Straight Teeth as an Adult
Your Guide to Clear Braces and Invisalign
March 23, 2026
We frequently see adult patients who ask – is it too late for straight teeth? Absolutely not! Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, and your options are more convenient than ever. And with over 25 years of serving west Alabama and east Mississippi, Dr. McKinney and team would love to guide you toward the smile you’ve always wanted. Here we will cover some of our most asked questions about adult orthodontic treatment such as treatment options, timeframes, cost, and how to get started at one of our offices in Tuscaloosa, Fayette or Winfield.
Are you a good candidate for adult treatment?
Did you know that you are likely a good candidate, regardless of whether or not you’ve had previous orthodontic treatment? Sometimes in adulthood, our teeth naturally shift causing new crowding or gaps – even if you’ve had braces before! Or perhaps you are considering treatment for the first time in your life. We also see adult patients who have developed bite, jaw, gum, bone and other dental health issues that require orthodontic treatment; we frequently partner with local dentists, periodontists and endodontists to ensure the best outcomes for their patients! No matter your individual situation, we offer several treatment options for adult patients. Dr. McKinney will evaluate your orthodontic needs and recommend the best treatment plan for you!
What are metal & clear braces?
Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile.
Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene, as ceramic braces are slightly larger and are more brittle than their metal counterparts.
Braces Quick Facts
- Metal or ceramic braces require careful cleaning around brackets and under wires. Our team will give you instructions and tips on how to keep your teeth clean during treatment.
- Braces must be regularly adjusted by an orthodontist, which means that you will have appointments anywhere from 2-8 weeks apart. These appointments are typically fast, and at McKinney Orthodontics we offer flexible scheduling for your convenience!
- We all know about the food changes – sticky and hard foods will have to wait until after treatment! Things like popcorn, nuts, hard candy, caramel, taffy, gum (and other items!) can get stuck around brackets or break them off your teeth.
- At some point, most patients will need to wear rubber bands to help push or pull teeth in a certain direction. We rely on our patients to follow Dr. McKinney’s instructions for the fastest and most effective results!
- The duration of braces can be anywhere from 12 to 36 months, depending on your individual needs.
What are Invisalign® and clear aligners?
Invisalign® is one of the most popular orthodontic treatments available today and McKinney Orthodontics is a gold level provider in Tuscaloosa. We use comfortable iTero scanning which creates a 3D rendering of your teeth. These images are used to create virtually invisible, plastic aligners that are custom-made to gently shift your teeth into place. Each aligner is typically worn for two weeks and then swapped for the next one in a series until you have reached your ideal smile. Aligners should be worn 20-22 hours per day – anytime you are not eating or drinking! Our adult patients love this option for a more discreet way to achieve a healthy, straight smile with minimal lifestyle changes.
Invisalign Quick Facts
- With aligners, you can have all your favorite foods! Just be sure to take out your aligners before you enjoy them!
- Never eat or drink with aligners in place except clear water.
- It is VERY important to clean your teeth after eating and before putting your aligners back in. Any food particles or sugar from drinks will be trapped against your teeth by the aligners! This can quickly lead to staining, tartar (a sticky film) on your teeth, and plaque (hardened tartar) if not regularly brushed away.
- Your aligners should be cleaned regularly with toothpaste and cool water.
- Aligners must be worn for 20-22 hours per day and changed according to Dr. McKinney’s schedule in order to be effective and efficient.
- If for any reason your next appointment has to be cancelled or changed, continue to wear your last aligner full time until we see you. It is very important that you do not stop wearing them, or your teeth will move out of alignment.
And no matter what treatment you follow - even though you see us regularly, your dentist checkups are very important! See your dentist every 6 months for a professional cleaning. We even have special appointments to quickly remove and replace wires to make your cleanings super easy and effective!
Adult treatment in Tuscaloosa
Step‑by‑step: your first visit
Call or text our office anytime to schedule your free new patient consultation! Our friendly new patient coordinators will take in some basic information to get your initial appointment setup. Then all new patient paperwork can be completed on your cell phone!
Our schedules vary, but we can typically see new patients within 2-4 weeks of their initial phone call, and sometimes earlier based on your scheduling needs! No waiting for months to get an appointment!
Your initial consultation will take approximately 30 minutes. All new patient appointments take place at our main Tuscaloosa office. Here we have a comfortable new patient consultation room, along with the latest technology for creating patient records such as x-rays and 3D scans.
First, you'll briefly visit with our friendly new patient coordinators. They will ask about your smile goals and concerns; did your dentist suggest treatment to address a dental problem or maybe you are simply interested in a straighter smile? We want to hear all about what you would like to achieve with orthodontic treatment! Then Dr. McKinney will check dental records, view x-rays, and perform a comprehensive exam of your teeth, jaw, bite and overall oral health. This evaluation will help us recommend the most suitable treatment plan tailored to your unique orthodontic needs.
Customized treatment plan
At McKinney Orthodontics, we strongly believe in patient education. We will take the time to explain your treatment options, discuss the expected timeline, and address any financial considerations. We want each patient to make informed, confident decisions about their orthodontic care. If Dr. McKinney suggests treatment such as Invisalign® or braces, our new patient coordinators will also guide you through a financial breakdown of costs, insurance benefits and payment options. Depending on our patient schedule, you may even have the option of starting treatment that same day if you choose!
