More adults are walking into our Wellington practice asking for braces or clear aligners than at any point in our history. Adult orthodontics is a dedicated branch of our broader orthodontics program built specifically around the realities of grown-up life: careers, social visibility, and the fact that adult teeth and jaws respond a little differently to movement than a teenager's still-developing bite. Whether you missed treatment as a child, your teeth have shifted with age, or an old retainer failed years ago, it's genuinely never too late to correct crowding, gaps, and bite problems.
Crooked or crowded teeth are not simply a cosmetic inconvenience. Misalignment makes proper brushing and flossing harder, which raises your risk of cavities and gum disease, and an uneven bite places uneven stress on your jaw joint, often leading to headaches, jaw pain, and accelerated enamel wear. Our team evaluates your bite, your periodontal health, and your aesthetic goals together, so the plan we build actually solves the problem rather than just moving teeth for the sake of it.
Many of our adult patients assume their window for braces closed years ago, but the signs below show up at any stage of life and almost always respond well to treatment. If any of these sound familiar, a short consultation can tell you exactly what's realistic for your situation and timeline.
Unlike a child's growing jaw, an adult's facial bones are fully developed, which changes what orthodontics can and can't do, but it doesn't rule it out. In fact, the vast majority of healthy adults are good candidates for some form of straightening treatment. The deciding factors usually come down to gum health, bone support around the teeth, and whether any existing dental work needs to be addressed first.
Before recommending a treatment path, we take a full set of digital scans and x-rays, review your periodontal history, and talk through your goals and your tolerance for visible appliances. That honest conversation is what lets us match you with a system you'll actually stick with for the full course of treatment.
There is no single "right" appliance for adult orthodontics. The best system depends on how complex your bite correction is, how visible you want treatment to be, and your budget. We offer several proven options and will walk you through the realistic pros and cons of each during your consultation, rather than defaulting to whichever system is easiest to sell.
Patients often come to us focused purely on appearance, and then tell us afterward that the functional improvements mattered just as much. Straight, properly aligned teeth are fundamentally easier to keep healthy, and a corrected bite reduces strain that can affect far more than just your smile.
Finishing active treatment is a milestone, not a finish line. Adult teeth are more prone to relapse than a teenager's because bone remodeling slows with age, so the habits you build immediately after your braces come off or your last aligner tray is finished determine whether your results last for decades or slip back within a few years.
We start with digital x-rays, photographs, and a 3D scan of your bite. This lets us map out exactly how your teeth and jaw relate to one another before recommending a direction.
We walk you through appliance options, estimated treatment length, and cost, and answer every question before you commit to anything.
Any cavities, gum issues, or restorative needs are addressed first, so tooth movement happens over a healthy, stable foundation.
Braces are bonded in a single visit, or your first set of clear aligner trays is fitted and reviewed for comfort and seal.
You'll return every 6 to 10 weeks for adjustments or new aligner sets, with each visit tracked against your original digital plan.
Once your bite reaches its target position, appliances come off and we fit your custom retainer to protect your new alignment for good.
Adult orthodontics requires a different approach than treating a child's growing bite, and our team has built our process around exactly that distinction.
There is no upper age limit for orthodontic treatment. As long as your gums and supporting bone are healthy enough to support tooth movement, you're very likely a candidate, and we regularly treat patients in their 40s, 50s, and beyond.
Treatment length varies with complexity, but most adult cases run between 9 and 24 months. Limited "social six" aligner cases can finish in as little as 4 to 6 months, while more involved bite corrections take longer.
Clear aligners are nearly invisible in daily conversation, and ceramic braces blend closely with natural tooth color. Most patients find colleagues don't notice treatment unless they're told about it directly.
Yes. We regularly plan treatment around existing crowns, bridges, and implants, and in many cases we coordinate orthodontic movement with restorative work to achieve a more precise final result.
Most adults need to wear a retainer indefinitely, typically at night, since adult teeth can relapse more readily than a teenager's. We'll give you a clear, personalized wear schedule once your active treatment is complete.
Cost depends on the system chosen and the complexity of your bite correction. We provide a full written estimate after your consultation and discuss flexible payment arrangements before any treatment begins.
Dental Professionals of Wellington
Our Wellington team is accepting new patients - schedule your visit today and experience compassionate, modern dental care for the whole family.
561-721-2688