Should I get braces...

[cantheyfixmyteeth]

My teeth have always bothered me for as long as I can remember. In particular my front teeth at the top (4 of my adult teeth grew in in front of my baby teeth so they now are further forward and my front two teeth stick out the most which is really noticeable from the side). I never got braces as a teenager but now I keep thinking about my teeth and how I'd love to have a nice, straight smile.

Anyone who's had braces as an adult, would you recommend doing it? I guess I'm worried about the pain and the cost, and whether it will be worth it. I just keep thinking there are lots of other things I could spend the money on - but then my teeth are always on my mind.

I started my braces journey in October. I have ceramic braces and have only had the tops on so far. The bottom ones will be put on in December once my top teeth have moved back a bit as I have an overbite and my top teeth would knock the brackets off the bottom. We are correcting the overbite, 2 gaps where I had 2 top premolars removed for braces in my teens, and straightening the rest. They were mildly uncomfortable for a couple days but now I barely notice them.

My ortho is predicting 18 months of treatment at a total cost of £3k.

[quote cantheyfixmyteeth]@Arielsgift oh wow, that wasn't long at all! I wonder how long they'll say for me. I don't know if my teeth are as bad in reality as they are to me, if that makes sense? Family and friends always say they're fine but I think they are just being nice! [/quote]
Oh, I was the exact same. People were adamant that mine were fine, but I could see for myself they stuck out a lot (7mm), and I hated any photos of me from the side I too think everyone was just being kind!

It's a lot of money, but being able to smile freely now is so worth it. I was surprised with how little time it took, but everyone's mouth is different, and it really just varies.

I had NHS braces in my 40s followed by surgery. Best thing I ever did! I wear a removable retainer at night now.

Can you have Invisalign with crowns, or is it only with real teeth ?

Apologies for the awful photo - I had to crop it loads as to not out myself!

@Mizydoscape how have you found the ceramic braces so far? I've read mixed things where some people say they're totally fine and others say quite painful in the beginning?

@Arielsgift they look amazing! I feel like it is a lot of money but as you say it could make such a difference. I saw myself on video the other day and I feel like it really made me notice my teeth even more than a photo would and I was actually shocked at how much they do stick out from certain angles I'd say mine must be around 7mm or so, there's quite a gap between my top and bottom teeth at the front. I just worry I'll go and they say it will be a lot more work etc and then I'll be left to decide whether to go ahead or not. It's lovely to hear all the positive stories though!

About 18 months ago I was reading one these threads & a poster put up before & after pictures of her teeth. They looked amazing & it prompted me to go & get mine done. It took just over a year, I chose fixed ceramic braces, upper & lower, at a cost of £4k. They were taken off recently & I am delighted with how they look now.
Choose a proper orthodontist & you will be able to make your own decision, with their advice, on which device to choose.

I had braces as a young teen and they got nice and straight, also a couple of teeth removed first. I should have worn a retainer but typical teen I hated it all and my teeth went wonky again.

So 20 years later I went to Smile clinic and had the works with a series of clear liners. 8 months later my teeth are lovely and straight. I still need an overnight retainer. Cheaper than Invisalign but really just as good.

I think it was really successful as the groundwork had been done as a child.

I had Invisalign. It was a bit of a faff having to take them out to eat but I got into a routine with a little pack of container, brush and paste, and found it funny how many people go into the Ladies to brush their teeth after lunch.

It was years ago and took a couple of years, but I'm still so, so glad I had it done. I quite like wearing my retainers at night now I'm used to them - like thumb sucking. Although I'm getting older and longer in the tooth, they still look much better than they used to and are much easier to keep clean. Which is just as well as goodness only knows when I'll next get a dental check or hygienist appointment.

Thanks everyone. I'm glad that everyone's experience seems positive. I think I just keep thinking about the cost and although I could afford it, feeling guilty about spending that money on myself almost? I tend not to spend much on me these days so it's just a bit of a change really.

Has anyone who got braces as an adult ever regretted it?

I have had braces as an adult and have had friends who've had them too. You spend about two weeks worrying about what everyone's thinking when you first have them done then you cba, everyone else gets used to them and when you finally have them off everyone tells you they didn't even notice you had braces
I've had two sets of separate train tracks a decade apart after I was too lazy to wear the retainer.
The second time I got porcelain braces I 100% recommend that if you are conscious of your teeth you do it. I now have more permanent braces inside my teeth and still 15 years after I've had the last lot off love looking at my straight teeth

It's the best time to get braces - you have to wear a mask all the time!

I'm in my 30s and had ceramic train track on the top teeth since august. It's going to take 9-12 months and cost £1500 interest free over a year.

My bottom ones are worse but they don't bother me and to correct them too would've doubled the price and treatment time.

The first few days it was painful and I could barely eat. It took about 10 days before I wasn't bothered by them all the time.

I have them tightened every six weeks. It's very very quick and doesn't hurt at all during or afterwards.

@LittleOverwhelmed I think I probably would do it on interest free payments as that way it will feel less expensive in one go and that's probably the only way I will be able to justify the cost to myself!

@Serafinaaa I think I probably would also only want the top ones done, my bottom teeth aren't actually that bad other than one tooth which is slightly twisted but it isn't noticeable at all. I just wasn't sure if they would try and talk me in to getting both done or if they'll let me choose if that makes sense? Was your mouth cut etc initially or was it more a pain from the tightness of the braces? As you say now is the perfect time - with masks on hardly anyone will even know I have them!

@cantheyfixmyteeth 2 things to consider with only getting the tops done:

1. your bottom and lower jaws should fit together as a pair. If you only move half the teeth you can end up with misalignment issues that can cause TMJ pain later on. Your orthodontist should be considering the mechanics as well as the aesthetic.

2. When you are younger your top teeth are generally on show more when you smile. As you age your bottom teeth are more visible than previously. So misaligned bottom teeth that don't bother you so much now may do in the future.

Another thing to consider is afterwards. If you want to keep your teeth straight then you will have to wear retainers for life. Either fixed or removable.

@Mizydoscape that makes sense, thanks.

Whether you can only get the top ones done depends on your individual teeth. I have an overbite so when I close my teeth my upper ones fully cover my lower ones.

However, my teeth bite together well and I only actually have brackets on my incisors and canines to correct slight issues.