Quick answer: Braces before and after results vary by treatment type and case complexity. Metal braces, ceramic braces, Invisalign, and lingual braces all produce straighter teeth, a corrected bite, and a better smile. Most patients finish treatment in 18 to 24 months. The change is biggest for patients with severe crowding, overbite, or crossbite. All types produce similar final results when matched to the right case.
What are braces before and after? Braces before and after shows the visual change in tooth alignment, bite, and smile over the course of orthodontic treatment. It covers the shift from crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth to a straight, functional smile. Results build gradually over 12 to 36 months depending on the case and treatment type.
This guide draws on data from the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) 2024 patient census, published PMC orthodontic research, Cleveland Clinic clinical guidance, and treatment outcome data across traditional and clear aligner systems.
How popular are braces in 2026?
More people are seeking orthodontic treatment than ever. The American Association of Orthodontists 2025 patient census (reporting 2024 data) found 6.66 million patients in active treatment across US and Canadian AAO members — the highest count ever recorded.
Adults are driving much of this growth. According to the AAO, about 1.91 million adults are now in active orthodontic treatment in the US. That is up from 1.64 million in 2022. Today, 1 in 3 orthodontic patients is an adult.
Clear aligner technology — Invisalign and similar brands — is a big reason for this. It removes the visual barrier that stopped many adults from starting treatment.
What do braces before and after look like?
Orthodontic treatment produces one of the clearest before-and-after changes in all of dentistry. Crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth become straight and evenly spaced. Bite problems that affected how the face looks and how food is chewed are fixed.
The smile change also brings other benefits:
- Easier oral hygiene (straight teeth are easier to clean, lowering decay risk long term)
- Better bite function and less jaw strain
- A more balanced smile within the face
- In severe bite cases, a slight shift in how the lips and lower face sit at rest
The change is biggest for patients with:
- Severe crowding or rotation
- Large gaps between teeth
- Significant overbite, underbite, or crossbite
- Multiple concerns at once
For patients with mild misalignment, the change is smaller but still real. Straighter teeth improve both how the smile looks and long-term dental health.
During treatment: Braces cause soreness for 2 to 4 days after fitting and after each adjustment. This is normal — it means teeth are moving. Most patients get used to their appliance within the first few weeks.
Braces before and after by treatment type
Traditional metal braces
Metal braces are the most widely used orthodontic system. They are also the most clinically proven. Stainless steel brackets bond to the front of each tooth. An archwire connects them and applies steady force to move teeth.
Before: Crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth with or without bite issues. After: Straight, aligned teeth with a corrected bite. Metal braces can treat all levels of complexity — from mild spacing to severe bite problems (with added appliances if needed).
Metal braces are visible during treatment but give no less quality in the final result. They are usually the most affordable option.
Ceramic (clear) braces
Ceramic braces work the same way as metal braces. The difference is that the brackets are tooth-colored or clear. They blend in with the teeth.
Before: Same as metal braces. After: Same result as metal braces. Patients choose ceramic for how they look during treatment — not for any different outcome.
Ceramic brackets can stain with coffee, tea, or dark foods. Some orthodontists use ceramic on front teeth and metal on back teeth, where strength is more important.
Invisalign and clear aligners
Invisalign uses a series of custom-made clear plastic trays that move teeth step by step. Trays are swapped every 1 to 2 weeks. The full treatment is planned digitally before the first tray is made.
Before: Crooked or gapped teeth, mild to moderate crowding, mild bite issues. After: Results similar to traditional braces for eligible patients. According to Cleveland Clinic, clear aligners work well for most routine cases when worn 20 to 22 hours per day.
Invisalign is less suitable for severe bite problems or complex rotations. Treatment takes 12 to 18 months on average — shorter than the 18 to 24 months for traditional braces. The main benefit is that the trays are nearly invisible and can be removed to eat and clean.
Lingual braces
Lingual braces work like metal braces but sit on the inside (tongue side) of the teeth. They are completely hidden from the front.
Before: Any level of misalignment. After: Same results as metal braces. Lingual braces are the most hidden fixed option. They can treat complex cases that Invisalign cannot.
The trade-off is higher cost, a harder adjustment period (the tongue rubs the brackets), and fewer orthodontists who offer them.
Braces before and after by concern
Crowding
Crowding happens when teeth overlap or rotate because there is not enough space in the arch. It is the most common reason patients start orthodontic treatment.
Before: Overlapping, rotated, or uneven teeth. May include teeth that have not come in fully. After: All teeth sit in proper alignment. The change is large and easy to see in photos. In severe cases, some premolars may be removed to create space.
Gaps and spacing
Gaps between teeth can appear anywhere in the arch. The most common is a gap between the two upper front teeth.
Before: Visible space between teeth. After: Teeth close together to fill the gap. A retainer is usually needed long term to stop the gap from opening again.
Overbite
An overbite is when the upper front teeth cover the lower front teeth too much. A slight overbite is normal. A deep overbite causes tooth wear and bite problems.
Before: Upper teeth cover lower teeth when biting. After: The bite is corrected so upper and lower teeth meet properly. Elastics or extra appliances help speed up the correction. Facial balance improves and jaw stress drops.
Underbite
An underbite is when the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth. It often has a bone component. Braces can fix mild underbite. Severe cases may need jaw surgery combined with orthodontics.
