Metal, gold-tone and clear braces all straighten teeth the same way: brackets on the front of the teeth joined by a wire. They differ in how they look and wear, so the right choice depends on your child’s age, habits and preferences.
At NC Tooth Docs Orthodontics & Kids Dentistry, the choice is not a budget decision. Every type of braces we offer comes at the same price point, and we offer Invisalign at the same rate as braces, so families can choose on fit rather than cost. Here is how the options compare for kids and teens, and the questions worth asking before you decide.
What Types of Braces Can Kids and Teens Choose From?
Our types of braces page lists three options. All three move teeth with the same mechanics and are adjusted by the orthodontist on the same schedule, about every four to six weeks.
Traditional metal braces
Stainless steel brackets are bonded to the teeth with a non-toxic cement and connected by a metal wire, with small elastic ties holding the wire in each bracket. These are the braces most parents remember from their own childhood, and they are still used every day because they reliably deliver results. Kids often enjoy choosing colored ties at each visit.
Iconix aesthetic braces
Iconix braces are still metal braces, but the stainless steel brackets are gold or champagne colored. That warmer tone blends with the natural color of teeth better than silver, so the braces are less noticeable in photos and conversation. Families searching for “gold braces” are usually looking for this option.
Clarity clear braces
Clarity braces use ceramic brackets instead of metal, so they are designed to blend in with the teeth. Like Iconix, they are aimed at patients who would rather their braces not draw attention.
How Do Metal, Gold and Clear Braces Compare?
This side-by-side view covers the questions parents ask us most at consultations.
| Traditional metal | Iconix (gold or champagne) | Clarity ceramic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bracket material | Stainless steel | Stainless steel in gold or champagne tone | Ceramic |
| How visible | Most visible, silver | Less noticeable, blends with tooth color | Designed to blend in |
| How they move teeth | Brackets and wire | Same as metal | Same as metal |
| Adjustment visits | About every 4-6 weeks | About every 4-6 weeks | About every 4-6 weeks |
| Price at NC Tooth Docs | Same price point | Same price point | Same price point |
| Often chosen by | Younger kids, colored-tie fans | Teens and image-conscious patients | Teens and adults who want a subtle look |
Because price is not a factor here, the table’s real message is that the options differ in appearance and daily wear, not in what they can correct. Your orthodontist will tell you if a particular bite problem changes that.
Do Gold or Clear Braces Work as Well as Metal Braces?
For most cases, yes. The mechanics are the same: the bracket holds the wire, the wire applies gentle, steady pressure, and the orthodontist adjusts that pressure at each visit. The bracket’s color does not change how the teeth respond.
Where the choice can matter
The orthodontist looks at the whole diagnosis before recommending brackets. Overbites, underbites, crossbites, crowding and spacing all respond to braces, but a complex bite or a plan that uses elastics or another appliance alongside the braces may shape the recommendation. That is a conversation for the consultation, after the exam and records are done.
Treatment time
Treatment length depends on the diagnosis, how quickly the teeth move and how well the patient follows instructions, not on the bracket color. On our types of braces page, typical treatment runs about 16 to 24 months, and our braces FAQ notes that cases range from one to three years.
Which Braces Are Best for Younger Kids?
We recommend a first orthodontic exam by age seven, when children have a mix of baby and permanent teeth. Our post on when your child should first see an orthodontist explains why. If treatment is needed at that age, it is often a shorter early phase, and the brace choice follows the plan.
Why metal is common for kids
Younger children tend to be less worried about how braces look and more excited about picking colors. Metal braces suit that stage well. Our braces for kids page covers early treatment and what the first appointment involves.
Habits matter more than looks
For a younger child, the questions that matter most are practical ones. Will they avoid sticky candy? Will they brush around every bracket? Will they tell you when something feels loose? A child who is still building those habits will do well in any bracket if a parent helps with the routine.
Which Braces Do Teens Usually Prefer?
Teens are more likely to care about appearance, especially with school photos, sports and part-time jobs on the calendar. That is where Iconix and Clarity braces come in, alongside clear aligners.
