Braces--as in the kind for your teeth

[eofelis]

I had braces back in the late 1980s. After I got out of high school and got a job I went to see about getting them. I paid for them myself (a down payment and $85/mo). I had them for almost 3 yrs, then I had two bridges put in by my dentist, which I also made payments on. $5000 and 15 yrs later I'm still very happy that I went through all that.

I had upper and lower braces put on all in the same day and my teeth hurt a lot for a week. I got them adjusted every month and it hurt for a few days. The insides of my lips got cut up. Some foods were impossible or annoying to eat. But it was all worth it. I don't recall ever complaining about them.

I stopped wearing a retainer years ago and my teeth have stayed straight. My upper wisdom teeth came in several years after I had all this done and my dentist freaked out and wanted to pull them, but they didn't affect my other teeth any and are still there.

Best of luck!! You won't regret it for a minute!!!

[TxRider]

I also had braces as an adult and just got them off about 4 years ago. I guess I was lucky because, for the most part, I didn't really have much pain or soreness other than when they put the spacers in.

As others have mentioned, I ate pretty much everything that I had before the braces were on without trouble - I also had the metal kind. I found that it became more of an issue when the braces came off & I had to wear the retainers 24/7. That was a bit of a problem on long bike rides, but workable.

I also have the retainers that are the Invisalign sort -- I don't know how they compare to the traditional ones, but I ended up needing a crown on one of my teeth and then the retainer no longer fit properly. Fortunately, the crown went on a tooth in the back of my mouth, so my dentist was able to trim the retainer to fit.

As the others have said, it greatly improved my smile and I'd do it again in a heartbeat - good luck to you!

[jobob]

I had braces a couple of years ago (when I was around 45), but just on my bottom teeth. My bottom teeth were extremely crooked and I was very self-concious about them. I had the braces for about 13 months, and now I wear a retainer on my bottom teeth about 10 hrs a day.

A couple of added benefits of the braces that I hadn't counted on:

Before the braces I had a terrible nail-biting habit. But, after over a year of not being able to bite my nails, I was cured. It's so nice to have nails now.

I had to chew veerryy slowly, so slowly that I would actually get bored of eating! Plus, it was such a hassle to clean my braces after snacking, I simply wouldn't snack. The combination of the smaller meals & no snacking made me lose a LOT of weight (about 15-20 pounds) pretty quickly - some thought too quickly. People actually asked me if I had been sick, and my GYN even suggested I put a few pounds back on, something I never thought I'd hear in my lifetime. As she put it, "Honey, when you get to be our age, it comes off our faces first".

Alas, once the braces came off I managed to put some (but not quite all) of that weight back on.

[maryellen]

I got braces when I was 35 or so -- soon after I finished law school and had the bucks. I was very happy! Be diligent about your hygiene at night and it will be ok. I got an oral-b electric toothbrush--one for home and the other at the office.

*and* I dated with braces. In fact, my partner and I got together soon after I started wearing them--we've been together 14+ years now.

Every adult I know who has had braces has been happy with the outcome.

[li10up]

K,

I had braces just a few years ago (early 40's). I was always so embarrased about my teeth and my folks couldn't afford braces. So as soon as I could afford them I did it. I am so glad that I did!! There are so many adults with braces these days that nobody even thinks twice about it. Do it...you'll be glad you did. A couple of years of discomfort and inconvenience is a small price to pay for what you'll have in the end.

J.

[indysteel]

K,

I had braces just a few years ago (early 40's). I was always so embarrased about my teeth and my folks couldn't afford braces. So as soon as I could afford them I did it. I am so glad that I did!! There are so many adults with braces these days that nobody even thinks twice about it. Do it...you'll be glad you did. A couple of years of discomfort and inconvenience is a small price to pay for what you'll have in the end.

J.

