Objective To compare the effects of bracketless invisible appliance and ffxed appliance on masticatory function and dental aesthetics in patients with dental malocclusion. Methods A total of 80 patients with dental malocclusion who received orthodontic treatment at Afffliated Hospital of Changzhi Institute of TCM from April 2022 to July 2025 were selected, and they were divided into the control group and the study group by the random number table method, with 40 patients in each group. The control group was treated with ffxed appliance, and the study group was treated with bracketless invisible appliance. The orthodontic effect, masticatory function, dental aesthetics, periodontal health indicators and complication rate were compared between the two groups. Results The total effective rate of orthodontic treatment in the study group (95.00%) was higher than that in the control group (82.50%) (P<0.05). The masticatory efffciency, occlusal force and dental aesthetics score of the two groups after treatment were higher than those before treatment, and those in the study group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The GI, PLI, PD and SBI of the two groups after treatment were lower than those before treatment, and those in the study group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of complications in the study group (7.50%) was lower than that in the control group (17.50%) (P<0.05). Conclusion The application of bracketless invisible appliance in patients with dental malocclusion has better orthodontic effect than ffxed appliance, with more optimal recovery of masticatory function and dental aesthetics after treatment, more ideal improvement of periodontal health indicators, and lower incidence of complications.