In short
- Two main options: fixed braces or clear aligners.
- Braces handle more kinds of tooth movement; aligners are removable and discreet.
- Both take months to a few years, and both need a retainer after.
- A dentist needs to examine your teeth to say which will work for you.
Braces or clear aligners: how they compare
| Fixed braces | Clear aligners | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Brackets glued to teeth, joined by a wire | Removable clear plastic trays |
| How it looks | Metal shows; ceramic shows less | Hard to see |
| Typical time | 1 to 2 years (NHS) | Depends on the case |
| Visits | About once a month in Kathmandu (Onlinekhabar) | Fewer check-ups |
| Your part | Careful cleaning; avoid hard and sticky food | Wear 20 to 22 hours a day; change trays every 1 to 2 weeks |
| Suits | Most cases, including heavy crowding and big rotations | Mild to moderate crowding or gaps (Tamer et al. 2019) |
| Kathmandu prices (Oct 2026) | Metal NPR 30,000 to 95,000; ceramic NPR 60,000 to 120,000 | NPR 120,000 to 400,000 |
| After | Retainer | Retainer |
Prices are published Kathmandu clinic prices checked in October 2026; most pages were not dated. See our own on the price list.
Fixed braces
Braces are small brackets glued to each tooth and joined by a thin wire. The dentist adjusts the wire about once a month, and most people wear them for 1 to 2 years (NHS). You can choose metal, tooth-coloured ceramic or self-ligating brackets. Braces can make almost every kind of tooth movement, so they suit simple and complex cases.
Read the full guide to braces: types, steps, retainers and cost.
Clear aligners
Aligners are thin plastic trays you change every week or two. They are hard to see and come out to eat and brush, but they must be worn 20 to 22 hours a day (FDA). They work best for mild to moderate crowding and gaps. Large rotations and closing spaces after extractions are harder (Tamer et al. 2019).
Read the full guide to clear aligners: who they suit, steps and cost.
When straightening isn’t the answer
If your bite is fine and you only want to fix a small gap, a chip or the colour of your teeth, moving teeth may not be needed. Composite bonding or veneers change the shape of front teeth, and teeth whitening changes their colour. See all options on the cosmetic dentistry page.
Before you start
- Healthy teeth and gums first. Decay and gum disease are treated before braces or aligners. A check-up and cleaning are the usual first steps.
- Check registration. In 2024 the Nepal Medical Council warned about braces fitted by a person posing as a dentist, and advised checking every dentist’s NMC number (The Kathmandu Post).
- Plan around big dates. Straightening takes months. If you have a wedding or exams coming, tell the dentist at the first visit.
Sources
- Orthodontics (braces), NHS (2026)
- Clear dental aligners, US Food and Drug Administration (2026)
- Orthodontic treatment with clear aligners and the scientific reality behind their marketing: a literature review, Turkish Journal of Orthodontics (2019)
- Dental treatment costs and follow-up in Nepal (Nepali), Onlinekhabar (2023)