Before: Lower jaw sticks out. Lower teeth sit in front of upper teeth. After: Mild cases show a better bite and improved face profile. Severe bone cases need surgery plus orthodontics for full correction.
Crossbite
A crossbite is when some upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth. It can affect the front or back teeth and may cause the jaw to shift to one side.
Before: Upper and lower arches do not line up when biting. After: The crossbite is fixed, jaw shift is gone, and bite function improves. In younger patients, an expander may be used to widen the arch before braces start.
The Makeover Orthodontic Outcome Scorecard
Use this framework to match your concern and preference to the right treatment type and expected outcome.
| Concern | Best Treatment Option | Typical Duration | Visibility During Treatment | Result Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild crowding | Invisalign or ceramic braces | 12–18 months | Low to moderate | Excellent |
| Moderate crowding | Traditional or ceramic braces | 18–24 months | Moderate | Excellent |
| Severe crowding | Traditional metal braces | 24–36 months | High | Excellent |
| Gaps/spacing | Invisalign or traditional | 6–18 months | Low to high | Excellent |
| Overbite correction | Traditional with elastics | 18–30 months | High (metal) / Low (Invisalign) | Very good |
| Underbite (mild) | Traditional with elastics | 24–36 months | High | Good to very good |
| Crossbite | Traditional or ceramic | 18–30 months | Moderate to high | Excellent |
| Discreet appearance | Invisalign or lingual | 12–24 months | Very low | Excellent for eligible cases |
The Makeover Orthodontic Outcome Scorecard — developed to help patients and orthodontists match treatment type to specific concerns, expected results, and aesthetic preferences during treatment.
Treatment timeline: what to expect month by month
| Timeframe | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Month 0 (consultation) | X-rays, photos, impressions/scans. Treatment plan confirmed. |
| Month 1 (fitting) | Brackets bonded or first aligner tray fitted. Soreness for 2 to 4 days. Adaptation begins. |
| Months 2–6 | First visible tooth movement. Spacing and rotation corrections become visible. Adjustments every 4 to 8 weeks. |
| Months 6–12 | Major alignment improvements visible. Bite correction with elastics begins if needed. |
| Months 12–18 | Smile significantly transformed. Most patients see the result they hoped for. Fine adjustments begin. |
| Months 18–24 | Final detailing. Bite fully corrected. Brackets removed or final aligner worn. Retainers fitted. |
| Post-treatment | Retainers worn full-time for 6 to 12 months, then nightly long term. |
For complex cases, treatment runs 30 to 36 months. Traditional braces need adjustment every 4 to 8 weeks. Invisalign trays are swapped every 1 to 2 weeks. Missing appointments or wearing aligners fewer than 20 to 22 hours a day will extend treatment.
Do braces change your face shape?
This is one of the most common questions patients ask. The answer depends on how severe the bite issue is.
For patients with only crowding or spacing, braces move teeth. They do not change how the face looks outside the smile.
For patients with a big overbite, underbite, or crossbite, fixing the bite does change the face profile:
- Fixing a deep overbite brings the lower jaw slightly forward. This improves chin shape and the balance between the lips and chin.
- Fixing an underbite reduces how much the lower jaw sticks out.
- Fixing a crossbite can reduce jaw shift and facial unevenness.
These changes are positive and natural-looking. They are not as dramatic as facial surgery, but they can improve the balance of the face when seen from the side.
In children and teens, bite correction has a bigger effect on facial growth because the bones are still developing. This is why orthodontists often recommend treating bite problems early. It is easier to guide growth than to correct a fully grown jaw.
Adult braces: what to expect
Adults make up 1 in 3 orthodontic patients in the US and the number keeps rising. Adult treatment produces the same quality results as treatment in adolescence. There are some differences to be aware of:
- Treatment may take slightly longer — adult bone is denser and teeth move more slowly
- Retainers are more critical — adult teeth have a stronger pull back to their old positions
- Gum health matters more — gum disease must be treated before orthodontics starts, as moving teeth in unhealthy bone can cause damage
- Invisalign is very popular with adults — it is discreet in work and social settings
Adults also tend to comply better with treatment than teens — especially with Invisalign. They chose the treatment themselves rather than being told to do it.
Cost guide
| Treatment Type | Typical Cost (USD) | Treatment Time |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional metal braces | $3,000–$7,000 | 18–24 months |
| Ceramic braces | $4,000–$8,000 | 18–24 months |
| Invisalign | $3,500–$8,500 | 12–18 months (typical) |
| Lingual braces | $8,000–$13,000 | 18–30 months |
| Retainers (post-treatment) | $150–$600 per set | Ongoing |
Most dental plans cover part of orthodontic treatment for patients under 18. Adults may get partial coverage or none. FSA and HSA accounts can be used for orthodontic costs. Most orthodontic practices offer payment plans.
Preview your straight teeth before treatment
The hardest part of starting orthodontic treatment is that the result is 18 to 24 months away. That wait makes it hard to commit — especially for adults. Gallery photos from an orthodontist show someone else's teeth, not yours.
We built Makeover.so to fix that. Upload your photo, pick a straight-teeth preview, and our AI shows a photorealistic result on your own face in under 10 seconds. Orthodontists using the preview tool report more bookings and clearer patient expectations from the very first visit.
For related dental guides, see our dental bridge before and after and dental crown before and after articles.