When most people think of braces, they think of pediatric dental offices. However, almost 30 percent of all orthodontic patients in the USA are adults. One reason for this is that braces have changed a great deal in the past couple of decades. They are no longer made out of metal and are far more lightweight and cosmetically appealing than they used to be. As well, bonded brackets have replaced the old hardware, and some braces are even clear so they are barely noticeable.

An adult set of braces in the United States costs $4,800 on average, according to the October Journal of Clinical Orthodontics. Braces are one of many cosmetic dentistry procedures used to correct crooked teeth, underbites, overbites, malocclusions, open bites, cross bites, deep bites, and other jaw and teeth abnormalities.