Adults can get braces at any age, and about one in four orthodontic patients in the US is now over 18. The options are the same as for teenagers, metal braces, ceramic braces, lingual braces behind the teeth, and clear aligners, at roughly the same cost of $3,000 to $8,000. The differences are that adult bone remodels more slowly so treatment often takes a few months longer, gum and bone health has to be checked first, and previous dental work can shape what is possible.
Why adults get braces
The most common reasons are relapse after braces as a teenager (retainers were lost or abandoned), crowding that has worsened with age as teeth drift forward, a bite problem that is now causing jaw pain, wear, or difficulty cleaning, or simply wanting straighter teeth now that it is affordable. Orthodontic treatment can also be a step before restorative work, for instance making space for an implant or levelling teeth before crowns.
Your options
Metal braces. Brackets bonded to the front of the teeth, joined by a wire that is tightened at visits. Still the most effective tool for complex movement and the cheapest. Modern brackets are smaller and less noticeable than the ones you remember. $3,000 to $7,500.
Ceramic braces. The same mechanics with tooth-coloured or clear brackets, sometimes with a white-coated wire. Much less visible at conversation distance. Brackets are slightly bulkier and more brittle, and the elastic ties can stain if you drink a lot of coffee or red wine (they are changed at each visit). $4,000 to $8,500. With metal braces the ties come in dozens of shades; see our guide to choosing braces colors.
Lingual braces. Custom brackets bonded to the back of the teeth, invisible from the front. The most expensive option, harder to clean, more likely to irritate the tongue and affect speech for the first weeks, and not every orthodontist offers them. $8,000 to $13,000.
Clear aligners. Removable trays changed every one to two weeks. Nearly invisible, removable for eating, and easiest to keep clean, but they demand 22 hours a day of wear and cannot do every movement. $3,000 to $8,000. See our clear aligners guide for a full comparison.
Combination. Some adult cases use braces for the heavy movement and aligners to finish, or braces on the lower teeth (less visible) with aligners on top.
How adult treatment differs
It can take longer. Teenage jaws are still growing and bone turns over quickly. Adult bone is denser and remodels more slowly, so the same movement takes more time. Expect 12 to 30 months, and add a few months to whatever a teenager with the same problem would be quoted.
Growth cannot be used. In teenagers, orthodontists can guide jaw growth to correct an overbite or underbite. In adults the jaw is finished, so significant skeletal bite problems may need jaw surgery alongside braces, or a compromise that improves the bite without fully correcting it.
Gums and bone come first. Braces move teeth through bone. If the bone is reduced by gum disease, moving teeth can make it worse. Adults need a periodontal check and often a deep cleaning before starting, and gum health is monitored throughout. Active gum disease is the most common reason an adult is told to wait.
Existing dental work matters. Crowns and veneers can have brackets bonded to them, with more care. Implants cannot move at all, so the plan has to work around them, and a missing tooth may need its space held or closed. Root canal-treated teeth move normally.
Root shortening is slightly more common. All orthodontic movement causes a small amount of root shortening. In adults it is a little more likely and is one reason orthodontists take X-rays during long treatments.
Discomfort is similar. Adults often expect braces to hurt more than they do. Pressure for a few days after each adjustment is the norm; over-the-counter pain relief covers it.
What it costs and how to pay
| Option | Typical US cost | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| Metal braces | $3,000 – $7,500 | 18 – 30 months |
| Ceramic braces | $4,000 – $8,500 | 18 – 30 months |
| Lingual braces | $8,000 – $13,000 | 18 – 36 months |
| Clear aligners | $3,000 – $8,000 | 6 – 24 months |
| Limited / partial treatment (front teeth only) | $2,000 – $4,500 | 4 – 12 months |
Prices include the initial records, all visits and adjustments, and usually the first retainers (replacements are extra; see retainer replacement costs). Ask what happens if treatment runs long: most orthodontists include a buffer, some charge monthly beyond it.
Dental insurance with an orthodontic benefit typically pays $1,000 to $3,000 as a lifetime maximum, but many plans limit the benefit to dependants under 19, so check your policy for an adult age cap. HSA and FSA funds can be used. Most orthodontists offer interest-free in-house payment plans across the treatment period, which is usually a better deal than third-party financing. Dental schools with orthodontic residency programmes offer treatment at 30 to 50 percent below private rates in exchange for longer visits. Our braces cost guide covers the numbers in more detail.
Living with braces as an adult
Eating: hard, sticky, and crunchy food breaks brackets (see what you can eat with braces). Cut apples and carrots, skip popcorn and hard candy, and expect to eat more carefully for the first week after each adjustment. Cleaning: brushing with braces takes longer and flossing needs a threader or a water flosser; skipping this leaves permanent white marks on the enamel when brackets come off. Work and social life: ceramic or lingual braces, or aligners, address the visibility concern; most adults report the self-consciousness fades within a few weeks. Visits: every 4 to 8 weeks for braces, 6 to 10 for aligners, typically 20 to 30 minutes.
After treatment
Retainers are permanent. Adult teeth relapse readily, and the most common reason adults are back in braces is that they stopped wearing retainers after their first treatment. Plan on nightly wear indefinitely, either a removable clear retainer or a thin wire bonded behind the front teeth, and budget $100 to $300 every few years for replacements.
When to see a dentist
See an orthodontist for a consultation if crowding, spacing, or your bite bothers you, if teeth have shifted since previous treatment, if you have jaw pain or uneven wear, or if a dentist has suggested straightening before restorative work. Consultations are usually free or low-cost. See a dentist first, before any orthodontic consultation, if your gums bleed, feel loose, or have receded, since gum disease has to be treated before teeth can safely be moved.
Frequently asked questions
Am I too old for braces?
No. Orthodontists treat patients in their 60s and 70s. The requirements are healthy gums and enough bone to move teeth through, not a particular age.
How long do adult braces take?
Most cases run 12 to 30 months. Minor front-tooth corrections can finish in under a year; complex bite work can take longer. Adults typically need a few months more than a teenager for the same problem.
Do adult braces hurt more?
No. Discomfort is pressure and tenderness for two to four days after adjustments, managed with over-the-counter pain relief. Lingual braces additionally irritate the tongue for the first few weeks.
Can I get braces if I have crowns or an implant?
Usually. Brackets can be bonded to crowns with care. An implant cannot move, so the plan works around it; the orthodontist will tell you if that limits the result.
Are adult braces covered by insurance?
Only if your plan has an orthodontic benefit without an age cap. Many plans restrict orthodontic coverage to patients under 19. Check your policy for the words “adult orthodontics” before assuming.
