Adult braces anyone?

[PosiePootlePerkins]

I hate my teeth. No problems as a child, but they have become increasingly crooked over the years, and now at the age of 41 I am fed up. My dentist recently mentioned that my wisdom teeth are still not completely through (!) so I am guessing that my problem is overcrowding.
I am seriously considering adult braces but they seem to be so expensive! Anyone had them? Any success or horror stories? Any advice gratefully received.

im almost 4 months in now and im used to them. its free for me as im having a major jaw op too after 2 years. in total braces will be on for 2.5 years although they have moved so quickly already. the tightening is painful and i really need to be stricter about the no sugar rule but generally its fine. Im 37, wish I'd done it years ago.

I think it depends what you need doing. My birthday is September and they were off by xmas. I didn't need any teeth removing, just crooked teeth straightening. It was so quick. It wasn't Invisalign but white braces on the front of my teeth which was cheaper. I hated my teeth, they were straightened as a teenager but just went crooked again over the years. I wouldn't smile in public, they were so crooked. Get it done !!!!

God i wish i didn't have to have mine on for so long think its cos they have to realign my jaw.

I have had braces as an adult - best thing ever. 3 years of full on metal ones, and jaw surgery, but it's transformed my smile, face and confidence. I'm still wearing my retainer most of the time a year on (NHS and waiting for implant process), but it's great.

I felt uncomfortable at first in work meetings etc, but actually I had more confidence with the brace on as I was doing something positive about my awful teeth.

I had them 10 years ago - cost about £3K
It was worth every penny and I wish I had done it sooner

Southdownssunshine it sounds like you had a similar procedure to what i will be having

Wow so many positive experiences, thank you for sharing them I feel inspired to do something about my dreadful teeth! If I could get away with a few months that would be even better!

And good luck braceybracegirl I hope it all goes well and is worth the discomfort, I'm sure you'll look amazing at the end of it all! And do lots of smiling

thank you. i dont have any regrets. Also had 6 teeth out before braces including wisdoms.

I have a retainer and it doesn't bother me. I can feel it if I put my tongue behind my teeth but it's never stopped me biting into an apple!

This is where I went. Asif Chattoo was brilliant and I would definitely recommend him if you are near London: www.londonlingualbraces.com/index.php

Another thing, I was single when I had the braces on and assumed I would stay single until they came off but in actual fact I had more attention (and pulled) more than normal! I thought it might put people off kissing me but I didn't get any complaints

Thanks Yika and others for posting their experiences. Much appreciated.

I will be having double jaw surgery too Bracey. Not looking forward to it really but hey I will be super slim (6 weeks no solid food) with a perfect smile so its not all bad.

Dakin I have found that braces don't put the men off too.

hi hairy! how many months have you had them on for now?

I had train tracks on in my late 30's. Best few grand I ever spent. I had them on for about 18 months but my teeth were awful and the first 6 months were spent widening my palette. It was too painful and I wasn't as self conscious as I thought I'd be. I even used colourful ligs (the little bands that hold the wire onto each tooth). The difference it made was wonderful.

"Wasn't too painful"

I got something called six month smile - similar to the white braces as posted above I think. I only had them on for 5 months and now have a wire retainer. Would definitely recommend

Hi Bracey, I am now almost 6 months in. How are you getting on? I have a spring in at the moment, this is the second adjustment with it to make space to bring another tooth forward. Next adjustment I get spacers again oh joy and then they are banding my back molars instead of my first molars which are currently banded.

Sorry for slight hijack OP!

That's ok hairy its really interesting reading everyone's experiences. Very grateful to all for sharing. Good luck to you too!

Thanks! I have photos of my progress on a thread somewhere if you get bored try an advanced search.

Some orthodontists do payment plans if that'd suit you more? Probably not for Invisalign, but if you get train tracks it would make it more affordable as you wouldn't need to have £3k up front.

I will do hairy! Good suggestion Aurora. I have had a search and there seem to be a few places in my area so I'm going to ring round and make an appointment for an initial consultation, scary but exciting!

You honestly won't regret it!

before photo and one from a month ago. So that is progress in less than 3 months

and now

Wow Bracey. Have you got a date for your OP?