Braces or Invisalign for Adults in Antalya: How to Choose
This page is general information and does not replace an examination.
Braces or Invisalign clear aligners can both straighten adult teeth. At Ulubey Dental Clinic in Antalya we offer fixed braces and Invisalign® clear aligners. Reviews find aligners effective for mild to moderate problems but less predictable than braces for severe cases and some tooth movements[1][2]. Braces usually stay on for 1–2 years with a check every 6–8 weeks[3]; aligners must be worn at least 22 hours a day[4]. Treatment is priced in a written quote after an examination.
- 1. Braces and aligners at our clinic
- 2. Braces or clear aligners: the comparison
- 3. Braces or Invisalign: which one suits you
- 4. What is different for adults
- 5. Treatment step by step
- 6. Discomfort, risks and how to reduce them
- 7. Retainers after treatment
- 8. Visits and travel: an honest note
- 9. Cost of braces and aligners in Antalya
- 10. Who treats you
- 11. Frequently asked questions
- 12. Sources
Braces and aligners at our clinic
Orthodontic treatment for adults at Ulubey Dental Clinic uses one of two methods:
- Fixed braces: brackets bonded to the front of each tooth and connected with a wire[3].
- Invisalign® clear aligners: a series of thin, clear plastic trays made to fit your teeth, each moving them a little further[4].
We do not use other aligner systems, and we do not offer ceramic or lingual (behind-the-teeth) braces. If you have read about a type of brace that is not listed here, ask us; we tell you plainly whether we do it.
If you are not yet sure what kind of bite problem you have, start with our guide to bite problems such as overbite, open bite and crowding. This page compares the two methods for adults.
Braces or clear aligners: the comparison
Both methods move teeth, and both work. The differences lie in what each does well, how you live with it, and how predictable it is for your particular bite. An overview of 18 systematic reviews (2022) rated the overall evidence as moderate[1].
| Fixed braces | Clear aligners | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Brackets and a wire, adjusted at check visits[3] | A new aligner about every week, each moving the teeth a fraction of a millimetre[4] |
| Visibility | Visible on the front of the teeth | Nearly invisible[4] |
| Wear | On the teeth all the time; you cannot take them out | At least 22 hours a day; you take them out to eat, drink and brush[4] |
| Eating and cleaning | Avoid hard, sticky and chewy foods; clean around brackets with interdental brushes[3] | Eat normally with aligners out; brush before putting them back[4] |
| Severe or complex cases | More predictable for severe problems, tooth torque and settling the bite[1][2] | Effective for mild to moderate problems; less predictable for severe cases and some movements[1][2] |
| Treatment time | Usually 1–2 years[3] | May be shorter in mild to moderate cases; results on duration conflict[1][2] |
| Gums during treatment | Harder to clean around brackets | Periodontal health was better with aligners[1] |
| Comfort | Teeth can be sore for a few days after fitting and adjustments[3] | Reported as more comfortable, with less effect on eating and chewing[1] |
| Relapse after treatment | Retainer needed | Relapse was greater after aligner treatment in the reviews; retainer needed[1] |
Comparison based on the cited reviews and patient information pages; your own case may differ. Which method suits you is decided at the examination.
Braces or Invisalign: which one suits you
The choice depends first on your bite, then on your habits:
- Mild to moderate crowding, spacing or relapse after earlier braces: both methods are options; clear aligners have the support of the reviews here[1].
- Severe crowding, large bite discrepancies or complex tooth movements: fixed braces are usually more predictable[1][2]. Some cases are planned with braces from the start.
- Discipline with wear time: aligners only work while they are in your mouth. If wearing them at least 22 hours a day[4] is not realistic for you, braces are the safer choice.
- Appearance at work: if visible brackets are a real obstacle and your case suits aligners, aligners are the more discreet choice.
The American Association of Orthodontists also notes that clear aligners are not right for everyone, and that some cases are treated more predictably with braces[4]. We tell you which applies to you after the examination, not before.
