It's Never Too Late to Love Your Smile
You've thought about it for years. Maybe you had braces as a kid, and your teeth have shifted over time. Maybe life just got in the way, and you never got around to it. Whatever the reason, here you are, and we couldn't be happier to see you.
At Christian Manley Orthodontics, we treat a lot of adults. More than you might think. In fact, adults now make up roughly one in three orthodontic patients across the country. Our Issaquah and Sammamish offices welcome working professionals, busy parents, and everyone in between who wants a smile they feel great about, without putting their whole life on hold to get there.
Dr. Christian Manley has been creating award-winning smiles for over 30 years. His team is warm, skilled, and genuinely excited to help you get to that confident, healthy grin. And yes, your first consultation is completely free.
Book Your Free Evaluation Today
Why So Many Adults Are Choosing Braces Right Now
There used to be a stigma around adults getting orthodontic treatment. That's largely gone. Today, getting braces as an adult is common, smart, and with the options available at our practice, easier than ever to fit into your life. Here are some of the most common reasons our adult patients come to us:
- Teeth that have shifted since childhood treatment
- Crowding, gaps, or crooked teeth affecting confidence at work or in social settings
- Bite problems causing jaw pain, TMJ discomfort, or headaches
- Difficulty cleaning teeth properly, leading to recurring dental issues
- Preparing for restorative work such as implants, veneers, or crowns
- Simply wanting to invest in yourself and your smile
No matter where you're starting from, Dr. Manley will meet you there. Adult teeth are fully developed, which actually makes treatment highly predictable when you're working with an experienced orthodontist.
Your Braces Options at Christian Manley Orthodontics
We don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. After your free consultation, Dr. Manley will recommend the option that makes the most sense for your teeth, your timeline, and your lifestyle.
Metal Braces for Adults
Don't let the word 'metal' put you off. Today's metal braces are smaller, smoother, and far more comfortable than what you may remember. Using our Damon self-ligating system, brackets are
rounded and low-profile, which means less irritation and fewer adjustment visits.
Metal braces are genuinely the most efficient option for correcting complex issues, significant crowding, bite problems, and rotations, and they're the most cost-effective choice we offer. If you want predictable, powerful results without paying a premium, this is it.
- Proven results for complex tooth movements
- Self-ligating brackets, fewer tightening visits
- Affordable financing options available
- Eligible for HSA/FSA and most insurance plans
LightForce Clear Braces
LightForce clear braces are the newest innovation in bracket technology, and we're proud to offer them. Each bracket is 3D-printed to match the exact contour of your individual tooth, a level of precision that standard brackets simply can't match.
For adults who want the control and effectiveness of braces with a much more subtle look, LightForce is a game-changer. The clear ceramic brackets blend naturally with your tooth color, and because the fit is so precise, treatment often moves faster; many cases are completed in 12 to 18 months.
- Fully custom-fit brackets using 3D digital scanning
- Clear/tooth-colored, far less visible than metal
- Fewer office visits are needed due to a precision fit
- Effective even for complex bite and alignment issues
Not sure whether braces or Invisalign is right for you? We offer both, and Dr. Manley will give you his honest recommendation, no sales pitch, just the best plan for your smile.
What Makes Dr. Manley's Practice Different for Adult Patients
30+ Years of Experience
Manley has been practicing orthodontics since before many of his adult patients were born. That depth of experience matters, especially when your case involves a complicated bite, previous dental work, or treatment that was started and abandoned years ago. He's seen it all, and he knows how to build a plan that works.
DentalMonitoring
We know your schedule is full. That's why we use DentalMonitoring, an app-based system that lets you send photos of your teeth directly to our team between visits. We review them, track your progress, and can often space out your in-office appointments as a result. Fewer trips to the office. Same great results.
