Orthodontic Treatment For Adults

Purcellville VA

At Excelsior Orthodontics, we understand that it's never too late to achieve the smile you've always wanted. Our expert team specializes in adult orthodontics, offering customized treatments such as clear aligners and traditional braces. Experience our commitment to personalized care in a comfortable, advanced environment, and embark on your transformative journey to a confident, beautifully aligned smile.

Orthodontic Treatment for Adults: It’s Never Too Late for the Smile You Deserve

Whether you're seeking a straighter smile for the first time or looking to correct changes that have happened over the years, adult orthodontics is about more than just aesthetics it’s about long-term health, comfort, and confidence. At Excelsior Orthodontics, we offer treatment plans that are built around your lifestyle and goals, using modern tools and a methodical, results-driven approach.

Step 1: Meet With Your Treatment Coordinator

Your journey begins with a comprehensive consultation. We’ll take digital X-rays and photos to evaluate your teeth, bite, and facial balance. You’ll meet with our treatment coordinator, who will guide you through the process and answer any questions.

Dr. Minh will complete a detailed clinical exam and assess your alignment, occlusion, jaw position, and smile display. Your smile will also be scored based on the 10 Excelsior Smile Features, giving us a clear starting point to plan your treatment with precision.

Step 2: Dr. Minh Creates a Custom Treatment Plan

Based on your clinical findings and personal goals, Dr. Minh will develop a custom treatment plan that addresses both functional needs like bite correction or crowding and aesthetic concerns such as symmetry, smile arc, or spacing.



We’ll review the full plan with you, explain the recommended approach, and help you feel confident moving forward with the right tools and timeline in place.

Step 3: Begin Orthodontic Treatment

It’s a common myth that adult orthodontics means aligners only—but that’s simply not true. The choice between braces and aligners depends on your goals, lifestyle, and the clinical needs of your case. At Excelsior Orthodontics, Dr. Minh will guide you through the best options based on what will give you the healthiest, most confident result.

• Pitts21 Braces – A self-ligating system for efficient, precise tooth movement with fewer visits
• Ceramic Braces (Clear Braces / Invisible Braces) – Aesthetic, tooth-colored brackets for a more discreet look
• Spark™ Aligners (Clear Aligners / Invisible Aligners) – Nearly invisible, removable trays customized for your smile

Depending on your needs, we may also incorporate TADs, bite-correcting elastics, or other appliances to support proper function and jaw alignment.

From there, your care will follow our five-stage treatment process, designed to complete all 10 Excelsior Smile Features with precision and purpose:

Stage 1: Foundation and Function

We correct bite alignment, jaw position, and narrow arches to build a stable base. Appliances like TADs or elastics may be used to support this stage.

Occlusion

Smile Profile

Stage 2: Alignment & Smile Arc

With the foundational bite and jaw corrections underway, we begin focusing on the alignment of the teeth and the visual shape of the smile. This stage is where crowding, spacing, and rotations are corrected. Whether your teeth have shifted over time or have never been aligned properly, this is the point in treatment where we begin to transform the appearance of your smile.

We pay close attention to how each tooth is positioned not just in relation to its neighbors, but within the bigger picture of your face and smile. One of the key goals here is to create an ideal smile arc, which refers to the natural curve of your upper teeth following the contour of your lower lip when you smile. This arc is one of the hallmarks of a youthful, confident, and attractive smile.

This stage is not just about “straightening” it’s about designing a smile that fits you. One that looks great in conversation, on camera, and in the mirror.

Alignment

Smile Arc

Stage 3: Smile Symmetry & Display

In this stage, we focus on how the smile looks when your teen grins naturally—from corner to corner. We make sure the smile is wide, balanced, and fills the space between the cheeks, so it doesn’t appear narrow or uneven. Creating symmetry in the smile display enhances overall harmony and ensures the teeth show evenly on both sides. It’s a detail that makes a big difference in turning a good smile into a great one.

Smile Symmetry

Smile Display

Stage 4: Tooth Shape

With the teeth in the right position, we turn our attention to the shape of each tooth. Sometimes small adjustments like smoothing edges, refining contours, or reshaping worn or uneven teeth can make a big visual difference. This stage helps ensure that every tooth looks proportionate and fits naturally within the smile, adding polish and harmony to the final result.

Tooth Shape

Tooth Color

Stage 5: Gum Shape & Display

The final stage focuses on the frame of the smile: your gum line. For many adults, the gum display can be uneven, excessive (a "gummy smile"), or asymmetrical due to past growth patterns or how the teeth erupted. While the teeth may be perfectly aligned, the gum contour can still affect the overall appearance of the smile.

At Excelsior Orthodontics, we use laser gingivectomy to gently and precisely reshape the gums, creating a cleaner, more symmetrical frame around each tooth. In more complex cases, where the gums and upper lip move excessively when smiling, we may use TAD-supported intrusion mechanics to help reduce vertical tooth and gum display, improving both aesthetics and comfort.

This stage is all about finishing with intention—ensuring your smile doesn’t just look straight, but looks refined, balanced, and complete.

Gum Shape/Display

Gummy Smile Treatment TADs

Step 4: Celebrate the Smile

Reaching the end of treatment is a major milestone and we believe it deserves recognition. After months of care, precision, and collaboration, we reveal the final result: a healthy, confident smile that reflects the time and intention you’ve invested.

We’ll capture final records, review your transformation, and provide everything you need to maintain your results including custom retainers. For many adults, this moment is about more than just straight teeth it’s about reclaiming confidence, improving function, and finally having a smile that feels like you.

Step 5: Maintain The Smile

A beautifully aligned smile is an investment and we’re here to help you protect it for life. After treatment, you’ll receive custom retainers designed to keep your teeth in their ideal positions. Dr. Minh will guide you on when and how to wear them, based on your unique case and long-term goals.

We also schedule follow-up visits to check in on your smile, monitor retainer fit, and make sure everything remains stable as you age. Whether you’re years out from treatment or just finishing now, you can count on us for ongoing support and guidance.



Because at Excelsior Orthodontics, we’re not just creating smiles we’re committed to helping you keep them.

Call Us today!

Your Journey to a Perfect Smile Starts Here

Every adult deserves a smile that reflects their confidence and personality. At Excelsior Orthodontics, we specialize in personalized orthodontic treatments designed for adults—whether you choose clear aligners, ceramic braces, or metal braces. Our expert team works with you to create a comfortable, discreet, and effective plan that fits your lifestyle. It’s never too late to transform your smile and boost your self-esteem. Start your journey today and discover the smile you deserve.

Spark Clear Aligners: real Results