Your Guide to Orthodontic Treatment Options: Braces, Clear Braces, Lingual Braces & Invisalign
Your Guide to Orthodontic Treatment Options: Braces, Clear Braces, Lingual Braces & Invisalign
Modern orthodontics offers more choices than ever before. That’s great news—but it can also feel overwhelming. Metal braces, clear braces, lingual braces, Incognito™ braces, Invisalign, Invisalign Teen… How do you know which option is right for you or your child?
At Othman Orthodontics, serving Lombard and Orland Park, IL, we customize treatment to each individual—not just to a generic “type” of patient.
This guide will help you understand:
- The major types of orthodontic treatment we offer
- How each option looks, feels and works
- Which issues each option can treat
- Who each option might be best suited for
Option 1: Metal Braces
Metal braces are the classic, time-tested orthodontic solution. Today’s metal braces are smaller, more comfortable and more precise than ever before.
How They Work
Metal brackets are bonded to each tooth and connected with a thin archwire. Over time, gentle forces from the wire and elastics move your teeth into their ideal positions.
Pros
- Highly effective for mild, moderate and complex cases.
- Often the most economical option.
- Fun colored elastics for kids and teens.
- Always working—no need to remember to wear anything.
Considerations
- Most visible type of braces.
- Requires avoiding certain hard or sticky foods.
- Needs careful brushing and flossing around brackets and wires.
Metal braces are a great fit for kids, teens and adults who want a strong, efficient option and are less concerned about visibility.
Option 2: Ceramic (Clear) Braces
Ceramic braces work just like metal braces, but the brackets are made of tooth-colored or clear ceramic material, making them less noticeable.
Pros
- Less visible than metal braces.
- Blend with your natural tooth color.
- Suitable for many of the same cases as metal braces.
Considerations
- Brackets are more brittle than metal and may require extra care.
- Elastic ligatures can stain slightly between visits (though they’re regularly changed).
- Often slightly higher cost than metal braces.
Ceramic braces are popular with teens and adults in Lombard and Orland Park who want a lower-profile look but still prefer fixed braces.
Option 3: Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are placed on the back (tongue side) of your teeth, making them completely hidden from view when you smile.
Pros
- Truly invisible from the front.
- Always working—no need to remember to wear them.
- Can treat many of the same issues as standard braces.
Considerations
- Initial tongue irritation and a short period of speech adaptation.
- More technically demanding and usually higher cost.
- Not ideal for every case; careful evaluation required.
Lingual braces are ideal for adults and appearance-conscious teens who want completely hidden treatment and are comfortable with a premium option.
Option 4: Incognito™ Braces
Incognito™ braces are a specialized type of lingual braces:
- Custom-made to fit each tooth perfectly.
- Made of low-profile gold alloy brackets.
- Bonded to the back surfaces of your teeth.
Pros
- Fully hidden from view.
- Highly customized for comfort and efficiency.
- Powerful option for appropriate cases.
Considerations
- Premium cost compared to other options.
- May take time to adjust speech and tongue comfort.
- Not all patients are candidates; requires detailed assessment.
Incognito braces are especially suited for adults who need comprehensive treatment but want a completely invisible solution.
Option 5: Invisalign (Clear Aligners)
Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners rather than brackets and wires.
How It Works
- We take digital scans of your teeth.
- We design a custom treatment plan using specialized software.
- You receive a series of clear aligners, each worn for about 1–2 weeks.
- You wear aligners 20–22 hours per day, removing them for eating and brushing.
Pros
- Very discreet—aligners are nearly invisible.
- Removable for meals, photos and special events.
- No food restrictions (as long as you remove aligners when eating).
- Easier brushing and flossing since there are no brackets or wires.
Considerations
- Requires discipline to wear aligners as instructed.
- Not every very complex case is ideal for aligners alone (though many can be treated).
- Aligners can be lost or damaged if not handled carefully.
Invisalign is extremely popular with adults and older teens who want a flexible, lifestyle-friendly treatment option.
Option 6: Invisalign Teen
Invisalign Teen is similar to standard Invisalign but designed with teenagers in mind.
Extra Teen-Friendly Features
- Optional compliance indicators that fade with wear.
- Room for erupting teeth in some cases.
- Allowances for occasional replacement aligners.
It’s a great option for motivated teens who prefer nearly invisible treatment and can handle the responsibility of wearing aligners as directed.
Which Option Is Best for You?
There is no single “best” treatment—only the best fit for you. At Othman Orthodontics, we look at:
- The complexity of your case (crowding, spacing, bite issues, jaw alignment).
- Your age and whether growth is still occurring.
- Your lifestyle, work and activity needs.
- How important invisibility is to you.
- Your budget and insurance/FSA/HSA considerations.
Then we recommend one or more options that can reliably achieve your goals.
Kids, Teens & Adults: Tailoring Treatment by Age
Children
For younger children, we may recommend:
- Interceptive (Phase I) treatment
- Palatal expanders for crossbites or crowding
- Early partial braces if needed
Full braces or Invisalign usually happen later, in the teen years.
Teens
Teen options include:
- Metal braces (often with fun colors)
- Ceramic braces
- Invisalign Teen
We help families decide what fits best based on responsibility, appearance preferences and case complexity.
Adults
Adults often choose:
- Invisalign
- Ceramic braces
- Lingual or Incognito braces
- Traditional metal braces for complex cases or value
See more on our Adult Orthodontics pages.
Orthodontic Treatment Options in Lombard & Orland Park, IL
Lombard Office
Our Lombard office serves Lombard, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Wheaton, Villa Park, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Hinsdale, Westmont, Lisle, Naperville with:
Orland Park Office
Our Orland Park office offers the same comprehensive range of orthodontic options for patients in Orland Park, Tinley Park, Palos Heights, Palos Park, Homer Glen, Oak Forest, Mokena, Frankfort, New Lenox, Lockport.
Ready to Choose the Best Orthodontic Option for You?
Online research is helpful—but the best way to know which option fits your smile, your lifestyle and your budget is a personalized evaluation.
Schedule an orthodontic consultation in Lombard, IL or an orthodontic consultation in Orland Park, IL with Othman Orthodontics.
We’ll listen to your goals, thoroughly evaluate your teeth and bite, explain all appropriate treatment options and help you select the braces or aligners that will give you a healthy, beautiful smile in a way that works for your life.
