Almost everyone who comes to me about braces has two questions. The first is "clear or metal?" The second is "am I too old?" or, from parents, "should my child wait until all the adult teeth are in?" This article answers both in one place.
Clear aligners vs metal braces
Both move your teeth to the positions I plan. What differs is the appliance and how you live with it.
| | Invisalign clear aligners | Metal braces | |---|---|---| | Appearance | Clear trays, nearly invisible | Clearly visible (you can choose the band colors) | | Comfort | Smooth, rarely irritating; some pressure with each new tray | Wires and brackets can cause sore spots at first | | Removability | Out for eating and brushing | Fixed until treatment ends | | Cleaning | Brush as usual; rinse the trays daily | Needs interdental brushes and special floss; avoid hard and sticky food | | Treatment time | Depends on the case; some cases are faster | Depends on the case | | Cost | Higher starting price | More accessible starting price | | Suitable cases | Mild to moderately complex | Every case, including very complex ones | | Cooperation | Must be worn 20–22 hours a day; teeth do not move to plan if you skip | Nothing to remember |
Who suits clear aligners? People who do not want anyone to see they are in treatment, who are confident they will wear the trays for the full time every day, and who want brushing to stay as easy as before.
Who suits metal braces? People who care most about value, do not mind visible braces, or have a complex case such as severe crowding or rotated teeth, where fixed braces give me finer control. They are also the safer choice for anyone who might forget to wear trays.
Child and teen orthodontics vs adult orthodontics
Braces are no longer only for children, but starting at each stage of life has its own advantages and limits.
| | Children and teens | Adults | |---|---|---| | Bone and teeth | Jaw still developing, teeth move readily, not all permanent teeth may be in yet | Mature bone, all teeth in; possible gum or bone support issues | | Main goals | Guide jaw development, make room for permanent teeth, correct crowding and bite | Correct crowding and bite, make cleaning easier, prepare teeth for other dental work | | Treatment time | Often faster and simpler | May take slightly longer because the bone is denser | | Complexity | Usually lower when treated early | Can be complex from long-standing problems or teeth removed in the past | | Extractions | Fewer or none, if we act while the jaw can still be expanded | Sometimes needed to create space | | Cooperation | Needs both the child and the parents | Self-care and regular appointments | | Advantage | Fixes the cause while the structure is still developing, reducing the chance of bigger problems later | A good smile and bite at any age; it is never too late |
Children and teens The advantage of starting young is that I can still use the growth of the jaw to help, so some structural problems are far easier to correct than after growth is over. For children who still have baby teeth, I offer Invisalign First in suitable cases. There is no fixed age to start. Bring your child in once the front adult teeth begin to appear and I will tell you whether to start now or wait and watch.
Adults It is never too late. Adult treatment corrects crowding, improves the bite and makes teeth easier to keep clean. In some cases I also straighten teeth to make room before a crown or an implant. The extra step for adults is checking gum and bone health; any problems there are treated before we begin.
What to weigh before you decide
I walk every patient through these five points.
- Your teeth and bite. How complex the problem is decides which appliance does the job best.
- Budget. The starting price, the installment plan and the total cost to the end.
- Daily life. Your work, your activities, how much appearance during treatment matters, and how consistently you will look after the appliance.
- Time frame. When you would like to be finished.
- The result you want. What you want your smile and bite to be like when we are done.
Starting prices at Tooth Boutique
- Metal braces: from 49,000 baht, with installments of 1,500 or 2,500 baht a month
- Invisalign: from 69,000 baht, with an assessment fee of 999 baht
- Invisalign First for children: quoted at your consultation
These are starting prices. The exact fee depends on the complexity of the case, and I confirm it after the examination and planning. The full list is on the price list.
At the clinic I use a digital intraoral 3D scanner instead of impressions, so you can see a simulation of how your teeth will move before we start. I look after every orthodontic case at the clinic myself.
Book a consultation
If you are thinking about braces for yourself or your child, come in and let me have a look first. I will examine the teeth and bite, review the X-rays, and tell you plainly which option fits the case, roughly how long it will take and what it will cost.
- LINE
- Phone: 098 831 0246
- Open daily 10:00–20:00 (closed Tuesdays)
- Tooth Boutique Dental Clinic, Venice Di Iris, Vacharapol Road, Bang Khen, Bangkok. Parking available.