Every parent who sits through a first orthodontic consultation walks out with the same question rattling around: braces or aligners? A decade ago the answer was simple because there was really only one option. Now clear aligners have matured into a genuine alternative for teenagers, not just adults, and that means families have a real decision to make rather than a foregone conclusion. The right choice depends less on which option sounds more modern and more on how a particular teenager lives, brushes, plays sports, and handles responsibility. This comparison…