A guide to braces and clear aligners for adults who want a healthier, more confident smile.
QUICK ANSWER
The best orthodontic treatment for an adult is the one that fits your teeth, your bite, and your daily life. Most adults choose between three proven options: metal braces, clear braces, and clear aligners. Metal braces give your orthodontist the most control for complex bites. Clear braces offer that same reliability with a softer look. Clear aligners are removable and nearly invisible for many mild-to-moderate cases. Healthy teeth can move at any age, so it is never too late! A free consultation with a board-certified orthodontist is the best way to find your fit.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- It's never too late! The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) reports that one in three orthodontic patients today is an adult.
- Adults can choose metal braces, clear braces, or clear aligners. Each one can create a beautiful, healthy result when it's matched to the right case.
- Straighter teeth are easier to clean, and a better bite can help your teeth wear more evenly over the years.
- Your gum health, any existing dental work, and your schedule all help decide which option fits you best.
- At Coleman Orthodontics, your first visit includes a free consultation and full evaluation, and we never want finances to stand in the way of the smile you deserve.
Maybe it's the crooked front tooth you notice in every photo. Maybe it's the crowding that makes flossing a chore, or the gap that slowly came back years after braces as a kid.
And maybe you've quietly wondered if it's too late to do anything about it.
Here's the exciting news: it isn't! Teeth straightening isn't just for teens. Adults do it every day, and today's options are designed for real grown-up lives, with meetings, carpools, and calendars that are already full.
At Coleman Orthodontics, adults are a big part of our practice family. This guide walks you through your options, what makes adult treatment a little different, and how to choose what’s right for you.
Is It Too Late to Straighten Your Teeth as an Adult?
Not at all! Healthy teeth can move at any age, which is why adult orthodontics is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
The AAO reports that one in three orthodontic patients today is an adult. Many of the patients we care for at Coleman Orthodontics are adults, too.
Adult teeth are more firmly set in the jaw, so treatment can sometimes take a bit longer than it does for a teen. That's simply part of the plan, not a roadblock. What matters most is healthy gums and bone around your teeth, and we check that carefully at your first visit.
Why Adults Choose Orthodontic Treatment
For many adults, smile correction starts as a confidence goal. That matters, and you deserve a smile you love to share!
The benefits go beyond looks, too. According to the AAO, correcting crowded teeth can make them easier to clean, and correcting a misaligned bite can reduce uneven enamel wear. Teeth that line up well are also easier to keep healthy, because your toothbrush and floss can reach where they need to.
And there's one more benefit we love. When you invest in yourself, you show the people around you that it's never too late to take care of your health and your happiness.
What Are the Best Orthodontic Treatment Options for Adults?
The three options below are the ones adults ask us about most. Each one is a proven, effective way to straighten teeth, and each one shines in slightly different situations.
Metal Braces: The Most Control for Every Kind of Case
Metal braces are the braces adults have trusted for generations, and today's brackets are smaller, lighter, and more comfortable than ever. They give our doctors precise control over every tooth, which makes them a fantastic choice for crowding, spacing, bite problems, and more complex cases.
Because they stay on your teeth all day, metal braces keep working around the clock without you needing to remember a thing.
Clear Braces: Reliable Results With a Softer Look
Clear braces work just like metal braces, but their ceramic, tooth-colored brackets blend in with your natural smile. They're a favorite with adults who want the dependability of braces with a more subtle look at work and in photos.
A little extra care with brushing and food choices helps keep them looking their best. Explore our clear braces page to see if they're a good match for you.
Clear Aligners: Nearly Invisible and Removable
Adult clear aligners are custom, clear trays that gently move your teeth step by step. You take them out to eat, brush, and floss, so there are no food rules and your daily routine stays almost the same.
The tradeoff is responsibility. Aligners only work while they're in your mouth, so we ask patients to wear them 20 to 22 hours a day. They work beautifully for many mild-to-moderate cases, while some bites are treated more predictably with braces.
