Adult braces and aligners near Little Elm.
There’s no age limit on moving teeth. Adults just bring more to the table: old fillings, crowns, a missing tooth or two, gums that have had a few decades of use, and a calendar that’s already full.
By Dr. Kevin Baharvand, DMD, MS · Board-certified orthodontist · Reviewed October 2026Adults can straighten their teeth with braces or clear aligners at almost any age, as long as the gums and bone around the teeth are healthy. The plan has to account for dental work you already have, and you’ll need retainers afterward for the long haul.
Why adults come in
Some wanted braces as a kid and never got them. Some had them and wore the retainer for about a month. Some have a front tooth that’s slowly been drifting, or a bite that’s started wearing down the edges of their teeth. And some are getting a crown or implant and their dentist suggests fixing the spacing first.
All of those are good reasons. They just lead to different plans.
What changes in an adult case
Gum and bone health comes first
Teeth move through bone. If there’s active gum disease, it needs to be under control before treatment starts. That usually means a cleaning and a periodontal check with your general dentist first.
Existing dental work
Brackets and aligner attachments bond differently to crowns and veneers than to natural enamel, and a missing tooth changes where everything else should go. If you’re planning an implant, the orthodontist and the dentist should agree on the space before anything moves.
No growth to work with
In kids, orthodontists can guide how the jaws grow. Adults are done growing, so some corrections that are simple at ten aren’t available at forty. Adults don’t get the kind of palate expansion a child would. The plan works within the jaw you have, and larger jaw problems sometimes need a conversation with an oral surgeon.
Retainers are forever, more or less
Teeth tend to drift for life. The adults who come back in their forties because things shifted are usually the ones who stopped wearing retainers. Plan on wearing one at night indefinitely.
Braces or aligners for adults?
Most adults lean toward clear aligners, mostly for work and photos. That’s reasonable, and aligners handle a large share of adult cases well. The catch is the same as for teens: about 22 hours a day of wear. Clear ceramic braces are the middle ground for adults who want something low-key but don’t trust themselves with trays. The full comparison.
Jaw pain and TMJ
Adults sometimes ask whether straightening their teeth will fix jaw pain. The honest answer is that orthodontic care isn’t a reliable treatment for TMJ disorders. Jaw pain has many causes, and many have nothing to do with how teeth line up. An orthodontist can evaluate your bite as part of the picture, but be wary of anyone promising braces will make jaw pain go away.
Fitting it into a work week
Elate’s offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 5:00, and closed on weekends. For Little Elm commuters, the trick is choosing the office on your route: The Colony if you head toward 121, West Frisco if you take FM 423, North Frisco if you’re on 380. Office-by-area guide.
Need a general dentist for the cleanings, fillings, or crowns that sometimes come first? Tribute Family Dentistry shares the West Frisco building.
Common questions
Am I too old for braces?
There is no upper age limit. Healthy gums and bone around the teeth matter more than age.
Can orthodontic treatment fix TMJ pain?
Orthodontic care is not a reliable treatment for TMJ disorders. An orthodontist can evaluate the bite as part of the picture, but jaw pain has many causes.
Do adults need retainers after treatment?
Yes. Teeth tend to drift for life, so most adults wear a retainer at night indefinitely.
Talk to a board-certified orthodontist near Little Elm.
The first visit at Elate Orthodontics is free. Scans, an exam with the doctor, and exact pricing.