Braces or clear aligners. Damon or traditional. Spark or Invisalign. How long each takes. These articles compare the options the way an orthodontist compares them at a consultation — by what each can do, not by which is newer.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Andy Higham, DDS, MS, orthodontist — East Idaho Orthodontics. Last reviewed October 2026.
Braces vs. Clear Aligners: Which Is Better?
Neither is better in general. Braces work for every case and do not depend on the patient; clear aligners such as Spark or Invisalign are nearly invisible and removable but work only for mild to moderate cases and only while they are worn 20–22 hours a day. For the same case, treatment time and cost are usually similar. At East Idaho Orthodontics in Idaho Falls both are priced the same, and the consultation is where we say which will actually work for you.
Key takeaways
- Braces work for every case; aligners for mild to moderate cases and compliant patients.
- Same price here — $4,800–$5,800 — and similar time for the same case.
- The consultation, not preference alone, decides which will actually work.
Side by side
| BRACES | CLEAR ALIGNERS | |
|---|---|---|
| Case range | All cases | Mild to moderate; some complex with attachments |
| Appearance | Visible; ceramic is subtler | Nearly invisible |
| Removable | No | Yes — and that is the risk |
| Eating | Avoid hard, sticky foods | No restrictions; remove to eat |
| Cleaning | More effort | Normal brushing; clean trays |
| Visits | Every 4–8 weeks | Every 8–12 weeks |
| Emergencies | Broken brackets, poking wires | Lost or cracked trays |
| Comfort | Soreness after adjustments; cheek irritation early | Pressure with each new tray; no wires |
| Compliance | Not required | Everything depends on it |
| Typical time | About 24 months | 18–20 months |
| Cost here | $4,800–$5,800 | $4,800–$5,800 |
Cases where braces are the right answer
Severe crowding with rotated teeth
Large vertical movements — deep bites, open bites
Impacted canines that need traction
Extraction cases with a lot of space to close
Any patient who honestly will not wear aligners 20 hours a day
Cases where aligners are the right answer
Mild to moderate crowding and spacing
Relapse after earlier braces
Adults and teens who need it invisible and will wear it
Patients who play wind instruments or contact sports and prefer to remove the appliance
The honest answer on results
In an orthodontist’s hands, a case that suits both will finish with the same result either way. The differences are in the experience of getting there. Where they differ in what they can do, we say so — and we will not fit aligners to a case that needs braces because the patient prefers them.
Frequently asked questions
-
For the same case, no — treatment time is set by how far teeth have to move. Aligners worn under 20 hours a day are slower.
-
Here, no — both are $4,800–$5,800 for full treatment. Nationally they tend to run slightly higher.
-
Yes, if it becomes clear the case needs it. Better to choose correctly at the start, which is what the consultation is for.
Damon Braces vs. Traditional Braces
Damon braces hold the wire with a built-in sliding clip; traditional braces hold it with an elastic tie. That one difference means less friction, no stained ties and usually fewer adjustment visits — every 8–10 weeks instead of every 6. Both treat every case type and produce the same final result. Claims that Damon is dramatically faster or avoids extractions are not well supported; the honest advantages are convenience and comfort. At East Idaho Orthodontics, Damon costs about $200 more than traditional metal braces.
Key takeaways
- Damon brackets use a built-in clip instead of an elastic tie — visits every 8–10 weeks instead of 6.
- Results are the same; the advantage is convenience and comfort.
- Damon costs about $200 more here: $5,000–$6,000 versus $4,800–$5,800.
What the research actually shows
Studies comparing self-ligating and conventional brackets find similar total treatment time and similar outcomes. What is consistently reported is reduced chair time per visit and, in many patients, less discomfort after adjustments. The "faster, no extractions" marketing of the early 2000s has not held up; the fewer-visits benefit has.
Who should choose Damon
Families driving in from outside Idaho Falls who want fewer trips
Patients bothered by elastic ties or their staining
Anyone who values shorter appointments
Who should choose traditional
Patients who want colored ties
Families for whom the $200 difference matters
Cases where the orthodontist prefers the control of a tied bracket
Frequently asked questions
-
Many patients report less soreness after adjustments; initial soreness is similar.
-
Here, about $200 more — $5,000–$6,000 versus $4,800–$5,800 for full treatment.
-
Yes — Damon Clear.
How Long Do Braces Take?
Braces take about 24 months for most full cases at East Idaho Orthodontics; Damon braces often finish in 18 to 20. Mild crowding can finish in 6 to 12 months; complex bite corrections, extraction cases and impacted teeth can run 24 to 30. Adults often take a few months longer than teenagers because bone remodels more slowly. The biggest factors within your control are wearing elastics as prescribed, avoiding broken brackets and keeping every appointment. At East Idaho Orthodontics your estimated time is stated in writing at the free consultation.
Key takeaways
- Full treatment with braces takes about 24 months here; Damon often 18–20.
- Unworn elastics and missed appointments are the biggest causes of delay.
- Your estimate is stated in writing at the free consultation.
Typical treatment time by case
| CASE | TYPICAL TIME | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Mild crowding or spacing | 6–12 months | Often a limited case |
| Moderate crowding, no bite issue | 12–18 months | |
| Full treatment with bite correction | 18–24 months | The most common case |
| Extraction case | 20–28 months | Space closure takes time |
| Impacted canine | 18–30 months | Includes exposure and traction |
| Adult full treatment | 18–26 months | Slower remodeling |
| Relapse after earlier braces | 4–9 months | Usually aligners |
What makes braces take longer
Elastics not worn. The single biggest cause. Bite correction only happens while elastics are in.
