Braces at 12, 13 or 14: is it the right time?
Usually, yes. Most of the teenagers we treat start between 11 and 14, because by then the baby teeth have gone, the adult teeth are through and the jaws are still growing. That growth helps us correct bites, and the result tends to be better and more stable. It is not automatic, though. Some 12 year olds still have baby teeth and are better off waiting a little, and a few 14 year olds have a bite that should have been looked at earlier. A free Smile Assessment tells you exactly which your teenager is. Older than 14? See is 15, 16 or 17 too late for braces.
4.9 from 75 Google reviews · Specialist orthodontist · No referral needed · Newmarket and Albany
Reviewed by Dr Shaz MacAvoy, Specialist Orthodontist. Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Orthodontics), registered with the Dental Council of New Zealand.
Twelve, thirteen or fourteen: what is different
A year makes a difference at this age. Here is what we look for at each one.
Braces at 12
About half of 12 year olds still have a baby tooth or two, and the second molars are often not through. If the adult teeth are all in, 12 is a fine age to start. If not, we usually wait 6 to 12 months and check again for free. Starting before the teeth are ready can mean a longer treatment, not a shorter one.
Braces at 13
One of the most common starting ages in our clinic. Nearly all the adult teeth are through, growth is strong, and most 13 year olds are old enough to look after braces or wear aligners properly. Crowding, spacing and most bite problems are straightforward to treat now.
Braces at 14
Still squarely inside the window, and often a very good year for bite correction. Girls have usually had their growth spurt by now, so we move quickly on jaw-related problems. Boys often have more growth still to come, which gives us extra help.
How we know your teenager is ready
None of these is a rule on its own. Together they tell us whether to start now or watch for a little longer.
Braces or aligners at this age
Both work well for 12 to 14 year olds. The honest answer depends on the case and on your teenager.
Braces, classic, clear or LightForce custom
The dependable choice for every kind of case, and they cannot be left in a schoolbag. Tooth-coloured clear braces are far subtler than metal, and LightForce custom braces are 3D-printed for each tooth. Colour bands if they want them, subtle if they do not.
Angel Aligners
Near-invisible and removable, for teens who will genuinely wear them 22 hours a day. Aligners suit mild to moderate crowding and spacing and a reliable teenager. We tell you at the assessment whether your teenager's case suits them. More in invisible braces for teens.
What braces cost for a 13 or 14 year old
At Milk, comprehensive specialist treatment is from $9,900, with most cases around $10,400, all-inclusive of records, appliances, appointments, retainers and aftercare. Simple cosmetic treatment is from $7,900. Interest-free in-house plans work out around $60 to $76 a week, there is $500 off if paid in full, and family discounts apply for siblings. The first visit, a 20 minute Smile Assessment with our Treatment Coordinator, is free. The $390 New Patient Consultation with Dr Shaz gives you a written plan and an exact quote.
Answered honestly
Is 13 a good age for braces?
Yes. Thirteen is one of the most common ages to start comprehensive treatment, because the adult teeth are through, the jaws are still growing and most 13 year olds can look after braces well. Most finish in 12 to 24 months.
Can a 12 year old get braces?
Yes, if the adult teeth are through. About half of 12 year olds still have a baby tooth or two, and for them it is usually better to wait 6 to 12 months. We check again for free and start when the teeth are ready.
Can a 14 year old get braces?
Yes, and 14 is a very good age. Growth is still helping with bite correction, especially in boys, and nearly every adult tooth is in place. Fourteen year olds who start now usually finish well before they leave school.
Is getting braces at 14 late?
No. Fourteen is inside the classic window of 11 to 14. Even 15, 16 and 17 are not late for most cases. The only problems that benefit from an earlier start are jaw-size ones, such as a very narrow upper jaw, and those are usually picked up at a first check around age 7 to 8.
Should a 12 year old get braces if they still have baby teeth?
Usually not yet. Braces on a mouth that still has baby teeth can mean a longer treatment, because we wait for the adult teeth to come through part way. The exception is a short early phase for a specific problem such as a crossbite. For most 12 year olds, waiting for the last baby teeth is the better plan.
How much are braces for a 14 year old in NZ?
At Milk, comprehensive treatment for a 14 year old is from $9,900, with most cases around $10,400, all-inclusive of records, appliances, appointments, retainers and aftercare. Interest-free plans are around $60 to $76 a week, there is $500 off for paying in full, and siblings get a family discount.
Is 12 to 14 too young for clear aligners?
Not on age alone. Angel Aligners work for younger teens whose adult teeth are through and who will reliably wear them 22 hours a day. Some 12 year olds manage that well, some do not. We are honest at the assessment about whether aligners or clear braces will get the better result for your teenager.
Do boys and girls start braces at different ages?
Often, a little. Girls usually get their adult teeth and their growth spurt earlier, so they are sometimes ready at 11 or 12. Boys are often ready at 12 to 14 and keep growing for longer, which gives us more help with bite correction. Either way, the teeth, not the birthday, decide.
Is now the right time? Let us look
A free 20 minute Smile Assessment at Newmarket or Albany. No referral, no obligation. If your teenager is ready we say so, and if waiting a few months would give a better result, we say that too.
Related: orthodontics for teens, is 15, 16 or 17 too late, the best age for braces and braces cost for under 18s.