What Age Can You Get Braces? Children, Teens and Adults

There is no single answer to the question of what age braces can be fitted, because the timing of orthodontic treatment is determined not by age but by the developmental stage of the teeth and jaws. In most children, fixed braces (treatment with brackets and wires) are fitted after most of the permanent teeth have come in, usually between the ages of 11 and 14. The first orthodontic examination, however, is recommended at around age 7. The answer to the question of up to what age you can get braces is also clear: there is no specific upper age limit. What matters is the health of the gums and jawbone. On this page, we look at braces for children, the teenage years and adulthood by age group.

What age can you get braces? A brief age map

When deciding on timing, orthodontists look at the stage of dental development rather than calendar age. Of two children of the same age, one may already have most of their permanent teeth while the other still has baby teeth in their mouth. Still, it is possible to outline a general framework:

• Ages 6–7: The recommended time for the first orthodontic examination. Most children are simply monitored.
• Ages 7–10: Limited, targeted early treatment (mostly with an appliance) in children who need it.
• Ages 11–14: The period when fixed braces are most often fitted.
• Ages 15–18: The permanent teeth are complete; treatment is planned much as it is for adults.
• 18 and over: Treatment can be done at any age if the gums and bone are healthy.

These ranges are not strict limits but a rough road map. The right timing for your child is evaluated at the orthodontic examination, with an in-mouth examination and the necessary X-rays.

Braces for children: why is the age-7 examination important?

Orthodontic associations recommend that children be taken for their first orthodontic examination at around age 7. By this age, the first permanent molars and front teeth have started to come in, so the position of the jaws relative to each other, crowding and the bite relationship can be seen more clearly. The purpose of the examination is not to start treatment right away but to spot a problem in time. We discuss this topic in detail in our article on the first orthodontic examination.

One of the questions parents ask most often is whether braces for children and early treatment are the same thing. Most of the time, they are not. In this age group, full fixed braces are rarely the first choice. More often, the following are used:

• Palatal expansion appliances: For a narrow upper jaw and crossbite. For details, see our palatal expansion treatment page.
• Functional appliances: For growth-related problems such as a receding lower jaw.
• Space maintainers: To hold the space for the permanent tooth when a baby tooth is lost early (space maintainer).
• Limited fixed treatment: Short-term partial braces applied to only a few teeth.

You can find which problems are addressed early and in which cases waiting is the better choice on our early orthodontic treatment page. For a general overview of orthodontics in children, our article on orthodontics for children may also be a helpful guide.

Which signs in children call for an earlier examination?

• The lower front teeth sitting in front of the upper teeth when the mouth is closed
• The jaw shifting to one side when closing
• Front teeth that protrude noticeably, with lips that do not close
• Open bite, that is, the front teeth not touching when the back teeth are closed
• A long-lasting thumb-sucking, mouth-breathing or tongue-thrusting habit
• Baby teeth falling out very early or very late

If any of these signs are present, you can consult an orthodontist without waiting until age 7.

Braces in adolescence: why is ages 11–14 a common choice?

The period when fixed braces are most often fitted is early adolescence, when the last baby teeth fall out and the second molars come in. This period has several advantages:

• The permanent teeth are in the mouth: All the teeth can be aligned with a single plan.
• Growth is still ongoing: The growth spurt can be used to correct small discrepancies between the jaws.
• Bone response is usually fast: In most cases, tooth movement progresses more smoothly in young people.

At this age, treatment time varies by case; in most cases it is planned for 1.5–2.5 years. In teenagers, oral care and attending check-ups regularly are the things that need the most attention. Plaque that builds up around the brackets can lead to white spots and cavities. For teenagers who are concerned about appearance, options such as tooth-colored ceramic braces or, in suitable cases, Invisalign for teens can also be discussed at the examination.

Up to what age can you get braces? The situation in adults

There is no upper age limit for braces. Teeth can be moved at any age as long as the gums are healthy and there is enough bone support. That is why it is possible to start braces treatment at 25, 40 or 60. We discuss how treatment is planned in adults in our article on braces for adults.

The main points considered in adult treatment are:

• Gum health: If there is active gum disease, it is treated first. If gum disease is under control, orthodontic treatment can be planned.
• Bone support: Teeth with bone loss may require lighter forces and closer monitoring.
• Growth being complete: Because jaw growth is complete in adults, skeletal discrepancies can be compensated for only to a limited extent with braces alone; in advanced cases, planning together with jaw surgery may come up.
• Existing fillings, crowns and implants: Implants cannot be moved orthodontically; the plan is made accordingly.
• Interdisciplinary work: In situations such as missing teeth or creating space before an implant or prosthesis, the orthodontist works together with other dentists.

Treatment time in adults may be somewhat longer than in teenagers; however, this varies from person to person. If visibility matters in your work and social life, ceramic brackets, lingual braces bonded to the tongue side of the teeth, or clear aligners can be considered. For topics specific to treatment at an older age, take a look at our Invisalign for older adults page.

Braces treatment by age group

Too early or too late for braces?

There are two misconceptions parents often fall into. The first is the idea that there is no point in seeing an orthodontist before all the baby teeth have fallen out. In fact, some problems, especially a narrow jaw and crossbite, are much easier to address during the growth period. The second is the belief that braces cannot be fitted after a certain age. Treatment can also be successfully planned for adult patients; only the limits and expectations are different.

There are also situations that really are too early. For example, in a 7-year-old child with only mild crowding, early treatment is usually not needed; it is better to wait for the permanent teeth to come in. To make this decision, an examination, a panoramic X-ray and, if needed, a cephalometric film (a side-view skull film showing the relationship of the face and jaws) are used.

Can clear aligners be chosen instead of braces at any age?

Clear aligners are also an orthodontic treatment method and can be an alternative to braces in suitable cases. However, they are not applied the same way to every case and every age. Because the aligners need to be worn 20–22 hours a day, consistent wear is decisive in children and teenagers. The clinic uses the Invisalign system; there are age-specific options such as Invisalign First for children and Invisalign Teen for teenagers. For an age-based evaluation of clear aligners, see our clear aligners by age page, and for a comparison of the two methods, our clear aligners vs. braces page.

What should you prepare when coming for an examination?

When coming to the first orthodontic examination for your child or yourself, bringing any previous X-rays, information about past dental treatment and the medications being used makes the evaluation easier. For children, it is also helpful to note down your observations, such as thumb-sucking, mouth breathing or snoring. For the topics you want to ask about, you can use our orthodontic consultation question list page. If you are wondering how long treatment will take, our how long braces take page explains the general framework.

At Funda Sarıkaya Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic, Funda Pekyılmaz Sarıkaya, specialist orthodontist (Uzm. Dt.), evaluates children, teenagers and adult patients. The clinic is located at Park Oran Ofis in Çankaya, Ankara, and is open Monday–Saturday, 09:00–20:00; it is possible to schedule family members' examinations on the same day. To make an appointment, you can reach us by phone at 0312 911 60 36 or via WhatsApp.