Clear aligners
Invisalign, plus other clear aligner systems like Angel Aligners and ClearCorrect. A series of removable, near-invisible trays that gradually guide mild to moderate crowding into place.
Braces, aligners or Myobrace — one honest starting point
Straighter teeth, however that ends up looking for you.
Most people start looking into orthodontics with one question and end up with five more — braces or Invisalign, how much it actually costs, whether it's too late, or whether it's their child who needs looking at first. This page is the honest overview: three paths, side by side, so you know which conversation to start before you book anything.
Everyone has an opinion. Not everyone has your teeth.
Search "braces vs Invisalign" and you'll find a hundred confident answers, most of them written for nobody's mouth in particular. Ask a friend and you'll get whatever worked for them. Meanwhile you're the one weighing up how visible you want treatment to be, how much time you actually have, and — if it's your child you're thinking about — whether "wait and see" is really the safest option.
- You've compared the same two brands online a dozen times without landing on an answer.
- You suspect your case is "too complicated" for the option you'd secretly prefer.
- A dentist has mentioned your child's bite or crowding and you're not sure if that means act now, or not yet.
- You want to know the rough cost before you commit to a conversation about it.
None of that gets sorted by another article. It gets sorted by seeing the honest comparison in one place, then having ten minutes with someone who's actually looked at your teeth.
Pick the door that sounds like yours.
Each path below has its own dedicated page with the full detail — how it works, what it costs, and the honest fit questions. Start with whichever sounds closest to your situation.
Alongside Invisalign, we also offer Angel Aligners, and for suitable cases Fastbraces. Metal braces are a fixed option, and Invisalign is a clear-aligner option.
Braces
Traditional metal, clear ceramic, or Fastbraces. Fixed brackets and wire that tend to handle a wider range of case complexity than removable trays, with no daily wear discipline required.
Myobrace for kids
An early-intervention approach for growing children, using removable training appliances and guided habit exercises rather than moving adult teeth — aimed at addressing crowding causes early.
All three sit under the same roof at Caroline Springs, so if you're not sure which applies to you or your child, one consultation can cover the ground of all three. Closer to Bacchus Marsh or Point Cook? Our sister clinics have their own pages for orthodontics in Bacchus Marsh and orthodontics in Point Cook. Suitability, timelines and results vary between individuals.
At a glance.
A starting point for the conversation, not a substitute for it — your own case is what actually decides which column applies to you.
| Clear aligners | Braces | Myobrace (kids) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typically suits | Adults & teens, mild–moderate crowding or spacing | Adults & teens, mild through to more complex cases | Growing children, roughly ages 4–10 |
| Visibility | Near-invisible, removable trays | Visible brackets (clear ceramic less so) | Worn mainly at home & overnight |
| Day-to-day | Worn 20–22 hrs/day, removed to eat | Fixed in place, no removal needed | Guided exercises + removable appliance |
| Indicative starting cost | From $4,500 per arch | From $4,500 per arch | Confirmed at assessment |
| Where to start | Read the aligners page → | Read the braces page → | Read the Myobrace page → |
Wondering what any of this might mean for your budget? Open the repayment estimator →
Estimate only — not a quote or credit approval. Your actual cost is confirmed at consultation.
This is probably your path if…
No path here is "better" in the abstract — each one suits a different situation. Here's an honest starting point; the rest gets worked out at a consultation.
Clear aligners suit you if…
- You're an adult or teen with mild to moderate crowding, spacing or a slightly off bite.
- You'd rather treatment stayed low-key for work, photos or public speaking.
- You're comfortable committing to 20–22 hours of daily wear.
Braces suit you if…
- Your case involves more complex crowding or bite correction.
- You'd rather not rely on remembering to wear something consistently.
- You want the widest range of bracket options, including Fastbraces.
Myobrace suits your child if…
- They're still growing, roughly ages 4–10, with baby and adult teeth mixed.
- A dentist has flagged early crowding, mouth breathing, or a similar habit to watch.
- You'd rather explore an early, non-braces option before anything more involved.
What booking in actually looks like.
Whichever path ends up suiting you, getting started looks broadly the same.
01
Book a consultation
Tell us a little about what's prompted the enquiry — your own teeth, or your child's — so we can make sure the right time is set aside.
