Braces or clear aligners? It depends on the bite, and on the person.
Aligners aren't an upgrade from braces. They're a different tool. Picking between them is part clinical and part honest assessment of who's going to be wearing them.
By Dr. Kevin Baharvand, DMD, MS · Board-certified orthodontist · Reviewed October 2026When an orthodontist plans the treatment, most cases can be done well either way. The difference that decides it for many families is simple: braces work all the time, and aligners only work while they're in, about 22 hours a day.
How each one moves teeth
Both use steady, planned pressure. Braces do it with brackets bonded to the teeth and a wire the orthodontist adjusts over time. Aligners do it with a series of custom trays, each a little different from the one before, designed digitally from a scan of your teeth.
Same biology, different delivery. The trade-offs come from the delivery.
Always on duty.
- Nothing to forget or lose.
- Some foods are out: popcorn, ice, hard candy, sticky stuff.
- Brushing and flossing take longer.
- Clear ceramic brackets are much less noticeable than metal.
- Kids who like colors get to pick new ones at each visit.
Hard to spot.
- Out for meals, so no food rules.
- Normal brushing and flossing.
- Only working while worn.
- Small tooth-colored bumps (attachments) usually help them grip.
- Often fewer in-office adjustments.
The teenager question
For teens, the clinical answer and the practical answer can be different. A case might be perfectly suited to aligners on paper. Whether that particular 14-year-old will keep them in through lunch, practice, and sleepovers is another matter, and parents usually already know.
The kids who do well with aligners tend to be the ones who really want them: the ones who'd rather nobody noticed, or who play a wind instrument, or just hate the idea of brackets. They have a reason to make it work.
Braces take the willpower out of the equation. Some parents choose them for exactly that reason, and that's a reasonable call.
Angel Aligners, Invisalign, and the plan behind them
Invisalign is the name everyone knows, so it's what people search for. It's one brand. Angel Aligners, made by Angelalign, are another, and they're what Elate uses for most aligner patients. Elate also offers Invisalign.
Brand matters less than people think. The trays only do what the treatment plan tells them to do, so the real question is who designs the tooth movements and who checks that they're happening. Dr. Baharvand lectures nationally on clear aligner treatment. If you're curious why Elate leans toward Angel Aligners, ask at the consultation.
Cost isn't much of a tiebreaker at Elate: aligners are priced close to braces.
When braces usually win
There's no hard rule. Braces tend to have the edge when certain teeth need a lot of rotation, when teeth have to be pulled down into place, or when consistent wear is a real concern. Aligners handle far more than they did ten years ago, though. Whether your case is a good fit is the kind of thing the free first visit answers, with a scan to look at.
Elate offers braces and aligners at all three offices. From most of Carrollton, the closest is The Colony on Highway 121.
Common questions
Are clear aligners as good as braces?
For many cases, yes, when an orthodontist plans the treatment. Aligners only work while they are worn, about 22 hours a day, so wear is often the deciding factor.
What is the difference between Angel Aligners and Invisalign?
Both are clear aligner systems from different manufacturers. Elate Orthodontics uses Angel Aligners for most aligner patients and also offers Invisalign. The orthodontist's treatment plan matters more than the brand.
Do clear aligners cost more than braces?
At Elate Orthodontics, clear aligners cost close to what braces do.
Talk to an orthodontist near Carrollton.
The first visit at Elate Orthodontics is free, in English or Korean. Scans, an exam with the doctor, and exact pricing.