What should my child think about if they want clear braces?

Children considering clear plastic braces -- either brackets or aligners -- should think about the advantages and disadvantages. The primary advantage of clear brackets compared to traditional braces is that they are less noticeable. A advantage of clear plastic aligners is that they can be removed for eating or cleaning. The disadvantage of clear plastic aligners is that they don't work for the most severe kinds of problems, and some research suggests they don't work as well on most problems. Clear ceramic or plastic brackets can be used for severe problems, but they are more brittle than metal brackets, so they break more often. Because there is more friction on the wires connecting them, it may take them longer to move teeth.