Sep 24, 2025

Do Braces Take Longer For Adults? What To Expect From Your Smile Journey

Thinking about straightening your teeth as an adult can raise a lot of questions. A common one is whether braces or aligners will take longer now than they might have when you were younger. The short answer is, sometimes, but not always. With today’s digital planning and advanced appliances, adults often finish in similar timeframes to teens, and in some cases faster than expected. Here is what really affects treatment time, how adult treatment compares, and the options that can help you reach your goals with less hassle.

Do braces take longer for adults?

Healthy adult teeth move very predictably. The difference is that adults have no jaw growth remaining, and may have more complex dental histories. That can add steps for some patients. Even so, many adult cases take between 12 and 24 months, which is similar to typical teen timelines. Mild alignment or spacing issues can be finished sooner, sometimes in 3 to 9 months with limited treatment plans. More involved bite corrections can take longer.

The biggest takeaway is that age itself is not the deciding factor. Your unique smile goals and the type of movement required matter far more than your date of birth.

What affects orthodontic treatment time?

Several clinical and lifestyle factors influence how long your treatment will take:

• Complexity of tooth movement: Mild crowding or small gaps need fewer stages, so they often finish quicker. Rotated teeth, impacted teeth, deep bites, open bites, and crossbites usually need more time.
• Bone and gum health: Adults are more likely to have a history of gum inflammation or bone loss. We will work with your general dentist or periodontist to stabilise gum health before or during treatment.
• Previous dental work: Crowns, implants, missing teeth, or root canal treated teeth can affect planning. These do not rule you out, but they may change the sequence or type of appliance we use.
• Jaw growth status: Children can benefit from growth guidance appliances. Adults do not have this growth, so skeletal discrepancies may need camouflage tooth movement or, in some cases, combined surgical orthodontics.
• Appliance choice and technology: Precise digital planning and customised wires or aligners can shorten overall time and reduce the number of adjustments.
• Consistency and care: Wearing aligners as prescribed, keeping elastic bands in place, maintaining great oral hygiene, and attending appointments on time are the quiet superpowers that speed up treatment.
• Lifestyle factors: Sports, travel, and work commitments can influence appointment frequency. We can plan around your calendar and use tools that allow longer intervals between visits.

Adult timelines vs teens and kids

• Kids: Early treatment often focuses on jaw guidance. Expanders and similar appliances are used while a child is growing, making later treatment more efficient. Children do not usually move teeth faster, they just have more options to shape growth.
• Teens: Teenagers commonly fall in the 12 to 24 month window for comprehensive braces or aligners. Their jaws are near the end of growth, and their dental histories are usually simple.
• Adults: Many adults complete comprehensive treatment in a similar timeframe to teens. If bite correction is complex or there are restorative needs, the plan can take longer. On the upside, adults tend to be very consistent with instructions, which helps keep treatment on schedule.

Are there faster treatment options for adults?

Yes. Today’s orthodontics uses digital scans and custom-made appliances to increase precision and efficiency. Options include:

• SureSmile braces: Traditional braces enhanced with 3D scanning and robotic wire bending for accurate tooth movement.
• SureSmile aligners: Clear, removable trays designed from digital scans. They are discreet, comfortable, and efficient.
• Invisalign® clear aligners: Nearly invisible trays worn 20 to 22 hours a day. Options range from comprehensive treatment to shorter plans for mild concerns.
• Clear ceramic braces: Less visible than metal, with the same control as traditional braces.
• Limited orthodontic treatments: If your goals are focused on the front teeth, short targeted plans can deliver results in months rather than years.

Your Specialist Orthodontist will match the appliance to your goals, complexity, and lifestyle. The right choice often shortens treatment and keeps the process smooth.

How modern tech helps busy adults

If you are juggling work, family, and travel, you can still straighten your teeth without upending your routine. Digital 3D scans replace messy impressions. Treatment is planned on screen before you begin, so tooth movements are mapped precisely. Many adult patients appreciate:

• Fewer, shorter appointments thanks to custom planning
• Clear aligners that can be removed for meals, presentations, and photos
• Appointment timing that respects commuting and work hours
• Clear, staged plans that show progress over time

Small daily habits make a big difference. Wearing aligners as directed, keeping elastic bands on, and maintaining oral hygiene help you avoid delays and refinements.

Will surgery ever be needed?

Most adult patients do not need jaw surgery. It is considered when the upper and lower jaws are significantly out of position and cannot be corrected with tooth movement alone. If surgery is recommended, it is combined with braces and planned as a team effort to improve function, facial balance, and long-term stability. We will explain every step so you can make an informed choice.

What you can expect at your consultation

Your first visit focuses on your goals. We will discuss what you would like to change, assess your bite, take a digital scan, and explain your options. You will receive a clear plan, estimated timeframe, and the appliance choices that fit your lifestyle. You will also learn how we can coordinate with your dentist for any fillings, whitening, or restorative work planned around treatment.

Key takeaways for adults considering orthodontics

• Age alone does not determine treatment time. Complexity and consistency do.
• Many adult cases finish in 12 to 24 months. Mild cases can be faster.
• Technology such as digitally planned braces and aligners can shorten timelines and reduce visits.
• Aligners and clear braces offer discreet options that fit busy lives.
• A personalised plan is the best way to understand your timeline.

Ready to explore your options?

If you are comparing braces and aligners, or you want a realistic timeline for your smile, book a consultation with a Specialist Orthodontist who treats adults every day. Our friendly team at Frankston Orthodontics will tailor a plan that respects your goals and your schedule. Learn more about braces for adults, or explore modern aligner options like SureSmile aligners, and see how we can help you smile with confidence.

For personalised advice and a clear plan, contact your local Frankston Orthodontics team today.