Braces have come a long way in the past several years. From traditional metal braces, to lingual braces, to ceramic braces, it can be difficult to figure out which option is right for you. Each type of braces differs when it comes to cost, appearance, and even the types of conditions they can treat.
In this guide, we’ll compare two types side by side: traditional metal braces and self-ligating braces. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of the differences between these two options and which might be a better fit for you.
Table of Contents
Traditional Braces vs. Self-Ligating Braces: Treatment Overviews
Traditional and self-ligating braces are fairly similar treatment options. Both involve brackets affixed to the front of your teeth and connected by an archwire, which gradually move your teeth into new positions. The main difference is the way the archwire connects to the brackets.
Traditional braces use small elastic rubber bands called ligatures to attach each bracket to the archwire. Self-ligating braces use clips instead. The clip on each bracket opens and shuts like a little door to hold the archwire in place.
Effectiveness Comparison
Effectiveness is a crucial aspect of any orthodontic treatment. You want to leave treatment with a smile that makes the whole process feel worth it. Traditional and self-ligating braces are both widely considered safe and effective options, but traditional braces can treat a slightly wider scope of conditions.
Traditional Braces
Self-Ligating Braces
- Can correct even the most severe cases of misalignment
- Must avoid certain foods during treatment to prevent damage to brackets and wires
- Constant pressure applied since this treatment is attached to your teeth
- Can treat most cases of crowding and spacing, as well as bite issues like overbite and crossbite
- Must avoid certain foods during treatment to prevent damage to brackets and wires
- Constant pressure applied since this treatment is attached to your teeth
What Can It Treat?
Traditional braces are able to tackle virtually any misalignment or malocclusion. Whether you have issues with crowding, spacing, or bite issues (overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite) regardless of the severity, traditional braces can deliver the results you seek.
Self-ligating braces can also treat a wide variety of conditions, but exceptionally severe misalignments might apply too much pressure to self-ligating braces, causing them to break.
Materials
Traditional braces use elastic bands to connect each bracket to the archwire. These elastics eventually wear out, which means your orthodontist will need to replace them during regular office visits.
Self-ligating brackets can be made of metal or ceramic, although the archwire is always metal, so they’re not quite as discreet as other types of ceramic braces.
Consistency
Since both traditional and self-ligating braces are always attached to your teeth, both treatments are highly consistent. Other orthodontic treatments—like clear aligners—are removable, which can introduce human error to the equation.
Though both treatments are consistent, self-ligating braces are a bit more so. Elastic ligatures wear out over time, so self-ligating braces’ metal clips can apply more constant pressure throughout treatment.
Affordability Comparison
There is no industry-wide set price for braces treatment. Your cost depends on the severity of your condition, your location, and the orthodontist you choose. That being said, self-ligating braces are often slightly more expensive than traditional ones.
We know that price ranges for braces treatment may seem a little daunting, but there are often ways to make these costly treatments a little bit more approachable.
Traditional Braces
Self Ligating Braces
- Average cost is $5,000
- Insurance may contribute. Check with your provider to find out.
- Financing options vary. Third-party financing often requires a credit check.
- Average cost is $6,000
- Insurance may contribute. Check with your provider to find out.
- Financing options vary. Third-party financing often requires a credit check.
Sticker Price
Though many factors can influence the cost of your treatment, the average cost of traditional braces is $5,000, while the average cost of self-ligating braces is about $6,000. This higher cost is largely due to the more advanced technology involved with self-ligating braces.
Will Insurance Cover It?
If you have orthodontic insurance, your plan may contribute to either type of braces treatment. Check with your insurance provider to see how much they will cover and which local orthodontists are in-network.
Is Financing Available?
Orthodontic offices often offer in-house payment plans, but the details vary from office to office. Check with your orthodontist’s office to learn about your options.
There are also third-party financing options. Lending companies like CareCredit and BeWell can provide financing, but unfortunately, these usually depend on a credit check and not everyone qualifies.
Convenience Comparison
Orthodontia is an investment of both money and time. Adults are busy, and when comparing treatments, folks want an option that will easily fit into their lifestyle.
Teeth straightening is a slow and methodical process that requires regular appointments throughout treatment. These appointments provide a tremendous amount of oversight, but also require more of your time. Convenience is the area where self-ligating braces really shine.
Traditional Braces
Self Ligating Braces
- Longer appointments
- Average treatment time is 24 months
- Elastic bands stretch out over time, and can cause discomfort after each appointment
- Shorter appointments
- Average treatment time is 18-24 months
- Applies constant pressure, leading to less discomfort after each appointment
Treatment Time
Traditional braces have an average treatment time of about 24 months. Self-ligating braces have a slightly shorter treatment window, averaging 18-24 months. This is due to the constant pressure of the clips, as opposed to elastic ligatures that wear out over time. This may also be because traditional braces can correct such severe conditions, which take longer to treat.
Appointment Length
Throughout your treatment with either traditional or self-ligating braces, you’ll need to schedule orthodontist appointments for every 4-8 weeks. For traditional braces, these appointments entail replacing the elastic ties (ligatures) on your brackets, which is a time-consuming process.
Since self-ligating braces don’t use elastics, these appointments are usually faster. This is certainly something to keep in mind if you’re worried about incorporating braces treatment into a busy lifestyle.
Comfort
No matter which braces option you choose, there will be some discomfort during your treatment. But self-ligating braces tend to be slightly more comfortable than traditional ones.