Flexible Financing & Insurance Support
We work with most major insurance plans and offer in-house financing options designed around real budgets. We also accept HSA and FSA payments. Our team will review your coverage at your free consultation and lay out exactly what your out-of-pocket costs will look like, no surprises
Two Convenient Eastside Locations:
With offices in Issaquah and Sammamish, we're easy to reach whether you're commuting from Bellevue, Redmond, Snoqualmie, or Maple Valley. We offer convenient appointment times designed to work around your work schedule.
A Team That Genuinely Cares
Our patients say it better than we can. Dr. Manley is consistently described as kind, patient, and thorough, and his team has been with him for years. You'll feel that consistency and warmth from the moment you walk in.
What to Expect: The Adult Braces Process at Our Practice
Free Consultation
Come in at no charge for your first visit. Dr. Manley will take photos, review your smile, and chat with you about your goals. There's no pressure and no commitment, just a conversation about what's possible.
Choosing Your Braces
Whether you go with metal braces or LightForce clear braces, we'll walk through every detail, cost, timeline, what maintenance looks like, and what to expect at each stage of treatment.
Progress Check-Ins
You'll come in every few weeks for adjustments. With DentalMonitoring, we can often extend the time between appointments for eligible patients. We're always reachable between visits if anything comes up.
Digital Scans & Treatment Planning
We use precise, mess-free 3D digital scanning technology to map your teeth. No goopy impressions. From these scans, Dr. Manley designs your personalized treatment plan and shows you a simulation of your projected results.
Braces Applied
Your bonding appointment typically takes about 60 minutes. Most patients feel fine right away, with some mild pressure or tenderness in the first few days as their teeth begin to move.
Retainers & Results
When treatment wraps up, Dr. Manley fits you with custom retainers to protect your new smile for the long haul. Wear them nightly, and your results will last a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions About Braces for Adults
Am I too old for braces? Is there an age limit for orthodontic treatment?
Not at all. There is no upper age limit for braces. As long as your teeth and gums are reasonably healthy, orthodontic treatment can be highly effective at any age. Adult teeth move more gradually than children's teeth, but with consistent treatment and an experienced orthodontist, you can absolutely achieve lasting results. Dr. Manley has treated patients well into their 50s, 60s, and beyond.
How long will adult braces treatment take?
It depends on the complexity of your case. Most adult patients complete treatment in 12 to 24 months. Simpler cases, mild crowding or spacing, can be done in under a year. More complex bite corrections may take longer.
Will braces interfere with my work or daily life?
Most adults are surprised by how little impact braces have day to day. The first few days after getting braces or having them adjusted, you may feel some mild tenderness. This passes quickly and is manageable with over-the-counter pain relief if needed.
What's the difference between metal braces and LightForce clear braces for adults?
Metal braces use stainless steel brackets and are the most cost-effective, reliable option for all case types, including complex ones. LightForce clear braces use individually 3D-printed ceramic brackets that match your tooth shape and color; they’re far less noticeable and often deliver faster results due to their precision fit. Both options are fully supported at our practice. Dr. Manley will walk you through which is better suited for your case at your consultation.
I had braces as a teenager, and my teeth shifted. Can I get them again?
Yes, and this is one of the most common reasons adults come to us. Teeth naturally shift over time, especially if retainers weren’t worn consistently after prior treatment. The good news is that relapse cases are often faster to correct the second time around because you’re starting from a better baseline. Dr. Manley will assess where things stand and recommend the most efficient path back to the straight.
Your Smile Is Worth It. Let's Get Started.
You don't have to keep wondering what your smile could look like. A single, no-commitment conversation with Dr. Manley is all it takes to find out what's possible for you.
We'll review your teeth, answer every question you have, walk you through your options, and give you a clear picture of what treatment would look like, including timeline and cost. No pressure, no hard sell. Just expert, friendly care from a team that genuinely loves what they do.
Contact us today for an Adult Braces Consultation
Two convenient Eastside locations: Issaquah & Sammamish, WA
Call or text: 425-392-7533