2025 Guide to Teeth Straightening

Posted on October 24, 2025

Nashua, NH – If you’ve been dreaming of a straighter, healthier smile, there is no time like the present to get started on that dream. The orthodontic world has seen great advances in tooth straightening options, and today you can get the smile you want more discreetly, comfortably, and quickly than ever before.

A guide to tooth straightening in 2025

1. Tooth straightening options.

Once upon a time, the only way to get the smile you wanted was to have a mouth full of metal. We still use metal braces today, but ours are sleeker and more comfortably than ever before. They are also more efficient than ever, allowing patients to zoom through their treatment. But that is far from the only option today.

Clear aligners have changed the game for the better, giving patients the option of choosing a clear, comfortable, and removable way to improve their smile. They consist of a series of clear, custom-created aligners that fit snugly over the teeth. When worn 22 hours a day, they work to guide teeth to their ideal locations. Each set is perfectly calibrated to achieve certain tooth movements, so at the end, the result is your perfect smile.

Patients love clear aligners for their aesthetic qualities. There are several brands to choose from, such as Invisalign, Spark, and Angel aligners. They are designed to be virtually invisible when worn, so patients don’t have to draw more attention to themselves while in treatment. And, they are removable, making eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing simple.

Clear/ceramic braces marry better aesthetics with the reliability of metal braces. They consist of brackets that are designed to blend in with your natural smile and wires that activate the teeth to move to their new locations. They work just like metal braces, but won’t stick out as much.

Lingual braces give you the best of both worlds – the invisibility of clear aligners and the efficiency of metal braces. Lingual braces are metal braces that are completely hidden from view because they are placed along the tongue side of the teeth.

2. Cost of treatment in 2025

The cost of orthodontic treatment varies, depending on a few factors, including the type of treatment you choose, the severity of your issue, and your geographic location. The average costs for the different types of treatment range:

Metal braces – $3,000 – $7,000

Clear/ceramic braces – $4,000 – $8,000

Clear aligners – $3,500 – $8,000

Lingual braces – $5,000 – $13,000

Orthodontic treatment is an investment, and an important one because it sets you up for a lifetime of good oral health. There are ways to make braces more adorable, including:

• Dental insurance. Most dental plans today cover the cost of orthodontic treatment, which can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Before deciding on an orthodontist, be sure the practice accepts your dental insurance.
• Payment plans. Orthodontists work hard to provide high-quality care that is also affordable. Most practices will offer in-house payment plans designed to fit into your family’s budget.
• Financing options. There are also other options to help cover the cost of treatments, such as CareCredit – a credit card specifically designed to help with medical and dental expenses.
• HSA/FSA. Health savings accounts and flexible savings accounts allow you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for orthodontic treatment.
• Discounts. Some practices may offer discounts, such as a discount for paying in full or family discounts if more than one family member is receiving treatment.

3. Advanced technology

Orthodontic treatment results have never been better thanks to the advanced technology driving today’s orthodontic world. Orthodontists use technology to plan and execute treatment and ensure it stays on track. Technology commonly used includes:

• Digital scans. Digital scans are more comfortable for you and provide increased accuracy for your orthodontist.
• Digital X-rays. Digital X-rays reduce your radiation exposure and provide immediate, high-quality images for your orthodontist.
• Computer planning/AI. These tools can analyze data to predict tooth movement and monitor progress, allowing for the most precise and accurate treatment plans.
• 3D printing. 3D printing allows orthodontists to create custom-made appliances in-house.

4. Results

With the advances in technology in the orthodontic world, patients are seeing incredible results in record times. Whether you opt for traditional braces or clear aligners, you’ll be able to achieve ideal results that provide you with your ideal smile.

The best way to determine which treatment option is right for you is to schedule a complimentary consultation. At this appointment, your orthodontist will determine which treatment option is best for you, taking into account your issue, smile goals, and preferences.

Your smile journey can start today. Simply call Chelian Orthodontics at 603-882-6100.