Broken brackets. Each one stalls that tooth until it is re-bonded. Seen within a few days it adds little or no time; left for weeks, it does.
Missed appointments. A missed 6-week visit is 6 weeks of no adjustment.
Growth patterns. Some jaws grow in ways that need extra correction.
Poor hygiene. Inflamed gums slow tooth movement and can force a pause.
Can braces be done faster?
Accelerated-treatment devices and procedures exist; the evidence for meaningful time savings is weak. What reliably shortens treatment is compliance and an accurate plan. Be cautious of any promise of six-month full treatment for a bite problem.
Frequently asked questions
-
Usually 18–26 months for full treatment; limited cases much less.
-
For mild crowding or spacing, sometimes. Not for bite correction.
-
Treatment runs longer by roughly the time missed, and sometimes more if a wire has been passive for weeks.
How Long Do Clear Aligners Take?
Clear aligner treatment takes 18 to 20 months for most full cases and 6 to 12 months for limited cases such as mild crowding or relapse after earlier braces. The timeline assumes 20 to 22 hours of wear a day; every hour below that extends it. Most patients need a short refinement phase of extra trays at the end, which is included in the plan at East Idaho Orthodontics. Your estimated time is stated in writing at the free consultation.
Key takeaways
- Full aligner cases take 18–20 months; limited cases 6–12.
- Trays change every two weeks and need 20–22 hours of wear a day.
- A short refinement phase at the end is normal and included.
Typical timelines
| CASE | TYPICAL TIME | TRAYS (APPROX.) |
|---|---|---|
| Relapse / minor crowding | 6–12 months | 12–25 |
| Mild to moderate crowding | 9–15 months | 20–35 |
| Full treatment with bite correction | 18–20 months | 35–50 |
| Refinement phase | 2–4 months | 5–15 |
Why wear time is everything
An aligner moves teeth only while it is in the mouth. At 22 hours a day, each tray does its job in about two weeks. At 16 hours a day, the teeth lag behind the plan, the next tray does not fit, and the whole sequence stalls. Progress is checked every 9–12 weeks, and how each new tray fits tells us quickly whether the previous ones were worn.
What refinements are
Teeth do not always track exactly as planned. After the main series, a new scan is taken and a short set of extra trays finishes any movements that fell behind. Refinements are normal and are included in the fee.
Frequently asked questions
-
For the same case, no. The timeline is set by the movement, not the appliance.
-
No. Moving to the next tray before the teeth have caught up causes fit problems and can damage roots.
-
Teeth drift back; the current tray may no longer fit. Call us — sometimes you go back a tray, sometimes a new scan is needed.
Spark vs. Invisalign: What’s the Difference?
Spark and Invisalign are both clear aligner systems prescribed and supervised by an orthodontist, both made from a digital scan, and both move teeth in small steps from one custom tray to the next. Spark, made by Ormco, uses a material called TruGEN that is designed to be clearer and more stain-resistant than Invisalign’s SmartTrack, with trays trimmed closer to the gumline. Results depend on the treatment plan and the patient’s wear, not the brand. East Idaho Orthodontics in Idaho Falls uses Spark; treatment costs $4,800–$5,800.
Key takeaways
- Spark and Invisalign work the same way; Spark’s material is designed to be clearer and stain less.
- Results depend on the plan and the wear, not the brand.
- East Idaho Orthodontics uses Spark at $4,800–$5,800; any Invisalign candidate is a Spark candidate.
Side by side
| SPARK | INVISALIGN | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Ormco (Envista) | Align Technology |
| Material | TruGEN — designed for clarity and stain resistance | SmartTrack |
| Who prescribes it | Orthodontists and dentists | Orthodontists and dentists |
| Trim line | Scalloped, close to the gumline | Scalloped |
| Attachments and elastics | Yes | Yes |
| Teen compliance features | Tray fit checked at every visit | Wear indicators available |
| Typical cost in Idaho Falls | $4,800–$5,800 | Similar range at practices that offer it |
| Available at East Idaho Orthodontics | Yes | No |
Why we chose Spark
Two reasons that matter to patients: the trays stay clearer over the two weeks they are worn, and they stain less from coffee and tea. One reason that matters to us: the precision of the trim and the fit, which affects how well a tray grips a tooth it needs to rotate. None of this makes Spark "better" for every case; it makes it the system we can plan and deliver best.
Does the brand change the result?
No. The result is set by the diagnosis, the treatment plan and the patient wearing the trays 20–22 hours a day. Two orthodontists using different systems on the same case should reach the same result; one orthodontist and one dentist using the same system may not. If you have been told you are an Invisalign candidate, you are a Spark candidate.
Frequently asked questions
-
The lab cost difference between systems is small; the fee is set by the orthodontist’s time and case complexity. Prices in Idaho Falls fall in a similar range either way.
-
We use Spark exclusively. It does everything Invisalign does for the cases aligners suit.
-
Yes. Spark aligners are FDA-cleared, as is Invisalign.
Ready to talk it through?
Consultations at East Idaho Orthodontics are free, take about an hour, and end with a written plan and an exact price. Request a free consultation.
Related: Spark clear aligners · Orthodontic Resource Center