Straightening your teeth as an adult, near Carrollton.
Adults aren't too old for orthodontics. They just come with more history: fillings, a crown or two, maybe a missing tooth, and a work schedule that's already full.
By Dr. Kevin Baharvand, DMD, MS · Board-certified orthodontist · Reviewed October 2026Adults can move teeth with braces or clear aligners at almost any age, as long as the gums and bone are healthy. The plan has to work around the dental work you already have, and you'll need a retainer afterward, probably for good.
The usual reasons
Some adults wanted braces as kids and never got them. Others had braces and quit the retainer early. Some notice a front tooth drifting a little more every year, or edges wearing down from a bite that doesn't fit right. And sometimes a dentist planning a crown or implant suggests fixing the spacing first.
All good reasons. They lead to different plans, which is why the exam comes before any recommendation.
What's different from treating a teenager
Gums first
Teeth move through bone. Active gum disease has to be under control before anything moves, which usually means a cleaning and a gum check with your general dentist.
Your existing dental work
Brackets and aligner attachments bond differently to crowns and veneers than to enamel. A missing tooth changes where the others should go. If an implant is in the plan, the orthodontist and your dentist need to agree on the space before treatment starts.
No growth left
With children, orthodontists can guide jaw growth. Adults are finished growing, so the plan works within the jaws you have. Adults don't get palate expansion the way a child would. Bigger jaw problems sometimes need an oral surgeon in the conversation.
Retainers, more or less forever
Teeth drift throughout life. Adults who see things shift again in their forties are usually the ones who stopped wearing a retainer. Plan on nightly wear indefinitely.
Braces or aligners?
Most adults lean toward aligners, mostly because of work and photos. Aligners handle a large share of adult cases well, as long as you actually wear them about 22 hours a day. Clear ceramic braces are the middle option for people who want something discreet but know they'd leave trays on a desk. The full comparison.
About jaw pain
Adults sometimes hope that straightening their teeth will fix jaw pain. Orthodontic care isn't a reliable treatment for TMJ disorders. Jaw pain has a lot of possible causes, and many have nothing to do with tooth alignment. An orthodontist can evaluate your bite as part of the picture. Be cautious about anyone who promises braces will make jaw pain go away.
Fitting it around a Carrollton commute
Elate's offices are open weekdays, 8:00 to 5:00. For a lot of Carrollton adults, the trick is the route. If you drive north on Josey or take 121 toward Frisco or Plano, The Colony office is close to the way you're already going. If you ride DART to Dallas or the Silver Line toward the airport, an early-morning or late-afternoon slot on a work-from-home day usually works better. Offices by part of town.
Need cleanings, fillings, or a crown before treatment? Elate's sister practice, 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 an orthodontist near Carrollton.
The first visit at Elate Orthodontics is free, in English or Korean. Scans, an exam with the doctor, and exact pricing.