It’s Never too Late for a Great Smile
About one in four orthodontic patients in Canada is an adult, according to the Canadian Association of Orthodontists. The reasons vary. Some never had treatment as teenagers. Some did, wore their retainer for a year, then stopped, and their teeth have shifted over the past decade. Some had partial treatment that was never finished. All of them are treatable.
Dr. Amani Morra is a Certified Orthodontic Specialist at Dream Orthodontics, with a Master of Science in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics from the University of Manitoba. She has been treating adult patients in South Surrey and White Rock since founding the clinic in 2008. Adult orthodontic cases are part of her regular patient load, not an occasional exception.
The treatment options available to adults at Dream Orthodontics are the same ones available to teens: metal braces, clear ceramic braces, and Invisalign. What changes is the treatment plan, because adult jaws and adult dental histories bring different clinical factors than teenage mouths do.
Orthodontics for Adults - More Adults Are Pursuing Orthodontics
Why adults choose to start treatment
There is no single profile for an adult orthodontic patient. The decision tends to come from one of a few places, and each one is a reasonable starting point.
Teeth that shifted after teenage treatment
This is the most common story. Braces came off at 17, the retainer got lost or stopped being worn, and the teeth moved. The good news is that the adult mouth remembers where the teeth were. Treatment to bring them back is usually faster than the original treatment was, particularly if the shift has been gradual.
Never had treatment and now ready
Some adults grew up without access to orthodontic care, or their families could not afford it at the time. Others were told they were borderline cases and chose to wait. Whatever the reason, starting in adulthood is not a disadvantage for most cases. Adult bone is denser than teenage bone, which means teeth move slightly more slowly, but the outcome is the same.
Incomplete treatment from childhood or the teen years
Phase 1 treatment that was never followed by Phase 2. Braces that came off early for financial or other reasons. Alignment issues that were partially corrected but not fully resolved. Dr. Morra reviews the current state of the teeth and bite, not the history, and plans from where things actually are now.
A bite or alignment issue affecting function
Some adult patients come in because something hurts. Jaw discomfort, uneven wear on teeth, or difficulty chewing can all have an orthodontic component. Dr. Morra assesses bite and alignment as part of the free consultation and can tell you whether the issue has an orthodontic solution.
How adult treatment differs from teen treatment
The biological difference is that adult jawbones have finished growing. This has practical consequences for treatment planning that Dr. Morra accounts for at the consultation.
Teeth move at a different pace
In teenagers, bone is still remodeling actively, which means teeth shift relatively quickly. In adults, the same forces produce the same movements, but the bone around the tooth roots responds more slowly. Treatment timelines for adults are often comparable to teen timelines for straightforward cases, and somewhat longer for cases with significant bite correction involved.
Gum and bone health affect the plan
Adults are more likely than teenagers to have some history of gum recession, past periodontal treatment, or crowns and bridgework. These factors are not automatic disqualifiers, but they do affect the treatment plan. Dr. Morra reviews gum health at the consultation and, where gum health needs to be stabilised first, coordinates with the patient's general dentist before treatment begins.
Existing dental work changes the options
Crowns, bridges, implants, and veneers each respond differently to orthodontic forces than natural tooth structure does. A bridge, for example, cannot be moved with braces because the adjacent teeth are linked. Dr. Morra assesses existing work at the consultation and factors it into the treatment plan. This is part of why an in-person assessment matters for adult cases.
Treatment options for adults at Dream Orthodontics
Invisalign
Invisalign in South Surrey is one of the most popular choice among adult patients at Dream Orthodontics. The aligners are clear and removable, which means they can come out for presentations, client meetings, or social occasions. You wear them 20 to 22 hours per day and change to a new set approximately every two weeks.
Dream Orthodontics holds a TOP 1% Diamond Invisalign Provider designation from Align Technology, which reflects a high volume of cases treated and clinical experience with the system across a range of case complexities.
Clear ceramic braces
Ceramic brackets are tooth-coloured and considerably less visible than metal from a normal conversational distance. They work the same way as metal braces and can handle the same range of cases. For adults who want a fixed appliance without the visual impact of metal, ceramic braces are a practical option.
Metal braces
Modern metal braces in South Surrey use smaller, lower-profile brackets than the designs of fifteen or twenty years ago. The nickel-titanium shape-memory wires apply continuous gentle force without needing tightening appointments. Some adult cases, particularly those involving significant bite correction, are best handled with metal braces because of the control they offer.
Cost of adult orthodontic treatment in South Surrey
The cost of treatment at Dream Orthodontics depends on the complexity of the case and the treatment type chosen. Dr. Morra provides a specific fee estimate at the consultation based on your actual case, not a general range from a website.
BC's Medical Services Plan does not cover orthodontic treatment. Many employer dental plans include an orthodontic benefit, expressed as a lifetime maximum. This applies to adult treatment the same way it applies to teen treatment. The team reviews your specific coverage at the first visit.
For cost not covered by insurance, zero-interest financing is available. The team can outline the monthly amounts at the consultation so there are no surprises.
Why choose Dream Orthodontics for adult orthodontics
Dr. Morra is a specialist, not a general practitioner
She completed a three-year orthodontic residency after dental school, giving her 11 years of total training that includes a Master of Science in Orthodontics. General dentists can legally offer Invisalign and other orthodontic treatment, but orthodontists train specifically in tooth movement, jaw mechanics, and bite correction. For adult cases that involve gum history, existing dental work, or complex bite issues, specialist training matters.
Free consultation with no referral needed
Adults do not need a dentist referral to book at Dream Orthodontics. The first visit is free. Dr. Morra reviews your teeth, bite, and jaw, answers your questions, and gives you a clear cost estimate before any decision is made.
Direct billing to insurance
The team handles all insurance paperwork and submits claims directly. You do not fill out your own forms. If you have orthodontic benefits through your employer plan, the team reviews them at the first visit and applies them from day one.
Zero-interest financing
Orthodontic treatment for adults is an investment. Zero-interest payment plans spread the cost over time so the monthly amount fits a working budget. The team walks through options at the consultation.
Scheduling that works around a work week
Dream Orthodontics opens at 8:00 am Tuesday through Thursday. Pro-D day appointments are available on all Surrey School District professional development days, with early morning hours. Patients from Grandview Heights, Morgan Crossing, Rosemary Heights, Elgin Chantrell, Ocean Park, Sunnyside, Crescent Beach, Pacific Douglas, and White Rock book around their schedules rather than around the clinic.
Same-day treatment starts available
For patients who come prepared to start, records can be taken and in some cases treatment can begin at the same visit as the consultation. There is no forced waiting period.
Frequently asked questions: Adult Orthodontics in South Surrey
Book a free adult orthodontic consultation
Dream Orthodontics is located at #101, 3038 Croydon Drive, Surrey, BC V3Z 0T1.
Phone: 604-542-8552
Hours: Monday 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. Tuesday and Wednesday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Thursday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Friday on Surrey School District Pro-D days.
Virtual consultations are available for patients who prefer to start the conversation from home.