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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want adult braces?

97 replies

Getout21 · 03/09/2017 21:31

Hello all

I had train tracks when I was a teen but over the yrs my front teeth have started to overlap again & appear to be getting worse.

I miss my straighter teeth & am thinking I should get adult braces. However I'm confused by all the options e.g 6 month smile, Invisalign, orthodontist or cosmetic etc.

I want the best option rather than the fastest & don't want to cause further damage.

Has anyone else gone for braces?

OP posts:
1984FS · 03/09/2017 22:23

@Duvetdaysanddays - I did hibernate a bit, but you do get used to it. Some people hardly noticed when I had them taken off as got so used to it. My deal had whitening included but when he removed them and 'sanded' off the ceramic they went so white that I don't need it! Definitely recommend just going straight in for the fixed braces as they do work much better!

1984FS · 03/09/2017 22:24

@Duvetdaysanddays Forgot to say - I had interest free finance (think they all do this) so was manageable. Just had to come up with a deposit.

HungerOfThePine · 03/09/2017 22:25

Oh I would say it's change my features but only ever so slightly, my teeth where like an inward triangle rather than a nice curve so they have been pulled and pushed out with the braces so my lips are only ever so slightly fuller.

I have a permanent retainer wire only on the top front teeth and will get a retainer soon for the rest and will have a permanent retainer for the bottom set when they are done.

NachoAddict · 03/09/2017 22:26

I have train tracks on at 31 and I love them. So much more confident already

munchkinmaster · 03/09/2017 22:29

Sorry, I pressed post too quick.

I've only had my train tracks on a couple of days but they are a bit sore, shredding inside of lips and ruining eating.

This will get better (please)?

Duvetdaysanddays · 03/09/2017 22:29

Love hearing that people are happier and more confident afterwards - glad orthodontics seem to have come a long way. Will report back on financing and whitening! @hunger good to know - i currently have a classic narrow little rabbit smile urrrrrrgh gaaaaawd. Am also going to discuss this with ortho - bet they will just LOVE meGrin

Shadow1986 · 03/09/2017 22:30

I've had adult braces twice...well train tracks at 19 years as they bagan moving from my earlier braces in early teens. Cost about £2500.

I then had Invisalign for about 6 months when I was 24/25 due to them moving again, I then got metal wire behind my teeth to hold them. This was about £600 if I remember rightly but same orthodontist so may have done me a slight deal as only for a short time.

I much prefer the result I got from the train tracks! But your orthodontist will tell you what would be best for you. I'd totally go for it. It will take about a year (or less!) but it will fly by and be so worth it.

1984FS · 03/09/2017 22:31

@Getout21 My orthodontist was just the most reputable one in my area - been around for years so loads of positive reviews etc. Not London I'm afraid.

KityGlitr · 03/09/2017 22:33

Had them at 24. NHS train tracks. Incredibly painful and caused a lot of migraines, lost a lot of weight but totally worth it.

However if you're a bit cavalier about retainers (saying you'll prob forget to wear one) I wouldn't waste your time and money on them. It's your money to waste I guess but they're a commitment. No point having braces then sacking off the aftercare as your teeth will move out of line again.

I'm four years out of them and I only need to wear my retainer every few nights, maybe once a week to be fair though. Could you handle that?

Duvetdaysanddays · 03/09/2017 22:33

I'm also in London like pp - will add about that when i make my decision (which will be totally based on who offers the best finance and orthodontic facelift potential) joke.....

NorthCoast · 03/09/2017 22:33

munchkinmaster - yes, it will get better :) Did they give you any wax to put over the brackets? That will help with the rubbing.

OP, another happy Invisalign customer here, had them done 7 years ago aged 35 after tram tracks in my early 20s didn't have a permanent effect. It's worked very well for me, my top front 2 teeth crossed over and my bottom front 4 were very skewed, plus I have a very small mouth, so everything else was a bit rammed in. Invisalign managed to correct everything with no extractions needed and I now only wear a retainer 2 or 3 nights a week, which is enough to maintain it.

Original poster
Getout21 · 03/09/2017 22:37

I think in all seriousness I would wear the retainer actually just wish I did it more as a teen. Although I'm not sure my teeth still would of stayed in place.

Have to go to bed now but really appreciate all the feedback.

OP posts:
Duvetdaysanddays · 03/09/2017 22:38

@northcoast - I also am blessed with a very small mouth. So: did Invisalign help with widening your smile?

Original poster
Getout21 · 03/09/2017 22:38

Will be dreaming of a Hollywood smile & back on tmw!

