Braces vs. Invisalign in Markham: Which Is Right for You?

Straight teeth and a well-aligned bite are among the most impactful improvements to both oral health and confidence — and for Markham patients considering orthodontic treatment, the central question is almost always the same: braces or Invisalign?

Both options work. Both are supported by decades of clinical evidence. And for most patients with mild to moderate alignment issues, both will get you to the same destination. The meaningful differences lie in how you get there — the treatment experience, the timeline, the day-to-day lifestyle implications, and the cost.

This guide gives you an honest, evidence-based comparison of every orthodontic option available to Markham patients — traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, and Invisalign clear aligners — so you can make an informed decision rather than a marketing-driven one.

Understanding Your Orthodontic Options in Markham

Before comparing the options, it is worth understanding what each one actually is.

Traditional metal braces consist of metal brackets bonded to the front of each tooth, connected by a wire that is periodically tightened or adjusted. The continuous pressure generated by the wire gradually moves teeth into the desired position. Metal braces have been the standard orthodontic treatment for over a century and remain the most effective option for complex cases.

Ceramic braces work on exactly the same principle as metal braces but use tooth-coloured or clear ceramic brackets instead of metal ones. The wire may also be tooth-coloured. The mechanical result is identical to metal braces; the difference is almost entirely aesthetic — ceramic braces are significantly less visible against the teeth.

Invisalign and clear aligners use a series of custom-fabricated, removable transparent plastic trays (aligners) that fit precisely over the teeth. Each set of aligners is worn for approximately one to two weeks before being replaced by the next set in the sequence, each of which moves the teeth incrementally closer to the target position. Unlike braces, aligners are removable — they are taken out for eating, drinking anything other than water, and oral hygiene.

Is Invisalign Better Than Braces?

This is the most searched question in orthodontics — and the honest answer is: it depends entirely on your specific case, your lifestyle, and your priorities.

Neither is objectively superior to the other. They are different tools suited to different situations. Here is what the clinical evidence actually shows.

Effectiveness: A 2024 study following 200 patients over five years found both traditional braces and Invisalign effectively improved dental alignment and occlusal stability. At the five-year mark, the results were comparable. Clinical research shows traditional braces achieve approximately a 90% success rate for effective corrections. Invisalign follows at about 88%. That two percentage point difference is not significant for most cases — but becomes meaningful in complexity. Evidence indicates clear aligner therapy is effective for mild to moderate malocclusions but may deliver inferior outcomes for severe cases or specific tooth movements. Hwy7 Dentistry + 2

Treatment duration: The mean treatment time for Invisalign was significantly shorter at 18 months compared to conventional braces at 24 months. However, this advantage has an important caveat: compliance is the variable nobody can predict. Invisalign requires 20 to 22 hours of daily wear. If you are only wearing aligners 14 hours a day, your treatment will stall or fail entirely. Braces work whether you are motivated or not. Hwy7 DentistryMarkham Smile Centre

Gum health during treatment: A peer-reviewed study published in PMC found that significantly better gingival health conditions were recorded in Invisalign patients, and the evaluation of patient questionnaires showed greater patient satisfaction in patients treated with Invisalign than with traditional braces. This makes clinical sense — removable aligners allow for far more thorough brushing and flossing than fixed brackets and wires. My Dental Home

Patient satisfaction: Invisalign boasts a 96% patient satisfaction rate according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics, with 95% of Invisalign users reporting less pain and discomfort compared to traditional braces. Familydentistryincornell

The bottom line: Invisalign is not better than braces — it is better suited to certain patients and certain cases. For mild to moderate crowding, spacing, and straightforward bite correction in a patient who is disciplined about wear compliance, Invisalign delivers excellent results with a better day-to-day experience. For complex malocclusions, significant rotations, large vertical movements, or patients who are unlikely to maintain the required wear schedule, traditional braces remain the more reliable choice.

Traditional Metal Braces

Best suited for: Complex cases, significant crowding, bite correction, patients who prefer a non-removable solution, younger patients and children.

Advantages

Handles the most complex cases. Traditional braces give the orthodontist the highest level of control over tooth movement. Significant rotations, vertical repositioning, and complex bite corrections that are beyond what clear aligners can reliably achieve are bread-and-butter treatments for fixed braces.

No compliance requirement. Braces are bonded to your teeth and work continuously — 24 hours a day, every day. There is no risk of forgetting to wear them, losing them, or cutting treatment short by taking them out too often.

Most affordable orthodontic option. Metal braces remain the lowest-cost orthodontic option, making them the most accessible choice for families managing orthodontic treatment costs.

Highly effective for children and teenagers. The non-removable nature of metal braces makes them particularly well-suited to younger patients, where compliance with a removable device would be unreliable.

Considerations

Visible. Metal brackets and wires are the most visible orthodontic option — a significant consideration for adult professionals or image-conscious teenagers.

Dietary restrictions. Hard, crunchy, sticky, and chewy foods must be avoided during treatment to prevent bracket breakage — no popcorn, hard candies, raw carrots, or chewing gum.

Oral hygiene requires more effort. Brushing and flossing around brackets and wires requires interdental brushes, floss threaders, or a water flosser. Poor hygiene during braces treatment can cause white spot lesions (permanent enamel demineralisation) that become visible once the braces are removed.

Discomfort after adjustments. The teeth typically feel sore for two to four days following each adjustment appointment as the new wire tension takes effect.

Cost in Markham: The braces cost in Markham for metal braces is usually between $3,000 and $6,000. Littlepearls

Ceramic Braces

Best suited for: Patients who need the mechanical effectiveness of braces but want a less visible option — particularly image-conscious adults or teenagers.

Ceramic braces offer the best of both worlds in one important respect: the clinical effectiveness of fixed braces with significantly reduced visibility. The brackets are made of tooth-coloured or clear ceramic that blends with the natural tooth colour, making them far less noticeable than metal at conversational distance.

Advantages

Significantly less visible than metal. For adults in professional environments, ceramic braces provide the mechanical benefits of fixed treatment without the conspicuousness of metal hardware.

Same clinical effectiveness as metal braces. The mechanism is identical — ceramic braces handle the same complexity of cases as their metal equivalents.

No compliance requirement. Like metal braces, ceramic braces are fixed to the teeth and work continuously.

Considerations

More expensive than metal braces. The material cost of ceramic brackets is higher, which is reflected in the treatment price.

Brackets can stain. Ceramic brackets can discolour over time — particularly with coffee, tea, red wine, and curry. This is more of a cosmetic concern than a clinical one, but worth noting for patients who consume these regularly.

Slightly more fragile than metal. Ceramic brackets are more prone to fracture than metal if subjected to significant force.

Cost in Markham: Ceramic braces in Ontario cost between $4,000 and $11,000 depending on case complexity and provider. Galt Dental Care

Invisalign Clear Aligners

Best suited for: Adults and older teenagers with mild to moderate cases who prioritise aesthetics, comfort, and lifestyle flexibility — and who will reliably maintain the required wear schedule.

Advantages

Virtually invisible. Clear aligners are the most aesthetically discreet orthodontic option available. At conversational distance, they are essentially undetectable — a significant advantage for professional adults and image-conscious patients.

Removable for eating and oral hygiene. Unlike braces, aligners come out for meals — meaning no dietary restrictions whatsoever. They also allow for completely normal brushing and flossing, which is the primary reason Invisalign patients demonstrate better gum health during treatment than brace patients.

More comfortable than braces. Aligners have no brackets or wires to irritate the cheeks and gums. The force exerted by each aligner is typically gentler and more evenly distributed than the adjustment force of tightened wires.

Shorter average treatment time. Invisalign averages 12 to 18 months for most cases. Braces typically run 18 to 24 months. Markham Smile Centre

Predictable treatment planning. Digital treatment planning software allows both the orthodontist and patient to visualise the projected final result before treatment begins — a significant advantage for patient confidence and expectation management.

Considerations

Compliance is non-negotiable. Invisalign requires 20 to 22 hours of daily wear. Take them out for meals and put them right back in. Patients who remove aligners for social occasions, forget to put them back in, or feel self-conscious about wearing them in public will find their treatment extending significantly beyond the projected timeline — or failing to achieve the planned result. Markham Smile Centre

Not suitable for all cases. Complex rotations, significant vertical movements, large bite discrepancies, and cases requiring skeletal correction remain better treated with traditional braces. An honest orthodontic assessment will identify whether your case is within Invisalign's clinical range.

