Medically Reviewed by Dr Matthew Lau & Dr Chloe Chan – our Orthodontic & Aligner Team
Quick answer: Invisalign and braces both straighten teeth well, so the more appropriate choice depends on your teeth and your lifestyle. Invisalign uses clear, removable aligners and suits people who want a discreet option and can wear them 20 to 22 hours a day. Braces are fixed to your teeth, work around the clock without you having to remember anything, and are often preferred for more complex cases. A check-up with a dentist or orthodontist confirms which one fits you.
If you are thinking about straightening your teeth in Singapore, this guide compares Invisalign and braces side by side: how they work, what they can fix, cost, treatment time, comfort and daily life, so you can walk into your consultation knowing what to ask.
Invisalign vs braces at a glance
| Braces (metal or ceramic) | Invisalign | |
|---|---|---|
| How it looks | Visible brackets and wires. Ceramic braces are tooth-coloured and less noticeable | Clear aligners that are hard to notice |
| Removable? | No, fixed to your teeth | Yes, removed to eat, drink and brush |
| Comfort | Some soreness after adjustments. Brackets can rub the cheeks at first | Pressure for a few days with each new set. No wires or brackets present |
| Eating | Avoid hard and sticky foods | No food restrictions, as aligners come out for meals |
| Cleaning | Takes more effort around brackets and wires | Brush and floss as normal |
| What you need to do | Keep up with cleaning and appointments | Wear aligners 20 to 22 hours a day |
| Dentist visits | About once a month | Less often, about every 7 to 8 weeks on average |
| Treatment time | Varies depending on how complex your case is | Varies depending on how complex your case is and how consistently you wear your aligners |
| Cost | Generally more affordable | Usually similar to or more than metal braces |
| Often suits | Complex cases, younger patients, those who prefer not to manage aligners | Adults and teens who want a discreet, flexible option |
| After treatment | Retainers for both, worn nightly for the first 6 months, then at least once a week long term | |
How do braces and Invisalign work?
Braces
Braces use small brackets bonded to each tooth, joined by a wire. Your dentist adjusts the wire about once a month, which gently moves your teeth into place over time. At Royce Dental you can choose between metal braces and ceramic braces, which use tooth-coloured brackets and are popular with working adults. Both work just as well. Learn more about dental braces.
Invisalign
Invisalign uses a series of custom-made clear aligners made from your 3D scan. You change to a new set about every one to two weeks, and each set moves your teeth a little further. As the aligners are removable, you can eat what you like and clean your teeth as usual. The trade-off is that they only work while you wear them, so you need to keep them in for 20 to 22 hours a day. Learn more about Invisalign treatment.
Which teeth problems can each one fix?
People usually start orthodontic treatment to get a straighter smile, but crooked teeth can also affect your bite, cause jaw discomfort, make cleaning harder and affect speech. Both braces and Invisalign can treat:
- Gaps or spacing between teeth
- Crowding, where teeth overlap or twist because there is not enough space
- Protruding teeth, where the upper front teeth stick out
- Overbite, where the upper front teeth overlap the lower teeth too much
- Underbite, where the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth
- Open bite, where the upper and lower teeth do not meet when you bite
- Crossbite, where some upper teeth sit behind the lower teeth
With today’s 3D planning, Invisalign can treat most of the same problems as braces, including many complex cases. Braces may still be recommended when teeth need larger or more controlled movements, or if wearing aligners consistently would be difficult. Your orthodontist will tell you if one option suits your case better.
Invisalign vs braces cost in Singapore
Braces are generally the more affordable option. Invisalign usually costs about the same as, or more than, metal braces, because a new set of custom aligners is made for each stage of treatment.
At Royce Dental, metal braces start from $4360, ceramic braces from $5995 and Invisalign packages typically cost from $6,500 to $8,200, depending on your case.
Your total cost depends on:
- How much your teeth need to move and how long treatment takes
- The type of braces or Invisalign package recommended
- Any treatment needed first, such as scaling, fillings or tooth removal
- Retainers after treatment
MediSave and insurance: braces and Invisalign are not MediSave claimable and are usually not covered by insurance in Singapore. Some related procedures, such as tooth removal, scaling or polishing, may be claimable under CHAS. Our clinic staff can help you check. See government subsidy schemes.