Thanks J. I'm glad you benefited from the experience. I hope I feel the same way. I've been surfing the website referenced by Teigyr and learning a lot. I have a lot more questions for my ortho. I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment by just how many devices, techniques, processes, go into it. I'm encouraged, however, by the before, during and after pics. It's amazing what they can do.

[teigyr]

I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment by just how many devices, techniques, processes, go into it. I'm encouraged, however, by the before, during and after pics. It's amazing what they can do.

You know, please don't put more into it than what it is. Being informed is good and you should know what questions to ask but also realize that there are people on websites (that one included) who obsess. I know/knew people who, during their braces treatment, got worked up over every little thing. Kind of look at the person posting and get a feel for if they are into the drama or if they have genuine concerns or questions. I've learned nothing is ever as bad as how it seems.

When I first got braces, I did read a LOT. I spent almost every waking moment looking at braces types and what to expect and so many people talk about negative things. I got braces and honestly they didn't even hurt that much. Before my surgery I read SO much about jaw surgery. I saw horrifying stories and I was so scared. I did it and yeah...I was eating liquified food through a plastic baggie and my husband was dropping liquid demoral into my mouth but again, no big deal in retrospect.

With braces (or a lot of things) sometimes happy people don't post but unhappy people sure as heck write tons.

Did you get a second opinion? How extensive is the treatment they think you will have?

It IS amazing what they can do! I don't think you will regret this one little bit. I didn't mean to imply that you didn't know all the above-mentioned stuff, I just know how I got and I didn't want you to have inner-turmoil.

[indysteel]

You know, please don't put more into it than what it is. Being informed is good and you should know what questions to ask but also realize that there are people on websites (that one included) who obsess. I know/knew people who, during their braces treatment, got worked up over every little thing. Kind of look at the person posting and get a feel for if they are into the drama or if they have genuine concerns or questions. I've learned nothing is ever as bad as how it seems.

When I first got braces, I did read a LOT. I spent almost every waking moment looking at braces types and what to expect and so many people talk about negative things. I got braces and honestly they didn't even hurt that much. Before my surgery I read SO much about jaw surgery. I saw horrifying stories and I was so scared. I did it and yeah...I was eating liquified food through a plastic baggie and my husband was dropping liquid demoral into my mouth but again, no big deal in retrospect.

With braces (or a lot of things) sometimes happy people don't post but unhappy people sure as heck write tons.

Did you get a second opinion? How extensive is the treatment they think you will have?

It IS amazing what they can do! I don't think you will regret this one little bit. I didn't mean to imply that you didn't know all the above-mentioned stuff, I just know how I got and I didn't want you to have inner-turmoil.

I had a "back away from the computer" and no one will get hurt moment earlier today. I tend to research things to death. I'm a lawyer; I like to be informed, but I felt myself falling into a blackhole regarding the braces. I haven't sought a second opinion yet, but I know that I probably should. When I get back from my cycling trip to TN, I have another appointment with the ortho and will decide from there whether I think I need a second opinion.

So far, he's outlined braces for two years to widen my arches, fix overcrowding on the bottom, an overbite and a minor jet on the top (I unfortunately sucked my thumb until I was a tween). My bite is a bit off on the right side of my mouth too. He said he'd have a better idea of whether an extraction on the upper right was needed once we were a few months into treatment. He explained that he didn't think that it would negatively impact my appearance if he had to do that.

While I'd really like straighter teeth, I am also hoping to improve by facial structure. One of the bigger "issues" I was researching on that website was what to expect in that regard. My face is a bit flat from the front (b/c of the narrow arches?) and my profile is a bit wonky because of the overbite. He described my case as "hard" although to be honest, my untrained eye has seen far worse.

[KnottedYet]

I couldn't get braces as a kid, cuz my brother's teeth were worse. As it was, the ortho had to take his braces off halfway thru the treatment cuz my single and desperately poor mom couldn't afford to continue. (damm for-profit-US-healthcare)

By the time I could afford to get braces myself I had SKnot. And, continuing in the poor-single-mom tradition, SKnot needed braces more than I do.