Can be lost or damaged. Aligners are small, transparent, and easily misplaced — particularly in social settings where they are removed for eating. A lost aligner requires replacement, which adds cost and delays treatment progress.

Requires discipline around eating habits. Aligners must be removed before eating anything and before drinking anything other than water. Eating or drinking with aligners in place stains them and risks damage. For some patients, this interrupts their routine more than anticipated.

Cost in Markham: Some providers in Markham and the surrounding Greater Toronto Area quote a range of $4,500 to $6,000 for standard cases. Complex cases extend higher. Cleveland Clinic

Side-by-Side Comparison

Factor	Metal Braces	Ceramic Braces	Invisalign
Visibility	Most visible	Moderate	Virtually invisible
Effectiveness	Highest (all cases)	Same as metal	Excellent (mild–moderate)
Treatment Duration	18–24 months avg	18–24 months avg	12–18 months avg
Compliance Required	None (fixed)	None (fixed)	20–22 hrs/day
Dietary Restrictions	Yes	Yes	None
Oral Hygiene	More difficult	More difficult	Normal
Gum Health During Tx	More challenging	More challenging	Better
Comfort	Lower	Lower–moderate	Higher
Cost in Markham	$3,000–$6,000	$4,000–$11,000	$4,500–$8,000
Best For	Complex cases, children	Adults wanting less visibility	Adults, mild–moderate cases

How Much Do Braces Cost in Ontario?

Orthodontic treatment costs in Ontario vary significantly based on case complexity, treatment type, and provider. As a realistic guide for Markham patients in 2025–2026:

Treatment Type	Markham / Ontario Cost Range
Metal braces	$3,000–$6,000
Ceramic braces	$4,000–$8,000+
Lingual braces (behind teeth)	$5,000–$10,000+
Invisalign (mild–moderate case)	$4,500–$6,000
Invisalign (complex case)	$6,000–$8,000+
Retainers (post-treatment)	$300–$600

Insurance coverage: 

Most private dental plans in Ontario cover orthodontics under a lifetime maximum, typically $1,500–$3,000 per insured person. Coverage applies to both braces and Invisalign, but aligners must be provided by a licensed orthodontist to qualify.

Check your plan's specific orthodontic benefit carefully before beginning treatment — plans vary significantly in what they cover, the age limits they apply, and whether they require treatment by a specialist orthodontist or will cover treatment by a general dentist offering Invisalign.

Orthodontic treatment is not covered by the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) unless it involves a medically necessary functional appliance — cosmetic orthodontic treatment is considered elective and falls outside CDCP scope.

Who Is the Right Candidate for Each Option?

Choose metal or ceramic braces if:

• Your case involves significant crowding, complex rotations, or bite correction

• You are treating a child or younger teenager

• You are concerned about your own compliance with a removable device

• You want the most affordable orthodontic option

• Your case has been assessed as too complex for clear aligners

  
  

Choose Invisalign if:

• Your case is mild to moderate — crowding, spacing, mild overbite, mild underbite

• You are an adult or older teenager who will reliably wear aligners 20–22 hours daily

• Aesthetics during treatment is a high priority — professional environment or personal preference

• You want to maintain completely normal eating habits during treatment

• You are concerned about gum health during treatment

• You have had orthodontic treatment before and require minor refinement

  
  

Consider a specialist assessment if:

• Your case is complex or you have been told by a previous dentist that your alignment issues are significant

• You have an underlying jaw discrepancy that may require surgical orthodontics

• You have significant missing teeth, implants, or bridgework that complicates tooth movement

At Hwy7 Family Dentistry, we provide orthodontic assessments including clear aligner treatment for appropriate cases. For complex cases requiring specialist-level orthodontic care, we coordinate referrals to trusted Markham orthodontists and work alongside them throughout your treatment.

The Compliance Question: The Factor Most Patients Underestimate

If there is one consideration that most orthodontic guides under-address, it is the discipline required for Invisalign success.

