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.

just been trying to chase my next appointment which is due end of July and the soonest they could give me is October! Burst into tears on the phone. Im sure its much better if you go private!

I've had adult braces since Feb 2016 and I'm due to have them for 2 years. So pleased with the results so far. I had a crossbite (overbite and underbite!!) and my underbite has already totally gone. Just working on closing the gaps now. See photos below from Feb 2016 and June 2016

I had two teeth extracted and also surgery to expose a tooth that was buried in my gum, that tooth is now attached to a chain which is attached to my brace. It definitely hasn't been painless! And they can be especially sore once they've been tightened but I just remind myself that it means they are working.

I was also lucky enough to be referred by my fab dentist and I have mine on the NHS, I live near a local training hospital and my orthodontist is a student. Very happy to answer any questions if you have them. Wish you best of luck. X

Wow you have a beautiful smile!

Inspired by this thread I've booked a consultation with DC's orthodontist. I'm really self conscious about my teeth so hope something can be done to improve them. Do update on how your consultation goes Posie.

This is my progress at about 4 months. I don't have a picture yet of where I am now, will upload something when I get home.

looks amazing! i still cant get a tightening appointment :(

This is me now 6 months in. Lots of work to do on the bottom teeth but the top are moving beautifully.

I'm getting Invisalign in a few months and I'm 44 with crooked teeth and a gap between my front two teeth. My husband talked me into a consultation and I was sold when talking to the dentist. I would never have gone if he had not booked it as to me it feels selfish taking that amount of money from my family and also vain.

However its something I've always wanted to do and have recently got a bonus from work so helps to pay for half the cost - £4,000. Can't wait to get the braces on but I know its a lot of hard work before I even get them fitted. 18 months for the full treatment

After much deliberation I got my braces fitted 2 days ago. I'm over 50 and have never had any orthodontic treatment before. I have got clear brackets and white wires. Finding the first couple of days fairly uncomfortable - my mouth feels as if it is full of little scrubbing brushes rubbing against my cheeks and lips!

This afternoon I started using the dental wax which I had previously resisted. Seems to have helped a bit. Can you experienced brace-wearers reassure me that it will get better in a few days? I'm off on holiday at the end of this week and don't want to be miserable..

It definitley will get better. I think it was about day 3 when I was wondering what I had done but things started improving as soon as I got the wax on. Took a week or two to eat much other than jelly though.
In a week or two this discomfort will be forgotten.

meikyo, my dd got her braces on last week and they hurt her for about 3 days - enough for her to occasionally ask for an aspirin. Today someone asked her how they were and she said she no longer felt them at all.

Thank you, that is good to know. I'm pretty hopeful that I will feel more comfortable soon. I'm having a very hectic time running up to finishing work for the holidays, so being so stressed probably isn't helping!

Great to see people's photos- impressive results!

Just thought I'd add my experience, I had braces in my late 20s and wish I'd done it sooner, I was really self conscious about my teeth before. I needed fixed braces so I went for clear brackets and clear bands, I was supposed to be in them for a year but it was just over 18 months in the end. Things I remember:

My mouth being red raw after they were applied, it gets better.
Not being able to bite into lots of foods because huge chunks would get stuck in my braces, sandwiches were the worst. I worked in an office at the time and used to have lunch at my desk. I would have to break food up and eat it in mouthfuls, and still rush off to the bathroom to brush after most things I'd eaten (so carrying a toothbrush and toothpaste with me all the time).
Eating a curry and dyeing my bands orange on a Friday night! I had to wait until Monday to get them replaced. Red wine was also touch and go
Having a very sore mouth every time the braces were adjusted, but quite liking it because I knew my wonky teeth were being beaten into submission.

I'm really happy with the results and they're still straight 8 years later. I have a bonded retainer on top and bottom teeth. I use little brushes and floss loops to clean between the bonded teeth, if you're not careful they're a haven for plaque. The bottom retainer partially came off for the first time last month after a really aggressive hygienist appointment, the dentist bonded it for free.

I've a free consultation with an orthodontist next week to discuss straightening so I'm just marking a spot.

I've a free consultation with an orthodontist next week to discuss straightening so I'm just marking a spot.

Discovered the relief of Anbesol today...better!