OP posts:
Artistic · 03/09/2017 22:39

After too much research and meeting a number of orthodontists I had Invisalign done 4 years ago. I'd had fabulously straight teeth all my life but gum disease played havoc with my bones and caused a minor gap in my teeth. Couldn't live with that so went for Invisalign. You'll be happy to know that I did it with Bupa Dental at Holborn. They were the cheapest, quickest and best option though I had to travel into the city for appointments which mostly cost me time! Am sure all dentist there are good but mine was Dr Tinkler and I can totally recommend him. He's had it done himself so knows the ups& downs & is a perfectionist so will make sure there are zero problems in the end! PM me if you need more details..

Rosielily · 03/09/2017 22:41

I've just had my first two consultations for Invisalign (I'm 54!). Never had braces as a child and like someone else said, I made sure my children did. My orthodontist says it will take about 6 months - so all. All being well I should be well on the way to a pretty smile by the time of my next birthday in April. I'm glad it's happening over the winter months as I can "hibernate" and looking forward to the weight loss too.......Smile.

userlotsanumbers · 03/09/2017 22:44

I went local, and that is up north, sorry. I had a friend who was training to be a dentist and they advised me who to go to. Train track appointments for tightening/adjusting are fairly quick, less than two hours for sure.

If it's done well, you won't regret it. I never have - the whole shape of my face changed, for the better!

PosiePootlePerkins · 03/09/2017 22:47

Just posted my experience with Invisalign on another thread this evening! Not sure how to link, it is in Style & Beauty.

PosiePootlePerkins · 03/09/2017 22:48

Oh just realised its you OPBlush

mammmamia · 03/09/2017 23:08

A year into my fixed braces.
Had braces as a teen, no retainer, teeth started to move in my mid thirties and front teeth sticking out. So I decided to go for it aged 38.
I went to see about 4 different cosmetic dentists and orthodontists and took all their opinions and did some research. They all said Invisalign not suitable for me.
Had to have 2 teeth out.
I would recommend seeing a proper orthodontist for a consultation not a cosmetic dentist.
Am pleased with teeth so far and can't wait to get the braces off in a few months time. I will need a retainer forever.
Happy to recommend the place I go to. Which part of London are you in? North South?

Sparklesocks · 03/09/2017 23:10

I got them op. Like you I had braces as a teen to straighten my eye teeth, but as I got into my twenties a gap formed between my front teeth and slowly got bigger and bigger. It didn't bother me at first, but became very noticeable after a few years and made me quite self conscious. Eventually you nearly could've fit a whole extra tooth between them. At 27 I 'took the plunge' and decided to sort it.

I had a consultation with an orthodontist they gave me three options:

Standard metal train train braces across top teeth

Ceramic train track braces across top teeth
Invisalign - invisible retainers that weren't noticeable

Obviously as it's seen as cosmetic I had to pay.
Invisalign was just not an option for me as it was about £3k.

The ceramic ones were £1400 and the metal £1200, so for the sake of £200 (seeing as I was spending a big heap already it seemed small by comparison!!) I opted for the ceramics for that extra subtlety. I paid £450 upfront then £85 a month until I cleared the balance.

I ended up having to wear them for 18 months (despite initial estimate being 6-12) and honestly it changed my life. My gap is gone and I now smile with confidence and with teeth in photos - something I never did before!

I have a fixed metal retainer behind my teeth (you can't see it though) and have to wear a plastic one in bed but it seems like a small price to pay for my smile.

Yes it was a lot of money, but an investment when you think you'll have your teeth and smile your whole life.

I didn't mind having them really. Maybe as I had the ceramic ones it didn't seem as obvious, but nobody battered an eyelid or cared I had them. I never felt self conscious or anything. Obviously Invisalign wouldve been nice but I don't feel it would've added anything extra for the extra cost.

If you can spare the extra cash I'd definitely recommend. Like I said, it's transformed my life and my confidence and is one of the best things I've done.

bananafish81 · 03/09/2017 23:13

I had an inman aligner - completely straightened out my tombstone lower teeth in 4 months

No retainer afterwards, just a wire glued on the back of my teeth

Probably not suitable for all dental issues but was absolutely incredible for me.

I had train tracks when younger but still had wonky teeth. The inman gave me perfectly straight teeth in just 4 months. Total game changer

bananafish81 · 03/09/2017 23:16

This is quite helpful comparing invisalign to the inman for front tooth crowding, if that's your particular issue

www.google.co.uk/amp/www.lifetimesmiles.com/inman-aligner-vs-invisalign-why-we-prefer-the-inman-aligner/amp/

If it's your front teeth as you say in your OP then it could be a really good option for you...

NorthCoast · 04/09/2017 07:00

Duvetdaysanddays - yes. They had to do a little bit of filing between my teeth to make space, but my teeth are now even. Probably the most uncomfortable bit was getting the moulds taken as even their smallest tray was quite tricky to get in, but we got there in the end and without kicking off my gag reflex fortunately!

RoderickRules · 04/09/2017 07:04

I recommend Perfect Smile in Battersea.
My dentist is amazing.
If you want more details, PM me.

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