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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To spend £4k on my teeth?

78 replies

Persephon · 10/04/2023 18:37

I‘ve had wonky-teeth for a while and they are getting worse, making me self conscious though friends say that don’t notice. Getting them fixed with braces will cost around £4k and may not work (orthodontic advice). They will need to file some teeth and maybe an extraction. Am I mad to consider this? We are medium income, (around 60k joint), but I can get a payment plan to pay for the teeth. Anyone else get their teeth done in middle age (I am 46)- was it worth it?

OP posts:

CC4712 · 10/04/2023 20:04

I can guarantee that people DO notice your teeth- even if they say they don't. If you can afford it, then do it. I always think of this advertising campaign about how distracting teeth can be:
https://fstoppers.com/post-production/colgates-clever-advertising-campaign-4002

Colgate's Clever Advertising Campaign

Last summer Colgate teamed up with Y&R Brazil to create some clever advertisements for their line of dental floss. Brazilian photographer Bruno Cals took the pics but what really stands out is the creative direction the campaign took which was led by R...

https://fstoppers.com/post-production/colgates-clever-advertising-campaign-4002

Wynston · 10/04/2023 20:05

sat here with my brace on.....haven't really got the money to do it....will work overtime but i will never have the money I decided it would always be something.
Took me a long time to realise I am important and its ok. xx

nomoredriving · 10/04/2023 20:06

Wynston · 10/04/2023 20:05

Well done you !

Plainandsimple · 10/04/2023 20:08

Absolutely go for it! Mine were discoloured, crooked and overlapping, one front tooth larger than the other due to an old veneer, receded gums, the works. They (to me) looked awful and were really affecting my confidence. I paid £2.5k last year for top and bottom tooth whitening and composite bonding on eight top teeth and my smile is now amazing! I'm 53 now and also wish I'd done it years ago.

Lollygaggle · 10/04/2023 20:09

Persephon · 10/04/2023 18:50

are train tracks better than Invisalign? I know they don’t look so nice but I’d do it if result better. £4k quote was Invisalign

Speak to your orthodontist, but in general train track braces are still the gold standard of treatment. They can achieve movements that Invisalign and similar cannot .

squirrelnutkins1 · 10/04/2023 20:14

The best money I've ever spent!

Anjo2011 · 10/04/2023 20:17

Do it. You have your teeth for a long time , hopefully, so get the work done and look after them. Money well spent imo.

MyopicBunny · 10/04/2023 20:17

YANBU - do it - you will feel better.

flipflop00 · 10/04/2023 20:19

Try diamond whites Invisalign. They often do special offers, I just got mine for 1400 on a decent payment plan. I really don't have any money to spare but my teeth really bother me, so I just went for it! X

CherryHouse · 10/04/2023 20:29

Go for it!!

Timeturnerplease · 10/04/2023 20:33

I spent £5k on 18 months of braces. Fixed a serious bite issue and straightened them up. Worth every penny.

However, we could not under any circumstances afford this now we have children, so I suppose it depends on your financial situation.

Wynston · 10/04/2023 20:39

@nomoredriving thank you very much x

WoofWoofBeachLife · 10/04/2023 20:46

Go for it! I'd love to have mine done if/when we can afford it x

user1471543683 · 10/04/2023 20:49

Persephon · 10/04/2023 18:50

are train tracks better than Invisalign? I know they don’t look so nice but I’d do it if result better. £4k quote was Invisalign

Initially just for top braces, estimates were metal braces £1500, white braces £2,000 and Invisalign £4600. I didn’t bother me to have metal braces so went for them as much cheaper!!!

Christmascracker0 · 10/04/2023 20:54

I’ve almost finished my Invisalign course. Paid £4,300 for the straightening and whitening - best money I’ve ever spent! I’m so happy with how my teeth look and they aren’t even finished yet!

My dentist offered interest free finance or you could pay on a credit card and pay off monthly if that would suit you better.

Bloops · 10/04/2023 20:55

I spent 4k exactly on adult braces. Best thing I ever did. Do it!!!

Bloopsie · 10/04/2023 20:56

Teeth are always worth it. Do it on a payment plan of you can.

KylieKangaroo · 10/04/2023 20:56

I'm getting mine done in the summer, can't afford it so I have got a loan over two years! Hopefully it will be worth it!

WindyWends · 10/04/2023 21:04

If you're going to have orthodontics, do it properly with a recommended orthodontist and 'train track' braces - I spent £4k on proper braces and it was the BEST money I ever spent!!

I needed 3 teeth extracting and it took 2 years, but it was so worth it. I now appreciate my teeth every single day, I love smiling, eating is easier, so many positives. I wish I'd done it sooner.

newbeggins · 10/04/2023 21:07

What are the consequences to you of not having this done?

tokyotea · 10/04/2023 21:07

100% worth it

SparkyBlue · 10/04/2023 21:10

If you can afford it then go for it. I'm thinking of doing the same

backinthestoneage · 10/04/2023 21:27

I have spent an eye-watering amount on two crowns and a dental implant this year, it would have been cheaper to fix if caught earlier but thanks to covid etc ... I think investing in teeth is important.

And at 46 .... those teeth have got many more years to go

DustyLee123 · 10/04/2023 21:32

I’m also considering Invisalign.

Will I need teeth removing if two are slightly behind the others ?
Should I ask at a few places, or should I just go with my dentist as they are all pretty similar ?

bumpytrumpy · 10/04/2023 21:51

Wynston · 10/04/2023 20:05

Well done 👏

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