Orthodontics for Adults

Orthodontic treatment can deliver excellent results for adults.

Whether you’re dealing with crowding, gaps, teeth that have shifted over time, or other issues, Southern Maryland Orthodontic Studio can help get your smile in top shape.

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Confidence, Comfort, and Long-Term Health

How Orthodontics Can Help Adults

Many adult patients pursue orthodontic treatment for the cosmetic benefits: to get the smile they feel confident with. Misaligned teeth, crowding, spacing issues, and gaps are common issues that can be remedied.

We often see patients who had orthodontic treatment as a child or teen, but pursue additional treatment as adults to address teeth that have shifted over time.

There are also a number of non-cosmetic issues orthodontic treatment can solve for adults. Bite problems – overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites – can lead to uneven tooth wear, chipped teeth, gum issues, and jaw pain for some patients.

Crowding can also make maintaining oral hygiene more difficult, which matters for long term health and longevity of dental work.

Treatments For Adults

Personalized Plans That Fit Your Life

Most cases can be treated with metal braces, clear ceramic braces, or clear aligners.

With adults, additional factors are common, such as existing crowns, veneers, missing teeth, gum issues, and relapse from old orthodontics.

Dr. Hagan will review each patient’s goals and unique case, and provide treatment recommendations.

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Metal Braces For Adults

Metal braces remain the most precise, reliable option, and can handle all types of cases. They work especially well for very complex or difficult cases.

Learn More About Metal Braces →

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Clear Braces For Adults

Clear braces use utilize translucent brackets to make them less visible. They’re great for adult patients who need control, but want a more discreet, subtle look.

Learn More About Clear Braces →

Clear Aligners and Invisalign® Treatment

Clear aligner and Invisalign® treatment uses removable trays to move teeth over time. They’re popular with adults who have mild to moderate cases, and want near-invisible aesthetics.

Clear Aligners →

Invisalign® Treatment →

Life with Braces as An Adult

Adults tend to adapt quickly to braces. Eating and oral hygiene are typically require the most adjustments – avoiding sticky or hard foods, and diligently following cleaning protocols for braces or aligners.

Sometimes adults can experience more distinct initial soreness, as their bones are denser and no longer growing.

For more detailed information, please visit our Life with Braces page.

Orthodontics For Adults FAQ

The answer is almost certainly no.

Teeth can be moved at any age as long as gums and bone are healthy enough. The main factor is that adult bones are no longer growing, which can introduce certain limitations, or necessitate different approaches.

Most adult cases take 18- 24 months, though more minor cases can be shorter, and more complex cases can be longer. Treatment time depends on the starting position, the end goals, and (for aligners) wear consistency.

Dr. Hagan will provide a treatment timeline for each patient’s case.

Usually, yes. Brackets and aligners can work around restorations, and orthodontics is often used to set up spacing and alignment before replacing missing teeth (like implants).

Each patient’s candidacy will be reviewed in detail to determine the right treatment for their situation.

Contact Us

Join our mailing list to receive important updates and information.

Opening Summer 2026.

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Communities we Serve

We treat patients from across Washington, D.C., Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Charles, and Calvert counties, and more. Some communities we serve include: