What Types of Braces Are There?

Stainless steel brackets bonded to the front of each tooth, joined by a wire and held with small elastic ties that can be coloured. They are strong, they cope with almost every kind of case, and they are the lowest cost option. In Lucknow in 2026, metal braces on both arches run ₹25,000 to ₹45,000.

The honest downside is appearance. They are the most visible type, and the wire and brackets can rub the lips and cheeks in the first weeks. For children and teenagers, who are usually the ones wearing them, that is generally an acceptable trade.

Ceramic brackets are tooth-coloured or clear, and they sit with a tooth-coloured or silver wire. The treatment works in the same way as metal, but the brackets are much less noticeable. Lucknow ranges for both arches in 2026 are ₹40,000 to ₹70,000.

They are more brittle than metal, they can be larger, and the elastic ties can stain if you drink a lot of tea, coffee or eat turmeric-heavy food. A longer comparison of the two is in metal vs ceramic braces.

Self-ligating brackets have a built-in clip that holds the wire, so no elastic ties are needed. They can be metal or ceramic. The case for them is lower friction and a design that is easier to clean around, and often fewer adjustment appointments. That last point matters if you travel a long way to the clinic. Lucknow ranges in 2026 are ₹45,000 to ₹80,000.

It is worth being clear about what they do not do. They do not move teeth faster in any way that has been reliably shown, and the final alignment is the same as with other brackets when the case is planned well.

Lingual braces are bonded to the back (tongue side) of the teeth, so they cannot be seen from the front. They are custom-made, take more skill to place and adjust, can affect speech and irritate the tongue at first, and are not suitable for every bite. Whether a particular clinic offers them is a question to ask at the consultation, since few do.

Clear aligners are a different category: a series of removable plastic trays, each shifting the teeth a small step. They suit mild to moderate cases and need 20 to 22 hours of wear a day. Cost is higher at ₹60,000 to ₹2,50,000 in Lucknow in 2026. See the clear aligners vs braces guide, and the clear aligners page for how treatment works.

Start with the case, not the bracket. Your orthodontist should tell you which types can treat your bite, because a severe case may narrow the choice. Then think about what bothers you most: appearance, cost, comfort, or number of visits.

For most patients the final alignment is the same whichever bracket is used, so the decision comes down to visibility and price. Whether you are a child, a teenager or an adult also matters, and the best age for braces explains how age affects the plan. For the full picture, the clinic's orthodontist in Lucknow page covers who treats braces here and how to book an assessment.