What Clear Braces Are
Clear braces work on exactly the same principle as metal braces. Brackets are bonded to the front of each tooth, an archwire runs through them, and the wire applies steady pressure that moves teeth into position over months. The difference is what the brackets are made of. Instead of stainless steel, they are ceramic and made in a shade that matches your enamel, so they blend in.
They stay in place, which is an important practical difference from aligners. You cannot take them out, you cannot lose them, and they work whether you remember to wear them or not. For many teenagers, that is the deciding factor.
Who Clear Braces Suit Best
- Teenagers who want discretion but are not ready for the responsibility that comes with removable aligners.
- Younger teens whose growth is not yet complete, for whom aligner treatment is less predictable.
- Adults in client-facing work who would rather be treated were not the first thing people notice.
- Anyone with crowding, spacing, or bite correction that aligners handle poorly.
- Patients who know themselves well enough to admit they would not wear trays for 22 hours a day.
What Treatment Looks Like
1. Your free consultation
One of our orthodontists examines your teeth and bite, reviews imaging, and tells you what needs correcting, which appliances would achieve it, roughly how long each would take, and what each costs. You leave with a clear picture before committing to anything.
2. Records and planning
Photographs, x-rays, and digital scans of your teeth and bite become the basis of your treatment plan. Your orthodontist decides bracket placement and the sequence of wire changes from these.
3. Fitting your braces
Brackets are bonded to the front of each tooth, and the first archwire is fitted. It takes one appointment, no anesthetic is needed, and you go home able to eat soft food the same day. Expect some tenderness for a few days as the teeth begin to move.
4. Adjustment visits
You come back periodically so the wire can be changed or tightened and the elastic ties replaced. Visits are short. This is also when any staining on the ties is dealt with.
5. Retention
When your teeth are where they should be, the brackets are removed and the teeth polished. You then move on to a retainer, which is what keeps the result. Teeth drift if nothing holds them in place, so retention is not optional.
Clear Braces Cost and Insurance in Billings
Cost depends on how much correction your bite needs and how long your treatment lasts. Clear braces often carry a modest premium over metal because the brackets cost more and take more chair time to place. You get a specific figure at your free consultation.
We accept most major insurance plans, and we are a leading orthodontic office for Medicaid and the Montana Healthy Kids program in Billings and Eastern Montana. Flexible payment plans and CareCredit financing are available, including for patients with no orthodontic coverage.
Why Creekside Orthodontics
Orthodontic Specialists
Dr. Dustin Hunsaker, Dr. Chad Lambourne, and Dr. Gregory England are all trained orthodontic specialists, with residency training from UNLV, SUNY Buffalo, and The Ohio State University.
Your First Visit Is Free
A full exam, honest answers on timing and options, and costs in writing before you decide anything.
Diverse Insurance Options
Medicaid and the Montana Healthy Kids are available in our office. Options for families on these programs have been limited across Billings and Eastern Montana, and we are one of the few offices that accept them.
In Billings Since 2009
Dr. Lambourne has treated Billings families since 2009, and the practice now includes former Big Sky Braces patients.
Start With a Free Consultation in Billings
If you are weighing up clear braces, the fastest way forward is a free exam. You will find out whether they suit your teeth, what the alternatives would achieve, how long treatment would take, and what it costs.
Or call our Billings office at (406) 652-4020.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are clear braces made of?
The brackets are ceramic, produced in a shade that matches natural enamel, so they blend in with the tooth. The archwire is still metal, though tooth-colored wires are available in some cases. Everything else works the same way metal braces do.
Do clear braces stain?
The ceramic brackets resist staining. The clear elastic ties holding the wire in place can pick up color from coffee, tea, red sauce, curry, and berries. Those ties are replaced at every adjustment appointment, so any discoloration is temporary rather than permanent.
Are clear braces more expensive than metal braces?
Usually a little, because ceramic brackets cost more and take more time to place. The bigger driver of total cost is how much correction your bite needs and how long treatment runs. You get a specific figure at your free consultation before committing.
Should I choose clear braces or Invisalign?
Clear braces are fixed in place and can handle more complex corrections, making them a better fit for younger teens and more complex alignment or bite problems.
Invisalign is removable and less visible, but it requires wearing the trays about 22 hours a day and is best suited to relatively minor corrections. Our orthodontists will compare both against your specific case.
Do clear braces take longer than metal braces?
For most cases, treatment time is comparable. A chipped or loose bracket can require a visit and some time, which is why care with hard and sticky foods matters more with ceramic brackets. Your orthodontist will provide you with a projected timeline for your treatment.
