Orthodontics for Adults in Northridge and Calabasas

About one in four orthodontic patients today is an adult, and at our offices the number is actually much higher than that. Regardless of your age and the complexity of your case, we always focus on one ideal: the best possible result for your health and your smile. Dr. Pair and Dr. Hoang are both certified by the American Board of Orthodontics and teach in UCLA's orthodontic residency. They plan every adult case together, and the consultation is free.

Adult Orthodontic Treatment

What Age Is Too Old?

Healthy teeth move at any age. The difference with adults is that the jaws are done growing, so we work with the bone you have rather than guiding how it develops. That means some bite problems that a 12-year-old would fix with an expander need a different approach in a 40-year-old, and we'll be upfront about which problems orthodontics alone can solve. It also means adult treatment is usually very predictable: you're not waiting on growth, and you're motivated in a way most teenagers aren't. Our oldest patients are in their seventies.

Adult orthodontic Treatment

Invisalign for Adults

Most adults we treat choose Invisalign, and it's where we do our best work. We're in the top 1% of Invisalign providers nationally, which matters because the aligners are only as good as the plan behind them. A plan we build in-house from your digital impressions, with the doctors deciding tooth by tooth how everything should move, is a different product from a kit mailed to your door.

Aligners are close to invisible, come out for meals and brushing, and fit around a work schedule with visits every 8 to 10 weeks. Typical adult Invisalign cases here run 6 to 18 months depending on how far the teeth need to move. Wearing them 20 to 22 hours a day is the whole job on your end.

Orthodontic Treatment For Adults

Retreatment after Braces

If you had braces years ago and your teeth have shifted, you're in the most common category of adult patient we see. The good news is that relapse is usually limited to the front teeth and the correction is short, often under a year with aligners. We'll compare your old records if you have them, and we'll talk honestly about retainers this time around, because the shift happened for a reason.

Orthodontics Before Restorative Work

General dentists in Northridge and Calabasas send us adults whose teeth need to be in the right place before crowns, veneers, implants or bridges can be done well. Moving a tooth a few millimeters can mean a smaller crown, a better-fitting implant, or keeping a tooth that would otherwise be extracted. We coordinate the timing with your dentist so the restorative work starts as soon as the orthodontics finishes.

Bite and Jaw Problems

Teeth that don't meet evenly wear unevenly. Adults come to us with chipped front teeth, flattened edges, gum recession on one side, clicking jaws, or morning headaches, and often the bite is a factor. Correcting it can slow or stop the damage. For bites where the jaws themselves are mismatched, we'll tell you whether orthodontics alone is enough or whether you'd need to involve an oral surgeon, and we'll coordinate that care if you decide to pursue it.

Fitting Treatment into Adult Life

The first visit is free and takes about 45 minutes. We take digital impressions, photos and an X-ray, and you leave knowing your options, the timeline for each, and the cost in writing. Once treatment starts, visits are short and spaced 8 to 10 weeks apart. We hold early morning slots starting at 7 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Northridge and Saturday mornings in Calabasas, so most visits fit before work. We take most dental insurance with orthodontic benefits, offer interest-free monthly plans, and accept FSA and HSA funds.

Adult FAQs

Am I too old for braces or Invisalign?

No. Teeth can be moved at any age as long as the gums and bone around them are healthy. We treat adults in their twenties through their seventies.

How long does adult orthodontic treatment take?

Most adult cases take 6 to 18 months. Minor front-tooth crowding or relapse after old braces can be done in under 6 months. Full bite corrections run closer to 18 to 24 months.

Is Invisalign or braces better for adults?

The honest answer is that it depends on the bite. Invisalign handles most adult cases well and is what most of our adult patients choose. Braces are better for large rotations, vertical movements and bigger bite corrections. We'll talk through both options for your smile at the consultation, but we also listen to your preference.

My teeth shifted after I had braces as a teenager. Can that be fixed?

Yes, and it's usually a short treatment, often under a year with aligners, because the movement is limited to the front teeth. Wearing a retainer afterward keeps relapse from happening again.

How much does adult Invisalign cost in Northridge or Calabasas?

It generally depends on how many aligners your case needs and how long treatment runs, so the accurate answer comes from the free consultation. On average, minor correction can be as low as $1900 and complete treatment ranges from $4999 to $7000 with payments as low as $150 per month. We offer interest-free monthly plans, a pay-in-full discount, and we'll check your insurance for orthodontic coverage before you decide.

Will I need to wear a retainer afterward?

Yes, at night, for as long as you want your teeth to stay where they are. Adult teeth shift throughout life, and the retainer is the only thing that prevents it.