OPRO
OPRO Gold mouthguard for braces
A self-fit sports mouthguard shaped to sit over fixed braces. Braces can change fit over time, so check with your orthodontist –…
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Metal vs ceramic braces
Traditional metal braces and tooth-coloured ceramic braces compared: appearance, durability, staining, what they can treat and NHS availability.
Metal and ceramic braces are both fixed braces: brackets bonded to the teeth, joined by a wire that moves the teeth over time. The main difference is the bracket material - and with it, appearance, durability and cost.
The British Orthodontic Society notes that ceramic brackets are tooth-coloured but prone to discolouring and breaking. Metal fixed braces are the type most commonly used on the NHS.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Metal braces | Ceramic braces |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Silver brackets, clearly visible; coloured elastic rings are an option for those who like them. | Tooth-coloured brackets that blend in more, though still visible close up. |
| Durability | Robust. | More prone to breakage. |
| Staining | Brackets do not discolour. | Brackets can become discoloured. |
| What they can treat | A wide range of problems, including complex ones. | Similar tooth movements to metal braces; ask your orthodontist whether they suit your case. |
| NHS availability | The type most commonly used for eligible under-18s. | Usually a private option. |
| Cleaning and diet | Careful cleaning around brackets; avoid hard, sticky foods and gum. | The same. |
| Retainers afterwards | Essential. | Essential. |
So which is right for you?
If you qualify for NHS treatment, metal braces are the usual option and they are hard-wearing.
If you are paying privately and appearance matters to you, ceramic brackets are less noticeable - but accept that they may discolour or break more readily. Ask your orthodontist whether ceramic brackets suit your particular bite.
Helpful products
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Philips Sonicare
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100 (HX6871)
A sonic brush with three modes and three intensities, including a gum-care mode. Philips says it is suitable for use with…
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TePe
TePe Bridge & Implant Floss
Pre-cut spongy floss with stiff ends that thread under wires, bridges and around implants – handy for anyone with fixed braces.
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TePe
TePe Compact Tuft
A single-tuft brush for precision cleaning where a normal brush struggles – around brackets, along the gumline, crowded teeth…
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Sources we used
- British Orthodontic Society: Patient FAQs
- British Orthodontic Society: Treatment and brace types
- NHS: Braces
Checked September 2026. Guidance changes, so always follow the advice of your own dental team. About our sources.