Talk to me about braces pretty please.

[ThanksForAllTheFish]

My teeth are very overcrowded - particularly at the top front and I've hated them my whole life. I've decided to start saving up for braces. I'd like a good chunk of the cash saved before I go (rather than doing a pay monthly thing with the dentist) so I'm thinking it will be at least 6 months to a year before I have the cash. Which is fine as it will give me time to research and prepare.

What sort of costs am I looking at? (If you don't mind sharing). I know it varies depending on treatment/ brace type etc. The standard metal train tracks will be fine for me. I'm thinking I will need around £2000 to £2500 saved.

I don't care how the braces will look as my teeth are so ugly just now metal wires won't make a difference to my appearance. I never, ever smile and automatically put my hand over my mouth when I laugh so really don't need clear ones or anything like that. I'm not even fussed about having perfect straight teeth - just semi normal ones would be great.

Has anyone had braces in thier 30's? How did you find it? Would you say it was worth the expense? Did you need to have your wisdom teeth removed first? (That's my biggest fear - I hate having teeth removed)

I did have an assessment as a teen but my mum said no to the treatment as they wanted to break and reset my jaw to correct my bite. My mum has dental fear and wouldn't let me have the treatment done . So now I'm stuck with ugly teeth that cause jaw pain and headaches.

[ontherightpath]

I'm in my mid 40s and have been wearing a removable brace for 6 months (this is my last week!) I would absolutely recommend you to go for it. I never smiled in photos as I was so ashamed of my crooked front teeth so it's been worth every penny - about £2300 - to be able to smile confidently.

No wisdom teeth had to be removed but the teeth themselves had to be filed to help them all fit correctly (not painful at all).

Just make sure you have a retainer fitted at the end or they will slowly move back to their original position.

[FruitCider]

I would get a quote done so you know how much you need to shell out. Fixed braces can be horrifically expensive, but I think they can be life changing and would be worth every penny. I had fixed braces for 6 years as a teenager (yes they were that bad) and I would do it again in a flash.

[TheZeppo]

I've just started treatment. Mine are hideously overcrowded at the front. Had some pulled out to make room. Ortho reckons 18months to 2 years.

£3200- should be worth it!

I put it on sainsburys credit card- interest free for 27 months. Cut up the card and set up the direct debit straight away though! Avoid debt problems!

[TheZeppo]

Should say, those are 'train track'- full metal on the bottom, ceramic on the top. It would be 2800 for full metal x

[TheZeppo]

And I'm 32! Sorry!

[KitNCaboodle]

I'm late 30s and have got Invisalign. So happy with it. Had it a year and not quite right so have a few more trays. Cost just over 3k

[ohmygodyouguys]

I had the surgery to fix my bite, if it was recommended for you then it probably would be again and you might be eligible to get it on the NHS. The surgery sounds scary but it's amazing the difference it made. I had it done when I was 24 so a bit younger but many people have it done when they're adults. There are groups on Facebook and I'd recommend taking a look at those.

[TheCraicDealer]

I got mine on my bottom teeth last month (28 next month). I think they're to be on a year- they better be anyway, getting married next September! My teeth weren't massively bad to start with but the crowding of the front was becoming more and more noticeable. Anyway, I had the price list from my ortho sitting about- see pic. Obviously prices will differ geographically and that but that might give you an indication. Mine are costing £1,700 [cries]

[braceybracegirl]

I'm having the jaw op and now had braces on for 6 months. It's all free on the NHS. Don't regret it but currently got loads of ulcers where they are digging into my cheeks :(

[braceybracegirl]

You will almost definitely have teeth out but I had mine done under GA.

[braceybracegirl]

I'm the same as you. I was meant to have it done as a teen with the op and my mum didn't agree to it. I could have had all this done 20 years ago!

[museumum]

Metal train tracks may not be best for you. Best to go soon to an orthodontist and see what they recommend. It's about £75 for a full consultation with impressions and quotes for different options.

My teeth were crowded due to being too far in so pulling with train tracks wouldn't have helped - instead I have Invisalign which is actually pushing all my teeth out a bit to make them straight.
The decider for me was that train track treatment required extractions but Invisalign will work with just a bit of "stripping" which is sanding between the teeth - just 0.2mm in each gap.

[museumum]

Oh and prices for metal braces, braces that go behind, ceramic braces and Invisalign ranged from £3k to £6k for my issues with Invisalign at £4k.

[ohmygodyouguys]

Also I did have to get a wisdom tooth out, it would have been in the way for the jaw surgery so it had to go! It hadn't come through so I had to go to hospital for a general anaesthetic. I was a bit sore and swollen for about a week but other than that it was fine.

[Leo35]

I am in my late 40s and I have had a brace fitted this summer to straighten my wonky teeth and fix over-crowding. Had two teeth extracted in order to make space in the lower jaw. These were pre-molars not wisdom teeth and extracted under local anaesthetic. It was fine and not as dreadful as I was expecting.

You need to book an appointment with an orthodontist, hopefully one that your dentist can wholeheartedly recommend. I had a full consultation prior to treatment. This cost £95 at the practice I am with.

You have to factor in after care (you'll be cleaning your teeth a lot) and return visits for adjustment of your brace.