What are clear braces and how do they work?

Clear braces are orthodontic braces that use tooth-colored or clear ceramic brackets instead of traditional metal brackets, making them much less noticeable. At Airway Dental and More in Jacksonville, clear braces work exactly like traditional metal braces — they apply gentle, continuous pressure to gradually move teeth into proper positions. The brackets are bonded to the front of your teeth and connected with wires that are adjusted periodically to guide tooth movement. The main difference is aesthetic: clear ceramic brackets blend with your natural tooth color, making the braces far less visible. Clear braces are just as effective as traditional braces for treating most orthodontic problems, including crowding, spacing, bite issues, and complex cases. We also apply our airway-focused approach with clear braces, ensuring your treatment optimizes both appearance and breathing function.

Are clear braces more expensive than traditional metal braces?

Clear braces typically cost slightly more than traditional metal braces due to the higher cost of ceramic materials. At Airway Dental and More in Jacksonville, clear braces usually cost $500–$1,500 more than metal braces, though the exact difference varies based on your specific treatment needs and insurance coverage. Total treatment costs for clear braces generally range from $4,500–$7,500 depending on case complexity and treatment duration. We offer flexible payment plans that make clear braces affordable with manageable monthly payments, and we'll verify your insurance benefits and provide a detailed cost breakdown during your consultation.

How do I care for clear braces in Jacksonville?

Caring for clear braces requires diligence but isn't difficult once you establish good habits. Brush after every meal using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, cleaning carefully around each bracket. Use interdental brushes or a water flosser to clean between teeth and under wires, and floss daily using floss threaders or orthodontic floss. Avoid staining foods and beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine, which can discolor the elastic ties holding wires to brackets. Don't eat hard or sticky foods — including ice, popcorn, hard candy, and caramel — that could break brackets. Wear any rubber bands or appliances exactly as directed, and attend all scheduled adjustment appointments. With proper care, your clear braces will remain nearly invisible throughout treatment.

Do clear braces take longer than traditional braces?

No, clear braces don't typically take longer than traditional metal braces — treatment time is primarily determined by the complexity of your case and your individual response to treatment, not the type of brackets used. At Airway Dental and More in Jacksonville, treatment with clear braces usually takes 12–24 months for comprehensive cases, the same timeframe as metal braces. Both types use the same fundamental mechanics to move teeth. Your compliance with wearing rubber bands and attending appointments has far more impact on treatment length than bracket type.

Can adults get clear braces in Jacksonville, FL?

Absolutely. Clear braces are an excellent option for adults at Airway Dental and More in Jacksonville. Many adult patients prefer clear braces because they offer effective treatment with improved aesthetics compared to traditional metal braces. Clear braces work well for complex adult cases that may not be suitable for aligner therapy alone, including severe crowding, significant bite problems, or cases requiring precise tooth movements. At our practice, we take an airway-focused approach to adult orthodontics — considering how treatment affects breathing, sleep, jaw function, and overall health, not just tooth alignment. Many adult patients report improvements in TMJ symptoms and sleep quality alongside achieving a straighter smile.

Braces in Jacksonville, FL

Crooked teeth, bite problems, and crowding do not fix themselves over time. For children, teens, and adults alike, braces remain one of the most reliable and precise ways to correct how teeth sit and how the jaw functions. Whether you are noticing a shift in your bite, crowding that makes cleaning difficult, or simply want a straighter smile, the right orthodontic treatment can make a meaningful difference in your oral health and daily confidence.

At Airway Dental & More, Dr. Stevenson offers braces as part of a broader approach to airway orthodontics that looks at alignment alongside how the teeth, jaw, and airway work together. Our practice serves patients of all ages in Jacksonville, FL, and we take the time to understand each patient's specific bite, facial development, and goals before recommending a path forward.

Who Can Get Braces

Braces are not just for teenagers, but they are an excellent fit for them. Orthodontic treatment works through the same physiological process at any age — controlled pressure moves teeth gradually into better positions — and Dr. Stevenson evaluates patients of all ages based on the health of their teeth, the complexity of their case, and what they want to achieve.

Braces for Teens

The teen years are often the most efficient window for orthodontic treatment. The jaw is still developing, which means Dr. Stevenson can work with natural growth to guide teeth into position rather than working against established bone structure. Cases that might take longer in adulthood often move faster during this growth phase, and the results tend to be more stable.

Teens also have specific practical concerns. For those involved in sports, Dr. Stevenson will discuss appropriate mouthguard use during treatment — contact sports require a cover over braces to protect both the brackets and the soft tissue. Appearance is a real consideration too, and ceramic braces are a popular choice for teens who want effective correction without the look of traditional metal. Both options are available, and the choice comes down to the case complexity and the patient’s preferences. We also offer teen orthodontics as a dedicated service for patients in this age group.

Braces for Adults

For adults, treatment corrects problems that have developed over years and can improve not just appearance but oral function and hygiene. A straight smile is easier to clean, and a well-aligned bite distributes chewing forces more evenly, reducing wear over time. Adults who had braces earlier and experienced relapse, or who never had treatment, can still see strong results. Ceramic braces are particularly popular with adult patients in professional environments who prefer a lower-profile appliance.

Braces for Children

For younger patients, timing and readiness matter more than urgency. If Dr. Stevenson identifies a developing bite issue that would benefit from early intervention, he will recommend addressing it. In many cases, a child will be monitored through early orthodontic evaluation until the right time for braces arrives. Starting at the right moment — not just the earliest possible moment — leads to better outcomes and less total treatment time.

Airway and Family Dentistry Financing Available

Comprehensive airway treatments and family dental care with flexible financing to improve your health and smile.

