Quick answer
Silver braces score 22 out of 100 on our Tooth Brightness Index, so silver can make teeth look more yellow. Stain risk is medium, and silver ranks number 23 of 27 colours overall. Silver looks best paired with navy blue, black and royal blue.
Silver braces at a glance
On a real smile silver bands almost disappear into metal brackets. Teeth keep their natural colour, and the braces look tidy and professional from a normal talking distance.
What silver braces look like on teeth
All four pictures are the same real smile. Only the bands, the pattern or the tooth shade change.
Do silver braces make teeth look whiter?
Silver can make teeth look more yellow. It scores 22 out of 100 and ranks number 17 of 27 colours for whiteness. Light or warm colours like silver are close to the colour of enamel or add to its yellow tint. Here is how the score changes with your natural tooth shade:
| Tooth shade | Score | Compared with navy |
|---|---|---|
| Very white (B1) | 25 | -56 points |
| Natural (A1) | 23 | -58 points |
| Warm (A2) | 21 | -59 points |
| More yellow (A3) | 18 | -62 points |
Silver braces on yellow teeth
Most teeth are a little yellow, and braces make it easier to notice. On yellow teeth silver scores 18 out of 100, compared with 25 on very white teeth, so silver is likely to make yellow teeth look more yellow. If yellow teeth worry you, alternate silver with navy or dark purple.
Scores come from each colour's measured lightness and hue against four real tooth shades. How the Tooth Brightness Index works.
Best colours to pair with silver
Each picture alternates silver with a partner colour, tooth by tooth. Tap one to open it in the picker.
Silver braces on different skin tones
| Skin tone | Silver braces |
|---|---|
| Light or fair | Works, but other shades stand out more |
| Medium or olive | Works, but other shades stand out more |
| Tan or brown | Works, but other shades stand out more |
| Deep or dark | Works, but other shades stand out more |
Silver works on every skin tone, and your tooth shade matters more than skin tone for how white teeth look. See every recommendation in braces colors for your skin tone.
Who silver braces suit
Adults, people who want braces noticed as little as possible, and anyone with photos, interviews or a wedding coming up. Silver also pairs well with any colour if you want to try a two-colour look later.
Worth knowing
Silver is lighter than gray, so it picks up a little colour from coffee, tea and curry over a few weeks. If you want silver's calm look with fewer stains, choose gray, or alternate silver with navy.
Similar colours to compare
| Colour | Brightness | Stain risk | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver | 22 | Medium | This page |
| Black | 74 | Low | Black braces |
| Gray | 38 | Low | Gray braces |
| Navy Blue | 80 | Low | Navy Blue braces |
| Teal | 36 | Low | Teal braces |
| Pink | 25 | Low | Pink braces |
See all 27 colours in the braces colors guide, the ranked list, or let the quiz pick for you.
Try it on your own smile
Spin the wheel, mix two colours and see the Tooth Brightness score live.
Common questions
Is silver a good color for braces?
Yes, if you want braces to blend in. Silver matches metal brackets and looks clean in photos. It is close to neutral for whiteness and has a medium stain risk, so gray or navy are better if stains or yellow teeth worry you.
Do silver braces make your teeth look whiter?
Silver scores 22 out of 100 on our Tooth Brightness Index, number 17 of 27 colours, so it can make teeth look more yellow. On very white teeth it scores 25, and on more yellow teeth 18.
Do silver braces stain?
Silver has a medium stain risk (43 out of 100). Lighter bands show pigments from coffee, tea, curry and cola, so rinse after strongly coloured food. Bands are replaced at every adjustment, usually every 4 to 8 weeks.
Do silver braces look good?
On a real smile silver bands almost disappear into metal brackets. Teeth keep their natural colour, and the braces look tidy and professional from a normal talking distance. Adults, people who want braces noticed as little as possible, and anyone with photos, interviews or a wedding coming up. Silver also pairs well with any colour if you want to try a two-colour look later.
Are silver braces good for yellow teeth?
On more yellow teeth (shade A3) silver scores 18 out of 100, so it is likely to make yellow teeth look more yellow. Navy, dark purple and black are the best colours for yellow teeth.
What colors go with silver braces?
Silver pairs well with navy blue, black and royal blue. Alternate the two colours tooth by tooth, or put one on the top teeth and the other on the bottom.
