Ceramic Braces · Specialist-Led · Last reviewed May 2026
Fixed Braces, Far Less Visible.
Picasso Dental places traditional ceramic braces and self-ligating ceramic, the tooth-coloured fixed-brace option that handles the same case range as metal but blends almost invisibly with your enamel. Specialist orthodontist-led, with all adjustments and final retainers included in every full course.
Two Options
Traditional ceramic vs self-ligating ceramic.
Same bracket material, same aesthetic benefit, different mechanism for holding the archwire. Two ceramic options serving different priorities.
Traditional Ceramic
How it works: Ceramic brackets with elastic ties (small rubber rings) holding the archwire. Ties replaced at every adjustment visit.
Pros: Lower cost. Same clinical performance as self-ligating.
Cons: Elastic ties can pick up staining from coffee, tea and red wine between visits. Slightly more cluttered appearance than self-ligating.
Best for: Cost-conscious patients. Most cases.
Self-Ligating Ceramic
How it works: Ceramic brackets with a built-in clip that holds the archwire. No elastic ties needed.
Pros: No staining issue. Cleaner appearance. Generally fewer adjustment visits. Easier hygiene.
Cons: More expensive than traditional ceramic.
Best for: Patients prioritising aesthetics and convenience. Adults in client-facing roles.
Why Ceramic
Discreet without compromise.
Ceramic braces are the right answer for patients who want fixed-brace effectiveness with much less visibility, and who don't want the self-discipline of clear aligners.
Discreet at Conversational Distance
Ceramic brackets blend with your enamel from a normal social distance. Metal brackets are visible from across the room. The same fixed-brace clinical effectiveness, much less obvious.
Same Case Range as Metal
Unlike Invisalign (which has limits on certain complex movements), ceramic braces handle the full range of cases: complex extractions, severe rotations, bite corrections. No compromise on what we can treat.
No Self-Discipline Required
Unlike removable aligners, fixed braces work whether you're motivated or not. No 20-to-22-hour wear pressure. The brackets are always on, treatment proceeds whether you remember them or not.
The Orthodontists
Specialist-led, not general dentist-led.
Both specialist orthodontists hold formal specialist qualifications and supervise every ceramic braces case personally.
Ceramic LeadSpecialist Orthodontist
Dr. Thuan Phung
Specialist orthodontist with comprehensive experience across ceramic, metal, self-ligating and Invisalign systems. Treats adults and teens across the full case range. Platinum Elite Invisalign Provider.
"Ceramic brackets are nicer to look at but slightly more brittle and more expensive. We tell you which combination genuinely suits your case."
Adult CasesSpecialist Orthodontist
Dr. Toan Le (Dr. Mathew)
Specialist orthodontist with broad experience across fixed and clear-aligner systems. Particular focus on adult ceramic cases and self-ligating systems. Platinum Elite Invisalign Provider.
"For adults in client-facing roles, self-ligating ceramic is the closest fixed-brace approximation to clear aligner aesthetics."
Head of OrthodonticsHead of Orthodontics
Dr. Duong Ho
DDS, UMP HCMC (2008). Master's, Maxillofacial Orthopedic Surgery, Université Paris Descartes (Paris 5). Sets group-wide protocols for orthodontic case selection and quality standards.
"Orthodontics is occlusion first, appearance second. Done right, the smile is the by-product."
The Process
Five steps from first visit to final retainer.
Standard ceramic braces treatment. The same protocol regardless of traditional vs self-ligating choice.
1. Specialist Consultation
Specialist orthodontist examines your bite and alignment, discusses ceramic vs metal vs aligner options. Free initial visit, 60 minutes.
2. Records & Planning
OPG and Cephalometric X-rays, photographs, impressions or iTero scan. Bracket type, treatment sequence and timeline confirmed in writing.
3. Bracket Bonding
At the bonding visit, ceramic brackets are placed on each tooth and connected with the first archwire. Hygiene and dietary instructions given. Allow 90 minutes.
4. Adjustment Visits
Every 6 to 8 weeks. Wire adjustments, elastic tie changes (traditional) or clip checks (self-ligating). Progress tracked against the plan throughout 12 to 36 months of treatment.
5. Debonding + Retention
Brackets removed, polished. Retainers fitted, worn nightly indefinitely to preserve the result. Final OPG or photographs for the case file.
Pricing
Pricing is tiered by case complexity (mild, moderate, severe) and by configuration (traditional ceramic, self-ligating ceramic, or hybrid ceramic-front with metal-back molars). Full-course pricing includes all adjustment visits, debonding, and final retainers. See the cost guide for current tier pricing.
Honest Comparison
Ceramic vs metal vs Invisalign.
The honest comparison. All three options have valid use cases. Ceramic braces occupy the middle ground.
| Criterion | Metal Braces | Ceramic Braces | Invisalign |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | High | Low | Very low |
| Removable? | No | No | Yes (must wear 20–22 hr/day) |
| Self-Discipline Required? | None | None | High |
| Case Range | Full (any complexity) | Full (any complexity) | Mild to severe (Comprehensive) |
| Treatment Time | 12–36 months | 12–36 months | 6–24 months (case-dependent) |
| Eating | Avoid hard/sticky food | Avoid hard/sticky food | Eat normally (aligners out) |
| International Travel | Difficult (in-person adjustments) | Difficult (in-person adjustments) | Excellent portability |
Daily Life
What changes day-to-day. Honest and practical.
The day-to-day reality of ceramic braces. No surprises.
