Braces or aligners: types and choiceQuestion before treatment

Ceramic or sapphire braces – which are better?

Answered byDr Ivelina Ivanova-Koycheva, Orthodontist (MSc)Master's degrees in orthodontics in Rome and in aligner treatment in Turin, international lecturerPublished on 12 November 2026

In terms of appearance, sapphire braces are superior to ceramic ones. Sapphire is completely transparent, like glass, whereas ceramic is white. Teeth move more slowly with aesthetic braces than with metal ones, with no significant difference between the two types of aesthetic braces. As materials, both are comparably durable in the mouth and very good – in other words, they don't break easily. If both types are suitable for you, the choice between them is mainly a matter of appearance and cost.

This answer is for general information. Your own case needs an examination by an orthodontist.