What is different for adults
Teeth can be moved at any age; the American Association of Orthodontists states that 1 in 3 orthodontic patients today are adults[6]. Three things need extra attention in adults:
- Healthy gums. Gum disease is treated first. In advanced gum disease, European guidance includes tooth movement as one part of treatment, with the gum disease treated as its own step and re-checked during treatment[7]. See gum disease.
- Dental work done first. Fillings and other dental work should be completed before aligners are made, because the aligners are shaped to your teeth[4].
- Implants and crowns. Implants are fused to the bone and cannot be moved, so when teeth are to be straightened and implants placed, the order is planned first. Crowns and veneers can affect how brackets or aligner attachments hold.
For crooked front teeth, moving the teeth is usually the more conservative choice than covering them with veneers, which change the shape of the teeth but not their position. Our guide to porcelain veneers explains when veneers make sense, and gaps between teeth compares the ways to close a gap.
Treatment step by step
- Examination and panoramic X-ray. We check the bite, the gums, the roots and any existing dental work. The consultation and panoramic X-ray have no separate fee.
- Plan and written quote. We explain whether braces or aligners suit your case, roughly how long treatment takes, how often you need to come in, and what the retainer plan is. You receive a written quote, valid for 30 days.
- Records for your appliance. Your teeth are recorded so that the braces can be planned or the aligners made to fit.
- Fitting. Braces are bonded to the teeth; aligners are handed over with small tooth-coloured attachments placed where the plan needs them, and you are shown how to wear and clean them[4].
- Check visits. Braces are adjusted about every 6–8 weeks[3]; aligner treatment also needs regular reviews to see that the teeth follow the plan.
- Retention. When the teeth are in place, a retainer keeps them there[5][8].
Discomfort, risks and how to reduce them
- Soreness. Teeth are often sore for a few days after braces are fitted or adjusted; soft food helps[3]. Contact the clinic if pain lasts more than a few days, if the gums are very red or swollen, or if a brace breaks[3].
- Decay and gum inflammation. Plaque collects around brackets and under aligners worn over unbrushed teeth. Brush with fluoride toothpaste morning, night and after meals, clean between the teeth with interdental brushes, and limit sugary food and drink[3]. See our daily oral care guide.
- Root shortening. Moving teeth can shorten their roots slightly; in the reviews the risk tended to be lower with aligners than with braces[1]. X-rays are used to check the roots when needed.
- Relapse. Teeth tend to move back without retention[5], which is why the retainer is part of the plan from the start.
Retainers after treatment
A retainer can be a thin wire bonded behind the front teeth (fixed) or a clear removable tray. The American Association of Orthodontists describes retainers as the final step of every orthodontic treatment[8]. A 2023 Cochrane review of 47 trials with 4,377 participants found the evidence on different retainers to be of low or very low certainty; in one trial, removable retainers worn part-time caused more discomfort but failed less often and were linked to slightly better gum health than fixed ones, while in another trial removable retainers worn full-time failed more often[5]. Your dentist tells you which retainer you get and how long to wear it[3]; your written quote states whether retainers are included.
Visits and travel: an honest note
Treatments such as crowns, veneers or implants can be planned around one or two trips. Orthodontic treatment is different: it runs for many months and depends on regular check visits[3]. It therefore suits people who live in or near Antalya, foreign residents, and people who visit Antalya regularly.
If you live abroad, it is rarely practical to start braces or aligners during a single holiday. Ask us before you plan: we look at your photos and X-rays, and at the consultation we tell you honestly whether the visit schedule would work for you. If it would not, we say so rather than start treatment that cannot be followed up. For other treatments, our dental treatment stay planner shows typical stays.
Cost of braces and aligners in Antalya
Orthodontic treatment is not on our published price list, because the cost depends on the type and severity of the bite problem, the method and the length of treatment. It is priced in a written quote after the examination and X-ray.
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation and panoramic X-ray | No separate fee | At the examination |
| Fixed braces | Written quote | After the examination; depends on the case and length of treatment |
| Invisalign clear aligners | Written quote | After the examination; depends on the case and the number of aligners |
| Retainers | Stated in your written quote | The quote says whether they are included |
Prices are indicative; your final written quote follows the examination and X-rays and is valid for 30 days. Unless the treatment plan changes, the written price does not change.
