Treatment
Adult orthodontics
Adult orthodontics is orthodontic treatment for people whose jaws have finished growing. It moves teeth into better positions with clear aligners, braces, or a combination of the two, and it works at any adult age as long as the teeth and gums are healthy.
Many adults think about treatment for years before they ask. The first step is a complimentary Smile Analysis, where you hear what is possible for your teeth before you decide anything.
Awaiting clinical review by Dr. Camille J. Rose Kong, orthodontist.
Who is adult orthodontics for?
Adults come to us for many different reasons. Treatment may be worth discussing if you notice any of these:
- Teeth that are crowded, overlapping, or twisted.
- Gaps between teeth that have appeared or widened over time.
- An overbite, underbite, or crossbite, where the top and bottom teeth do not meet as they should.
- Teeth that have shifted since braces you had as a child or teenager.
- Teeth that are hard to clean because a toothbrush or floss cannot reach the overlaps.
- Uneven wear on teeth, or a bite that feels uncomfortable when you chew.
What happens during adult treatment?
Adult treatment follows a clear sequence, and you know what each stage involves before it begins.
Your Smile Analysis
We start by listening: what you would like to change, what has held you back, and how treatment would need to fit around your work and family. We then take photographs and digital records of your teeth and bite.
Your options, explained
Dr. Camille J. Rose Kong, an orthodontist, walks you through the approaches that suit your teeth, including the trade-offs of each. Where more than one option would work, you choose with the full picture in front of you.
Your plan in writing
Before anything starts you receive a written plan: the approach, the visit rhythm, an estimated timeline, your insurance benefits if you have them, and how payment works.
Progress visits
During treatment you visit regularly so your orthodontist can check that your teeth are moving as planned and adjust where needed. Visits are planned around the day you have, not the other way around.
Retention
When your teeth reach their planned positions, retainers hold them there. Retention is part of every plan from the first conversation, not an afterthought.
How long does adult treatment take?
How long adult treatment takes depends on how far your teeth need to move, the approach you choose, and how consistently aligners or elastics are worn.
You receive an estimated range for your own plan at your Smile Analysis. It is an estimate, not a promise, and your plan may differ as treatment progresses. We tell you if it changes and why.
What are the options for adults?
There is no single right answer for every adult, and part of the Smile Analysis is working out which approach suits your teeth and your routine.
- Clear aligners: removable, custom-made trays you change on a schedule. They suit adults who will wear them for most of the day, every day.
- Braces: metal or tooth-coloured ceramic brackets that stay on the teeth for the length of treatment. They suit movements that aligners handle less well, and you never have to remember to wear them.
- Hybrid treatment: braces for part of treatment and aligners for the rest, when that combination fits your teeth.
- Retention: custom retainers that keep your teeth where treatment placed them.
Is treatment only about appearance?
Straighter teeth are easier to brush and floss, which helps you keep your teeth and gums healthy over a lifetime. A bite that meets evenly can also spread chewing forces more evenly across the teeth.
For some adults the difference that matters most is a small one: laughing in a photograph without thinking about it, or speaking up in a meeting without a hand near their mouth.
Questions we are often asked
Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?
Age on its own is rarely the deciding factor. What matters is the health of your teeth, gums, and supporting bone. We check those at your Smile Analysis and tell you plainly whether treatment makes sense for you.
Will people notice I am in treatment?
Clear aligners and tooth-coloured ceramic braces are both designed to be discreet. We can show you examples of each at your visit so you can judge for yourself.
I had braces as a teenager and my teeth have moved. Can that be corrected?
Often, yes. Teeth can shift over the years, especially if retainers were not worn. Many adults in this situation need a shorter course of treatment than they had the first time.
Does insurance cover adult treatment?
Some dental plans include orthodontic benefits for adults and some do not. Our team reviews your benefits with you so you know where you stand before you decide.
Will treatment hurt?
Most people feel pressure and some tenderness for a few days when treatment starts and after adjustments or new aligners. It usually responds to over-the-counter pain relief taken as directed on the label.
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.