The difference braces have made in his mouth and face are extraordinary. I'd say they are definitely worth it!

Advil and the Oral B mechanical toothbrush and Listerine Rinse and GUM wax are popular at our house. Good stuff. As is Carnation Instant Breakfast for those sore mouth days.

Go for the braces. I doubt you'll regret it.

[nancielle]

I got braces as an adult...a gift to myself on my 27th birthday a gazillion years ago. I was fortunate at the time to be working for an agency that offered dental insurance that covered orthodontic work. I thought having the spacers put in between my teeth before the braces went on to be far more uncomfortable than actually having the wires on. My dentist had to pull only one tooth. It was a lower front tooth that had come in behind the rest of my teeth. I only got one comment from someone I worked with when they noticed the gap...at the time I worked with severely developmentally delayed boys and one of them would periodically "catch" people with a powerful right hook. My co-worker thought that he had smacked me in the mouth and knocked out the tooth.

The only foods I avoided were sticky items (cleaning pizza cheese off of my braces was a massive pain in the butt!) Anything else was just cut up so I wouldn't have to bite into anything. My orthodontist recommended having a WaterPic & rotating toothbrush to really keep my teeth clean. Got 'em off on my 29th birthday.

[teigyr]

Indysteel, happy birthday btw

It sounds like there's a lot of work to do. I'd get a second opinion or maybe even third and fourth. I had lopsidedness that had to be corrected with surgery but my case was extreme. The only problem with extraction (depending) is that then they pull teeth back in a bit and it can lead to what my ortho's said was a "sunken face". Maybe that's just for my type of problem though.

No matter what you go with and how much they can improve, it'll be better than it is now, right? I know adult teeth have challenges that the younger ones don't have.

It's exciting, you know?

I hope you're doing something fun today! And here is me in all my braced glory. I have NO shame, I tell you

[indysteel]

Indysteel, happy birthday btw

It sounds like there's a lot of work to do. I'd get a second opinion or maybe even third and fourth. I had lopsidedness that had to be corrected with surgery but my case was extreme. The only problem with extraction (depending) is that then they pull teeth back in a bit and it can lead to what my ortho's said was a "sunken face". Maybe that's just for my type of problem though.

No matter what you go with and how much they can improve, it'll be better than it is now, right? I know adult teeth have challenges that the younger ones don't have.

It's exciting, you know?

I hope you're doing something fun today! And here is me in all my braced glory. I have NO shame, I tell you

Teigyr, You look very pretty and very happy in that picture. Thank you for sharing.

[teigyr]

I guess the only reason why I posted that was to show that really they are no big deal. I know people who were shocked AND there are people from the other msg board who refused to get married until the braces were off just because of the pictures. There were also people who got them removed just for the DAY. I really value individuality and I think sometimes to get braces (especially as a dating adult) is a huge act of bravery. All you can do is go out there and be proud of it, goofy as that sounds.

When do yours go on? Or how is the timeline looking? You'll go through stages, like anything. My first thought was "they look and feel HUGE!" though your damons will be smaller than my traditional ones. I'm kind of jealous of the damons, actually.

[aly]

I don't know too much about braces, but I sure do know about law school debt. Congrats on paying it off! Maybe someday I'll know what it feels like, too.

I have somewhat funky teeth (kind of like Kirsten Dunst's), and thought long and hard about braces. In the end, I think my teeth suit me and I actually get the occasional compliment on them. Since there aren't really any medical issues at this point, I'm not likely to get braces unless I start hurting or something. Also, I have many other things I really, really want to spend my money on right now.

I've always sort of liked braces on adults. To me, they make a person seem a little bit more fun.

Teigyr-I love that wedding picture. You look great- braces and all- and your dress is soooo pretty!

[Mr. Bloom]

Teigyr-I love that wedding picture. You look great- braces and all- and your dress is soooo pretty!

I agree...you're way too hard on yourself in how you've described yourself in some of your posts...