Treatment
Adult orthodontics
Adult orthodontics is orthodontic treatment for people whose facial growth is largely complete. It can use clear aligners, braces, or a combination of approaches to move teeth, improve the bite, and create a healthier, more functional smile.
Age by itself does not rule out orthodontic treatment.
The American Association of Orthodontists reports that about one in three orthodontic patients today is an adult. Adults seek treatment for many reasons, from improving the appearance of their smile to addressing crowding, tooth wear, shifting teeth, or difficulty chewing.
At Luminary Orthodontics, adult treatment begins with a complimentary Smile Analysis. Dr. Camille J. Rose Kong evaluates your teeth, gums, bite, and treatment goals, then explains what is possible before you decide anything.
Who is adult orthodontics for?
Adults come to us for many different reasons.
Treatment may be worth discussing if you notice:
- Crowded, overlapping, or rotated teeth.
- Gaps or spaces between teeth.
- Teeth that have shifted since orthodontic treatment you had years ago.
- An overbite, underbite, open bite, or crossbite.
- Teeth that do not seem to meet comfortably when you bite.
- Areas that are difficult to brush or floss because of crowding.
- Uneven or excessive tooth wear.
- Difficulty biting or chewing certain foods.
- A smile you have wanted to change for years but never addressed.
- A change in your teeth or bite as you have gotten older.
Adult orthodontics is not limited to cosmetic concerns. The AAO notes that untreated tooth and bite problems can contribute to challenges such as tooth wear, oral hygiene difficulties, and problems with chewing.
What happens during adult treatment?
Adult orthodontic treatment follows a clear sequence, and we explain what each stage involves before it begins.
Your Smile Analysis.
We start by listening. What would you like to change? What bothers you about your teeth or bite? Have you had orthodontic treatment before? How would treatment need to fit around your work, family, travel, or lifestyle?
We then take the photographs and digital records needed to evaluate your teeth and bite.
Your options are explained.
Dr. Camille J. Rose Kong reviews what she finds and explains the treatment options appropriate for your case.
Depending on your needs, those options may include clear aligners, metal braces, ceramic braces, champagne braces, hybrid treatment, or another orthodontic approach.
If more than one option is appropriate, we explain the advantages, responsibilities, and limitations of each.
Your treatment plan.
Before treatment begins, we review the recommended approach, estimated treatment time, expected visit schedule, available insurance benefits, and payment options.
You should understand both the clinical and financial sides of treatment before deciding whether to move forward.
Progress visits.
During treatment, Dr. Rose evaluates how your teeth and bite are responding and makes adjustments as needed.
When appropriate, technology such as remote orthodontic monitoring may also allow us to check progress between office visits and reduce unnecessary trips to the practice.
Retention.
Once active treatment is complete, retainers help maintain the new tooth positions.
Retention is part of the treatment plan from the beginning, not something introduced after the teeth have already been moved.
How long does adult treatment take?
Treatment time depends on your individual orthodontic needs.
A small amount of tooth movement may require less time than treatment involving significant crowding, bite correction, impacted teeth, or more complex movements.
Factors that can influence treatment time include:
- How far the teeth need to move.
- How much the bite needs to change.
- The complexity of the movements required.
- The condition of the teeth, gums, and supporting bone.
- Wearing clear aligners as prescribed.
- Wearing elastics or other appliances as instructed.
- Keeping scheduled orthodontic appointments.
- Maintaining good oral health during treatment.
At your Smile Analysis, Dr. Rose provides an estimated treatment range based on your individual plan.
That timeline is an estimate rather than a promise. Teeth and supporting tissues respond differently from person to person, and we keep you informed if your treatment plan or timeline changes.
How does Dr. Rose approach adult treatment?
Dr. Camille J. Rose Kong takes a health-first, individualized approach to adult orthodontics.
Every recommendation begins with your teeth, gums, supporting bone, bite, jaw relationships, and overall oral health.
For adults, that evaluation is particularly important because orthodontic treatment may need to be coordinated with existing dental work or other providers.
Before moving teeth, Dr. Rose may consider:
- Gum and supporting-tissue health.
- Bone support around the teeth.
- Existing crowns, bridges, implants, or restorations.
- Missing teeth.
- Teeth that may require restorative treatment.
- Your general dentist's treatment plan.
- Whether a periodontist, oral surgeon, or another specialist should be involved.
If your teeth and gums need attention before orthodontic treatment begins, we will tell you.
