Plenty of adults in Liberty Lake, Greenacres, and Spokane Valley assume the window for orthodontic treatment closed after high school. It did not. Teeth move at any age as long as the bone and gums are healthy, and that is the first thing we evaluate. Our office at 21950 E Country Vista Dr, Suite 100A in Liberty Lake makes fitting treatment into a working week realistic.
The Two Most Common Adult Cases
The first is relapse. If you had braces as a teenager and stopped wearing your retainer, the lower front teeth almost certainly crowded again over the following years. Correction is often shorter and simpler than the original treatment.
The second is untreated alignment that has started to cause problems: teeth that are hard to clean, gum irritation in crowded areas, uneven wear from a bite that does not meet properly, or a jaw that shifts on closing. Both are ordinary, and neither is too late to address.
Options That Stay Discreet
- Clear braces — tooth-colored ceramic brackets, the usual adult choice. Fixed, reliable, and far less conspicuous than metal.
- Metal braces — the most efficient option for larger corrections, and occasionally the right recommendation even when it is not the preferred look.
- angel aligners — removable clear aligners, nothing bonded to the teeth, ideal if you present or speak for a living.
Compare the fixed options on our braces page and the removable ones under clear aligners. Dr. Johnson will give you a specific recommendation rather than a menu.
Working Around Your Schedule And Your Dentist
Visits are short and several weeks apart, and we are open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. DentalMonitoring lets you scan with your phone between appointments so we bring you in only when there is a reason, and our iTero scanner handles records digitally — including a Smile Simulation of the expected result before you commit. See our technology page.
Where crowns, bridges, implants, or gum recession are involved, we coordinate directly with your dentist or periodontist. Adult treatment frequently needs that, and it should not be your job to manage it.
Credentials And What To Expect After
Dr. Johnson earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Washington in 2002, graduating at the top of his class, and a Master of Science in Orthodontics from the University of Michigan in 2005. He has practiced since 2006 and belongs to the American Association of Orthodontists, the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, and the Washington State Society of Orthodontists.
When treatment finishes, retainers keep the result — and after seeing how many adults come back because they stopped wearing theirs, we are blunt about it. Read our patient reviews, see why families choose us, or learn more about being an orthodontist in Liberty Lake patient.
Practical Questions From Adult Patients
- How long does adult treatment take? It depends on the correction, not on your age. You will get a specific range at the consultation.
- Do I have to choose braces or aligners today? No. We take records first, then recommend. Both fixed and removable options are on the table until there is a reason to rule one out.
- Will treatment affect my speech? Braces, minimally. Aligners take a brief adjustment for some patients.
- What does it cost? Case-dependent. Payment plans and a payment calculator live under patient resources, and we review insurance benefits with you before starting.
- Can I do this while my child is in treatment? Yes, and many parents do — it simplifies scheduling considerably.
What Adult Treatment Actually Involves
Records first: a digital iTero scan, photographs, and imaging as needed, plus a Smile Simulation of the projected result. Then a plan you review before anything is bonded. Then short adjustment visits several weeks apart, with DentalMonitoring covering checks in between so the calendar impact stays small.
At the end, retainers — and for adults especially, we are blunt that retention is lifelong. See orthodontic treatment for the wider range of treatment, other treatments for two-phase care and remote monitoring, and patient reviews for what other adults in the area say.
Get Your Free Smile Consult
Free consult, no obligation — call or text (509) 277-9773 or contact us for our Liberty Lake office.