Adult braces

[Allhailkingcharlie]

Has anyone ever had them on the NHs? Or used Invisalign?

Agree, it's completely life changing! I guess it depends how your teeth are before starting, but mine were awful! So so pleased I finally did it. Just wish my parents had taken me to an orthodontist as a teen when I could have had it done on the NhS

Here's some before and afters.
My teeth have moved a small amount but it's really important you wear your retainer, forever!

@Drummend01 Thank you, I'd didn't know they did that. Reading the positive stories makes me even more keen, but my teeth aren't that bad so if I needed teeth removed it would probably be a deal breaker for me.

Mine aren't too bad but I'm worried they're getting worse. I'm going to book an appointment definitely

I had Invisalign's when I was 24! Top & bottom. They did a great job!

I had Invisalign 2 years ago. Had them for about a year including extra trays etc.
it’s the best money I’ve ever ever spent (£3,500 including some composite bonding to 4 teeth).
I’ll try and attach before and after pics.

I didn’t have teeth removed

I had Invisalign privately, started just before I turned 30. Cost about £3500 IIRC? So pleased with the results, well worth the money!

Those who have had Invisalign with costs of £3000-3500, was that just for upper teeth, or both upper and lower. My lower teeth are worse than my upper ones, so definitely want those done.

I'm getting Invisalign on Thursday! Quite nervous about the appointment though, with getting the attachments fitted etc.
Those of you who've had it, was it alright? Was it a nightmare getting the trays out to start with?

I started Invisalign (well sparks) beck in April on top/bottom -£4k

I did it as bottom teeth were moving forward and out of alignment and worried they'd break through gums.

They also fixed my wonky front top tooth though had that since 14 with no issue (50 now)

Mine has been very painless -yes it's hard to get new trays in/out but that was over in a day each time. No real pain and I have lost 1/2 stone as no eating between meals.
Going on holiday with them will be interesting-am trying to get used to removing in public (discreetly behind a menu)

Also I had my first test for a few weeks before moving onto tray 2 when attachments went on. So got used to it before it actually started moving anything.

And just bought my first cleaning crystals-cheap off eBay rather than the invisiline £50 ones. Will try on last set, see if they taste funny before using. Would only use day day 5 as they do get a bit grubby by end day 10.

I haven’t had Invisalign but had train track braces that came off earlier this year - cost about 4k all in. It was expensive, however the difference was incredible and I wished I’d done it earlier. Was 39 when they came off.
my dentist had a payment plan where I pay a certain amount each month to spread the cost so it was more affordable to me (obviously had interest though).

@LadyDanburysHat mine was for upper and lower

As an adult the only way you will get braces on the NHS is if you have such severe problems that surgery is also required to correct the position of your jaws.

Retainer type braces such as Invisalign , clear fast etc have limitations, in general they only move the front 6 teeth and there are limitations on the types of movement they can achieve . Again, in general train tracks type braces are still the gold standard as you can achieve much better refinement of tooth movement and bite .

All braces require you to wear retainers for life . You might be lucky and get away without but particularly retainer type brace treatment tends to relapse very quickly. Most people wear retainers at night between 3 and 7 days a week.

All tooth movement requires space to be made. If you don't need much tooth movement you might get away with interproximal reduction (tooth shaving) but if you need a fair bit of movement taking a tooth out is the only way to do it.

You need excellent oral hygiene and diet , once you have a brace on you are a lot more susceptible to gum disease and decay , so keep your regular check ups with your usual dentist to ensure your teeth remain in good condition during brace work.

@WeWereInParis its really not bad at all, you barely feel anything when they fit the attachments. I assume you’ve had moulds and everything done already, for me that was the worst part.

They do feel a bit tight at first, and when taking them out to eat your teeth feel a bit weird and sensitive but you get used to everything quickly

I had digital impressions done rather than the moulds, which I was glad about as I remember hating the moulds as a teenager (I had braces as a teenager but never wore a retainer 🙄, hence the need for Invisalign. I'm cursing my teenage self for being such a twat)

It's not pain I'm worried about, more just having your mouth held open with those plastic things for so long, I always find I need to swallow and then get a bit panicky. I made the mistake of watching a video, which was fine, the patient didn't seem bothered. But it made me nervous.

This isn't true.

I had braces on the nhs and had no surgery or jaw problems

@TheGoodBanana What did you need double jaw surgery for? I should have worn twin block braces as a teen and foolishly I didn't bother wearing them as they hurt and my DM never prompted me. My jawline is very weak as an adult and I feel it ruins my face so I have always regretted it.

I have invisalign and it's moved all of my teeth, and the same for the other 4 people I know who have done it - not just the front 6 teeth. I also lurk the invisalign subreddit and that doesn't appear to be the case there either. Interested to hear why you believe in general it's only the front 6. They are limited in movement to a certain extent though, agree! Totally depends on how severe you are or the type of movement.

OP - I've got invisalign and my only regret is not doing it sooner. I'm not even done yet. Cost me 3.5k and worth every single penny. I paid a chunk upfront then got an interest free loan for 10 months (my provider will do interest free up to 12, I think the max term was 36 months)

You can also use denture cleaning tablets like Steradent! I use half a tablet in half a mug of water each day and that works a treat.

@ricekrispi I had a large overbite and a gummy smile. My bottom jaw was detached and brought forward about 10mm and my top jaw was detached, shaved and reattached so there is no longer gum visible when smiling.

It was a huge op and I looked like a moonmin for awhile but honestly so worth it.

No NHS orthodontist in general practice will have a contract for over 18s and hospitals will only accept orthodontic referrals for those needing a combined surgical/orthodontic approach. This has been the case since 2006 . Here is a site which reinforces , in general, NHS orthodontics is not available for over 18s. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/orthodontics/ and here is guidance for dentists which says much the same https://www.bos.org.uk/professionals-members/information-for-dentists/making-an-orthodontic-referral/is-my-patient-eligible-for-nhs-treatment/

@TheGoodBanana I'm so glad it worked out for you. Mine is an overbite too, how did you get approved for NHS treatment for it?