Cambie Dental
Orthodontics

Clear aligners vs traditional braces — which is right for you?

By Dr. Morris Huang March 19, 2026 6 min read
Clear aligners vs traditional braces — which is right for you?

Clear aligners and braces both move teeth; they just do it differently. The right choice depends on what you need moved, how much you need it moved, and how your life fits around treatment.

When aligners shine

Aligners work well for mild to moderate spacing, crowding, and minor bite corrections. They are removable for meals and cleaning, and most patients find them comfortable to wear.

They require discipline though — at least 22 hours daily is standard. If you will not wear them consistently, results slip.

When braces still win

Traditional braces handle complex rotations, impacted teeth, and significant bite corrections more predictably. They stay on all the time, so compliance is not a factor.

Braces also allow finer control for specialist cases and can deliver results aligners cannot match in certain situations.

How we recommend

At your consultation we assess both options. If you are a strong aligner candidate we say so; if braces would deliver a better result, we explain why. No recommendation is ever about maximizing revenue — it is about the right tool for your smile.

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