As we’ve mentioned, the elastic ligatures in traditional braces stretch out over time. That’s why there’s often more discomfort after traditional braces tightening appointments. The elastics don’t put as much pressure on your teeth in the fourth week as they do in the first week. So after they’re replaced, there’s a starker contrast in pressure, which can lead to discomfort.
Since the clips on self-ligating braces do not stretch out, you’ll feel less pressure after each tightening appointment, which means less discomfort too.
Cleaning
Both types of braces will complicate your oral hygiene routine since brackets give plaque more places to hide. Traditional braces have the disadvantage of elastic ligatures, which create even more of these tiny spaces. So although both braces methods require vigilant cleaning, it’s marginally easier to keep your mouth clean with self-ligating braces.
Appearance Comparison
Many adults seek out braces treatment to achieve a smile that makes them feel their best. But they’re often concerned with their smile’s appearance during treatment too. Both of these treatments are pretty visible, but self-ligating braces can be slightly more discreet.
Traditional Braces
Self-Ligating Braces
- Highly visible
- Choosing different colored bands can be an opportunity for creative self-expression
- Discoloration is likelier than other treatments
- Brackets can be clear, but the wire must remain metal
- No elastic bands, more streamlined look
- Discoloration is likelier than other treatments
Traditional and self-ligating braces are both highly visible forms of treatment. The main difference is the presence of elastic bands. Traditional braces’ elastic bands are visible, and come in a variety of colors. For some, these colorful bands are an opportunity for creative self-expression.
Self-ligating braces are just as visible as traditional braces, but without the elastic bands, they look a bit more uniform. You can also get clear brackets for self-ligating braces, which are much more discreet. Though your wire will still be visible, the brackets will be camouflaged.
With any braces treatment, discoloration can occur around the brackets. With proper oral hygiene, this is largely preventable, but it is still a risk with either of these treatments.
Patient Experience Comparison
Both traditional and self-ligating braces provide versatile treatment with a great deal of oversight. This dedicated hands-on care supports you throughout either treatment.
Oversight
Attending regular appointments throughout treatment gives you plenty of facetime with your orthodontist. These appointments give you a space to ask questions and understand the ins and outs of your treatment. This level of attentiveness and support can make a long treatment less daunting.
Refinements and Adjustments
Teeth aren’t always as obedient as your orthodontist might initially anticipate. Some cases still require small adjustments at the end of treatment. Both traditional and self-ligating braces make this process simple, since the hardware is already attached to your teeth.
You’ll simply need to wait a little longer for your teeth to make their final adjustments, but there won’t be any additional impressions or scans required.
Which Should You Choose?
These are both considered safe and effective teeth-straightening methods that can give you a smile that makes you feel your best. Your decision primarily comes down to your particular condition, your budget, and your preferences.
Who Should Choose Traditional Braces?
Traditional braces are able to treat even the most severe jaw and bite conditions. So if your condition is complicated, this could be a viable option for you. Additionally, traditional braces are generally the most affordable type of braces, so if you’re wanting a tried and true orthodontic method but you’re hoping to save some money, traditional braces are worth considering.
Who Should Choose Self-Ligating Braces?
Self-ligating braces may be a good match for anyone seeking a more convenient braces treatment, and who doesn’t mind a higher price. Additionally, if you like the streamlined look of self-ligating braces, or you like the look of clear brackets, then this may be a viable treatment option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can self-ligating braces be clear?
Self-ligating braces can incorporate clear brackets, but the wire will always need to be metal. While these clear brackets are discreet, the wire will still be fairly visible.
Are certain foods off-limits with self-ligating braces?
Yes. Just like traditional braces, there are foods that you should avoid during your braces treatment. Foods like popcorn, caramel, and gum can break or damage the hardware in your mouth, potentially making treatments longer and more expensive.
Are there more discreet options for braces?
Yes. Ceramic braces are clear or tooth-colored to better blend into your teeth. Self-ligating braces offer this option too, albeit with metal wires. Lingual braces are attached to the backs of your teeth, making them nearly invisible. If you aren’t interested in braces, then clear aligners are also a discreet form of teeth straightening, both in-office options like Invisalign and remote treatment like Byte.
Are self-ligating braces easier to clean than traditional braces?
Without elastic ligatures, there are fewer places for plaque to hide, so in that sense, self-ligating braces are a bit easier to clean. However, since the brackets are still affixed to your teeth, this treatment still does present some challenges in maintaining great oral hygiene.
Which applies more pressure, traditional or self-ligating braces?
Self-ligating braces can maintain the same level of pressure throughout treatment. Over time, traditional braces’ elastic ligatures stretch out and lose some of their pressure. So even though they may apply strong pressure in the beginning, it will start to fade between appointments. Self-ligating braces provide more consistent pressure.
Will I have to wear a retainer after treatment?
Regardless of the type of orthodontia you choose, you will need to wear an overnight retainer forever after treatment. This helps keep your teeth in their new positions.
Which braces break or damage more easily?
Self-ligating braces can break or damage more easily than traditional braces. Sometimes, the clips that connect the archwire to the brackets can get loose and no longer stay closed.
Are some cases too severe for self-ligating braces?
Yes, some cases are too severe for self-ligating braces, like severe bite issues. For those cases, traditional braces can still provide the care you need.
Why do my teeth feel loose during treatment?
Braces gradually move your teeth out of their current positions and into new ones, which can make them feel loose. That feeling can be a little jarring at first, but it just means that your braces are doing their job.
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