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Orthodontics for Adults

It’s Never Too Late for the Smile You Deserve.

If you’ve been telling yourself that braces are just for kids, you’re not alone, but you’re also not quite right. More adults than ever are choosing orthodontic treatment, and for good reason. At In the Valley Orthodontics, we treat patients at every stage of life, and some of our most rewarding cases involve adults who have finally decided that the time is right to invest in their smile.

Whether you’ve been thinking about it for years or something recently shifted, a new job, a milestone birthday, a photo that didn’t feel quite like you, we’d love to talk. Our board-certified, all-female team of orthodontists has helped adults across Northampton, Amherst, and Easthampton, MA achieve healthier bites and more confident smiles, and we make the whole process easier than most people expect.

Smiling young woman with long wavy hair, gold hoop earrings, and a confident smile

You're Not Too Old. Here's Why Adults Get Great Results.

One of the most common questions we hear from adult patients is some version of: ‘Is it too late for me?’ The answer, almost always, is no. Teeth can be moved at any age. The biology of tooth movement is the same whether you’re 22 or 62. What changes slightly is the pace; adult bone is denser and more settled than a growing teenager’s jaw, which means treatment may take a little longer, but the results are just as effective and just as lasting. Here’s what motivates most of our adult patients:

  • Crooked or crowded teeth that affect how they feel about their smile in professional settings
  • A bite that’s been causing jaw tension, uneven wear, or discomfort
  • Previous orthodontic treatment that shifted over time without consistent retainer use
  • A desire to improve their oral health before more significant dental work
  • Simply wanting to feel more confident, in photos, in conversations, in life

 

Whatever brought you here, we meet you there. No judgment, no rush, just an honest conversation about what’s possible for your smile.

Young woman with long hair smiling to show ceramic braces while adjusting glasses

Adult Orthodontic Treatment Options at In the Valley Orthodontics

We offer every adult patient a full range of treatment options, so your care fits your life, not the other way around. Here’s what’s available:

Invisalign®

Invisalign is, by far, the treatment most of our adult patients ask about first, and there’s a reason for that. The custom-made clear aligners are virtually invisible in everyday life, removable for meals and social occasions, and designed to work around the commitments of a busy adult schedule. What makes Invisalign especially well-suited for adults:

 

  • No visible brackets or wires, ideal for professional environments, client-facing roles, and social confidence
  • Remove aligners to eat, drink, and brush, no dietary restrictions, no complicated oral hygiene routines
  • Smooth plastic means no irritation from sharp metal edges or wires
  • Fewer in-office visits required than traditional braces, important for busy schedules
  • iTero digital scanning means no messy impressions, just a quick, comfortable 3D scan
 

Invisalign works beautifully for most adult cases, including crowding, spacing, and many bite corrections. Treatment typically ranges from 6 to 18 months, depending on the complexity of your case. We’ll give you a clear, honest timeline at your consultation.

Metal Braces for Adults

Traditional metal braces remain one of the most effective orthodontic tools available, and they’re chosen by adult patients more often than you might imagine. They’re the right choice for more complex cases, and today’s brackets are smaller, lighter, and far more comfortable than what you may remember from childhood. Metal braces are an especially smart choice when:

 

  • Your case involves significant bite correction or jaw alignment issues
  • You want the most cost-effective treatment path
  • You’d rather not worry about the discipline of keeping aligners in for 20–22 hours a day
 

If you’ve been hesitant because you think braces will look unprofessional, it’s worth knowing that adults in braces are far more common in workplaces and social settings than they used to be — and most people find others barely notice.

Clear Ceramic Braces

Clear ceramic braces offer the effectiveness of traditional braces with a much lower visual profile. The tooth-colored brackets blend naturally with your teeth, making them significantly less noticeable than metal, a popular option for adults who want braces-level precision with a more refined look. Ceramic braces are a great fit if:

 

  • You want the predictability of fixed braces but prefer a discreet appearance
  • Invisalign isn’t the right clinical fit for your case
  • You’d like to keep the option open for colorful elastics, or prefer to keep everything low-key
 

A little extra care with staining foods (coffee, red wine, turmeric) keeps ceramic brackets looking their best throughout treatment.

Retainers

 

Every successful orthodontic outcome, for teens and adults alike, ends with a retainer. After your teeth are moved into their ideal positions, a custom retainer is what keeps them there. At In the Valley Orthodontics, we fit every adult patient with a retainer designed for their lifestyle, and we walk you through exactly how to use it. Worn consistently, your retainer protects years of progress. It’s a small, simple habit with a big payoff, and we’ll be here to support you long after treatment ends.

Why Adults in the Pioneer Valley Choose In the Valley Orthodontics

We know you have options, and we don’t take that lightly. Here’s what makes our practice different for adult patients specifically:
Smiling woman with braces relaxing on a couch in a bright living room

Board-Certified Orthodontists

Our doctors, Dr. Joan Walder, Dr. Mariana Haughey, and Dr. Linda Krebs, are board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics, a credential earned by fewer than one in three orthodontists in the United States. Board certification requires a rigorous examination of clinical knowledge and case outcomes, above and beyond dental school and orthodontic residency. When you choose a board-certified provider, you’re choosing a higher standard of expertise.

