Braces in Adulthood

[2CheekyMonkeys]

my partner needs braces and he is 30! bummer we cant afford that sorta money :-(

[helle]

I had braces when I was 13 til I was about 15. Bleerrrrggghhh

I got them off and had the retainer for about 12 months then snapped it in half because I hated it so much.

My top teeth are fine but my bottom teeth have moved a little bit, mind you some of the teeth were backwards to start with and they are still 100% better now than what they used to be - After I had the retainers I had a plate as well to try and correct the bottom teeth but that didn't work and in all honesty I think I should have had a couple of teeth pulled out because they just doesn't seem to be enough room in there.

BUT, in saying all that I quite like the fact that they aren't dead straight because I don't like that plastic surgery look. It does come to personal preferance, and if they are making you that uncomfortable then I say go for it! I just hope you have private health cover!

[Cassius2]

my partner needs braces and he is 30! bummer we cant afford that sorta money :-(

i know! it is sooo crapulently expensive. they do have payment options that you can do with them at (i would think) most orthodontists. (like once a month direct debit kinda stuff). and also, the cost of mine was rather astronomical because it included the need to bring the adult tooth into place (a 6+ month process with loads of fussing about and buttons and string...literally!).

[~Jayne~]

I'm sooooo glad I saw this thread! I have always have quite crooked teeth, but since having my wisdoms taken out last year (I am 28 next month), my teeth have shifted sooooo badly that I am continually crunching them when I am eating, etc.. & my tongue gets stucks on them? It's really weird. I have an Ortho appointment next month but my Dr said 'braces here we come'. Now, how clear are the clear? My dad keeps telling me the kids will be able to play their thomas trains on Mummy's very own train tracks

I can handle the metal ones if I really have to, because I desperately want my teeth fixed, my top, middle 2 teeth are now starting to overlap.

Does anybody have pictures of the clear ones they are willing to PM me?? Pretty please??

Thanks in advance girls!

Jayne

[Cassius2]

hi jayne!

hmmm not sure if i have any pics...will search through my photos and see.

the clear ones are fairly clear, but obviously ppl can still tell that you have braces. the only difference really is that they don't dominate your facial features ITMS. it is also really popular for ppl to get clear on top and metal on bottom as you rarely see your bottom teeth.

the clear ones do have a tendency to get stained...so you are advised to lay off any tumeric (so curries are best negotiated with care LOL!) and coffee. but i have found that as long as you brush fairly close to when you have eaten a food that is stain happy that you can avoid it. ALSO you have the bands changed every 6 weeks or so, so the stains (if you do get them) dont last long (and even if they are stained, it actually doesnt look too bad, just a pale white-ish).

HTH!

[Janie]

Hey Jayney, I'll see if I can find some pics to email you . Although the orthodontist will be able to show you photos and demo models of what s/he uses.

The clear brackets (part fixed to your tooth) shouldn't stain. They are nearly always ceramic these days (that's what I would be wanting), therefore they don't take on any colour. It is the modules (clear elastic thing that holds the wire onto the bracket) that stain. The modules should be changed at each adjustment appointment, usually every 4-6 weeks. If you avoid red wine, tea and coffee, any spices that are brightly coloured etc, then the staining will be minimal.

Most people can only have the ceramic braces on the upper teeth, so just keep that at the back of your mind. I've only seen a few patients have all ceramic. But you usually don't notice the lower ones so much, so it's no big drama. I had ceramic upper and stainless steel lower, and it was fine. In fact the stainless ones are generally more comfortable in the mouth, which is kinder to your lower lip. But if you can have ceramic upper and lower, and that's what you want then go for it.

You know feelings on it hun, it is soooooo worth it! I don't think I have had a patient who looked like they regretted it the day we took their braces off It seems a long time, but it's not really, and once it's done you'll be so pleased..........just make sure you wear your retainers!!!!! LOL

[AliB]

I've been thinking about this for a while... I had braces at 12 and again at 18 - the oldest and youngest person at high school each time! And my teeth have been on the move again for the past 5 years.

I don't think anyone's mentioned the totally clear braces that look like a retainer/mouth guard but actually move your teeth. Has anybody had any experience with them? Googling indicates that one sort is called Invisalign but there may well be others. The ortho creates a series of plastic plates which move you from existing to desired outcome, you change them every so many weeks. They seem to be more expensive than braces.

