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More than one in four orthodontic patients today is an adult. Whether you're correcting a smile you never fixed as a kid, refreshing a smile that shifted since your childhood braces, or preparing for a wedding, a career move, or just for yourself, Stellar Orthodontics designs adult treatment around adult life - discreet, efficient, and honestly priced.
Adult orthodontics often begins because a patient wants straighter teeth, easier cleaning, or a bite that feels more stable and comfortable over time. The triggers vary, but the outcomes don't - modern adult treatment is faster, more discreet, and more effective than the braces you may have seen growing up.
Adult cases tend to cluster into a handful of patterns. None of these are mutually exclusive - many adult patients are a blend of two or three. The free consultation is where we figure out which path fits.
Adults who never got braces (or did, but didn't wear retainers consistently) and now want a confident, discreet correction without disrupting work. Invisalign is the typical fit - you wear the trays under your suit, scrubs, or weekend t-shirt, and most coworkers never notice. Treatment plans built around courtroom appearances, client meetings, and conference travel.
Wedding, big anniversary, milestone birthday, family photos, professional headshots. The timeline matters as much as the result. We plan treatment backwards from your date - many short cosmetic cases finish in 6 months, so a 1-year runway is plenty even for moderate complexity.
Childhood braces came off 10, 15, 20 years ago. Without consistent retainer wear, teeth shift slightly back toward their original positions. The fix is usually a short cosmetic case - often Invisalign for 6 to 9 months - to restore the smile you originally paid for and then better retainer habits to keep it.
All four are offered at every Stellar office. The right one depends on your case, your lifestyle, and how you weigh discretion versus cost versus the smallest possible treatment-time footprint.
Nearly invisible clear aligners worn 20 to 22 hours a day. Removable for meals, drinks, and brushing. Most adult cases run 6 to 18 months. The default first recommendation for adult patients who fit the candidacy range.
Full Invisalign Delaware guide
Fixed appliances with tooth-colored brackets that blend in with the smile. Strong control across most case types. No compliance worry. Often the right call when Invisalign isn't a great fit but you still don't want the metal look.
Compare clear braces
Smaller and lighter than the braces of a generation ago. Most economical option. Best for adult cases that need the strongest, most fixed control - complex bite issues, impacted teeth, severe rotations.
Compare metal braces
For the right candidates - typically short cosmetic cases or post-relapse refinement - some adult cases finish in as little as 6 months. Not appropriate for every case. Determined at the free consultation based on your iTero scan and goals.
Ask about accelerated optionsThe honest answer is "it depends on your case," but the realistic Stellar averages for adult cases are:
Adult bone is more stable than teen bone, which sounds like a disadvantage but actually means some cases finish faster than their teen equivalents because teeth hold their corrected position more readily.
Stellar gives a transparent printed estimate at the free consultation. Typical ranges:
No. More than one in four orthodontic patients today is an adult. Modern Invisalign and clear ceramic braces are designed specifically for adult lifestyles, and many adult cases finish in 6 to 18 months.
Most adult cases finish in 6 to 18 months. Short cosmetic cases can wrap in 6 months. Comprehensive cases run 12 to 18 months. Complex cases can extend further. Adult bone is more stable than teen bone, which sometimes means faster finishing.
Adult Invisalign $3,500–$7,500. Metal braces $3,000–$6,500. Clear ceramic braces $4,000–$7,500. Stellar gives a transparent printed estimate at the free consultation and offers monthly payment plans, HSA/FSA, and accepts most major dental insurance.
Many Delaware dental plans include adult ortho benefits ($1,000 to $3,000 typical lifetime). Stellar verifies your benefits and gives you an out-of-pocket estimate in plain language.
For most adult cases, both work. Invisalign is preferred when discretion matters and the case fits its candidacy range. Clear ceramic or metal braces are preferred for complex cases requiring fine control. Your free consultation answers this for your specific case.
Most adult Invisalign patients say their coworkers never noticed they were in treatment. The aligners are nearly invisible at conversation distance.
Adult Medicaid orthodontic coverage is very limited and exception-based. Most adults over 21 are not eligible for routine orthodontic benefits. Call (844) 727-2237 to discuss your specific situation.
This is one of the most common adult cases at Stellar. Short cosmetic refinement - often 6 to 9 months of Invisalign - restores the smile and sets up better retainer habits to keep it stable long term.