Gold-tone and clear brackets for teens
Many teens like Iconix because the gold or champagne tone looks intentional rather than hidden. Others prefer a bracket designed to blend in. Our braces for teens page covers what daily life looks like, from soreness after adjustments to eating and sports.
When Invisalign enters the conversation
Some teens would rather have no brackets at all. Invisalign uses clear aligners and can correct many of the same problems, though it can take longer for serious bite problems and only works if the aligners are worn as directed. Our post comparing braces and Invisalign for teens goes deeper on that decision.
How Does Daily Life Differ With Each Type of Braces?
Day to day, all three bracket types ask the same things of your child. The differences are small but worth knowing.
Eating and cleaning
The food rules are identical: skip hard, sticky and chewy foods, and cut crunchy fruit and vegetables into small pieces. Brushing around brackets takes a few extra minutes whatever they are made of. Our life with braces page lists foods to avoid and foods that are easy to eat.
Comfort and sports
Any bracket can rub the cheeks for the first week or two. Orthodontic wax fixes that. Kids who play contact sports should wear a braces-safe mouthguard, whichever option they choose.
Colored ties
Colored elastic ties are part of the fun of metal braces for many children. Teens who choose a subtle bracket usually pair it with ties that do not draw the eye, and that choice can change at any adjustment visit.
How Do You Keep Gold or Clear Braces Looking Good?
Families who choose a subtle bracket usually want it to stay subtle for the full length of treatment. A few habits make a visible difference.
Watch staining foods and drinks around the ties
The small elastic ties that hold the wire can pick up color from strongly pigmented foods and drinks, such as curry, tomato sauce, berries, dark sodas and sports drinks. Rinsing with water after these foods helps, and the ties are replaced at every adjustment visit, so any discoloration is temporary.
Brush where plaque hides
Plaque tends to build up around the edges of the brackets, and that is what makes any type of braces look dull. Brush above and below each bracket, not just across the front, and keep regular cleanings with your dentist. For children who are patients of our kids dentistry team, those visits happen under the same roof as their orthodontic care.
What Should You Ask at Your Child’s Consultation?
A good consultation ends with a clear plan rather than a sales pitch. These questions help families decide.
Questions about the bite
Ask what problem the braces are correcting, whether any appliance is needed before or alongside the braces, and roughly how long treatment should last. At the first appointment, our team uses the iTero digital scanner to capture 2D and 3D images, which replaces the putty impressions most parents remember.
Questions about the options
Ask whether every bracket type suits your child’s case and whether Invisalign is a realistic alternative. Our consultations are led by board-certified orthodontist Dr. Jonathan Wells, DMD, who earned his dental degree and orthodontic certificate at The Dental College of Georgia.
Questions about cost and scheduling
Because the bracket choice does not change the fee here, the cost conversation is about the treatment plan itself. We keep down payments low, offer in-house financing and customized monthly payment plans, and are in-network with PPO insurance plans; details are on our financial information page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are gold braces real gold?
No. Iconix brackets are stainless steel with a gold or champagne color. They work the same way as traditional metal braces; the color simply helps them blend with the teeth.
Do clear or gold braces cost more at NC Tooth Docs?
No. All forms of braces we offer come at the same price point, and Invisalign is offered at the same rate, so you never have to trade your preference for a better price.
Can my child switch bracket types partway through treatment?
That is a question for the orthodontist, because changing brackets means rebonding the teeth. It is far easier to pick the right option at the start, which is why we talk through the choices at the consultation.
How often are braces adjusted?
About every four to six weeks for all bracket types, depending on how quickly the teeth are moving.
Choose Your Child’s Braces With Our Team
The best braces are the ones your child will look after for the full length of treatment. If you are weighing metal, gold-tone or clear braces for a child or teen, request a free orthodontic consultation at our Huntersville, Harrisburg or Mooresville office, or call 704.456.9166. We will review the bite, show you the options, and help your family pick the one that fits.