Clear (Ceramic) Braces

Fixed and discreet, working while you sleep

Ceramic braces work exactly like metal ones, with tooth-coloured brackets instead of steel. Fixed in place, so they keep working whether you remember them or not.

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When It’s Needed

Ceramic braces may be the right choice

You want discretion but don’t trust yourself to wear removable aligners consistently
Your case involves movements that aligners handle less predictably
You’re an adult in a client-facing role
You want treatment that works continuously without daily decisions
You’d find removing and replacing trays before every meal impractical
You have good oral hygiene, or are willing to raise your game for the duration

At The Appointment

What actually happens

01/

Records & planning

Photographs, X-rays and a digital scan, then a treatment plan showing what will move, in what order, and roughly how long it will take.

02/

Fitting

Brackets are bonded to each tooth and a wire threaded through. Around an hour, and it doesn’t hurt — though the teeth will ache for a few days afterwards as pressure begins.

03/

Adjustments

Every six to eight weeks the wire is changed or tightened to progress the movement. Each adjustment brings a day or two of tenderness.

04/

Removal & retention

Brackets are removed, adhesive polished off, and retainers fitted immediately — usually a fixed wire behind the front teeth, a removable retainer at night, or both.

Afterwards

Recovery & aftercare

Soft food for a few days after fitting and after each adjustment.
Avoid hard, sticky and chewy foods for the whole treatment — toffee, hard nuts, ice, crusty bread. They break brackets and add months.
Cut apples and carrots into pieces rather than biting into them.
Brush after every meal and use interdental brushes around the brackets. Braces make cleaning harder and decay risk higher.
Orthodontic wax over anything rubbing the cheek or lip.
Never cut a poking wire — reposition it gently or cover it with wax and ring us.
Wear a fitted mouthguard for any contact sport.
Come to every adjustment. Missed appointments are the main reason treatment overruns.

Alternatives We’d Also Discuss

Other ways to go

Metal braces

Stronger, smaller brackets, usually cheaper, and less prone to staining. The visible option, and still the workhorse of orthodontics.

Clear aligners

Removable and even less visible, but they only work while worn and handle some movements less predictably.

Cosmetic alternatives

For minor irregularity, bonding or veneers can create the appearance of alignment quickly — at the cost of enamel, and without fixing the underlying position.

Risks & Considerations

The honest downsides

No treatment is risk-free, and you should hear this before you decide rather than afterwards.

Ceramic brackets are larger and more brittle than metal ones, so they break more easily and can add appointments and time.
The elastic ties around the brackets stain with coffee, tea, red wine, curry and smoking. They’re changed at every adjustment, but they will discolour between visits.
Ceramic is harder than enamel, so brackets on lower teeth can wear the opposing upper teeth in some bites. We assess this before recommending them.
Treatment can be slightly slower than with metal braces, since more force must be applied cautiously.
They cost more than metal braces.
Decalcification — permanent white marks around where brackets sat — is a real risk with poor cleaning, and it is not reversible.
Gum inflammation and swelling around brackets is common if hygiene slips.
Expect discomfort for a few days after fitting and each adjustment, and initial irritation to cheeks and lips.
Relapse without retention is certain. Retainers are for life in some form.

Cost & health funds

Ceramic braces cost more than metal braces and are usually paid in instalments across treatment. Health funds with orthodontic cover typically contribute an annual amount, so treatment spanning two calendar years can attract two years of benefit. Payment plans are available (lending criteria, fees and T&Cs apply).

Fees & payment plans →

Get a written plan

Before anything starts you’ll have a written treatment plan with costs, inclusions and any conditions spelled out, plus an estimate of your health fund rebate checked at the desk.

Book an assessment →

This information is general in nature and is not a substitute for personalised advice from a registered dental practitioner. Any dental or surgical procedure carries risks. Individual results vary. Before proceeding with treatment we encourage you to ask questions and, if you wish, seek a second opinion from a qualified health practitioner.