What You Eat
Avoid hard, crunchy, sticky and chewy foods that can chip ceramic brackets or detach them: ice, hard candy, popcorn, raw carrots, nuts, chewing gum, caramels, hard bread crusts. Cut apples and corn off the cob.
Hygiene Routine
Brush after every meal. Use interdental brushes around brackets. Floss with floss threaders or super floss to clean under the archwire. A water flosser is helpful but not mandatory. Hygiene matters more during treatment than at any other time.
The First 2 Weeks
Cheeks and lips feel rubbed where they meet the brackets. Orthodontic wax (we provide it) eases this. Tissue adapts within 14 days. Mild discomfort for 3 days after each adjustment.
Coffee, Tea, Wine, Curry
Traditional ceramic: the elastic ties can stain between adjustments (replaced every 6 to 8 weeks). Self-ligating ceramic: no ties to stain. Ceramic brackets themselves do not stain, only the ties.
Sport & Mouthguards
Contact sports require an orthodontic mouthguard (different from a standard mouthguard, fits over brackets). Available at adjustment visits. Avoid direct facial impact when possible.
Speech
No meaningful speech impact. Brackets sit on the outer surface of the teeth and don't interact with the tongue. Patients often report no one notices them in conversation after the first few days.
Honest Assessment
Who ceramic braces work for, and who they don't.
Ceramic braces suit a wide range of patients but not every case. Decided after specialist consultation.
You're a Strong Candidate If
You want the discreet appearance of clear aligners but not the 20+ hour daily wear discipline.
Your case has any level of complexity (mild to severe).
You are an adult in a client-facing or image-sensitive role.
You can attend adjustment visits every 6 to 8 weeks.
You can avoid hard, sticky and chewy foods for the duration.
You're comfortable with fixed appliances on for up to 36 months.
Ceramic May Not Be Right If
You play heavy contact sports without a mouthguard (impact risk to brittle ceramic).
You have severe bruxism (grinding) and cannot wear a night guard.
You travel internationally frequently and cannot attend regular adjustment visits (Invisalign would be more portable).
Your budget significantly favours metal braces and visibility is not a concern.
Your case requires extreme bracket force (very large canine rotations), where some specialists prefer metal.
Common Questions
The questions, answered.
If yours is not here, our clinical team replies to every online consultation within twenty-four hours.
What are ceramic braces?
Ceramic braces use tooth-coloured (or clear) ceramic brackets bonded to each tooth instead of metal brackets. They function identically to metal braces, with archwires moving teeth gradually, but are far less visible. Ceramic braces are the most popular fixed-brace option among image-conscious adults.
Are ceramic braces less visible than metal?
Yes, significantly. Ceramic brackets are tooth-coloured and blend with your enamel; metal brackets are dark and visible from across the room. From a normal conversational distance, ceramic brackets are easy to overlook unless someone is looking specifically. The archwire remains slightly visible but is the smallest and least obvious component.
Do ceramic braces work the same as metal braces?
Yes. The biomechanics, archwire, treatment time and outcomes are essentially identical to metal braces. The only meaningful differences are aesthetics (ceramic far less visible), cost (ceramic more expensive), and durability (ceramic slightly more brittle).
How long do ceramic braces take?
Mild cases typically take 12 to 18 months. Moderate cases 18 to 24 months. Severe and complex cases 24 to 36 months. Treatment time is essentially the same as metal braces.
Do ceramic braces stain?
The brackets themselves do not stain. The elastic ties used in traditional ceramic braces can pick up colour from coffee, tea, red wine and similar foods, but ties are replaced at every adjustment visit so any staining is short-lived. Self-ligating ceramic braces have no elastic ties and avoid this issue entirely.
Are ceramic braces more brittle than metal?
Slightly, yes. Ceramic brackets can chip or fracture under heavy biting force or impact, where metal brackets simply bend. Modern ceramic materials are far stronger than early-generation ceramics, and bracket fractures are uncommon. Avoid biting hard objects and contact-sport impacts to the face.
Should I choose traditional or self-ligating ceramic?
Self-ligating ceramic costs more but offers fewer adjustments, easier hygiene, no elastic ties to stain, and a slightly cleaner appearance. For patients prioritising aesthetics and convenience, self-ligating ceramic is the premium choice. For budget-conscious patients, traditional ceramic delivers the same clinical result for less.
Can ceramic braces handle complex cases?
Yes. Ceramic braces handle the same range of cases as metal: complex extractions, severe rotations, bite corrections. The only mild caveat is that for cases requiring extreme force (very large canine rotations), some specialists prefer the slightly stronger fixation of metal brackets. This is a small minority of cases.
Are ceramic braces only for the front teeth?
They can be placed on any tooth. Many patients choose ceramic on the visible front teeth (premolars to premolars) and metal on the back molars where visibility doesn't matter. This hybrid approach is significantly cheaper than full ceramic while preserving visible aesthetics.
Will I need retainers after ceramic braces?
Yes, long-term. Teeth naturally drift, especially in the first year after braces are removed. Retainer options include clear retainers, Hawley retainers, fixed retainers and Vivera retainers. Per-jaw pricing for each option is on our cost guide. Nightly wear indefinitely is recommended.
Start Here
Get a personalised ceramic braces plan within 24 hours.
Tell us your concerns and timeline. Our specialist orthodontists review every request and respond with a recommended approach (traditional vs self-ligating, full vs hybrid), expected timeline and price estimate, at no cost and no obligation.