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Adult orthodontic work

4 replies

Viv45 · 17/12/2025 18:10

Hi

I had braces in childhood and as a teen . My teeth were actually show stoppers lol . My best feature all the teasing as a child with a lisp etc all worth it though not at the time .

Move to today age 55 . Despite whitening etc I have noticed my teeth are not so nice and every other photo of me is mouth closed as I no longer like my smile . I will add too a few years ago I fell and wacked my jaw after slipping on ice . At the time the dentist said it was bruising and forth no teeth loss . I accepted this but do wonder if this shifted my previous othordontal work or just age . Please bear in mind when I had my previous work done there was no retaining treatment.

I spoke with my dentist and he said if was just my teeth but I know they were never like this . Basically my smile is angled ( canted )

He referred me to a private dentist and I also went to see another dentist but I decided ultimately would prefer to see an othordontist.

At this time both recommend Invisalign and the cost was too much for me then to afford .

Moving on to now ( this was 3 years ago ) I visited another an orthodontist who gave me options of traditional braces or Invisalign. After researching Invisalign I have agreed to go with traditional. Work will commence in February time .

I am nearly 56 and just worried re menopause etc and bone health . My teeth have crowns and a veneer which they will work around and I keep up with mouth health .

Has anyone my age had work done successfully. I am worried I open a can of worms and regret this .

It is vanity but I don’t have Botox , fillers etc ( fair enough if you do ) my teeth are my thing .

Any similar experience advice both good and bad appreciated

OP posts:
user1471543683 · 17/12/2025 19:04

I was very similar to you. Teenage braces, no emphasis on retainers so teeth gradually moved back. It was mainly my front four top and bottom that were awful.
At 48 I decided to look into it and went with train tracks due to it being cheaper option. I’m so glad I did it. I had them on for two years and it flew by. Had them removed just after my 50th. I had a crown and also a gap where I had a tooth out but they just kept that in mind and actually closed the gap!
I never bothered about wearing train tracks. I work in education and the kids hardly mentioned them. If they did it was out of curiosity. At the same time two colleagues also had orthodontic work.
I have never missed a night with my retainers. They just become part of your routine before going to bed.
it is so nice to smile confidently and not feel embarrassed about your smile. 😀

pambeesleyhalpert · 17/12/2025 19:12

you should deffo see a periodontist before to check the gums and bone

Viv45 · 17/12/2025 19:40

Thank you user1471543683 ·

I am not worried re the braces just worried I end up with gum issues etc due to my age . You have helped massively , thank you and so glad of your outcome

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Viv45 · 17/12/2025 19:50

pambeesleyhalpert Thank you I think I should

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