Any Adults W/Braces Out There????

[2kidsnutsfordisney]

I have been considering cosmetic dental work for sometime and have recently finished all my consultations with a cosmetic dentist, periodontist and orthodontist. I (think) that I have decided to go with the ortho work first and then see what my teeth look like after the braces come off. For those of you who have had braces as an adult please give me the scoop on what to expect. I mean all the juicy details, good and bad! The ortho doc said that I am looking at braces for both top and bottom for about 12 to 15 months. Due to some discoloration of my teeth they have also recommended that I go with silver instead of clear. Any feedback would be so appreciated

 

[Briarmom]

Go for it! Just got mine off a couple of weeks ago. Yes, braces are unpleasent, but it's not that bad. When you get your wires changed, you will have a couple of bad days (where it's sore). Other than that, it's really no big deal. You'll be surprised at how many adults you see with braces. I had silver as well.

 

[CathrynRose]

I have been considering cosmetic dental work for sometime and have recently finished all my consultations with a cosmetic dentist, periodontist and orthodontist. I (think) that I have decided to go with the ortho work first and then see what my teeth look like after the braces come off. For those of you who have had braces as an adult please give me the scoop on what to expect. I mean all the juicy details, good and bad! The ortho doc said that I am looking at braces for both top and bottom for about 12 to 15 months. Due to some discoloration of my teeth they have also recommended that I go with silver instead of clear. Any feedback would be so appreciated

I had them a few years ago - maybe 4 ??? Theyre not that bad, at all.

You forget theyre there. Its truly no big deal, honestly. You get used to them - so used to them, your teeth feel slimey when theyre first removed.

What DOES stink though, are palette extenders. AHHHHHH! Those are terrible. If you dont need one of them, youre good.

 

[denisenh]

I am 45 and have had braces for about 2 years now. I am very sore today (my lower teeth mostly) after having a regular appointment this morning.
I go about every 3 weeks for an adjustment.
I have silver brackets because I don't like the way the clear ones look.
I would say go for it. It isn't bad really, a few sore days now and then.
We put our kids through it don't we?
Having well aligned teeth is a good idea as it is generally easier to care for them. Hopefully I'll have my own teeth until the end.

 

[binny]

HI there, there are a few threads going on this, if the search function is up you can read lots of responses from lots of people.


I just got mine off and I am SO glad that I did this!

I smile a lot more and I feel so much better about myself!!

 

[rascalmom]

I had braces as an adult & just recently had cosmetic porcelain veneers placed on my top front 8 teeth. I love my smile now!

Braces weren't too bad, but I got pregnant during the time that I had them on. The combination of the braces & the raging hormones made it necessary for me to have my teeth cleaned about every 3 months.

Wax is your friend. If your can chew a baby aspirin & swish it with a very small amount of water, that is absorbed through the gum tissue & helps with the pain after adjustments of your wires.

I did also have Zoom bleaching done before I got the veneers. Very effective!

 

[dhcoffey]

Just got my braces about a month ago, metal ones, too. Not too bad so far. Sometimes I find eating things very weird, don't like the feeling when I bite into something. Other than that, no problem. I actually hated the spacers that I had to wear first much worse than the actual braces. Now, I haven't had my first regular appt. yet, go to that Feb. 16th. We'll see.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I have had braces for just about three years. Maybe in the summer I will get them off, ortho hasn't even mention a time frame yet. Got to tell you, the difference that a nice smile has made in my life is AMAZING. I am treated better by people, and I finally got through job interviews and landed the first professional jobs of my life.

(Start rant here) Hate to make people sound so shallow, but appearances matter. When you look good, people treat you good. All adults who have less-than-perfect teeth should consider getting them straightened. And especially nowadays, all children need nice smiles or they will be always be at a disavantage compared to their peers.

OK (rant over!) - As for actually wearing the braces, yep - it hurts sometimes! The inside of your mouth gets poked and sore. I went for a year unable to chew with my molars since they didn't touch. I lisped for a long time, and adjustments have become very painful (since I get powerchains). And most people get elastics at some point. It's alot of discomfort but a pretty smile is worth everything! Hope you get the braces and all get the smile you want so much!!

 

[we3disneygo]

I had braces during high school, my mom paid mine off and she got them.....she had a slight over bite.....I think she's happy she did !!!! go for it!

 

[SillyMe]

I had them a few years ago - maybe 4 ??? Theyre not that bad, at all.

You forget theyre there. Its truly no big deal, honestly. You get used to them - so used to them, your teeth feel slimey when theyre first removed.

What DOES stink though, are palette extenders. AHHHHHH! Those are terrible. If you dont need one of them, youre good.

Did you have the palate expander? Did you need the surgery before they put it in?

 

[2kidsnutsfordisney]

Thank you everyone!! I knew that I would not be the first or last adult to get them but I just needed to hear from others who have been through the same situation. I have an appt. scheduled for a regular cleaning at the end of this month and will schedule to have the braces put on after that, probably early Feb. Thanks for all the great advice about wax, baby asprin, etc. I will post again once I have them on! I agree, a nice smile is priceless