If you are over the age of 18 and still feeling bad about your teeth, it may be time to do something about it. While ideally, your parents would have paid to get your teeth fixed while you were in jr. high or high school, they can still be fixed in your adult years. You may feel like you are too old for braces, but the fact of the matter is that one out of every five orthodontic patients are over the age of 18. You are in good company.

There are a few things to consider when trying to determine the best adult orthodontic treatment for you. These options include but are not limited to:

Orthodontist

The first step to getting a smile you can be proud of is choosing the right orthodontist. Begin by asking around, and then searching for reviews online. You may want to pay special attention to the environment of the office, since some can be quite juvenile. Find an orthodontist who you feel you can trust, but that also has an office where you can feel comfortable. You do not want a place where you will be surrounded by kids as this may cause you to feel embarrassed.

Price

The price of your orthodontia can vary dramatically based on the condition of your teeth, since the more crooked your teeth are, the longer you will need an orthodontist's services. Insurance can cover a substantial amount of the cost for braces. A great time to get an orthodontic treatment is right before you turn 26 years old, since you will still be on your parents insurance until that age. If you are still nervous about the cost of your braces, talk to your orthodontist about payment plans. They usually have many different options to help people pay for their services.

Method

There are several different methods of straightening your teeth as an adult. Instead of metal braces and headgear like the kids get, invisible braces are a great option for adult orthodontia. Invisible braces are basically just retainers that are very tight and slowly push teeth into the desired formation. They are usually worn for 21 hours a day, and the retainers even double as a whitening tray after treatment. They are not noticeable unless someone is really studying your mouth.

Talk to your doctor about getting orthodontic treatment as an adult. There is still time to have a great smile.