Roughly one in three orthodontic patients in Canada today is an adult. If you have been thinking about straightening your teeth and assuming you missed your window, you have not. Teeth can be moved at any age — and adult patients are often our most motivated, most compliant, and most satisfied patients.
Here is what is actually different about orthodontic treatment as an adult, and what to expect.
Why More Vancouver Adults Are Choosing Orthodontic Treatment
The reasons vary. Some adults had braces as teenagers but stopped wearing their retainer and have seen gradual drift over the years. Some always wanted treatment but could not access it earlier. Some are motivated by a specific milestone — a wedding, a reunion, a career change. And many simply reach a point where they decide to invest in themselves.
Whatever the reason, the desire is the same: a healthier, more confident smile.
What Is Different About Adult Treatment
Teeth move more slowly
Adult bone is denser and more mature than teenage bone, which means teeth move slightly more slowly in response to orthodontic forces. This can add a few months to treatment time compared to an equivalent case in a teenager. We plan for this and set realistic expectations from the start.
Gum and bone health matters more
Adults are more likely than teenagers to have some history of gum disease, recession, or bone loss. These conditions do not prevent orthodontic treatment, but they need to be assessed and — if active — treated before orthodontics begins. We work with your family dentist or periodontist to ensure your gums and bone are healthy enough to support tooth movement safely.
Existing dental work needs to be accounted for
Crowns, bridges, implants, and veneers all affect treatment planning. Implants in particular cannot be moved — they are fused to the bone — so their position must be factored into what is achievable. In some cases, orthodontic treatment is planned before implant placement to create the ideal space. We map all of this out at your consultation.
Treatment Options for Adults
All of the same treatment options available to teenagers are available to adults:
- Invisalign — the most popular choice among adult patients for its discretion and convenience
- Ceramic (tooth-coloured) braces — fixed treatment with a more discreet appearance than metal
- Traditional metal braces — still the most precise option for complex bite corrections
Invisalign is particularly well-suited to adults because the compliance challenge that applies to some teenagers is rarely an issue — adults who choose treatment are motivated to wear their aligners consistently.
How Long Does Adult Treatment Take?
This depends entirely on the complexity of your case. Minor corrections — closing a small gap, addressing slight crowding — can be done in as little as six to twelve months with Invisalign. More comprehensive treatment involving bite correction typically takes 18 to 24 months. We give you a realistic timeline at your consultation based on your actual teeth, not a generic estimate.
What Does Adult Orthodontic Treatment Cost in Vancouver?
Orthodontic fees in Vancouver vary widely depending on the provider and the complexity of the case. We provide a complete, itemised cost breakdown at your free consultation — with no obligation to proceed.
Most employer dental plans include a lifetime orthodontic benefit that applies to adults as well as children — bring your insurance information and we will review your coverage with you. We offer interest-free, flexible, monthly payment plans to spread the cost across your treatment period.
A Note on Confidence
Many adult patients tell us they wish they had done it sooner. The visibility of orthodontic treatment — a common concern before starting — turns out to matter far less in practice than people expect. Invisalign aligners are genuinely hard to notice in everyday conversation. Ceramic braces blend with teeth. Most patients tell us their colleagues and friends did not notice they were in treatment until it was finished.
What they did notice was the result.
We Are Close to You
Point Grey Orthodontics is on W10th Avenue in Point Grey Village — close to Kitsilano, Dunbar, Kerrisdale, and the UBC campus, UEL and Wesbrook Village communities. We see adult patients from across Vancouver’s Westside. Parking is easily accessible and appointments are bookable online around the clock.
Book a free adult orthodontics consultation at pointgreyorthodontics.ca — no referral needed.