At Coleman Orthodontics, every clear aligner case is planned and monitored by our orthodontists, not a mail-order system. If aligners are at the top of your list, our post Are Clear Aligners Right for Your Smile and Lifestyle? is a great next read.
| Metal braces | Clear braces | Clear aligners | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Stainless steel brackets and wires guide teeth into place. | Tooth-colored ceramic brackets and wires guide teeth into place. | A series of custom clear trays moves teeth a little at a time. |
| Appearance | Visible on the teeth. | Blends in with your natural tooth color. | Nearly invisible. |
| Daily life | Skip sticky, hard, and chewy foods. Nothing to remember to wear. | Same food care as metal braces, with extra attention to keeping brackets clean. | Remove to eat and to drink anything but water. Wear 20 to 22 hours a day. |
| A great fit for | Mild to complex alignment and bite concerns. | Adults who want braces-level reliability with a subtle look. | Mild to moderate concerns in adults who will wear them consistently. |
So which one works better? Research shows that both braces and clear aligners can straighten teeth successfully. A systematic review in BMC Oral Health found that aligners did well at moving individual teeth, while braces did better at fine-tuning how the teeth bite together and at keeping results stable after treatment.
The reviewed studies also found shorter treatment times with aligners, though the AAO notes that aligners aren't necessarily faster for every case. The takeaway is encouraging: you have more than one great option, and the right match depends on your specific smile.
Braces or Clear Aligners: How Do You Choose?
Choosing your treatment comes down to a few honest questions. Here are four we'll talk through together.
KNOW: FOUR QUESTIONS THAT POINT TO YOUR BEST FIT
YOUR BITE. Complex bite corrections often do best with braces, while many mild-to-moderate concerns are a wonderful match for aligners.
YOUR ROUTINE. If you'd rather not think about wear time, braces do the work for you. If you love the freedom to remove your trays for a dinner out, aligners shine.
YOUR LOOK. Clear braces and clear aligners both keep treatment low-key in meetings, on video calls, and in family photos.
YOUR HABITS. Aligners reward consistency. If you snack all day or tend to misplace things, braces may be the easier path to a great result.
You don't have to figure this out on your own. That's exactly what your consultation is for!
Wondering which option fits your smile?
Bring your questions to a free consultation. We'll take a complete look at your teeth and bite and walk you through every option that fits your goals.
What Makes Adult Orthodontic Treatment Different?
Adult treatment works wonderfully, and it comes with a few details worth planning for. Here's what Dr. Coleman and Dr. Godfrey look at with every adult patient.
Gum and Bone Health
Healthy gums and bone are the foundation for moving teeth. If your gums need some attention first, we'll let you know so your treatment can start on solid ground.
Existing Dental Work
Crowns, bridges, implants, and missing teeth can all shape your plan. An implant stays where it is, so we plan movement around it. The AAO also recommends finishing any needed dental work before aligner scans, so let us know what's on your dentist's list.
Treatment Time
Most patients at our practice finish treatment in about 12 to 24 months, and adult cases can sometimes take a little longer. We'll give you a personal estimate at your consultation. Curious what moves that number? Our post on what affects treatment time explains it.
Retainers for Life
Teeth naturally want to drift over time, so a retainer is what protects your beautiful new smile. Our Retain4Five program makes that easy, with up to four replacement retainers a year for five years for one up-front cost of $599.
Adult Orthodontics in Syracuse and West Haven
We know adult schedules are full. That's why our Syracuse office opens at 6:30 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so you can get many appointments done before the workday begins. On Mondays and Wednesdays, we're open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
If you've been searching for a Syracuse orthodontist who loves working with adults, we'd be thrilled to meet you. Our goal is simple: smiles that fit your busy life.
We're also so excited about our new West Haven office, opening in November 2026 at 3454 W 4000 S, Unit 2. It brings the same personalized Coleman care closer to home for families who live farther north. Looking for a West Haven orthodontist? We're already scheduling new patient exams there, and you can choose West Haven right in our scheduling portal.
Why Adults Choose Coleman Orthodontics
- Board-certified expertise. Dr. Brett Coleman is certified by the American Board of Orthodontics, a voluntary certification that reflects a deep commitment to excellent results. You can feel confident your smile is in expert hands.
- Research-minded care. Dr. Tanner Godfrey holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in biochemistry alongside his dental degree and has published peer-reviewed work on bone and tooth development. That's the very science behind how teeth move.
- Your Smile, Fully Understood. Our 3D X-rays and digital scanning give our doctors a complete view of your teeth, jaws, and bite, so your plan is built around you from the very start.
- Every option under one roof. Metal braces, clear braces, and clear aligners are all available here, so your recommendation is about what fits you best.
- Finances that work for you. We believe finances should never stand in the way of a healthy, confident smile. We offer interest-free in-house payment plans, work with many insurance providers, and accept flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA) funds. Our post on what affects the cost of treatment has more details.
- Experience you can trust. For more than 23 years, we've served Syracuse and the surrounding Utah communities and helped create more than 11,000 confident smiles. Thank you to every patient and family who has trusted us along the way!
- A place that feels like home. From your first hello, you'll be welcomed by a caring team that loves celebrating every step of your smile journey with you.
FINAL ANSWER
The best orthodontic treatment option for adults is the one matched to your teeth, your bite, and your life. Metal braces offer the most control for complex cases. Clear braces bring that same reliability with a subtle look. Clear aligners are removable and nearly invisible for many mild-to-moderate concerns. Healthy teeth can move at any age, so it's never too late to love your smile. Your best next step is a free consultation, where we'll look at the whole picture and help you choose with confidence. Invest in yourself, and enjoy the journey!
Coleman Orthodontics
Love Your Smile, Love the Journey!
Whether you've wanted to change your smile for years or just started wondering, we'd love to meet you and show you what's possible.
Syracuse: 736 S 2000 W, Suite 2, Syracuse, UT 84075
West Haven(opening November 9, 2026): 3454 W 4000 S, Unit 2, West Haven, UT 84401
Serving Syracuse, West Haven, West Point, Clinton, Clearfield, Layton, Kaysville, and the surrounding Davis and Weber County communities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adult Orthodontics
Can adults get braces?
Absolutely! Braces work for adults of any age, as long as your teeth, gums, and supporting bone are healthy. Adults can choose metal braces, clear braces, or clear aligners, and we'll help you find the one that fits your teeth and your routine.
Are clear aligners as effective as braces for adults?
For many mild-to-moderate cases, yes. Research shows both can straighten teeth successfully. Braces tend to offer more control for complex bite corrections, so some cases are treated more predictably with braces. Your consultation will show which option is the better match for you.
How long does adult orthodontic treatment take?
Most patients in our practice finish in about 12 to 24 months, though every smile is different. Adult teeth are more firmly set in the jaw, so treatment can take a little longer than it does for teens. We'll give you a personal estimate after your exam.
Does insurance cover adult braces?
Sometimes. The AAO notes that most dental plans don't cover adult orthodontics, so it's worth checking your benefits. Our team reviews costs, insurance, and payment options with you before treatment begins, and we offer interest-free in-house payment plans and accept FSA and HSA funds.
Do adults need to wear retainers after treatment?
Yes. Teeth naturally drift over time, so a retainer keeps your new smile in place. Many adults wear a retainer at night long-term. Our Retain4Five program makes replacements simple and affordable.
Sources
- American Association of Orthodontists. Adult Orthodontics: Embrace Your Smile at Any Age. https:/
/ aaoinfo.org/ adult-orthodontics/ - American Association of Orthodontists. Clear Aligners. https:/
/ aaoinfo.org/ treatments/ aligners/ - American Association of Orthodontists. How Do Braces Work? https:/
/ aaoinfo.org/ treatments/ braces/ - American Association of Orthodontists. Retainers. https:/
/ aaoinfo.org/ treatments/ retainers/ - Ke Y, Zhu Y, Zhu M. (2019). A comparison of treatment effectiveness between clear aligner and fixed appliance therapies. BMC Oral Health, 19(1). DOI: 10.1186/s12903-018-0695-z. https:/
/ doi.org/ 10.1186/ s12903-018-0695-z
Medical Disclaimer
This article provides general educational information about orthodontic treatment for adults and is not a diagnosis or a treatment recommendation. Individual orthodontic needs differ, and the right treatment option, timeline, and cost for any one patient depend on factors that can only be assessed in person, including gum and bone health and existing dental work. Please contact a qualified orthodontist for an examination before making treatment decisions.
