Types of braces: which one suits you?
Metal, ceramic, coloured, self-ligating, lingual or clear aligners. Here is how each type works, what it’s like to wear and how to choose.
Looking for treatment? See our main page on braces in Sharjah: what is involved, who it suits, and how to book a free consultation and X-ray.
More choice than ever
Braces have changed a lot. Today there are several types, from classic metal brackets to tooth-coloured ceramic and removable clear aligners. They all move teeth with gentle, steady pressure, but they look and feel different, need different care and suit different problems.
This guide compares the main types of braces so you can walk into your consultation knowing the options. At our clinic in Al Majaz, braces and aligner cases are planned and followed up by Dr Anija Sreekumar, a general dentist with a Master’s Certificate in Orthodontics (MCO).
The main types of braces
Metal braces
Stainless steel brackets and a wire. The most proven, the most robust and usually the most affordable option for teenagers and adults.
Ceramic braces
Tooth-coloured or clear brackets that blend in with the teeth. They work like metal braces but are much less noticeable.
Coloured braces
Metal brackets with coloured elastic ties. Many teenagers enjoy choosing new colours at each visit.
Self-ligating braces
Brackets with a small built-in clip that holds the wire, instead of elastic ties. Fewer parts to collect plaque.
Lingual braces
Brackets fixed to the back of the teeth so they cannot be seen from the front. Specialised and not suitable for everyone.
Clear aligners
A series of removable transparent trays. Almost invisible and easy to clean around, but they only work if worn 20 to 22 hours a day.
Metal braces
Metal braces are the classic option: small stainless steel brackets bonded to each tooth and connected by a thin archwire. They are strong, reliable and can treat almost every type of problem, from mild crowding to large bite corrections. Modern brackets are much smaller and smoother than they used to be.
They are visible, which some adults dislike, but they are hard to break and usually need fewer repairs. For teenagers who play sport or forget instructions, metal braces are often the safest choice. Read more on our braces page.
Ceramic braces
Ceramic braces work exactly like metal braces but use tooth-coloured or clear brackets. From a normal speaking distance they are hard to notice, which makes them popular with adults and professionals in Sharjah and Dubai.
The trade-offs: ceramic brackets are slightly larger and more brittle than metal, and the elastic ties can stain with coffee, tea, curry and turmeric between visits. Choosing clear or white ties and avoiding strongly coloured food helps. Ceramic brackets are often used on the upper teeth, which show most, with metal on the lower teeth.
Coloured braces
Coloured braces are metal braces with coloured elastic bands around each bracket. The colours are changed at each adjustment, so children and teenagers can pick school colours, team colours or a festive look. Avoid very pale colours if you drink a lot of tea or coffee, as they discolour quickly.
Not sure what you need?
Get a free check-up and X-ray. A dentist explains your options and gives you the cost in writing. Open until 10 PM on Al Khan Street, Al Majaz.
Self-ligating braces
Self-ligating braces have a small door or clip built into each bracket that holds the wire, so there are no elastic ties. Fewer elastics means fewer places for plaque to collect, and many people find the brackets neat and easy to keep clean.
You’ll see claims online that self-ligating braces are much faster or much less painful. Research doesn’t consistently support big differences in treatment time or comfort compared with conventional braces. The plan, the quality of the wire changes and how well you follow instructions matter more than the bracket type. Ask at your consultation whether self-ligating brackets are an option for your case.
Lingual braces
Lingual braces are fixed to the inner surfaces of the teeth, facing the tongue, so they are invisible from the front. They are custom made and technically demanding. They can affect speech at first and rub the tongue while you get used to them, and they are usually the most expensive fixed option.
They aren’t offered at every clinic. If hidden treatment is important to you, clear aligners or ceramic braces are often the practical alternative, and we can talk you through which suits your teeth.
Clear aligners
Clear aligners are removable plastic trays made from a digital scan. Each set moves the teeth a little, and you change to the next set every week or two. They are nearly invisible, you remove them to eat and brush, and there are no wires to break.
Their success depends on you: aligners must be worn 20 to 22 hours a day. They suit many cases of crowding, spacing and relapse after old braces. Some complex bite problems are still better treated with fixed braces. Compare the two in clear aligners vs braces, or see our clear aligners page.
How to choose the right type
The right type depends on your teeth, your bite, your lifestyle and your budget. A full assessment with photos, X-rays and a bite check shows what needs to move and how. Some problems can be treated with any type; others suit one approach better.
Be honest about your habits. If you are unlikely to wear aligners all day, fixed braces will give a more reliable result. If you play contact sport, ask about a mouthguard over braces.
Questions to ask
- Which types will work for my bite, not just my looks?
- How long is treatment likely to take?
- How often are visits?
- What happens if a bracket breaks or an aligner is lost?
- Are retainers included afterwards?
Braces for teenagers and adults
Teenagers are the most common braces patients because their teeth and jaws are still growing, which can make some corrections easier. Adults can have braces at any age as long as the gums and bone are healthy. Many adults choose ceramic braces or aligners. Read more in braces for adults.
Cost and insurance
Cost depends on the type of braces, the complexity of the case and the length of treatment. Metal braces are usually the least expensive fixed option, ceramic costs more and lingual braces are usually the most expensive. Most UAE insurance plans cover orthodontics only for children, if at all. See braces cost in Sharjah for what affects the price, and ask about paying in instalments.
After braces: retainers
Whatever type you choose, teeth try to move back after treatment. A retainer holds them in place. Most people wear one at night long term. Read retainers after braces for the types and how to look after them.
Braces questions
Which type of braces is best?
Are ceramic braces as effective as metal braces?
Are self-ligating braces faster?
Can adults have braces?
Who plans braces at Al Jazeera Dental Clinic?
Is the braces consultation free?
Not sure which braces suit you?
Book a free consultation in Al Majaz. We’ll check your teeth and bite and explain which types will work for you.
About our clinic
Written by the dental team at Al Jazeera Dental Clinic, a family clinic on Al Khan Street, Al Majaz 3, Sharjah, looking after Sharjah families since 1998, and medically reviewed by Dr Ranjeet Kumar, Medical Director (BDS, Diploma in Endodontics), October 2026. This is general information, not a diagnosis. If something feels wrong, come in and let us look.
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