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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Duvetdaysanddays · 04/09/2017 15:02

@toast if you don't mind i would love to know also - london lady here!

toastandbutterandjam · 04/09/2017 15:29

Duvetdaysanddays Will pm you now

munchkinmaster · 04/09/2017 19:15

northcoast
Thanks, yes I've got wax but find it's not much use during the day as I'm chatting etc.

Pleased to hear the pain subsides

museumum · 04/09/2017 19:21

I had Invisalign because it was best for my issue - which was caused by over-zealous orthodontics in the 1980s. Train tracks would have required an extraction but Invisalign worked with just the "stripping" (filing between).

I now have an overnight retainer. I find if I brush with whitening paste then put the retainer in without rinsing it seems to work extra well overnight.

Northernmum100 · 04/09/2017 19:24

Reading this with interest as I am thinking of taking the plunge, 6 month smile may be OK for me as it is just my two front teeth which overlap slightly.

On another note, Dd had fixed braces and was given wax to apply if they rubbed her mouth. We ran out over a weekend and in emergency used the wax coating off a Babybel and it worked perfectly

Thiscantreallybehappening · 04/09/2017 19:32

I have fixed white braces on now and I am really glad I made the decision. I should have had them when I was younger, the dentist told my DM but she didn't take it any further. Both my DC had braces and they have lovely teeth. I have always been very conscious of my teeth and spoke to the orthodontist and decided to go ahead. I think there might be a very minor change to my face for the better.

JMKid · 04/09/2017 19:33

I'm 35 and had a brace fitting 6 weeks ago. Had one as a teenager as well. I've got the full on train tracks. Was told they are the best type and cheapest. I'm a secondary teacher in a boys school so was expecting some abuse!! To my surprise they didnt care, commented on them then that was it. I'd say go for it.

bananafish81 · 04/09/2017 19:34

My inman aligner brace was a bit painful for the first couple of weeks because it was when the teeth first started to be squeezed from both sides, but that quickly went away

Unlike when I had train tracks as a teen, which needed to be tightened, the inman doesn't need to be adjusted, it just continually works - so once I got used to the sensation it was absolutely fine

It wasn't completely invisible and I had a bit of a lisp with it in at first, but I could take it off for any important meetings - the less time per day you wear it the longer the treatment, but mine was done start to finish in 4 months

Which isn't a lot of time for straight teeth!!

The bleaching didn't hurt either, I don't remember being particularly sensitive. So pleased I did it!

I8toys · 04/09/2017 19:54

After years of wanting to do it, my husband booked me an appointment. I have had Invisalign since last October and will finish this October . Cost £4,000 but definitely money well spent. I smile all the time. I am grinning like an idiot in most photos now.

They are not totally invisible but the added bonus is being able to take them out to eat and clean your teeth properly. I cannot imagine having train tracks like my son.

Lellochip · 04/09/2017 22:39

@Northernmum100 My issue was similar, mainly one tooth sticking out/overlapping the other, so Inman might be an option for you too. I'd attach some photos but it doesn't want to let me

bananafish81 · 04/09/2017 22:54

@Northernmum100 here's the before and after with the inman, which I wore on my lower teeth. It's not for all issues, but great for front teeth

After was taken after a 4 months ABB course - post alignment (inman aligner), bleach and bonding

Totally depends on your issue as to what route will be appropriate

FunkyChunk · 04/09/2017 22:55

Do it! I had a set on for 6 months a year or so ago. I had the same issue as you, front teeth crossing after wisdom teeth coming through. When they came off, I also had my front teeth filed to be the same length. Best thing I've ever done!

FunkyChunk · 04/09/2017 22:56

(I've also got a fixed retainer behind my top teeth)

KeyChange · 04/09/2017 23:01

I had train tracks in my thirties. I think it was nearly two years. I'm really happy with my teeth now, no regrets at all.

That said two friends have had excellent results with invisalign. It wasn't available when I had my treatment, if it had been - that would've been my first port of call.

PopcornBits · 04/09/2017 23:18

Adult braces with significant facial change here.

I chose the braces because I wanted the best outcome rather than the fastest route and my teeth were severely overcrowded anyway.

My face thinned a bit, I lost a bit of jaw line definition, I kind of miss my old face but I'm happier with straighter teeth.

So you need to weigh up the pros and cons

Duvetdaysanddays · 04/09/2017 23:23

@popcorn did your face get a bit longer? Not noticeable to others but to you type thing? Im only worried about this because i already have quite a big face

MotherofA · 04/09/2017 23:25

I had a top brace as a teen and the ortho put a wire on my front teeth . It's broken and I am in the process of having it removed and swapped for a removable retainer .
HOWEVER , I've noticed in lots of pictures lately that my teeth have moved massively in the last few years and not sure the retainer will take them back . If it doesn't I'll definitely go for braces . As you said op I would also want the best rather than quickest option .

MotherofA · 04/09/2017 23:26

Sorry a permanent retainer wire on the back of my front teeth *

That didn't make sense .

PopcornBits · 04/09/2017 23:29

Yes, pretty much. It got longer, because it thinned out around my jaw line.

What do you mean big face? As in length?

The facial changes don't happen with everyone, I had 3 teeth removed and they were big teeth so it's safe to say that's probably the cause of my facial change.

PopcornBits · 04/09/2017 23:31

Other people did notice it, but what they saw was I looked like I lost weight, not thinned around the jaw line if that makes sense?
It just gave the illusion that I lost weight.

Duvetdaysanddays · 04/09/2017 23:36

Thanks @popcorn. Yep my face is quite long and i have always been quite self conscious of it. Apparently i have overcrowding but not enough for extractions so should wind up with my buccal fat being higher up afterwards. Fuck knows. It's a minefield! Genuinely!

mammmamia · 05/09/2017 08:47

I was a bit worried about my face changing shape as well. I had two teeth out but they were small ones on the upper arch. I haven't noticed much difference so far but my lips just look bigger due to the braces. I guess I will see once they come off in 6 months.

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