Twenty to twenty-two hours of daily wear is not a guideline — it is the clinical minimum for treatment to progress as planned. Patients who remove their aligners for social events, take them out during long work meetings, or develop the habit of leaving them out while watching television will find their treatment extending by months. In some cases, failure to comply can mean the aligners no longer fit the teeth that have not moved as planned, requiring new impressions and new aligners — adding both time and cost.

This does not make Invisalign a poor choice — it simply means it is a better choice for self-disciplined patients who have honestly assessed their ability to maintain the wear schedule. A motivated adult professional who takes their aligners out only for meals and brushing will achieve excellent results on schedule. A teenager who leaves their aligners on the lunch table every day will not.

Metal braces remove this variable entirely. They work regardless of patient motivation — which is one reason they remain the preferred choice for children and younger teenagers in Markham.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Invisalign better than braces? 

Neither is objectively better — each is better suited to different patients and cases. Invisalign delivers comparable results to braces for mild to moderate alignment issues, with advantages in aesthetics, comfort, and gum health during treatment. Traditional braces remain superior for complex cases, significant bite corrections, and patients who cannot reliably maintain 20–22 hours of daily aligner wear. The right choice depends on your specific case, lifestyle, and compliance capacity — best determined through an orthodontic assessment.

How much do braces cost in Ontario? 

Metal braces in Ontario typically cost $3,000–$6,000. Ceramic braces range from $4,000–$8,000. Invisalign for mild to moderate cases costs approximately $4,500–$6,000 in the Markham area, with complex cases reaching $8,000 or more. Most extended health insurance plans in Ontario cover orthodontics under a lifetime maximum of $1,500–$3,000 per person, applicable to both braces and Invisalign when provided by a licensed orthodontist.

How long does Invisalign take compared to braces? 

On average, Invisalign treatment takes 12–18 months compared to 18–24 months for traditional braces. However, this advantage is compliance-dependent — Invisalign requires 20–22 hours of daily wear, and inconsistent wear significantly extends treatment timelines. Your specific case complexity is a greater determinant of treatment duration than the appliance type.

Can Invisalign fix an overbite or underbite? 

Invisalign can address mild to moderate overbites, underbites, and crossbites. Significant bite discrepancies — particularly those with a skeletal (jaw) component — may require traditional braces or, in some cases, a combination of orthodontic treatment and orthognathic (jaw) surgery. An orthodontic assessment will determine whether your bite correction is within the scope of clear aligner treatment.

At what age can a child start orthodontic treatment? 

The Canadian Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic assessment by age seven — not because treatment necessarily begins then, but because early identification of developing problems allows for timely intervention. Active braces treatment typically begins when most permanent teeth have erupted, usually between ages 10 and 14. Invisalign Teen is available for older teenagers with adequate compliance.

Does orthodontic treatment hurt? 

Some discomfort is normal — particularly in the first few days after braces are placed or tightened, or when a new set of Invisalign aligners is started. This is a sign the treatment is working. OTC ibuprofen and acetaminophen manage this effectively. The discomfort typically resolves within two to four days of each adjustment or aligner change.

Can adults get braces or Invisalign?

Absolutely — orthodontic treatment is effective at any age. Adult orthodontics is one of the fastest-growing areas of dentistry. Many Markham adults who missed out on orthodontic treatment in their teens, or whose teeth have shifted over time, pursue treatment in their 30s, 40s, and beyond with excellent results. Invisalign in particular has become increasingly popular among adults because of its minimal visual impact.

Book an Orthodontic Assessment in Markham

If you are considering orthodontic treatment — for yourself or a family member — the most important first step is an accurate assessment of your specific case. General descriptions of what braces and Invisalign can achieve are useful context, but your teeth, your bite, and your lifestyle are unique.

At Hwy7 Family Dentistry, located at 4560 Hwy 7 E, Unit 500 in Unionville, Markham, we provide orthodontic assessments and clear aligner treatment for appropriate cases, and coordinate specialist referrals where needed. We are currently accepting new patients of all ages.

📞 Call us at (905) 604-1995 🌐 Book your assessment online