We offer both traditional metal braces and clear ceramic braces, and the right choice depends on your priorities, your lifestyle, and the specifics of your case.

Traditional Metal Braces

Metal braces use durable stainless steel brackets bonded to each tooth and connected by archwires that guide teeth into position over time. They are the most time-tested option in orthodontics and handle the full range of cases — from mild crowding to complex bite correction involving significant rotation or vertical movement. Because the brackets are metal, they are highly resistant to staining and chipping. For patients who want reliable, efficient treatment without worrying about bracket appearance, metal braces are a straightforward choice.

Clear Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces use the same bracket-and-wire system as metal braces but with tooth-colored or translucent brackets that blend with the natural color of teeth. They produce the same results as metal braces for the vast majority of cases. The main advantage is aesthetic — ceramic brackets are significantly less noticeable in photos and in daily life. They are especially popular with teens who are self-conscious about the look of metal and adults who want effective fixed treatment without a visible appliance. The tradeoff is that ceramic brackets are slightly more brittle than metal, and the elastic ties that hold the wire can pick up staining from coffee, tea, or certain foods — though the brackets themselves resist discoloration.

Which One Is Right for You

For patients with complex bite issues or those who want the most durable option, metal braces are typically the stronger fit. For teens or adults whose primary concern is appearance alongside effective correction, ceramic braces offer a meaningful cosmetic advantage with comparable clinical outcomes. During your consultation, Dr. Stevenson will walk through which option suits your case and your goals. For patients who prefer a removable option entirely, we also offer clear aligners as an alternative to fixed bracket systems.

What Braces Can Correct

Braces apply consistent, controlled pressure to move teeth gradually into better positions. Over the course of treatment, this process can address a range of issues, including:

Crowded or overlapping teeth
Gaps between teeth
Overbite, underbite, or crossbite
Open bite
Teeth that have shifted or drifted out of position

Many of these issues affect more than appearance. A misaligned bite can contribute to uneven tooth wear, jaw discomfort, and difficulty keeping teeth clean. Dr. Stevenson also considers how bite alignment connects to broader airway and sleep concerns, particularly in younger patients where jaw development is still underway.

What to Expect During Treatment

After an initial consultation and records appointment, Dr. Stevenson will present a treatment plan based on your specific case. Brackets are bonded to the teeth and wires are adjusted at regular appointments, typically every four to six weeks, to keep teeth moving on track.

Treatment length varies depending on the complexity of the case. Mild alignment issues may resolve in under a year, while more involved cases involving significant bite correction can take longer. Patients who complete braces treatment are fitted for retainers afterward to hold teeth in their new positions, which is an important step in maintaining results over time.

Throughout treatment, it is important to keep up with regular cleanings and maintain good brushing habits. Brackets and wires create more surfaces where plaque can collect, so dental cleanings and checkups are especially important during orthodontic treatment.

Comparing Your Orthodontic Options

Choosing the right treatment comes down to your bite complexity, lifestyle, and what you want out of the process. Here is a quick look at how braces compare to other common options.

Braces vs. Clear Aligners

Fixed braces and clear aligners both move teeth through controlled pressure, but they work differently day to day. Braces stay bonded to the teeth throughout treatment, giving Dr. Stevenson consistent control over tooth movement without relying on patient compliance for wear time. Clear aligners are removable, which makes eating and brushing easier, but they require patients to wear them consistently to stay on schedule.

Braces tend to be the stronger fit for more complex cases involving significant bite correction, rotation, or vertical movement. Clear aligners can work well for milder alignment issues where flexibility is a priority. During your consultation, Dr. Stevenson will review which option is appropriate based on what your bite actually needs.

Metal Braces vs. Clear Ceramic Braces

Both use the same bracket-and-wire system and produce comparable results. The difference is visual. Metal brackets are stainless steel and more noticeable, while ceramic brackets are tooth-colored and blend more naturally with the teeth. Ceramic braces are a popular choice for teens and adults who want the precision of fixed treatment without the look of traditional metal. Dr. Stevenson can walk through both during your appointment.

Braces vs. Early and Teen Orthodontics

For younger patients, timing matters. Early orthodontic evaluation allows Dr. Stevenson to identify bite and jaw development issues while growth is still active, which can simplify or reduce the scope of later treatment. Teen orthodontics addresses crowding, spacing, and bite correction during a period when the jaw is still developing, often producing faster results. Braces can be used at either stage, but the goals and approach differ depending on the patient’s age and what is happening developmentally.

Braces and Airway Orthodontics in Jacksonville

At Airway Dental & More, braces are part of a broader picture. Dr. Stevenson approaches orthodontic treatment with an eye toward how alignment, jaw position, and airway function relate to each other. For patients, especially children, where bite development may be connected to breathing patterns or sleep quality, treatment decisions are made with that full context in mind. This is what sets our approach to early orthodontics apart from standard bracket placement.

For teens, addressing crowding, spacing, and bite problems during rapid growth produces efficient and more predictable results. For adults, getting started at any stage can still deliver real improvements. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, one in three orthodontic patients today is an adult, reflecting how broadly effective treatment remains across age groups.

Frequently Asked Questions About Braces

How are clear aligners different from Invisalign?

At what age should my child start braces?

What's the difference between metal and clear ceramic braces?

Do I need a retainer after braces?

How do braces connect to airway health?

Schedule a Braces Consultation in Jacksonville

If you are considering braces for yourself or your child, the first step is a consultation with Dr. Stevenson. We will review your records, walk through your options, and put together a plan that fits your case and your timeline. Contact Airway Dental & More to schedule your appointment and get a clear picture of what treatment would look like for you.