Our other treatment prices are listed on the dental treatment prices page. We are a private clinic and do not process insurance claims. On request we provide the documents your insurer or tax office may ask for (a standard Turkish invoice; on request an itemised treatment report written and signed by the dentist; treatment plan, X-rays and records). Whether any cost is reimbursed or tax-deductible depends on your insurer, your policy and the rules of your country — we cannot guarantee it and take no responsibility for those decisions. Please check with your insurer in writing before you travel.
Who treats you
Dr. Ali Cem Ulubey and Dr. Surur Ulubey see every patient themselves; there are no rotating dentists. Both are dentists (DDS); neither holds a formal specialty title. Read more on meet the dentists.
Frequently asked questions
Are clear aligners as effective as braces for adults?
For mild to moderate crowding and spacing, reviews find clear aligners effective. For severe cases and some tooth movements, such as controlling the angle of the roots and getting the back teeth to meet well, fixed braces are more predictable. An overview of 18 systematic reviews rated this evidence as moderate. Which suits you is decided at the examination.
How long does adult orthodontic treatment take?
Fixed braces usually stay on for 1 to 2 years, with a check about every 6 to 8 weeks. Aligner treatment may be shorter in mild to moderate cases, but studies conflict on this. After treatment, a retainer keeps the teeth in place, so the retention phase continues well beyond the active treatment.
How many hours a day do I have to wear aligners?
At least 22 hours a day. Aligners are taken out only to eat or drink and to brush your teeth. Each aligner is usually worn for about a week before the next one. If this wear time is not realistic for you, fixed braces are usually the safer choice.
Can I start braces or Invisalign on a holiday in Antalya?
Rarely. Orthodontic treatment runs for many months and needs regular check visits, so it suits people who live in or near Antalya or who visit regularly. If you live abroad, send us photos and X-rays first; at the consultation we tell you honestly whether the visit schedule would work.
How much do braces or Invisalign cost at your clinic?
Orthodontic treatment is not on our published price list. It is priced in a written quote after the examination and X-ray, because the cost depends on the bite problem, the method and the length of treatment. The quote is valid for 30 days, and the consultation and panoramic X-ray have no separate fee.
Do you offer ceramic or lingual braces?
No. We offer fixed braces and Invisalign clear aligners only, and we do not use other aligner systems. If you are looking for a less visible option and your case suits aligners, Invisalign clear aligners are the discreet option we offer.
Sources
- Yassir YA, Nabbat SA, McIntyre GT, Bearn DR. Clinical effectiveness of clear aligner treatment compared to fixed appliance treatment: an overview of systematic reviews. Clin Oral Investig. 2022;26(3):2353-2370. PMID 34993617. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34993617
- Ke Y, Zhu Y, Zhu M. A comparison of treatment effectiveness between clear aligner and fixed appliance therapies. BMC Oral Health. 2019;19(1):24. PMID 30674307. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30674307
- NHS. Braces (page last reviewed 29 June 2026; accessed 26 October 2026). www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/braces
- American Association of Orthodontists. Clear aligners (accessed 26 October 2026). aaoinfo.org/treatments/aligners
- Martin C, Littlewood SJ, Millett DT, et al. Retention procedures for stabilising tooth position after treatment with orthodontic braces. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023;5:CD002283. PMID 37219527. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37219527
- American Association of Orthodontists. Adult orthodontics (accessed 26 October 2026). aaoinfo.org/adult-orthodontics
- Herrera D, Sanz M, Kebschull M, et al. Treatment of stage IV periodontitis: the EFP S3 level clinical practice guideline. J Clin Periodontol. 2022;49(Suppl 24):4-71. PMID 35688447. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35688447
- American Association of Orthodontists. Retainers (accessed 26 October 2026). aaoinfo.org/treatments/retainers
This article is general patient information and does not replace a clinical examination or X-rays.
Editor contact: [email protected] · ulubeydental.com/contact-us
