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Original poster

I have fixed metal braces AMA

64 replies

PearlHeart3 · 19/02/2021 18:06

I'm 34 and recently had fixed metal braces fitted to my teeth. Happy to answer any questions if anyone is thinking of doing similar. 😬

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zootrop · 21/02/2021 12:19

Can you have these if pregnant ? I am just about to start the process but have found out I'm pregnant recently

StepOutOfLine · 21/02/2021 12:22

I don't think it's the OP being rude. Hmm

Original poster
PearlHeart3 · 21/02/2021 12:23

@zootrop

Can you have these if pregnant ? I am just about to start the process but have found out I'm pregnant recently
Metal braces you can, I'm not sure about Invisalign. All I will say is though when I was pregnant, my gums really suffered. They bled when I flossed and were really sensitive. They went back to normal after I had a baby though. Just something to consider as I know pregnancy hormones can do funny things to your gums. Congratulations by the way. I'd let your orthodontist know though as they will know best.
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TheVamoosh · 21/02/2021 12:31

Did you consider the Inman aligner? If so, why did you choose permanent braces?

Where do you live? The price sounds very reasonable but I live in London so I think it'll cost me a lot more! (Unless you live there too.)

Original poster
PearlHeart3 · 21/02/2021 12:32

@31RooCambon

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 Grin or be fine with signs of ageing, but you're never going to love wonky teeth, imo.

I would agree with this.

My brother asked if I was going to go down the teeth whitening route afterwards but for me it's not about making them perfect, just getting them where I'm happy with my smile. My overcrowded teeth at the bottom also make it hard to floss them so I'm looking forward to being able to do that too. I don't want an unrealistic smile, just mine, but straighter!

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MWNA · 21/02/2021 12:36

@CotleyMew

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

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

You're the one that's being rude, you weirdo. 🤣🤣🤣 Do you even have any idea what the AMA section is for?
Original poster
PearlHeart3 · 21/02/2021 12:39

@TheVamoosh

Did you consider the Inman aligner? If so, why did you choose permanent braces?

Where do you live? The price sounds very reasonable but I live in London so I think it'll cost me a lot more! (Unless you live there too.)

I did consider aligners, that's actually what I had set out to get when I went in there. I suppose it comes down to what actually needs doing to your teeth.

I'm happy with my top row of teeth but the way they are positioned, they pull in my bottom teeth when I close my mouth, compounding the issue with my bottom row. The orthodontist said I would have better results with the fixed braces although he acknowledges they are more visible. It really comes down to what you are comfortable with. I'm on a lot of online meetings at the moment, but it's for uni so I'm pretty comfortable with the rest of my cohort seeing them. When I go out I wear a face mask so I figured no one would really see anyway.

Do remember you have the option to go anywhere for orthodontic treatment (providing it's not NHS and lockdown restrictions aren't in place). If traveling for an hour out of London can save you a few hundred or even a thousand pounds, it might be worth looking out of London. I'm in Peterborough but lived and grew up in London all my life so I know how much more expensive these services can be.

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StyledOnLordBath · 21/02/2021 12:42

Are you expecting the braces to fix your overbite? This is the only thing I would consider braces for but unsure if it has much impact?

GoryGilmore · 21/02/2021 12:45

Ignore @CotleyMew OP, I think your post is interesting and useful. One of my top teeth has started turning sideways as my wisdom teeth have come in and overcrowded my top teeth, so I’m interested in others experiences of getting braces. And the cost!!

Original poster
PearlHeart3 · 21/02/2021 12:46

Yes. My overbite isn't severe but it is noticeable when I close my mouth as my top teeth completely cover my bottom teeth. The top brace has been fitted first to pull them outwards more and then my bottom braces will be fitted in 2 months time. The plan being once my top row have opened up enough, it will give my bottom row more room to move.

Again, this depends on how severe your overbite is though. I'd really recommend a consultation. It does cost money (at least they should charge something, I'd be weary of places offering a free consultation) so the orthodontist can assess what would be best. They did a 3D scan of my teeth too which was really cool.

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captainprincess · 21/02/2021 12:47

@PearlHeart3 its really interesting to get an adults perspective.
I had a fixed brace for 18 months when I was 12, then a retainer for 6 months and I don't think I could do it as an adult ( also couldn't afford it) Getting them tightened every 6 weeks was horrendous. It didn't ever stop me eating the food I was advised against though, I used to spent hours getting all the chewing gum out Grin
Hope it goes well for you.

Original poster
PearlHeart3 · 21/02/2021 12:48

Wary*

P.s. thanks for all the comments that this thread isn't pointless. I didn't have any friends I could ask that had braces as adults, only as teenagers and as another poster pointed out, the experience is different.

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GoryGilmore · 21/02/2021 12:48

Oh I have a question regarding the cost actually. Did you pay monthly? I know our local orthodontist allows monthly payments for Invisalign but there’s no mention of payments for fixed braces. I think I would prefer fixed if the results are longer lasting. So was wondering what others have done and what to expect before I start enquiring.

megletsecond · 21/02/2021 12:51

14yr old DS is just starting on this route. He had two molars out last week to prepare for expander and brace fitting starting at the end of March.

