Straight Talk on Adult Teeth Straightening

By: Mercedes Bethune
September 1, 2024

September / October 2024

Dr. Nicholas Maddux of Maddux Orthodontics shares his expertise on teeth straightening options for adults and what to consider before you take the leap

By Kelsey Thomas

Deciding whether to get braces as an adult can be tough.

Will it be too inconvenient? Is it expensive? How will my lifestyle and habits have to change? How long will I have to wear them? Will you see them in my photos?

These were just a few of many questions that ran through my head before I decided to start my Invisalign journey with Maddux Orthodontics.

Dr. Nicholas Maddux was on my side from the start, listening to my goals and creating a custom plan to help me reach them. And now, with just a few months left of treatment, I couldn’t be happier with my decision.

I recently sat down with Maddux to learn more about what treatment may look like for other adults and to get his expertise on some factors that may help other when making the decision.

While everyone’s preferences and needs vary, some of the most common reasons that adults seek teeth straightening treatment include “cosmetic purposes and to alleviate jaw pain or discomfort that is commonly caused with misaligned bites,” says Maddux.

For me, it was about finding more confidence in the aesthetics of my smile and correcting a mild overbite.

It was personally daunting for me to walk into my orthodontist’s office at 25 years old when it seems like the rest of the patients are between the ages of 8 and 15, but you’d be surprised at how many adults seek orthodontal treatment. At Maddux Orthodontics, 30% of their practice is adults.

And I can’t fail to mention that it feels like a party every time I walk in there with music playing and nostalgic arcade games, because let’s be real, we’re all still kids at heart and the sense of fun and familiarity makes coping with the change easier, no matter your age.

“It’s a tough hurdle to get started,” Maddux explains. “But nearly every single patient, by the time they’re done, are ecstatic that they did it.”

It’s going to be a lot to prepare for, no matter which treatment you go with. It is still going to have an impact on your daily routine and it’ll be an adjustment initially as your mouth gets used to having braces or aligners in it.

“It’s a lot to dive into, a lot to get used to and can seem like a wrench in day-to-day life,” says Dr. Maddux. “But take that mental leap. Hang in there because once you get going, it’ll be pretty smooth sailing.”

Learn more at MadduxOrthodontics.com.

Braces Vs. Aligners

“Braces and aligners are realistically the only options,” Maddux explains. “Braces are still more prevalent in teens and kids, [but for adults,] it’s closer to 50/50 if not more aligners.”

Braces are the traditional method, which require metal or ceramic hardware to be installed on the teeth that gently shift them over time. Aligners, like Invisalign® , are a series of clear removable trays that are swapped out every one to two weeks for the next set.

Knowing which option is right for you depends mostly on your specific condition. You should consult with your orthodontist to determine exactly which treatment fits with the issues you are aiming to correct.

“For certain alignment issues, we tend to go with braces,” shares Maddux. “Other factors to consider include the compliance of aligners [if the individual is a candidate for them] and the overall lifestyle of the patient.”

In terms of the timeline, there’s not as much as a difference as you may think.

“They should be about the same, hypothetically,” he says. “Sometimes it can actually take longer with aligners if [the patient] isn’t wearing them well. But they both do a great job.”

While the timeframe again depends on the complexity of the case, adult treatment on average typically takes between 18-24 months.

While cost is another thing to consider, there isn’t much of a difference between the two at Maddux Orthodontics. Maddux says that “it greatly depends on what the patient’s needs are [and] every office can charge differently [but] at [his] practice, [they] don’t charge more for Invisalign® .”

In general, the average cost of both treatments is typically between $4,000 and $7,000, some insurances plans may cover a portion of the cost, and many practices offer payment plans.