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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:
Cheburashka86 · 04/09/2017 07:07

I'm thinking of doing this too! I had braces as a teenager but didn't wear my retainer and they've become quite wonky since.
A couple of questions - how much would Invisalign be likely to cost, monthly? I know it depends on how bad teeth are, mine aren't dreadful I guess but what kind of price range is it?
Secondly the retainer...is it kind of gross to wear? I remember my teenage one kind of collected spit?

Oblomov17 · 04/09/2017 07:12

I am very interested. I was refused a brace as a teenager. By bottom 2 front teeth have turned inwards.

321zerobaby · 04/09/2017 07:23

I'm having my white ceramic braces removed tomorrow, I've had them for 10mnths (was told 6), cost £2,300. Paid a deposit and then the rest monthly for a year. I'm 48, having it done in Surrey, not London sorry.

I've chosen not to have the fixed wire retainer, but the plastic overnight ones.

mishfish · 04/09/2017 07:27

I haven't read the full thread.

I had an overbite as a child and weird braces to help straighten them out. They didn't do much so when I was 21 I got Invisalign.

Best thing I ever did

This was a good 7 years ago and at the time it cost £3k for top and bottom retainers, all the set up before, teeth filing, whiting after, the permanent fixed retainer and life long aftercare

I think it's much cheaper now- my friend for what I did for £1k off groupon a few years back!

It's changed my smile for the better and I'm so much more confident because of it

UptownTopRanking · 04/09/2017 07:34

Sorry to jump on the thread but I've been weighing them up for years. I'm just wondering how painful they are. Is it a constant pushing type pain or do you stop noticing after a while? I have a strong gag reflex too so would that be an issue?

HungerOfThePine · 04/09/2017 07:45

@uptown when you first get them done it can be sore and uncomfortable for about a week but the next treatment only a day or two, you basically notice it less and less each time.

I had my teeth filed recently and a coil/spring put on. It was uncomfortable more than anything the pain is a bearable one, it was gone by next morning.

IfYoureHappyAndYouKnowIt · 04/09/2017 07:48

Invisalign have not been painful for me. I had an issue with just one tray early on which was just because my teeth complained a little about moving in the beginning and that's it.

If you need periodic filing during treatment then this is a little uncomfortable but I've only had it twice and it was no worse than the hygienist.

Expat38matt · 04/09/2017 07:49

I had train tracks including a head brace as a teen and then my front teeth crossed over again as an adult
Everyone said they didn't notice but I was very conscious so at age 35 got Invisalign
I was quite crap at wearing them as they advise 23 hours a day in the end I only wore them at night so it probably took longer but now I'm so happy with my teeth and I do think it also changed my face shape so I would recommend it for sure

mammmamia · 04/09/2017 08:40

I would go for a fixed brace if you're not going to be disciplined at wearing Invisalign. No one bats an eyelid at adults wearing braces these days and you do forget about it after a while.
The biggest pain about it is the constant teeth cleaning after meals which is a hassle if you're out, at work etc. however that is the case whether you have a fixed brace or Invisalign.

BlueberryMarshmallow · 04/09/2017 08:51

I have got fixed metal (NHS) braces and I am 26. I've had them for coming up to 2 years so off soon hopefully!

The change they make in your smile is really good, my teeth were really bad and I cannot believe they are the same ones now! People do ask questions though and it's mostly positive things- everyone tells you what they're not happy with on their teeth.

@uptown It's quite painful when you first get them on and your lips get ulcers as the metal rubs. Each time you go for a tightening it hurts for a few days afterwards but it's a weird pain only when you eat or put pressure on them. The gag reflex would only be a problem when they initially do a mould of your teeth but it's not for long.

My friend had hers on the same time as me but privately and got ceramic ones and to be honest it wasn't a great deal of difference, she was jealous towards the end of not being able to pick out colours (we both turned into teenagers again 😂).

With regards to the retainer- after putting yourself through it as an adult I'm sure you will wear it!

AnnPerkins · 04/09/2017 09:01

I had braces and headgear as a young teen but, surprisingly Hmm I was reluctant to wear the headgear except at night. I also wonder if it caused my cluster headaches.

But at 48 my teeth are so crooked I am seriously considering braces again. If it improves dental and gum health I could probably justify the cost that way. I don't think anything but fixed braces would work on teeth as bad as mine and I'm not sure I have the confidence to wear something so obvious.

Although they couldn't look worse than my actual teeth could they? Where do I start? Appointment with local orthodontist I suppose?

mammmamia · 04/09/2017 09:03

Yes I would go and visit 3-4 local ones and ask for a consultation. Don't go with the first one. They all seem to do things slightly differently and do have different opinions. Be warned you might have to pay for the consultations!

Original poster
Getout21 · 04/09/2017 09:25

Artistic thanks will check them out!

mammamia I'm in SW.