Treatment timeframes and appointments
Treatment for adults can take anywhere from 6-36 months, depending on the amount of movement required to achieve that straight, healthy smile. Other factors that can affect these timeframes include the complexity of movement needed, overall dental health, sticking to your appointment schedule, and wearing rubber bands or aligners consistently. We rely heavily on patients to partner with us for successful – and efficient – treatment timeframes! While treatment always begins in our main Tuscaloosa office, follow-up and maintenance appointments can take place in our Fayette and Winfield offices. Our northwest Alabama and east Mississippi patients love these locations for their convenience and efficiency!
Cost & Insurance
When comparing adult braces and Invisalign, the overall cost is very similar. If a patient requires very minimal movement and adjustment, we also have the option of creating in-house clear aligners with our 3D printing technology; these are similar clear, plastic trays that slowly shift teeth into their proper placement. Dr. McKinney will sometimes recommend this option for adults who have had previous orthodontic treatment and simply need a small adjustment.
Many patients arrive unsure if their dental insurance covers orthodontic treatment, and this is where our helpful new patient coordinators come in. After collecting your plan information, they pre-verify your orthodontic insurance benefits before you even arrive in our office. This allows us to provide a clear, accurate estimate that includes your insurance contribution—no no guesswork! Our team works directly with your insurance provider to confirm eligibility, coverage limits, and any pre-approval requirements, helping you plan confidently to make the most of your benefits.
Participating Insurance Providers
We will accept and file most insurance on your behalf. If you don't see your provider listed below, just give us a call and we will be happy to check participation and coverage!
- AETNA
- Ameritas
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama*
- Cigna Delta Dental/ Premiere*
- GEHA
- Guardian
- Humana
- MetLife
- Principal
- Sunlife
- Tricare
- UMR
- United Concordia/ Teamcare
- United Healthcare
*In Network
FSA and HSA
Both FSA (flexible spending accounts) and HSA (health savings accounts) can be used to pay for orthodontic treatment, as they cover medical expenses, including braces. With an FSA or HSA, you can use pre-tax dollars to pay for your treatment, which can save you money in the long run. FSA funds must be used within the plan year, while HSA funds roll over year to year and can be used for future treatments. We are happy to provide receipts as needed to assist our patients in utilizing these benefits.
Simple financing plans
At McKinney Orthodontics, we’re committed to making orthodontic care both accessible and affordable. We offer in-house, interest-free financing with downpayments as low as $250 to begin treatment. We also have flexible payment options—you can even adjust your monthly amount and due date to fit your budget. Our new patient coordinators will walk you through total treatment costs and customize a payment plan that works for you.
What's included?
If Dr. McKinney recommends braces or Invisalign, regular maintenance appointments will be needed to slowly move your teeth into place and keep a close eye on your progress. Our new patient coordinators review your complete treatment costs at the time of your consultation so there are no surprises along the way. Our typical full treatment cost includes orthodontic appliances (such as braces or aligners), regular maintenance visits, one retainer, one year of retainer visits, plus initial insurance filing and verification.
Daily life with metal or ceramic braces
- Brush at least three times a day and pay special attention to the areas above and below brackets where food particles love to hide!
- Use a soft-bristle or electric toothbrush; toothbrushes with smaller heads are particularly good at hard-to-reach spaces.
- Floss with a floss threader (we provide these!) Or a water flosser, such as a Waterpik. This is particularly important for removing food that is stuck around your brackets and difficult to remove with brushing alone.
- Use an interproximal brush (we provide these too!) to remove food stuck inside wires and around brackets.
- Pack an interproximal brush and travel toothbrush for longer periods away from home.
- Use a fluoride mouthwash such as Act to help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities.
- Once Dr. McKinney recommends rubber band wear, it is extremely important to be consistent!
Daily life with Invisalign
- With aligners, you can have all your favorite foods! Just be sure to take out your aligners before you enjoy them!
- Never eat or drink with aligners in place except clear water.
- It is VERY important to clean your teeth after eating and before putting your aligners back in. Any food particles or sugar from drinks will be trapped against your teeth by the aligners! This can quickly lead to staining, tartar (a sticky film) on your teeth, and plaque (hardened tartar) if not regularly brushed away.
- Your aligners should be cleaned regularly with toothpaste and cool water.
- Aligners must be worn for 20-22 hours per day and changed according to Dr. McKinney’s schedule in order to be effective and efficient.
- If for any reason your next appointment has to be cancelled or changed, continue to wear your last aligner full time until we see you. It is very important that you do not stop wearing them, or your teeth will move out of alignment.
Frequently asked questions from adult patients
“Am I too old for braces or Invisalign?”
No! Healthy teeth can be moved at any age.
“Can I straighten my teeth if I have crowns/implants?”
Absolutely. Dr. McKinney will take existing dental work into consideration in your treatment plan.
“Will orthodontic treatment hurt?”
Soreness around the teeth and gums is completely normal after starting aligners or when braces are placed or adjusted. It typically fades within a few days. Keeping over-the-counter pain relief on hand—such as Tylenol or Motrin—can make those first 48 hours much more comfortable.
“What happens if I move or change jobs during treatment?”
Dr. McKinney can easily transfer your care to an orthodontist in your new location! Our team is happy to send over your records and information to ensure your treatment plan is successful.
Why McKinney Orthodontics?
Both dentists and orthodontists care for your smile, but an orthodontist is a specialist who spends several extra years focused only on moving teeth and correcting bites, so you get the safest, most precise results. Orthodontists have on average an additional 4000+ hours of specialized training! Dr. McKinney has been serving families in our area for over 25 years and would love to guide you to the smile you’ve always wanted. And our friendly coordinators and assistants will provide you with the BEST care on your journey.
We have offices in Tuscaloosa, Winfield and Fayette to better serve our patients across West Alabama!
Give us a call or text us for a free consultation and get started today!