. If aligners are not the right choice, the alternatives will be explained.