[Janie]

Invisalign (or systems like it) are mostly a crock, and waaaay overpriced. There are very few people who can actually have successful treatment using this system. If you are really, really keen to look into it, then I would suggest that you see an orthodontist who does it as a small part of his/her practice. If you see someone who ONLY does Invisalign they will of course tell you that they can do it, even if it's not the best option for you.

It can only be successful for people with mild crowding, and very mild (or none) bite issues. And even then, using full appliances (braces) will likely be faster.

[~Jayne~]

JANIE _ Thanks Petal, I get goosebumps every time I think about the braces. Not sure if I'm excited to get my teeth fixed or silently crapping myself over getting them....... LOL

I just have to wait for my Ortho appointment before I get all jumpy over it though, but my dentist has already told me what he will say, but still, there could be some miracle procedure he can do that doesn't involve braces. Hahahah I wish!!!

[Janie]

Jayne, if you really want to fix your teeth I'd be getting used to the idea of braces my dear

[AliB]

Invisalign (or systems like it) are mostly a crock, and waaaay overpriced..

Thanks Janie, good advice from an expert.

[~Jayne~]

I DO want to get them fixed, I DON'T like the idea of braces. However, I have already been told your face aches so much in the first couple of days that you don't want to eat, so that means a few kg's down the drain I can handle that!

PLUS, the $$$ factor as well. Alan is busting his chops working overseas without his family for us & here I am putting thousands of dollars onto my teeth........

[my-three-monkeys]

Howdy.
I had an experience very similar to the ones above. Braces not on for long enough, and retainer not worn.

But on my bottom teeth my dentist has put on a permanent retainer. Kind of looks like braces on the inside I suppose, but just on the 6 front teeth. This has kept my bottom teeth nice and straight. At the time I asked for one on my top teeth, which he said I didn't need. In hind sight I shouldv'e made him do it because it didn't take long for my teeth to go back to the way they were.

I would love to have my teeth restraightened, but havn't looked into it much yet, as we have had other priorities. Iam interested in finding out about the braces on the inside of your teeth: are they any more expensive?

Toni.

[Cougar]

i have had my braces on since march this year, and i turned 40 in june, i really dont have a problam with them in adulthood, if its something you have always wanted, to straigten your teeth, then do it, if you can afford it, i had shocking crocked teeth, going every which way, and with the first 4 months with my braces on, they are all just about striaight now.

i have the metal ones, and my day care mum has the clear ones and she is 30, and i really notice hers..i was going to get the clear ones, but was told they have more brackages with them, and they were about $800 more than the metal ones.. as for getting them on and your mouth hurting, getting it on didnt hurt its when all the teeth start moving after each adjustment, its not to bad anymore but lets just say the first few months i lived of very soft food, and soup..and i lost weight due to it, so that was a added bonus.

[ladybird11]

I had those clear braces in high school too, probably for about 12 - 18 mths. I continued to wear the clear plate for about 6 mths afterwards then overnight only for about 2 mths or so. I am lucky my teeth haven't shifted.
I only had my braces on the top row of teeth, although I do have one '****y' tooth on the bottom row, which is not noticable at all.

As you said, it's only for about 6 mths, so I'd say do it - you'll feel happier for it!

I had no issues with the clear braces at all - no breakages or anything. I'm glad my parents paid the extra for them - as we all know high school can be a bad place to 'not fit in' .

[Cassius2]

my-3-monkeys: i think that if it is for a simple re-alignment then the inside ones would work AOK. i have heard that ppl find them a bit uncomfy on the tongue...but i reckon that with most things you just learn to deal and adapt ITMS. i would hazard that they would cost more, but can't be certain...

totally stoked as i have less than a year to go before i can the braces off!! i soo wont know myself when it happens LOL!

[Janie]

Quickly.....the inside (or 'lingual') braces can work well in some cases, but they are HEAPS more expensive. Personally, for comfort reasons, I wouldn't have them, would much prefer the traditional sort. But if you're in a job or something where you can't afford to be showing braces on your teeth, then they're something to think about.

[slyder]

I had braces put on my top teeth two weeks ago, with the bottom ones to follow in a few months when my bite opens up a bit. I have ceramic self ligating on top, and will have metal self ligating on the bottom.

The first week blew - I couldn't eat anything really and it generally sucked, although I didn't need any painkillers or wax on the brackets. Now everything has settled down and I barely know they are there.

I have crowding in the uppers, which I don't really care about, I just hate my canine tooth which sticks out. After years of saying I'd never do it, suddenly I just snapped and did it!