If another specialist should be involved, we will explain why and help coordinate care when appropriate.
The objective is not simply to straighten teeth.
The objective is to create a treatment plan that respects the health, function, and long-term needs of the entire mouth.
What is it like to be treated at Luminary?
At Luminary Orthodontics, we understand that adults often have different priorities than teenagers.
You may be balancing work, children, travel, meetings, social commitments, or other responsibilities.
You may also have questions that go beyond appearance.
Will treatment affect your work?
Will people notice?
How often will you need to come in?
Can you continue eating normally?
How will orthodontic treatment work around existing dental restorations?
We take the time to answer those questions before treatment begins.
Appointments are designed to feel personal and unhurried. You know what we are doing, why we are doing it, and what happens next.
When appropriate, we also use digital treatment planning and remote monitoring to make treatment more efficient and reduce unnecessary disruption to your schedule.
Our goal is orthodontic care that fits into your life rather than taking it over.
What are the options for adults?
There is no single treatment method that is right for every adult.
Your Smile Analysis helps determine which options are appropriate for your teeth, bite, lifestyle, and treatment goals.
Clear aligners
Clear aligners are removable, custom-made trays that move the teeth gradually.
They are discreet and can make eating, brushing, and flossing easier because the trays are removed for meals and oral hygiene.
They are most effective for patients who are willing to wear them consistently according to the prescribed schedule.
Metal braces
Metal braces remain attached to the teeth throughout treatment and provide continuous control of tooth movement.
They are durable, dependable, and can be especially useful when more complex tooth movements are required.
Ceramic braces
Ceramic braces use clear or tooth-colored brackets that blend more naturally with the teeth.
They offer many of the benefits of fixed braces with a more discreet appearance.
Champagne braces
Champagne braces provide a softer, warmer-toned alternative to traditional silver brackets.
They may appeal to adults who want the reliability of fixed braces with a more understated appearance.
Hybrid treatment
Hybrid orthodontic treatment combines different approaches when that provides a clinical advantage.
For example, braces may be used for movements requiring greater control, followed by clear aligners for another stage of treatment.
Retention
Once treatment is complete, custom retainers help maintain the result.
Because teeth can continue to move throughout life, long-term retention is an important part of protecting your orthodontic investment.
Is adult orthodontics only about appearance?
No.
Appearance is important, and wanting to feel better about your smile is a completely valid reason to consider orthodontic treatment.
But adult orthodontics can also be about function.
A better-aligned bite may improve how the teeth contact during chewing. Correcting certain types of bite problems may also help address excessive tooth wear, hygiene challenges, or difficulty chewing. The AAO specifically identifies chewing problems and excessive tooth wear among concerns associated with some untreated orthodontic problems.
We treat adults of many ages, including patients in their seventies. For some, the reason is how their smile looks. For others, it is a bite that makes chewing uncomfortable and limits the foods they enjoy.
That is an important part of how we think about adult orthodontics.
Sometimes the outcome you value most is a straighter smile.
Sometimes it is being able to chew comfortably.
Sometimes it is both.
Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?
For most patients, there is no specific age at which orthodontic treatment becomes automatically inappropriate.
The AAO notes that age alone does not rule out treatment. Age is rarely the deciding factor in whether an adult can receive orthodontic treatment. What matters more is the health of the teeth, gums, bone, and supporting tissues.
At Luminary, we treat adults across a broad range of ages, including patients in their seventies.
The question is not simply:
"How old am I?"
The better questions are:
"Are my teeth and gums healthy enough for treatment?"
"Is there something orthodontics can meaningfully improve?"
"Would the benefits make treatment worthwhile for me?"
Those are the questions we help answer at your Smile Analysis.
What if I have crowns, implants, missing teeth, or other dental work?
Having existing dental work does not automatically prevent orthodontic treatment.
Many adults begin orthodontic treatment with:
- Crowns.
- Fillings.
- Bridges.
- Dental implants.
- Missing teeth.
- Previous root canal treatment.
- Gum disease treatment.
- Plans for future restorative dentistry.
The important part is planning the sequence correctly.
In some cases, orthodontics may be performed before a crown, bridge, or implant so the teeth and available space can be positioned appropriately first.
In other cases, existing dental work affects how treatment should be designed.
Dr. Rose evaluates what is already present and coordinates with your general dentist or appropriate specialist when necessary.
Common questions
Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?
Age by itself is rarely the deciding factor.
