Patient Guide approx. 8 min

Orthodontics for Adults

Aligners or fixed braces? How long does treatment take, what does it cost, and what does health insurance cover? Everything adults should know about orthodontics.

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Contents of this guide

Orthodontics for Adults – clinical representation

Häufige Fragen (FAQ)

Yes. Orthodontics is possible and worthwhile at any age — not only for aesthetic reasons, but also to improve chewing function, prevent tooth wear, and facilitate dental hygiene. Misalignments can be successfully corrected even in adulthood.

Aligners (e.g., Invisalign, ClearCorrect) are removable, transparent plastic trays. They are barely visible and can be removed for eating and brushing. Fixed braces (brackets) are permanently bonded and enable more precise corrections for complex misalignments. Aligners are suitable for mild to moderate misalignments.

Mild corrections with aligners: 6–12 months. Moderate misalignments: 12–24 months. Complex cases with fixed braces: 18–36 months. After active treatment, a retention phase (retainers) is necessary to stabilize the result.

In Austria, orthodontics for adults is generally not covered by health insurance. Exceptions: severe misalignments with functional impairment (case-by-case decision). For children and adolescents, there are limited insurance benefits. Private dental insurance may partially cover orthodontic costs.

A retainer is a thin wire bonded behind your teeth after active treatment (fixed) or a removable tray (removable). It prevents teeth from shifting back to their original position. Recommendation: fixed retainers permanently, removable retainers for at least 2 years at night.

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Medical note: The information on this page is for general educational purposes only and does not replace individual medical advice from a licensed dentist or specialist. The Institute for Implantology and Digital Dentistry Vienna is a non-profit, independent scientific platform — not a treatment facility. All content reflects current scientific literature; individual treatment decisions must always be made in consultation with a qualified dental professional.

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