Metal braces aid the alignment of crowded or crooked teeth. Read on for the benefits and drawbacks of this type of brace, as well as the alternative treatments.

Braces are custom-made and individual to the needs of each person. Classic braces that come to mind for most people are made of metal brackets that are glued individually to each of your teeth.

This metal device is glued to rings on the top and bottom teeth. It’s also typically used in children at the same time as braces, as it corrects the jaw’s alignment as it grows forward.

Appearance Unlike metal braces, clear plastic Invisalign aligners closely fit a user’s teeth and are nearly invisible from a distance. A discreet style is one of the main reasons many people ...

Some wearers were quoted as saying that metal braces are both a 'status symbol' — they are often not covered by insurance, and can reportedly range in price from $3,000 to $10,000 — and a ...

Overall, the industry average is $5,900 for braces and $6,500 for clear aligners, according to Jeff Adams, chief executive officer of Risas Dental and Braces, which has locations in four states.

Their company, Irvine-based InBrace, uses metal and brackets like many before them. Only their metal is the 21st-century kind — programmed with a memory to straighten teeth — from behind.