Adults can respond well to orthodontic treatment when the teeth, gums, bone, and supporting tissues are healthy enough for tooth movement. The AAO confirms that orthodontic treatment can be successful for adults and that adults now represent roughly one-third of orthodontic patients.
Your Smile Analysis allows Dr. Rose to determine whether treatment is appropriate for you personally.
Will people notice I am in treatment?
That depends on the treatment you choose.
Clear aligners are designed to be discreet.
Ceramic braces use clear or tooth-colored brackets that blend more naturally with the teeth.
Champagne braces provide another more understated fixed option.
Traditional metal braces are more visible, but some adults prefer them because of their durability and simplicity.
At your consultation, we can show you the available options so you can decide how much visibility matters to you.
I had braces as a teenager and my teeth have moved. Can that be corrected?
Often, yes.
Teeth can shift after orthodontic treatment, particularly when retainers are no longer worn.
The amount of treatment needed depends on how much movement has occurred and whether the bite has also changed.
Some adults may need only limited correction. Others may benefit from more comprehensive treatment.
A Smile Analysis allows us to evaluate what has changed and explain the options.
Will adult orthodontic treatment improve my chewing?
It can in selected cases.
If difficulty chewing is related to how the teeth meet, improving the bite may improve function.
However, chewing problems can have different causes, so it is important to determine whether orthodontic treatment is actually addressing the source of the problem.
Dr. Rose evaluates your bite and explains what orthodontic treatment can reasonably be expected to improve.
Does insurance cover adult orthodontic treatment?
Some dental plans include adult orthodontic benefits and others do not.
Plans may also include:
- Age restrictions.
- Lifetime orthodontic maximums.
- Waiting periods.
- Treatment limitations.
- Different rules for orthodontic coverage.
If you provide your insurance information, our team reviews the benefit information available to us and explains how it may apply to your proposed treatment.
Insurance benefits are ultimately determined by your carrier and individual plan, so we distinguish between verified information and estimates.
Will treatment hurt?
It is normal to experience some tenderness or pressure when orthodontic treatment begins and occasionally after adjustments or when changing to a new aligner.
This discomfort usually improves as the mouth adjusts.
Soft foods may help during the first few days.
If needed and medically appropriate for you, over-the-counter pain medication may be used according to the product directions or the advice of your healthcare provider.
Severe, unusual, or persistent pain should be reported to our office.
Do I need to see my dentist before starting orthodontic treatment?
Your teeth and gums should be healthy before active orthodontic treatment begins.
A recent dental examination and professional cleaning are an important starting point.
If you have cavities, active gum disease, restorative needs, or another dental concern, Dr. Rose may recommend addressing those issues before orthodontic treatment begins.
You should also continue routine dental examinations and professional cleanings throughout orthodontic treatment.
What if I have gum disease or bone loss?
That does not automatically mean orthodontic treatment is impossible, but it requires careful evaluation.
Healthy supporting tissues are important before teeth are moved.
If you have a history of periodontal disease or reduced bone support, Dr. Rose may coordinate with your dentist or periodontist before and during treatment.
Treatment begins only when the appropriate providers agree that the mouth is healthy and stable enough for orthodontic movement.
Can I get clear aligners instead of braces?
Possibly.
Clear aligners can treat many adult orthodontic problems, but they are not the ideal appliance for every case.
Dr. Rose evaluates the movements your teeth require and determines whether aligners can accomplish them predictably.
If braces would offer greater control, she will explain why.
If both are reasonable options, you can consider factors such as appearance, convenience, responsibility, and lifestyle before making your choice.
Do I have to decide at my first visit?
No.
Your complimentary Smile Analysis is designed to give you clarity.
Dr. Rose evaluates your teeth and bite, explains what she finds, reviews the treatment options that make sense for you, and answers your questions.
If treatment is recommended, we also explain the estimated timeline, available insurance benefits, and payment options.
Then you decide.
There is no obligation to begin treatment and no pressure to make the decision that day.
Sources
- BracesAmerican Dental Association (MouthHealthy). Read September 30, 2026.
- How Old is Too Old for Braces?American Association of Orthodontists. Read September 30, 2026.
- Adult Orthodontics: Smile with Confidence at Any AgeAmerican Association of Orthodontists. Read September 30, 2026.
Your next step
The simplest way to find out what is right for you is a complimentary Smile Analysis. Reserve a time online, or call or text us and we will be glad to help.