Payment plans: monthly or quarterly payment plans are available, along with student pricing for braces. All costs are explained at your consultation, so you can compare options before you decide.
How long does treatment take?
Treatment time varies depending on case complexity. Your timeline depends mostly on how much your teeth need to move, not just on which option you choose.
With Invisalign, how well you wear your aligners makes a big difference. Leaving them out for long periods can slow treatment down. Braces stay on all the time, so they keep working without you having to remember.
Which is more comfortable?
Both cause some pressure or tightness, which is a sign your teeth are moving. With braces, this is usually felt for a few days after each adjustment, and the brackets can rub the inside of your lips or cheeks at first. Orthodontic wax helps with this. With Invisalign, you may feel tightness for the first few days of each new set of aligners. Most people find Invisalign more comfortable day to day because there are no wires or brackets.
Daily life with braces vs Invisalign
Eating and drinking
With braces, you will need to avoid hard and sticky foods that can break brackets. With Invisalign, you take the aligners out to eat, so there are no food restrictions. You should only drink plain water with aligners in, and brush before putting them back.
Cleaning your teeth
Braces need more effort. You will use a soft toothbrush plus tools like interdental brushes to clean around brackets and wires. With Invisalign, you remove the aligners and brush and floss as normal.
Speaking
Both can cause a slight lisp for the first few days. Most people adjust quickly. If you play a wind instrument, expect a short adjustment period with braces.
Invisalign or braces for teens and kids?
A common time to start braces is between 10 and 13 years old, or once all the permanent teeth are in. Invisalign is also used for children and teens, but it works best when the child can be relied on to wear the aligners for most of the day. For younger children whose jaws are still growing, an orthodontist may suggest early treatment such as an Invisalign Palatal Expander (IPE) Or Invisalign First.
It is never too late to straighten your teeth. Adults are suitable for both braces and Invisalign.
How do I choose between Invisalign and braces?
Braces may suit you if you:
- Have a more complex case that needs a lot of controlled tooth movement
- Prefer something you do not have to remember to wear
- Are happy to spend extra time cleaning around brackets
- Do not mind avoiding hard or sticky foods
- Want the more affordable option
Invisalign may suit you if you:
- Want a discreet option that is hard to notice
- Prefer no food restrictions
- Want to brush and floss as normal
- Prefer fewer dentist visits
- Are confident you can wear aligners 20 to 22 hours a day
The best way to decide is a consultation, where an orthodontist checks your teeth and explains which option suits your case and goals.
What to expect at Royce Dental
- First consultation: we check your teeth using a 3D iTero digital scan and x-rays. There are no messy impression moulds.
- Follow-up consultation: we explain your results, recommend a treatment plan and show you a simulation of how your teeth may move.
- Starting treatment: for braces, we clean your teeth and fit the brackets and wire. For Invisalign, your custom aligners are ready in about 4 to 6 weeks, and we show you how to wear and care for them. You switch to a new set about every one to two weeks.
- Progress checks: about once a month for braces, and less often for Invisalign.
- Finishing treatment: we remove the braces or any aligner attachments, clean your teeth and take a final iTero scan to make your retainers.
After treatment: why retainers matter
After braces or Invisalign treatment, retainers help keep your teeth in their new positions while reducing the risk of them shifting over time. Your orthodontist may recommend wearing your retainers full-time for the first 6 months, followed by nighttime wear over the long term. Following your prescribed retainer-wearing schedule is important to help maintain your treatment results.
Who will treat you
Royce Dental Group has been involved in orthodontics since it began, with a team of 15 Invisalign-accredited dental practitioners, including 10 orthodontists, across clinics in Singapore. Orthodontists are dental specialists trained to straighten teeth and correct bite problems. Meet our aligner team and orthodontists.
Frequently asked questions
Is Invisalign better than braces?
Is Invisalign more expensive than braces?
Does Invisalign work as fast as braces?
Is Invisalign or braces less painful?
Can Invisalign fix the same problems as braces?
Can I use MediSave for braces or Invisalign?
Are ceramic braces a good middle option?
Do I need a retainer after Invisalign or braces?
How do I choose between Invisalign and braces?
Not sure which is right for you?
Speak with our orthodontists to find out whether Invisalign or braces suits your teeth and lifestyle. Call or WhatsApp +65 9118 0152, or book an appointment online.
