- Consult
- Records
- Bond
- Adjust
- Debond
- Retain
Adults get braces for the same reasons as teenagers plus a few of their own: teeth that drifted after a retainer went missing, a bite that's started to wear, alignment needed before a crown or implant, or simply a smile they've wanted for years. Options are metal, ceramic or aligners; timelines match teens for the same problem; the differences are gum health, existing dental work, and a much stronger preference for discretion. Costs sit in the standard $6,000–$8,500 range, or less for limited cases.
Which braces for an adult
- Ceramic on the upper front teeth, metal elsewhere — our most common adult braces configuration: nearly invisible where it shows, economical where it doesn't.
- Full ceramic — for adults who want maximum discretion in a case that needs fixed appliances.
- Metal — the value choice, and faster for some cases; plenty of adults choose it and don't regret it.
- Invisalign — for suitable cases and adults who'll wear the trays, usually the first thing we discuss. The comparison.
What's different in an adult mouth
Gums must be healthy before teeth move — we'll check, and coordinate with your dentist or a periodontist if anything needs settling first. Crowns are fine; implants don't move and the plan is built around them; bridges move as a unit. If restorative work is planned, orthodontics usually goes first so the teeth are positioned for it — a sequence we agree with your dentist. And there's no growth to help with bite correction, which is why an adult with a significant skeletal mismatch hears about camouflage or, occasionally, surgery.
Braces and a working life
Adjustments are fifteen to twenty-five minutes; we hold early and lunch-hour slots for working patients. The food rules are the same as anyone's, which mostly means a fortnight of adjusting how you eat lunch. Ceramic ties can stain with coffee — grey or smoke ties hide it, and they're changed at every visit. Most adults tell us the self-consciousness lasts about two weeks and the compliments start at about two months.
Frequently asked questions
How much are adult braces in Coquitlam?
$6,000–$8,500 comprehensive at our practice, retainers included; $2,500–$5,000 for limited relapse cases. Ceramic adds $300–$800.
Am I too old for braces?
No. We treat patients in their sixties and seventies. Gum health is the prerequisite, not age.
Do adult braces take longer?
Slightly, for the same problem. Adults comply better, which narrows the gap.
Braces or Invisalign as an adult?
Aligners for suitable cases and reliable wearers; ceramic braces where the case needs fixed control. We price both.
Related reading
If it were our own family
Ceramic uppers, metal lowers, smoke ties, early-morning adjustments — and a gum check first. That's what we'd choose for ourselves if our own case needed braces rather than aligners.
What people also search for
“Braces for adults over 40”
Yes, regularly; a gum check first and the plan built around any dental work.
“Adult braces before and after”
Straighter teeth, a functional bite, and — with retainers worn — a result that lasts.
“Can adults get braces on the NHS / MSP?”
MSP doesn't cover routine orthodontics in BC; extended-health plans sometimes cover adults.
The bottom line
A quarter of our patients are adults. Discreet configurations, gum health first, dental work planned around, timelines matching teens — and a free consultation to see the options priced side by side.