Do I need braces?

Page updated October 14, 2026. Medically reviewed by Dr. Abraham Thomas and Dr. Jennifer Loucks-Buren.

You may need braces if your teeth are crooked or crowded, your bite doesn't line up, or your teeth cause problems with chewing, speaking or cleaning. Only an orthodontist can tell you for sure, and you don't need a referral to see one. Here are the signs to look for at any age, and how getting braces works from first visit to retainer.

Signs you may need braces as an adult

Healthline lists these signs that an adult could benefit from braces (Healthline):

• Teeth that are visibly crooked or crowded
• Difficulty flossing between, or brushing around, crooked teeth
• Often biting your tongue, or cutting it on your teeth
• Teeth that don't close over each other properly when your mouth is at rest
• Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds because of where your tongue sits
• Jaws that click or make noises when you chew or first wake up
• Jaw strain or fatigue after chewing

The AAO adds problems that often bring adults in: overcrowding, overbites, underbites and open bites, jaw pain, uneven tooth wear, and gum problems made worse by teeth that are hard to clean (AAO). Teeth naturally shift as we age, so a smile that was straight at 15 may not be at 40 (AAO).

Signs a child may need braces

For children, look for (Healthline) (AAO):

• Baby teeth lost early or late
• Crooked or crowded teeth, including baby teeth
• Breathing through the mouth
• Jaws that click, shift or make other sounds
• Often biting the tongue, cheek or roof of the mouth by accident
• Thumb-sucking or pacifier use past age 2
• Teeth that don't meet when the mouth is closed
• Difficulty chewing or biting, speech difficulties, or grinding and clenching

Even without visible crowding, a check-in with an orthodontist can be worthwhile (Healthline), because some problems with jaw growth aren't obvious at home. See what age kids should get braces.

What braces can fix

According to the AAO, braces treat (AAO):

• Crooked or crowded teeth
• Bite problems: overbites, underbites and crossbites
• Teeth that are hard to brush and floss
• Biting the tongue or the inside of the cheek
• Jaw discomfort or clicking
• Problems chewing
• Irregular loss of baby teeth, late-arriving adult teeth, and missing or extra teeth

Not sure which bite problem you have? Compare them in overbite vs underbite.

When you might not need braces

Imperfect teeth aren't automatically a problem. Up to 93% of children and teens have some degree of malocclusion, but not all cases need treatment (Cleveland Clinic), and a mild underbite may cause no problems at all (Cleveland Clinic). Healthline's view is that crooked teeth don't require treatment unless they cause health problems or affect your self-esteem (Healthline). If your concern is purely how one or two teeth look, ask a dentist about cosmetic options too; see how to fix crooked teeth.

How old do you have to be to get braces?

There's no fixed minimum or maximum age. The AAO recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7 (AAO); that visit is usually a check, not the start of braces. Cleveland Clinic says the best time for braces is generally between ages 9 and 14, while the jaw and facial bones are still developing (Cleveland Clinic). Some children start earlier with an appliance such as a palate expander to widen the upper jaw, often starting around age 7 or 8 (Cleveland Clinic), then have braces later.

Adults are never too old. Cleveland Clinic says about 20% of US orthodontic patients are over 18 (Cleveland Clinic), and the AAO puts it at one in three (AAO). Adult treatment can take longer because adult teeth are more firmly set in the jaw (AAO). See braces for adults.

How to get braces, step by step

1. Book an orthodontist. You usually don't need a referral (Healthline), though some insurers require one before they'll pay for a specialist (Healthline). Check your plan first. Our guide to orthodontists vs dentists explains who does what.
2. Get a dental check-up. Cavities and other problems should be treated before braces go on, ideally with a cleaning beforehand (AAO).
3. The consultation. The orthodontist examines your teeth, jaws and bite, and may take X-rays, photographs and molds or digital scans (AAO).
4. The treatment plan and price. You'll hear which appliances are recommended, how long treatment should take, the likely results and risks, and then the cost, payment options and insurance coverage (AAO).
5. Spacers, if needed. Small elastics may go between the back teeth about a week before bands are fitted (AAO); see spacers.
6. Getting braces on. This is usually the longest orthodontic visit (AAO). No special preparation is needed; eat as usual and brush and floss well beforehand (AAO).
7. Adjustments. You'll go back every 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the stage of treatment (AAO).
8. Braces off, retainer on. A retainer keeps the teeth in their new positions (AAO); see types of retainers.

Most people wear braces for 12 to 24 months (AAO). See how long braces take.

Braces or clear aligners?

"Do I need braces?" often really means "do I need braces, or would aligners do?" Clear aligners are removable trays that typically treat light to moderate problems (AAO); Cleveland Clinic says Invisalign can correct most mild to moderate issues, while severe cases may need traditional braces (Cleveland Clinic). Aligners only work if you wear them at least 22 hours a day (AAO), so they suit people who will keep them in. Braces are fixed, so they work whether or not you remember. Your orthodontist will tell you which suits your case; compare prices in Invisalign vs braces cost.

What to bring to your first appointment

The AAO suggests bringing (AAO):

• Your dental and medical history, including medications
• Your dental insurance information
• Contact details for your dentist and doctor
• A list of your questions and concerns

Questions to ask the orthodontist

From the AAO's checklist (AAO):

• What problems do you see in my smile or bite?
• Which treatment do you recommend, and why?
• How often will I need appointments?
• What will it cost, and what payment and insurance options are there?
• How do you handle emergencies, broken appliances and retainer follow-up?

It's normal to get different plans from different orthodontists; ask each one to explain their reasoning (AAO).

What getting braces costs

Braces cost about $5,645 on average in Pearl's analysis of ADA fee survey data, with a typical range of $3,680 to $9,650 (Pearl's analysis of ADA fee survey data). Metal braces run $3,000 to $7,000 and clear aligners $4,000 to $7,000 in CareCredit data published in 2022 (CareCredit data via Becker's Dental Review). Many dental plans include some orthodontic coverage for children under 18; adult coverage is less common (AAO). Get an estimate for your state and case with the braces cost calculator, and see ways to pay less.