A Doctor at Every Visit

At many practices, adult patients see a doctor briefly and spend most of their appointment with a technician. At In the Valley Orthodontics, a doctor is present and actively involved at every visit. You’ll know your orthodontist, and she’ll know your case. That continuity of care makes a real difference in outcomes, and in how supported you feel throughout the process.

Three Convenient Locations Across the Pioneer Valle

With offices in Northampton, Amherst, and Easthampton, we’re accessible no matter where in the Pioneer Valley you live or work. We offer flexible appointment hours and a dedicated emergency line — because life doesn’t pause for orthodontics, and neither do we.

Flexible Financing That Works for Real Life

We believe the cost of treatment should never be what stands between you and a healthy smile. We work with most major insurance plans and offer flexible payment options designed to fit your budget. Our team will walk you through every financial option at your consultation, no surprises, no pressure.

Advanced Technology for Precision and Comfort

We use iTero® digital scanning technology to create precise 3D images of your teeth, no messy impressions, just a fast, comfortable scan that informs your entire treatment plan. This technology is the same system used to generate Invisalign aligners, which means a more accurate fit and more predictable results from the very start.

What Families Are Saying

"I was a 70-year-old looking for opinions on what can be done to improve my smile. They never made me feel that I was too old for treatment. I chose to use the Invisalign method and was completely satisfied with the results. Dr. Walder and staff were all very pleasant at all times." — Peggy L.
"From the front office to the orthodontist it was exceptional service. The staff is very nice and very professional. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking into getting their teeth straightened." — Emil C.
"This is THE best orthodontic practice in the Valley. They are extremely experienced, thorough, helpful, and friendly." — Stacy S.

What to Expect at Your Adult Orthodontic Consultation

Step 1: We Get to Know You: We start by learning about your smile goals, any concerns you have, and what kind of treatment feels right for your lifestyle. There’s no pressure and no obligation; this visit is about giving you the clearest possible picture of your options.

Step 2: A Thorough Exam and Digital Records: Your orthodontist will conduct a comprehensive exam. We’ll take X-rays and use our iTero scanner to capture precise 3D images of your teeth, bite, and jaw alignment. This gives us everything we need to build an accurate treatment plan.

Step 3: Your Personalized Treatment Plan: We walk you through our recommendations for your specific case, including treatment options, timeline, and cost. We explain everything clearly and answer every question; you leave with a complete understanding of what treatment would look like for you.

Step 4: You Decide, on Your Timeline: There’s no rush to say yes. We want you to feel completely confident in your decision. If you’re ready to start, we’ll schedule your first appointment. If you need time to think it over, that’s absolutely fine, we’ll be here when you’re ready.

Smiling young woman in glasses holding books and an iced coffee outdoors

Ready to Take the First Step?

Schedule Today

Your smile is worth it,  at any age. Whether you’re 25 or 65, we’d love to meet you and show you what’s possible. Your first consultation at In the Valley Orthodontics is completely free, no pressure and no obligation.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today

Call us at (413) 586-8455 (Northampton) or contact us to request an appointment at any of our three Pioneer Valley locations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Adult Orthodontics

Don’t see what you need here? Give us a call. We’d be happy to answer any question you have.

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Absolutely not. Teeth can be moved at virtually any age, provided your gums and supporting bone are healthy. Many of our patients begin treatment in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond, including patients in their 60s and 70s who have gone on to have wonderful outcomes. A quick consultation is the best way to understand what’s possible for you specifically.
Treatment time varies depending on the complexity of your case and the type of treatment you choose. Many adult Invisalign patients complete treatment in 6 to 18 months. Cases involving more significant bite correction may take 18 to 24 months with braces. We’ll give you a realistic, personalized estimate at your consultation, and we won’t sugarcoat it.
Less than most people expect. Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible in everyday settings and can be removed for important presentations, dinners, or events. Metal braces are far more common in adult workplaces than they were a generation ago. Most of our adult patients tell us that people notice their braces far less than they anticipated, and the confidence boost from results far outweighs any self-consciousness along the way.
Invisalign is actually exceptionally well-suited to adults. In fact, many adult patients are ideal candidates because they tend to be more consistent about wearing their aligners, a key factor in achieving great results. Adults with busy professional lives especially appreciate the discretion and flexibility.
Relapse, the gradual shifting of teeth after orthodontic treatment, is extremely common, especially when retainer wear falls off over time. The good news is that retreatment is often faster and more straightforward than the original treatment, since your teeth have been aligned before. Many adults in this situation are excellent Invisalign candidates. We’ll take a thorough look at where things stand and give you an honest assessment of what correction would involve.