I have fixed metal braces AMA

brucebogtrotter · 20/02/2021 00:29

I've been thinking about this.
What made you opt for fixed metal over another method?
What sort of cost is it?
How long will it take to get the results you want?
Is it painful?
Thanks

LApprentiSorcier · 20/02/2021 01:03

How did you find and choose a provider?

Original poster

PearlHeart3 · 20/02/2021 06:39

@brucebogtrotter

I've been thinking about this. What made you opt for fixed metal over another method? What sort of cost is it? How long will it take to get the results you want? Is it painful? Thanks

I was offered Invisalign or fixed brace. I decided to go with the fixed brace option as the orthodontist said it gave better control at moving the teeth, results are more permanent etc.

I was quoted £2680 for fixed braces and £2690 for Invisalign. There was the option to have tooth coloured ceramic fixed braces on the front teeth with blends into your teeth and isn't so noticeable. It was a few hundred more expensive and I would have went for this option but I figured I wear a face mask whenever I'm out so I'm not that bothered if they stand out so much.

The orthodontist said it will take about 12 months to get the results I want. Then I'll have to wear a retainer afterwards to stop the teeth from moving back. I've had my top ones fitted and then will go back to have bottom ones fitted in a couple of months.

I didn't find the process painful at all. It was a little uncomfortable having to wear a plastic mouth insert for a while as the orthodontist was at work. The only pain I've had since they've been in is a bit of soreness to the inside of my mouth where the brace wire catches a little. But I have some wax that can help with that.

OP posts:

Original poster

PearlHeart3 · 20/02/2021 06:42

I asked me dentist for a recommendation. I then looked them up online and read reviews. I was a bit overwhelmed when looking on my own as there are do many choices out there. I had an initial consultation with the orthodontist (£140) and I felt really comfortable. I didn't feel pressured and it wasn't a sales pitch environment. He actually recommended (for better results) the slightly cheaper option. The staff were really great with my little boy too.

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Sofetikal · 20/02/2021 19:09

Ooh me too op, Also 34 and had them on almost 2 years now. Top ceramic and bottom metal. I had a horrific few months of pain with mine , the end is in sight though!

Original poster

PearlHeart3 · 20/02/2021 21:17

@sofetikal Oh no. What sort of pain are you getting? Don't tell me you've had that the whole two years?

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covetingthepreciousthings · 20/02/2021 23:18

Did you have braces when you were younger OP?

Original poster

PearlHeart3 · 21/02/2021 06:58

@covetingthepreciousthings

Did you have braces when you were younger OP?

I had a plastic retainer when I was in primary school. I was supposed to go on to having fixed braces afterwards but I didn't want them. I distinctly remember the orthodontist telling me my teeth would fall out if I didn't (a scare tactic?)

Anyway, I never really had issues until I got a lot older and my bottom teeth started to become overcrowded as my wisdom came through much later in life.

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CotleyMew · 21/02/2021 07:06

I've had them. I was 11. The pain for the first few months was indescribable.

Not sure why you have put this as an AMA 🙄

Original poster

PearlHeart3 · 21/02/2021 07:41

@CotleyMew

I've had them. I was 11. The pain for the first few months was indescribable.

Not sure why you have put this as an AMA 🙄

Because as I said in my original post, I'm "Happy to answer any questions if anyone is thinking of doing similar." As you had already had braces as a child it sounds like you don't need them as an adult and probably have no questions about it now. Why are you here? 🤣

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Monkeytapper · 21/02/2021 08:33

I had them too when I was 37...money well spent, before and after pics

covetingthepreciousthings · 21/02/2021 08:38

@Monkeytapper wow! What an amazing change!

Smallgoon · 21/02/2021 09:00

@Monkeytapper

I had them too when I was 37...money well spent, before and after pics

Looks like you had a bit more done to your teeth than just braces. They look to be filed down, whitened etc.

Monkeytapper · 21/02/2021 09:15

@Smallgoon, had front 3 teeth composite bonding and a new crown on my upper teeth. I haven’t had them whitened. Before and after shot was mainly to show how much they had closed.
They would’ve still been a lot better without the bonds as it was the gaps I didn’t like.
Was supposed to have it done when I was 13 years old but chickened out.

CotleyMew · 21/02/2021 09:56

No need to be rude op...
Just think it's a bit of a 🙄 post...

Am pleased you are happy with your teeth....