02
Examination & digital scan
We assess crowding, spacing, bite and (for children) growth stage and habits, using a digital scan or imaging where it helps.
03
An honest recommendation
We talk through which path — aligners, braces, or Myobrace — genuinely fits the case, including options we don't think suit you and why.
04
A written plan & cost
Once a path is chosen, you'll get a personalised plan and an exact, written cost — before anything is booked in.
Know the range before you ask.
Cost is usually the first thing people want to know, and it genuinely depends on the path — clear aligners, braces, or a Myobrace program for a child — plus how complex the case is. What we can do upfront is lay out the range in plain English and work with payment options that spread cost across smaller, regular amounts.
Know the numbers before you decide anything.
Curious what aligners or braces might cost on a repayment plan? Open the repayment estimator →
Estimate only — not a quote or credit approval. Your actual cost is confirmed at consultation.
We accept
About the estimator: it gives an indicative figure only, based on typical per-arch pricing — it is not a quote. Cost varies significantly between aligners, braces and case complexity; you'll always see the exact cost in writing once we've assessed your teeth. Repayment figures are illustrative, calculated using Humm/NDP's own plan-fee formula for the term selected, so Humm's fees are already included; finance is subject to Humm's own eligibility criteria and approval, and is not guaranteed.
Every path, under one roof.
One consultation, three paths considered
Aligners, braces and Myobrace all sit under the same clinic, so you get an honest comparison rather than being sent elsewhere for a second opinion.
Written costs, no guesswork
Whichever path suits you, you'll see an exact, written cost before you decide anything — alongside indicative figures you can check for yourself upfront.
Reviewed through to retention
Progress is checked at intervals through treatment, and a retention plan is part of every course of care — for adults and children alike.
The things people usually ask.
Braces and clear aligners (including Invisalign) both move adult or teenage teeth into a planned position, just using different mechanisms — fixed brackets and wire versus a series of removable clear trays. Myobrace is different again: it's an early-intervention approach for growing children that uses training appliances and habit exercises, aiming to guide jaw development and reduce future crowding rather than move fully erupted adult teeth. Which one applies to you usually comes down to age and how complex the case is.
For adults and teenagers, it mostly comes down to how visible you'd like treatment to be and how complex your case is — mild to moderate crowding suits clear aligners well, while more involved bite correction often suits fixed braces. For younger children, Myobrace is worth discussing if a dentist has flagged early signs of crowding or a habit like mouth breathing. We'll give you an honest, case-specific recommendation at a consultation, not a one-size-fits-all answer.
Cost depends on the system, how many teeth need to move, and case complexity, so it varies from person to person. We'll only ever confirm an exact, written cost once we've assessed your teeth — you can also get a rough indicative figure using our repayment estimator on this page.
For a lot of mild to moderate cases, clear aligners can be somewhat quicker than braces, largely thanks to digital planning. For more complex cases, overall treatment time between the two tends to be broadly comparable. We'll give you a projected timeframe once your case has been assessed, since it varies between individuals.
General orthodontic guidance often points to around age seven for a first check-in, since that's when a mix of baby and adult teeth can make early signs of crowding or bite issues easier to spot. Not every child needs early intervention — it depends on individual growth and habits, which we assess at a consultation.
No referral is needed. You can book a consultation directly with us at Caroline Springs, where we'll examine your teeth (or your child's), talk through which path fits, and answer any questions before anything is decided.
Not sure which path fits?
A short consultation is usually enough to work out whether aligners, braces or Myobrace is the sensible starting point — for you or your child. If you'd like to ask a few things first, give us a call.
Book a consultation (03) 8358 2565Caroline Springs Clinic
Address1 Lancefield Drive, Caroline Springs VIC 3023
Phone(03) 8358 2565
HoursMon – Sat · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Information on this page is general in nature. Treatment outcomes, fit, timeline and comfort vary between individuals — we'll examine your teeth and explain what's realistic for your situation before you decide anything.
Major health funds
When you're ready
Let's work out which path fits.
A short consultation is usually enough to tell whether aligners, braces or Myobrace is the right fit — for you or your child — with a clear, written cost estimate before you decide anything.