I need to check he can have coloured elastics. I assume they are changed every 6/8 weeks.

Original poster
PearlHeart3 · 21/02/2021 12:51

[quote captainprincess]@PearlHeart3 its really interesting to get an adults perspective.
I had a fixed brace for 18 months when I was 12, then a retainer for 6 months and I don't think I could do it as an adult ( also couldn't afford it) Getting them tightened every 6 weeks was horrendous. It didn't ever stop me eating the food I was advised against though, I used to spent hours getting all the chewing gum out Grin
Hope it goes well for you. [/quote]
Oh completely. I didn't take as much care of my teeth when I was younger so I'm glad I waited. And thank you.

Have your teeth moved noticeably as an adult since you had braces? Or are they still pretty straight?

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Sleeplessinsaltend · 21/02/2021 12:53

This is great - I’ve been quoted a lot more for fixed braces so might go out of London to see if I can get a cheaper price

Original poster
PearlHeart3 · 21/02/2021 12:57

@GoryGilmore

Oh I have a question regarding the cost actually. Did you pay monthly? I know our local orthodontist allows monthly payments for Invisalign but there’s no mention of payments for fixed braces. I think I would prefer fixed if the results are longer lasting. So was wondering what others have done and what to expect before I start enquiring.
I had the money to pay the entire cost up front and was happy to do so but the practice's preferred method was that I paid £690 on the day I got them fitted, and then then I will need to pay £500 every 3 months starting in May.

That being said, I believe most practice's have finance and repayment plan options if you ask, but they don't advertise it as standard.

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Original poster
PearlHeart3 · 21/02/2021 12:59

@megletsecond

14yr old DS is just starting on this route. He had two molars out last week to prepare for expander and brace fitting starting at the end of March.

I need to check he can have coloured elastics. I assume they are changed every 6/8 weeks.

Oh, extraction too! I hope that wasn't too painful for him.

I opted for baby blue. I wasn't going to go for any colours but the nurse convinced me. They match my eyes. 🤣

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Original poster
PearlHeart3 · 21/02/2021 13:14

I thought it might be a good idea to post some photos of my teeth before the braces so those who are interested to can see my overbite, plus include a photo of my braces so you can see how they look on.

The first photo shows my teeth pre-brace, my mouth is slightly open so you can't see the overbite clearly, but I wanted to show you the overcrowding of my teeth.

The second photo is of my top row of teeth with braces.

The third photo shows me smiling normally without braces, but you can't see my bottom row of teeth because of my overbite.

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Original poster
PearlHeart3 · 21/02/2021 13:15

Here they are.

I have fixed metal braces AMA
I have fixed metal braces AMA
I have fixed metal braces AMA
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Fgs1 · 21/02/2021 13:23

How often do you have to go to the dentist to get them adjusted and has it been okay to keep regular appointments in Covid times?

Original poster
PearlHeart3 · 21/02/2021 13:29

@Fgs1

How often do you have to go to the dentist to get them adjusted and has it been okay to keep regular appointments in Covid times?
I haven't had them fitted for long. I've only had to book in one appointment so far and that's due in April to fit the bottom braces. I'm not sure if they will need to be regularly tightened or adjusted after this and how frequently I will need to go back.

My orthodontist has reduced capacity now due to covid so he can't see as many patients as usual so the waiting time between consultation and fitting was longer than normal. I consulted with them at the end of December and had them fitted middle of February. My appointments so far have been fine as they have been pre-booked.

If I had a problem with my brace (like in a lot of pain, or something came loose) I would need to give them a call to arrange an appointment but if it's an emergency they would fit me in as soon as possible.

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Original poster
PearlHeart3 · 21/02/2021 13:34

One further thing about appointments though is that on the day I had them fitted, my son was supposed to be in nursery. Due to staff shortages there, they couldn't have him (they gave me week's notice). I let my orthodontist know and he was happy for my 17th month old son to sit in the appointment with me. He was happily watching the orthodontist work on me and both the Dr and the nurse interacted with him when he was babbling. I was really grateful they allowed him to be present and were great with him otherwise I would have needed to rearrange my appointment and that would have delayed it by a month or so. The fitting for the top set only took about 35-40 minutes from entering to leaving the building too.

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Monkeytapper · 21/02/2021 14:18

@Smallgoon....£99 per tooth and if I look after them can last up to 10 years. I am in Leeds.

Sofetikal · 21/02/2021 16:55

[quote PearlHeart3]@sofetikal Oh no. What sort of pain are you getting? Don't tell me you've had that the whole two years?[/quote]
For the first 6 months or so my mouth was full of ulcers around 20 at a time. I couldn’t eat or even close my mouth. My ortho said as my teeth were so overcrowded I was having a particularly bad time of it. After the first year thing settled down a lot but I still get swelling and the odd ulcer after each adjustment. It’s been very tough going but I have no regrets, should be getting them in a few months 😊