What's the difference between clear aligners and traditional braces?

The biggest difference is whether the appliance is removable. Clear aligners can be taken out for meals and brushing, making hygiene easier, and they are hardly visible — but you must wear them 20-22 hours a day on your own for treatment to proceed as planned. Traditional (bracket) braces are fixed, which makes eating and brushing more demanding, but they can handle a wider range of cases, including complex tooth movements. However, if extractions are needed or a large amount of movement is required, clear aligners alone may not be enough, so the decision should be made after a detailed diagnosis.