Original poster

PearlHeart3 · 21/02/2021 10:35

@CotleyMew

No need to be rude op... Just think it's a bit of a 🙄 post...

Am pleased you are happy with your teeth....

I wasn't being rude. I wondered why you'd bother to post in something you'd have no need to ask questions for and thought I'd ask why you're here.

I'm actually not happy with my teeth, hence getting braces. Glad you are happy with yours now!

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Original poster

PearlHeart3 · 21/02/2021 10:36

@Monkeytapper

I had them too when I was 37...money well spent, before and after pics

That's an amazing change! I'm nowhere near before and after photos yet but the orthodontist did take my before photos so I'm excited for the end result. How long did you have your braces for?

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31RooCambon · 21/02/2021 10:42

I did it in my forties and I'm glad I did it. A lot of people insinuated that it wasn't worth it as I was OLD (ok, my kids!).

It's a difficult decision as an adult, but having nice teeth looks healthy, confident. You can grow to love your strange face or be fine with signs of ageing, but you're never going to love wonky teeth, imo.

SuperbGorgonzola · 21/02/2021 11:23

@CotleyMew

No need to be rude op... Just think it's a bit of a 🙄 post...

Am pleased you are happy with your teeth....

I think your post was a bit unnecessary actually. I would say that getting braces as an adult and having to pay for them is a different experience to having them as a teen when braces are relatively common, and I am interested to hear OP's experience.

I'm planning on getting braces in the next few years as mine have also crowded during my 20s. I would have liked to do it during one of my maternity leaves but i couldn't afford it.

Monkeytapper · 21/02/2021 11:43

@PearlHeart....about 18 months in total.

Oblomov21 · 21/02/2021 11:50

My 17 Ds1 had his fitted 2 weeks ago. I was prepared, or so I thought, had investigated thoroughly. They were much more painful, pulling and moving his teeth, rubbing, and highly sensitive teeth, for the first week. We had expected this a bit, but it was worse than we thought. He was brave and is a bit of a trooper so doesn't really complain. But it was a lot worse than I expected.

I spoke to 3 friends and they all said their teens were ok, a bit uncomfortable, not that bad. Nothing like my Ds1.

KitHenry · 21/02/2021 11:54

Oh I’m worried now, all this talk of pain. My autistic teen has been referred to orthodontist as he has a large overbite (I think because he sucks his thumb) but I’m not sure he will cope with braces. How bad is it? Does it put you off eating? My son is underweight and can go days without eating so I don’t want to give him another reason not to eat.

Original poster

PearlHeart3 · 21/02/2021 12:13

@KitHenry

Oh I’m worried now, all this talk of pain. My autistic teen has been referred to orthodontist as he has a large overbite (I think because he sucks his thumb) but I’m not sure he will cope with braces. How bad is it? Does it put you off eating? My son is underweight and can go days without eating so I don’t want to give him another reason not to eat.

I also have a slight overbite. My pain is from where the wire is scratching against the inside of my skin. It's only on one specific area, not the whole brace. It's not unbearable, more a little uncomfortable and should be better after the first week. They do give you a wax you can apply to your braces that works as a buffer between the metal and your skin which helps.

It doesn't put me off eating although I do have to be mindful of ensuring I clean them afterwards. I have a little kit in my bag if I'm out (more for post lockdown as I don't really eat going food shopping) and one in my downstairs loo for ease.

Is your son good at cleaning his teeth now? I know you need to keep on top of cleaning regularly and after meals if possible when you have braces. Otherwise plaque can build up quite regularly and lead to further problems.

That being said, I don't have my bottom braces fitted yet so I don't know if it will impact eating later, but it's fine now. They recommend eating softer foods for the first few days after fitting and to avoid foods like nuts, French bread and anything hard.

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Original poster

PearlHeart3 · 21/02/2021 12:17

And foods that are sticky for obvious reasons!

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Smallgoon · 21/02/2021 12:18

[quote Monkeytapper]@Smallgoon, had front 3 teeth composite bonding and a new crown on my upper teeth. I haven’t had them whitened. Before and after shot was mainly to show how much they had closed.
They would’ve still been a lot better without the bonds as it was the gaps I didn’t like.
Was supposed to have it done when I was 13 years old but chickened out.[/quote]
Ahh ok, that makes sense. I could see that the shape of the front teeth had changed. Can I ask roughly how much the composite bonding part costs?