Teeth Straightening in Queens, NY

• Traditional metal braces — fixed brackets and a wire that your orthodontist tightens at regular visits. Often the most affordable option, and well suited to more complex bite corrections.
• Ceramic (clear) braces — the same fixed bracket-and-wire setup as metal braces, but with tooth-colored or clear brackets that are less noticeable. See our clear braces page for the full comparison.
• Lingual braces — fixed braces mounted on the back of the teeth. They're invisible from the front, but sit closer to the tongue, which takes some getting used to.
• Clear aligners — a series of custom, removable trays, such as Invisalign, that gradually shift teeth without any fixed hardware.

The American Association of Orthodontists notes that today's braces come in stainless steel, tooth-colored ceramic, and even gold-toned versions. So "braces" no longer means just one look.

It's easy to mix these up. A retainer is worn after active straightening is finished. It holds your teeth in their new position while the surrounding bone and gum tissue stabilize. Skipping retainer wear is one of the most common reasons teeth drift back out of alignment. Clear aligners, by contrast, are the active treatment itself. Each tray in the series moves your teeth a small step further than the last one, not just holds them in place.

The right method for you depends on more than preference. Your family dentist will look at what actually needs to move, how severe the problem is, your insurance coverage, and your budget. Then they'll recommend a direction. Traditional metal braces tend to be the least expensive route, and can handle more complex movements. Ceramic braces and clear aligners generally cost more, but are less visible day to day.

Other dental work sometimes needs to happen first. This can affect your timeline and overall cost, including:

• Gum disease treatment
• Tooth decay removal
• Cavity fillings
• Tooth extractions, in some crowding cases

Not entirely. Crowded or overlapping teeth are harder to floss and clean well. That can raise your risk of decay and gum irritation over time. Teeth that don't meet properly can also wear unevenly or add strain to your jaw. Straightening improves both the look of your smile and, often, the health and function of your bite. For the clinical side of that distinction, see our orthodontic treatment page.