Anyone of any age can benefit from orthodontic treatment. The American Academy of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends children visit the orthodontist by age 7 for at least an initial consultation and to identify early any potential development problems. Most pediatric patients, however, will not start treatment until they are between 8 and 14 years old, when the jaw and other facial bones are still forming and are more easily guided into proper alignment. Although the majority of orthodontic patients are children or teens, adults now make up almost a quarter of the millions of orthodontic patients in the U.S., and adults with severely misaligned bites, shifting teeth, or cosmetic imperfections can benefit greatly from braces and other orthodontic treatment. The fully adult jaw structure is denser and less malleable than a child’s or teen’s, so treatment may take slightly longer, but adult braces are very successful and produce a healthy smile you can enjoy for the rest of your life.  And, with virtually invisible options like lingual or clear braces and clear aligners, adults can now have that perfect smile without the embarrassment of bulky, old-fashioned metal appliances.