Braces for adults

Teeth can be moved at any age, as long as the bone and gums holding them are healthy. Many people who start orthodontic treatment are adults: some never had the chance as children, others wore a brace back then and their teeth have moved back.

A few things are different, though. An adult's bone no longer grows, so teeth move a little more slowly, and some bite problems that are corrected through growth in children need other solutions in adults. Adults also often have fillings, crowns, implants or missing teeth that the plan has to account for.

That's why, before any brace, we check the health of the gums and treat any decay. Orthodontic treatment on inflamed gums can do more harm than good.

A common question is how visible treatment will be at work. Clear aligners are barely noticeable, and fixed braces also come with tooth-coloured brackets. Discomfort is greatest in the first days after fitting and after each adjustment, then settles. You chew and speak normally after a week of getting used to it.

There are two main options, and each has its place.

• Fixed braces have brackets bonded to the teeth and a wire that moves them. They work all the time without depending on you, and they control more complex movements well. They are visible and need more care when brushing.
• Clear aligners are a set of plastic trays worn in turn. They are barely visible and come out to eat and brush. They only work if you wear them almost all day, so they take discipline.

For many cases of crowding and gaps, both give good results. For some bite problems, fixed braces remain the safer choice. Before starting, we take a 3D intraoral scan and show you a simulation of the result, so you know what we are working towards.

How long it takes depends on how far the teeth need to move: from a few months to over a year. Adjustment visits are usually every four to six weeks. What the first days are like is covered in The first days with fixed braces.

When the brace comes off, the teeth tend to drift back towards where they were. That's why every orthodontic treatment is followed by a retainer: a thin wire bonded behind the teeth, a clear tray worn at night, or both.

For adults, the retainer is usually long term. It isn't a penalty; it's how you keep the result you worked for. At the consultation we go through all the options, with their length and steps, and you decide, informed. More at Braces and aligners.