Adult braces brigade.... any members?

[chasingtail]

I had fixed clear braces fitted on Friday and grand old age of 41!!!

I've always hated my smile. crooked, over crowded teeth so thought "F it" and finally did something about it.

It has cost me £3100 (10% discount for full payment up front - yikes!) but that includes everything like fixed retainers at end of treatment.

I was given the option of fixed or Invisalign but after chatting it over with a dental hygienist friend, decided to go with the fixed option as the outcome is more predictable clinically.

Minor downsides:

1. embaressment factor - have only done the school run once since having them fitted so am expecting lots of strange looks/questions after half term. You are also advised to carry a toothbruch around with at all times as food invariably manages to attach itself to the brace.

1. pain; manageable at the moment. It does feel like my the braces are sinking into the inside of my mouth so I keep drinking lots to avoid dehydration. The orthodontist has given me a truck load of dental wax and just said to use bonjela as and when necessary. He also said that my mouth will toughen up making it less painful

1. eating (may be an upside depending on point of view!) There is a long list of foods to avoid both for the positioning and appearance of the brace. obvious foods to avoid include anyhting crunch or overly sticky. Also avoid curries due to staining properties. Otho said that a lot of his patients save their curries up until a few days before an appointment, when he then replaces the clear brackets and wires.

HUGE upside

beautiful Hollywood smile within 18 months

Anyone else got any experiences to share - my mouth is feeling really sore at the moment so will be trekking out later to get some bonjela.

Hi there, I have had Damon fixed braces for the last 6 months to close gaps in my top teeth. The brackets are clear but wires obviously metal. Yes, I did feel self conscious about them and still do from time to time, but I'm so used to them now, it doesn't bother me. I do have aching after the wires are replaced but this and any rubbing on my gums disappears within a week and it's all worth it for me. I can see loads of difference in my teeth now and the orthodontist said I can have them off in June! She originally predicted I'd need them on for 12 months but it looks like it'll be just under 10. Yippee! I'm 41 by the way, and I've always been too scared to have a brace before now. Always hated my gaps though. I'm so pleased I did it and haven't found it nearly as bad as I thought.

I do make a joke about it with friends and if I'm eating and I get something stuck in my brace I know they'll tell me. Spinach and broccoli are the worst! Just make sure you really limit how much red wine and highly coloured foods such as curry you have as they will make the brackets and elastics ( if you have them) a nice shade of yellow!

Well done for taking the plunge. I haven't regretted it once!

Thank you AKiss, I thought as much. Sadly there is no spare money for this at the moment. I will look at other options one day though.