Plenty of adults sit in the chair while their child is being seen and quietly wonder about their own teeth — often about crowding that came back years after braces, or a bite that has always been slightly off. Teeth move at any age, which is why treatment works at any age. Consultations are free, so finding out where you stand costs nothing.
Yes. Teeth respond to steady pressure at any age and there is no upper age limit. Because adults are no longer growing, treatment corrects tooth position rather than guiding jaw development, and often runs somewhat longer than the same case in a teenager. Existing gum disease is stabilised before any teeth are moved.
Crowding that has returned. The single most common reason adults come back. Teeth drift for life, and a course of braces in your teens without lifelong retention almost always means some relapse by your thirties.
A bite that causes problems. Uneven contact wears enamel unevenly, and some bite patterns make certain teeth do more work than they should. Correcting alignment addresses the cause rather than repeatedly repairing the effect.
Hygiene that is genuinely difficult. Overlapping teeth trap plaque where floss will not reach. Straightening them is often the practical fix for gum inflammation that keeps recurring in the same spot.
Appearance, said plainly. It is a legitimate reason on its own and worth naming rather than dressing up as something clinical.
Four routes, none of them universally better. Swipe through — the trade-offs are what matter.
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The right option depends on what actually needs moving, your oral health, and how you live — not on which sounds most appealing. A consultation and a set of records settle it far better than a website can. See our clear aligners page for how the trays work in detail.
Six stages. Adults tend to want the detail up front, so here it is.
A look at the teeth, bite, gum health, and any previous orthodontic work, plus a frank conversation about what you want changed. Free, and there is no obligation to proceed.
A digital scan replaces putty impressions, along with photographs and imaging where needed. This is what the plan is built on.
What moves, in what order, roughly how long, what it costs, and what your insurance is likely to contribute. Nothing starts until you have agreed to it.
Braces or aligners doing the work, with review visits every few weeks. Adult bone remodels a little more slowly than a teenager’s, so treatment can run longer than the same case would in a fifteen-year-old.
Toward the end, small adjustments or a short series of refinement aligners tidy up anything not sitting quite right. This stage is common and not a sign anything went wrong.
Non-negotiable, and the reason many adults need treatment twice. Teeth drift for life. Wearing retainers is what makes the result permanent.
Gum health matters more in adults than in teens. If there is existing gum disease or bone loss, that is stabilised before any teeth are moved — moving teeth through inflamed tissue makes things worse, not better.
Meet Our Doctor
Dr. Kohan has over five years of experience creating healthy, confident smiles for children in Chino. His gentle, child-focused approach makes every visit positive and stress-free.
Yes. Teeth respond to steady pressure at any age — the biology does not switch off. What differs is that adults are no longer growing, so treatment corrects tooth position rather than guiding jaw development.
No upper limit. What matters is the health of the gums and supporting bone, not the year on your birth certificate. Existing gum disease is treated and stabilised first.
It depends entirely on what needs moving, so any number quoted before an examination is guesswork. As a general pattern adult treatment often runs somewhat longer than the same case in a teenager, because bone remodels more slowly with age. You will get a realistic estimate after records.
Often yes. We offer Invisalign and Angel Aligners, both covered on our clear aligners page. They suit mild to moderate cases and require 20 to 22 hours of daily wear.
Speech adjusts within a few days with either option. Aligners come out for meetings and meals if you prefer, though the wear clock keeps running. Ceramic brackets are a common choice for adults who are self-conscious about metal.
Fitting them does not. Teeth ache for a few days afterwards and briefly after each adjustment or new tray. Over-the-counter pain relief and soft food cover it.
Yes, with a mouthguard made to fit over fixed braces. Standard boil-and-bite guards do not seat correctly over brackets. Aligners come out for contact sport and a guard goes in instead.
Coverage for adults is less common than for children. Many PPO plans have an orthodontic lifetime maximum with an age cut-off, so it is worth checking specifically. Medi-Cal orthodontic coverage for adults is limited to narrow qualifying circumstances. We will check your plan before you commit.
Typically every four to eight weeks for fixed braces, and at similar intervals for aligner reviews. Appointments are usually short.
Call (909) 479-6030 or request an appointment online. The consultation is free, and you will leave knowing whether treatment is worth doing and roughly what it involves.
Reviewed by Dr. Joshua Kohan, DMD — Say Cheese Kids Dental & Orthodontics, Chino, CA. Orthodontic treatment is provided in coordination with our partner orthodontists.
Last reviewed: 6 August 2026. Every treatment plan is personalised after a comprehensive orthodontic evaluation. This page is general information and not a substitute for being seen.

Very clean office the staff was amazing. So many neat video games. I would refer Say Cheese Dental to my friends and family.
The dentist was very kind and knowledgeable and polite! The staff took the time needed for my 3 boys to feel comfortable and relaxed. We will be here in the next 6.months for there followup and braces!
Me encanto el trato del personal todos incluyendo al doctor
Muy amable todo el personal y atentos, respondieron todas mis dudas. Fue una buena opción venir aquí.
This was my first visit to Say Cheese Dental, and I was really impressed. The place is super clean, organized, and has a relaxing atmosphere. The staff is kind, patient, and very friendly — they made me feel comfortable from the moment I walked in. I’m happy I chose this office!
Great consultation! The staff was friendly, the orthodontist was knowledgeable and took the time to explain everything clearly. I felt comfortable and confident with the treatment plan. Highly recommend! I will definitely be back!
First time coming to this kids dental and we had a great experience. Everything was explained so well , will be coming back!
A first dental visit should not be a financial decision. We accept Medi-Cal (Denti-Cal) and most major PPO plans, and our front desk verifies your coverage before you come in, so you know what is covered ahead of the appointment.
12413 Central Ave, Chino, CA 91710
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Monday to Thursday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday, closed
We are on Central Avenue in Chino, a short drive from most of the surrounding communities. Siblings can usually be booked back to back, which saves a second trip.
Many of our adult patients first ask about treatment while sitting in on their child’s appointment. The consultation is free and will tell you honestly whether treatment is worth doing. Families come to us from Chino, Chino Hills, Eastvale, and Ontario.