To ask if anyone has done Invisalign or other adult braces?

[Terramirabilis]

Nervously contemplating a big spend on Invisalign or some other adult braces type thing to finally address my teeth. They're healthy but not very aesthetically pleasing. Not terrible though, either, so I'm wondering just how much discomfort/inconvenience there is with getting them done with the invisible aligners or even adult braces. Anyone done it? Was it worth it? How many months did it take from start to finish?

I did it, and found it fine, a little uncomfortable while you get used to it. I didn’t realise it’s a good idea to keep all the different sets of them though, and you are supposed to sleep in a retainer after the treatment finishes to stop them slipping back. ( I didn’t and they’ve slipped a little) My friend did the same, and she kept all the old sets, so she can go back a few stages and put it right again.

Oh, and I think it took me about 8 months

yes only took a year for the actual treatment (adult braces) but followup appointments for a year or so after every few months to check how doing etc. amazing, well worth it. although expensive. A bit painful for the first day or two but goes quickly as you get used to it!

That's not too bad in terms of time. Although I believe adult braces work faster than the invisible options. How noticeable to other people were your braces, @treebuzz?

I've had invisaline. Best thing I ever did. They're amazing! Think it took a year for my top teeth and a bit less for my bottom ones.

well, you could tell I had braces! but i went for white ones (they still had metal wire) so a bit less noticeable. I didn't really care, it's worth it. FWIW a friend went for invisalign and then didn't get the results she wanted, and wished she had gone for fixed instead. I've been told by orthodontist fixed braces are better in terms of what they can do for teeth etc. but they are of course pretty visible!

Yep, I’ve done Invisalign too. Took 14 months and was defintely worth it. The first few retainers can take some getting used to but it genuinely gets easier as you go along, you know the pain of the new retainer will be short lived. Straight teeth - so pleased I did it!

One of the best decisions I made! I had Invisalign and it was very minimal fuss for a great result. Some slight aches when getting a new tray, but nothing that paracetamol didn’t fix. Eating and drinking was not a problem (except for forgetting to brush after an Indian and ending up with yellow trays for a couple of days!) I wear a retainer at night now, but can skip a few nights a week without worrying.
Be aware that you might need to have additional fixing ‘blobs’ to help with some movements, which lessens the invisibility- but, for me, it was more than worth it for the results! (Ignore the daft faces, but here’s my before and after).

I decided against it because I was told I’d have to wear a retainer every night for the rest of my life to stop my teeth moving back, and I couldn’t be arsed with that.

Silver train tracks, top & bottom.
It took just under 2 years, I didnt care who saw them, they saved me loads of money.

I paid £100 a month to help spread the cost. I have to wear my retainer every night.

I would do it again.

I had a fixed brace, went for white ones on the top so not as noticeable. The first week was very uncomfortable with a constant ache after that it's uncomfortable for a short while when it's adjusted but you soon get use to it. Only on for 10 months. Definitely worth doing

I definitely need some, what kind of price are we talking? I think I would need fixed...

I want braces this year. Want to follow the thread.

Mine were really awful before. They are better now, but not 100%

It was all we could do, rather than have jaw surgery.

I still need my bridge of the front 3 replacing, but that will be another £1800.

I had the white braces, as I was told by the orthodontist Invisalign would take longer and wouldn't get me the same results. I had the option of traditional braces on the back of my teeth but they said they'd probably cause me to lisp. Honestly, they weren't all that noticeable. And I now have perfect teeth. I don't have to wear a retainer at night, I have permanent retaining wires on the back of my teeth instead. They haven't shifted.

Just started my Invisalign treatment last week. So far so good. I had braces as a teenager and these are way better and less painful. I have attachments on some teeth but you can barely notice them at all. I like that you take them out to eat so can still eat whatever you want. With normal braces some things have to be avoided.

I'm having it done at the moment I'm on set 25 out of 27 so nearly finished😁bit achy when new sets go in but not what I would call pain . You can only take them out for 2 hours out of 24 though and obvs can't eat/drink or smoke with them in so I did out for 30 mins breakfast ,30 mins lunch then hour for tea ( left them out for a few hrs if I went out to the pub though😁) I'm lucky that I'm a dental nurse and my boss is doing mine as a freebie.
But it's not suitable for everyone it depends what needs doing / how complicated your case may be.
So far it's taken 10 MTHS.Its done what I wanted so I'm happy.

Seriously considering getting braces, so apart from the cost - what are the cons? Anyone had an awful experience?

I currently have the fixed white braces. Not going to lie they can be uncomfortable, especially at first and after they are tightened.
I've had mine on for 6 months and the difference is incredible, can't wait to see the end result.

I know two people who have had adult braces and they've both highly recommended it as they've been very pleased with the results.

I had 'train tracks' as a teenager by my teeth have slipped back quite a bit, back then it seems they didn't realise you'd have to keep wearing a retainer for the rest of your life to keep it up

LiGlitter your teeth look great!

Watching this thread with interest. Do the fixing 'blobs' not negate the whole 'invisible' idea of the Invisalign though?

I am getting train tracks in a fortnight!! NHS cost via my dentist so £1500 Approximately 6-8 months. Can spread the cost after initial £400 deposit.
I am 47!!

I had fixed braces. Got them off last year. Best thing i've done. Was predicted to take 16 months, but took 2.5 years because I had to have alot of extensive work done (teeth removed, metal screws inserted etc)

I couldn't have invisalign. I was offered the ones that fix onto the back of your teeth, but was told that would add another 6+ months minimum on to treatment.

Retainer on every night, braces weren't that noticeable/ people got used to them. Some friends didn't realise i'd had them removed!

Can I ask how much(roughly) braces and Invisalign cost? I have no idea of even a ballpark figure.

Yes I have just completed a year of Invisalign.
Now wearing retainers all day and night.
Then hopefully by summer it will be night time only.

Worth every penny. I was happy to do train tracks but we live abroad and it was the most readily available option.

You do need to be compliant and stick with it or it won't work. Very glad to have done it.