Adult Orthodontics in Auburn, IN
Treatment for Adults in Auburn and DeKalb County
Adult orthodontics is no longer unusual, and it is a substantial share of what happens at our West Seventh Street office. The patients arrive with recognisable histories: treatment they never had as a child, teeth that crept back after braces in high school, or a dentist pointing at wear and crowding that has stopped being cosmetic.
Adult teeth move perfectly well. What changes with age is not the ability to move them but the surrounding picture — gum health, crowns and bridges, missing teeth, years of uneven wear. Dr. Joel Johnson assesses all of that before recommending anything, because moving teeth into a compromised foundation is how adult treatment goes wrong.
Your Options as an Adult
Most adults have more choices than they expect, and the right one depends on the distance the teeth have to travel.
| Option | Best suited to | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Clear aligners | Mild to moderate correction, and adults who need treatment to be discreet | Removable trays, fewer office visits, wear time does the work |
| Ceramic braces | Cases needing more control, where visibility still matters | Fixed tooth-coloured brackets, adjustments every six to ten weeks |
| Metal braces | Complex crowding, bite correction, heavily worn or restored bites | The most predictable option; often the shortest route to the finish |
| Short relapse treatment | Teeth that drifted after childhood braces | Limited movement, sometimes finished inside a year, then permanent retention |
If your teeth shifted after childhood braces, you are in the most common and often the quickest category. Some of those cases finish inside a year.
Fitting Treatment Around a Working Life
The clinical side is straightforward; the scheduling is what adults actually weigh. Appointments start at 7:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday and Friday mornings run to noon, which means an Auburn patient commuting toward Fort Wayne or Angola can be seen and still make the day.
Adult treatment usually runs twelve to twenty-four months, shorter for drift, longer where the bite itself is being rebuilt. Where gum disease, heavy wear or missing teeth are part of the picture, Dr. Johnson coordinates with your general dentist rather than working around them. Retention afterwards is permanent, not a phase — the drift that brought you in will return without it.
Why Adults Choose This Practice
Adults ask harder questions than parents do, and they are the right questions.
- The orthodontist who examines you is the one who treats you, for the whole case.
- Dr. Johnson trained at the University of Michigan and teaches there as an adjunct clinical professor; restored and worn adult bites are familiar ground.
- Both fixed and removable options are planned here, so nothing is recommended for the wrong reason.
- Coordination with your general dentist when gum health or existing dental work shapes the plan.
- Early-morning and Friday appointments that do not cost you vacation days.
- A written timeline and fee before you agree to treatment.
Fees, Coverage and Monthly Payments
Adult orthodontic coverage is inconsistent — some plans include it, some exclude adults outright, and lifetime maximums vary widely. We verify your specific policy and quote the real out-of-pocket figure with monthly options. pricing, payment plans, insurance, your first visit.
Finding Our Auburn Office
our office at 702 W Seventh St, Auburn, IN 46706, on West Seventh Street, a few minutes from the I-69 Auburn exit, which keeps appointments short for patients from Auburn, Garrett, Butler, Waterloo and the surrounding towns.
O·M·I Orthodontics, 702 W Seventh St, Auburn, IN 46706. Phone (260) 925-0300. Open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon. Our Auburn office page has the map; Adult orthodontics in Fort Wayne, IN is the equivalent page for our Fort Wayne office, and all three offices lists all three.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an age limit for orthodontics?
No. Bone remodels throughout life. Gum health and the state of existing dental work matter; your age does not.
How long does adult treatment take?
Typically twelve to twenty-four months. Correcting post-braces drift is often much faster; correcting the bite itself takes longer.
Can I be treated discreetly?
Yes — clear aligners are hard to notice and ceramic brackets are far less visible than metal. Clear aligners covers the tray option.
My teeth moved after braces years ago. Is that fixable?
Usually, and often quickly. The important part is finishing with retention you actually keep using.
Do I need my dentist to refer me?
No. Book a free consultation directly; we will keep your dentist informed if you are under their care.
What if I need dental work first?
Then that comes first. Dr. Johnson will tell you what has to be resolved before treatment starts and coordinate the sequence with your dentist.
Other treatments we offer: Braces treatment · Early treatment · Retainers and post-treatment care. General overview of this treatment · all services.
Start With a Free Adult Consultation
Bring your questions and your dental history. Dr. Joel Johnson will assess gum health, existing dental work and what is realistically achievable, then give you options with costs. Nothing is decided the same day.
The Auburn office sits at 702 W Seventh St, Auburn, IN 46706, on West Seventh Street, a few minutes from the I-69 Auburn exit, and is open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon. You can book your complimentary consultation online, send us a message, or call (260) 925-0300.