Adult orthodontics is ordinary now, and a large share of our Spokane patients are adults. Some were never treated as children. Many were treated as teenagers, stopped wearing retainers, and watched the lower front teeth crowd back in. Our Spokane office at 510 E Hastings Rd, Suite B in Spokane treats all of it, and Dr. Josh Johnson plans each case personally.
Why Adults Start Treatment
Appearance is the common reason, but health is often the more compelling one. Teeth that overlap are difficult to clean well, which raises the risk of decay and gum problems, and a bite that does not meet evenly concentrates chewing force on a few teeth, producing uneven wear over decades.
Adult cases also intersect with existing dental work — crowns, bridges, implants that do not move, and areas of gum recession. That changes planning, not feasibility, and we coordinate directly with your general dentist or periodontist rather than leaving you to relay messages.
Discreet Options
The first question adults ask is how noticeable treatment will be. Our braces page covers both choices:
- Clear braces — tooth-colored ceramic brackets that blend with enamel. The most common adult choice, and far subtler than most people expect.
- Metal braces — still the most efficient option for larger corrections, and sometimes the honest recommendation.
Angel Aligners clear aligners are the third path, with nothing bonded to your teeth at all. We will tell you plainly which of the three will actually accomplish your goals in a reasonable timeframe.
Treatment That Fits A Working Week
Adjustment visits are short and spaced several weeks apart, and we are open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Our iTero scanner captures records digitally with no putty impressions and can show a Smile Simulation of the projected result, and DentalMonitoring lets you send scans from your phone between visits — which for many working adults means noticeably fewer trips. See our technology page.
Treatment length depends on the correction. Adult teeth move on a similar biological timeline to a teenager’s, so expectations should be set by the case, not by age. You will get a specific range at your free consultation.
Who You Are Working With
Dr. Johnson earned his DDS at the University of Washington in 2002, graduating at the top of his class, and a Master of Science in Orthodontics at the University of Michigan in 2005. He has been practicing since 2006 and is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, and the Washington State Society of Orthodontists.
One thing worth saying up front: retainers are permanent homework. Teeth drift throughout life, and consistent retainer wear is the difference between one course of treatment and two. Read our patient reviews and see why families choose us.
Questions Adults Ask
- Will colleagues notice? With clear ceramic brackets, far less than you expect. With aligners, usually not at all.
- Am I too old? No. Healthy bone and gums matter, not age, and that is what we assess first.
- What about my crowns and implants? Implants do not move and restorations affect planning. We coordinate with your dentist or periodontist directly.
- Does adult insurance cover orthodontics? Many plans include a benefit, sometimes limited to a lifetime maximum. Bring your plan and we will read it with you — see also patient resources.
- How many visits will I miss work for? Fewer than you think. Visits are short, several weeks apart, and DentalMonitoring handles many checks remotely.
Relapse After Childhood Braces
This is the single most common adult case we see. Retainer wear stops in the late teens, teeth drift over the following decade, and the lower front teeth crowd first. Correcting it is often shorter and simpler than the original treatment — sometimes considerably so.
If that is your situation, an exam will tell you quickly what is involved. Our orthodontic treatment page covers the treatment range, other treatments explains DentalMonitoring, and our patient reviews include plenty of adult patients.
Get Your Free Smile Consult
It is not too late, and finding out is free. Call or text (509) 277-9773 or contact us to book at our Spokane office.