OP posts:
Original poster
Getout21 · 04/09/2017 09:29

Oh & for those that had whitening did it hurt or make your teeth sensitive afterwards?

OP posts:
northernbobbydazzler · 04/09/2017 09:53

I had Quick Straight Teeth, no regrets although I have both a wire attached to the back of my teeth & retainer to wear at night.

Shop around, The dentist I went with made sure my gums were in top condition before he would start which meant 3-4 months of me flossing in between meals etc before I scored highly enough.

Worst bit was the impressions they had to take.

NachoAddict · 04/09/2017 11:00

I have only had positive comments on my braces and as a single woman it is surprising how many men say they like them.

I found the pain was really bad for the first few weeks to the point I thougjt what have I done but now 18 months in I dont even have much discomfort after an adjustment.

Always make sure you have wax and bonjeala in for any rubbing though.

Lellochip · 04/09/2017 12:16

I had an Inman aligner last year (age 30) and don't regret it one bit. If your issue is cosmetic & just the front teeth it's definitely worth looking into. It's more obvious than invisalign, and you will probably lisp a bit (most people do get over this apparently, my brace had extra bits that meant I did talk a bit funny the entire time) but you can remove it for a bit if necessary, for eating etc. It's quicker and cheaper usually though so that's where it has its advantages. Mine was in for about 4 months, which is one of the longer cases, minor adjustments can be quicker, it's often used for fixed brace relapses.

I've now got a fixed wire retainer and a plastic invisalign-type one, which I wanted as a back up. I'd recommend looking into it and seeing if it's an option

Lellochip · 04/09/2017 12:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FatBottomedGal · 04/09/2017 12:28

I had train tracks from 13-16, and then again from 21-24. The second time I had the tracks put on the back of my front teeth so you couldn't see them at all - but this was incredibly painful. I had clear tracks on my bottom teeth.

One thing I would highly recommend is to get a permanent brace when you're finished with whatever option you choose. I've got a tiny metal bar glued to the back of my front teeth (top and bottom) so they can't move - no need for a retainer!

TempusEejit · 04/09/2017 12:39

I had six month smiles done last year to close a large gap between my front teeth. Took three months! They gave me wax to put over the brackets to stop them rubbing/grazing the inside of my mouth. I originally had a fixed retainer fitted (a thin wire they glue behind your teeth) but found it uncomfortable so now I just wear a removable one each night, you soon get used to it. Very pleased I got it done.

Zippyzulu · 04/09/2017 12:41

My teeth were badly overcrowded and one front tooth protruded lots. I got an Inman aligner and wore it nearly all the time, just taking it out to eat, and it worked within 9-12 months- I was on maternity leave so didn't have to worry about wearing it at work. I wore a removable retainer for a while but now have a fixed retainer.
I love the results- they aren't perfect fake looking but are straight and natural looking. It's changed the shape of my mouth slightly but I wish I had done it years ago.

TheRadiantAerynSun · 04/09/2017 12:42

I'm 38 and have fixed braces with ceramic brackets on the top (my need are far too complex for something like invisalign.) It's made a huge difference and was definitely worth it.

It's not that painful and doesn't irritate my mouth at all. Techniques have come a long way in the 20yrs since I had them as a teen.

When I'm done I'll have a fixed retainer behind my teeth and plastic retainers to sleep in.

I would advise going to a specialist orthodontist (not just a high street dentist or cosmetic dentist) who works with adults a lot.

MrsPeacockDidIt · 04/09/2017 12:52

I had train tracks on at 34 for 2 years leading up to my wedding. I'd had them before at 19 but didn't wear the retainer and my teeth went back to their original position and looked awful. Full train tracks were only option as there was quite a lot to do. BEST thing I ever did and worth every penny. A nice smile made a huge difference to my confidence.

I used a London orthodontist called Moira Wong and I've just checked and she now has her own practice. When I used her 10 years ago she was an independent working one day at week at a Notting Hill dental practice. I have no hesitation at all recommending her.

UptownTopRanking · 04/09/2017 14:31

@Getout21 I've not done the 1 hour teeth whitening so unsure about sensitivity with that. I have done the whitening where the dentist makes moulds of your teeth and you wear them overnight with the whitening solution on them and this did cause a bit of sensitivity. I use the whitening strips you can buy online now and those also cause a bit of sensitivity too. I think it depends on The individual though. The whitening strips would be a good way to try it without spending a fortune.

toastandbutterandjam · 04/09/2017 14:48

Currently got fixed braces as an adult. I saw a fantastic Orthodontist in London (I can PM you details if you want?), but due to the position of my teeth, I needed hospital treatment (I was refused as a teen and it got so bad I couldn't even close my mouth).

The hospital have done a fantastic job and my private orthodontist (although not actively involved) still receives regular updates. I can close my mouth now and we're only months in! Grin

I've had ulcers, pain etc but it's all worth it. I don't even realise I have them on half the time!